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Was there a Cabinet boycott in protest of Governor?

- Gov't Ministers were absent for Cabinet meeting on March 29, 2017 forcing a cancellation
From left: Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith (AL) and Governor John S. Duncan OBE. It was Wednesday March 29, 2017 that the National Democratic Party Government reportedly boycotted a Cabinet meeting. Photo: VINO/File
Cabinet meetings are usually held in the Central Administrative Complex. Photo: VINO/File
Cabinet meetings are usually held in the Central Administrative Complex. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- It was Wednesday March 29, 2017 that the Government of Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) reportedly boycotted a Cabinet meeting.

The meeting, according to our usual senior National Democratic Party (NDP) source, was scheduled to start at 10:00 AM but His Excellency Governor John S. Duncan OBE and Attorney General Baba Aziz were waiting in the Cabinet Room located in the Central Administrative Complex for some 35 minutes before Premier Smith appeared out of his Office.

When asked by the Governor where the Ministers were, Premier Smith reportedly said they were “not here.”

The Cabinet meeting never started.

Efforts to get a comment from Cabinet Secretary Sandra I. Ward were not successful up to time of publication.

Protest?

It is believed that the Cabinet boycott was in retaliation of the Governor using his Constitutional authority in Section 103 (B) to impose, via direct rule, that $1.88M be taken from the Consolidated Fund and given to the police, the Attorney General’s chambers, the Director of Public Prosecutions Office and the Magistrate’s Court.

This has brought much embarrassment to the Smith’s Administration; however, it has been met with widespread support from residents.

Cabinet resumed on April 5, 2017 and it was reportedly presided over by Deputy Governor Rosalie Adams as Governor Duncan has since left the territory. His whereabouts are unknown at this time.

Policy Officer in the Governor’s Office, Maria Mays confirmed to Virgin Islands News Online that Governor Duncan is out of the territory, but said “it is not on official business.”

45 Responses to “Was there a Cabinet boycott in protest of Governor?”

  • zoe (06/04/2017, 13:36) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Well sah look melee
  • War in Babylon (06/04/2017, 13:40) Like (39) Dislike (0) Reply
    Smart people don't pick fight they know they can't win.
    .
  • qc (06/04/2017, 14:10) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    Smh the governor is away when he comes back looks problem
  • yes (06/04/2017, 14:12) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    GOOD!!
  • resident (06/04/2017, 14:20) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is so sad. Remember even in difficult times it is "Country about Self"
  • Really? (06/04/2017, 14:22) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
    How petty
    • ... (06/04/2017, 16:48) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
      My sentiments exact. Like really, this is how yal seeing about the country but playin childish games....GROW UPPPPPP
    • @ Really (08/04/2017, 23:27) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
      Oh but the governor was not petty
      With his doings? He was getting money just like the other departments but no, he want all one time as if the police them really solving crimes..the other departments understand they could not get everything they want one time, why the hell should the police Dept be any different. Because they're chief white... Strupupsss
  • Interested (06/04/2017, 14:37) Like (5) Dislike (40) Reply
    Totally agree with them
  • just wrong (06/04/2017, 14:44) Like (27) Dislike (2) Reply
    What is this? Elementary School ?
  • tretretrete (06/04/2017, 14:49) Like (29) Dislike (5) Reply
    Bunch a Looney tunes
  • cay (06/04/2017, 14:52) Like (31) Dislike (5) Reply
    Dr smith getting bad advise he playing with the devil
  • FIX THEM (06/04/2017, 15:27) Like (31) Dislike (3) Reply
    USE YOUR POWER AGAIN GOVERNOR
  • oh....... (06/04/2017, 15:28) Like (43) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is quite direspectful of the Ministers not showing up for the Cabinet meeting. If this is so, how is it that older folks want the young generation to be obedient and acknowledge authority. The Premier and the rest Ministers, have to remember that this country is stil governed by her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the 2nd. And the Governor is just following the guidelines. I thought that this goverment believe in democracy. They themselves don't believe in what they preach to the people.
    • John (07/04/2017, 18:39) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      They are just a set of ignorant, bull headed bullies. They doing the Governor no harm but just hurting the people who elected them to serve
  • 911 (06/04/2017, 15:38) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is bad news for the people
  • LbB (06/04/2017, 15:38) Like (3) Dislike (40) Reply

    I love it. Silent protest. Stand up by not showing up! Time we remember our heritage! We are fighters! Set of Uncle Tom fools talking piss about they support the white man op***or Governor. Nonsense!

  • tosh (06/04/2017, 15:39) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    i think Dr. smith is being used he needs to think they are playing with fire remember the governor got both the blade and the handle dr, smith think you will soon be removed come hell or high water
    • Reader (06/04/2017, 21:37) Like (1) Dislike (7) Reply
      I believe a number of you bloggers did not read the above article accurately. Dr. Smith did come to the Cabinet meeting...is he responsible for the absence of the other members... who by the way are all grown people?
  • The insider (06/04/2017, 16:03) Like (25) Dislike (2) Reply
    Wait for the BOOOOOM!

    They will go down as worst government in the history of these Virgin Islands, KABOOOOOOOOOOM
    • please (06/04/2017, 20:21) Like (4) Dislike (10) Reply
      You wish!! Nobody will take that title from the VIP Govt that ruled 11-2 from 2007-2011. WORST EVERRRRR!!!!
  • Well.. (06/04/2017, 16:26) Like (10) Dislike (15) Reply

    He seem to want to run the country so let his @4$ convene a Cabinet meeting with him, himself and he.

    • Jackie (07/04/2017, 18:44) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Well if those who we elected to run it is ruin it then the Governor have all right to run it for them. Set a jack be nimble
  • Puuulllease! (06/04/2017, 17:02) Like (7) Dislike (33) Reply
    VINO, the Governor's move was not met with "wide-spread" community support. Most intelligent people understood what the move represented historically and were vehemently against what was done. This boycott sent a clear message to the Guvnuh....!
    • No puuulllease! (06/04/2017, 20:23) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
      Bottom line is if you live in the queen house you have to abide by her rules or find your own place! NDP behaving like a force-ripe teenager! Cut the crap!!!
  • Jacket (06/04/2017, 18:47) Like (18) Dislike (2) Reply
    Look how those fools pulling us into a deeper ditch. Disrespectful to the highest order. Well jack say we will see
  • What's New. (06/04/2017, 19:57) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    This a natural behavior for people who think they know it all and have all the answers. They can't be told, can't be corrected, not willing to listen opposing views and ideas...
  • resident (06/04/2017, 19:59) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    That shows who are representing the people. Boys who have their own interest at heart. Politics has become a money making affair for politicians. When the governor returns he should just dissolve the government. Some people no longer know what is disrespect. They only know about power.
  • NDP got face (06/04/2017, 20:18) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    Look the Queen need to come and take back her islands. This is out of order. NDP bareface. They wrong!!! Gov do what you have to do.
  • Bullies (06/04/2017, 20:29) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    The ndp ministers are a set of bullies.
  • bvi (06/04/2017, 22:09) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hmmm that why them say the queen call for a election by August wondering if this true boy ....NDP really bring us to the ground .....the governor need to fire them all
  • voter (06/04/2017, 22:42) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    let's wait for the NDP primary school spin on this thinking the people are fool fool
  • Colombus (06/04/2017, 22:50) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
    Queen put any islands here?
    • ... (07/04/2017, 09:05) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
      But the government put any island here???? She ain have to put it here but guess what, She owns it, thereby she owns the government and thereby, owns YOU and if she so well pleases and wakes up n feels cranky because her cereal was cold, she cud send in her marching orders to have the government removed from power, as was done in the Turks and Caicos Islands for imbeciles doin the same nonsense that this government is doing. So shut ur ignorant "born here" arrrrrrsssssse up and go read a damn book before u chat shite pon the ppl them news site.
  • set of children (06/04/2017, 23:37) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Classic NDP move.
  • Hmmmm (06/04/2017, 23:57) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    Show me a place where the UK took over from the local Government and they are better off. I will await a response.
  • Tallfat (07/04/2017, 06:32) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    So those in diapers stood with the those in the training brief to show the grown ups they're not taking that smack on the bummy? Lol! Well the leader make sure he was present. Great move that! They all should be required to report the reason (s) they did not report to work (duty). Then the Governor should read it out in the house for the citizen. Lol what a day/thing that will be. All that was said was for laugh but it don't take much for it to become serious. Grown folks seemingly cannot get pass their egos and act professionally. If one of the PS got a shellacking from the Minister will the Minister accept the PS refusal to come to work? Am sure we all know the answer. Where will this POSTURING lead the territory?
  • tola (07/04/2017, 09:59) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    A hope ayo seeing what NDP is doing to this country shame an you DR Smith and your government ayo jus waisting people's tax pay money and filled ayo pocket and ayo friends them own ....strupes we waiting an ayo for the next election ayo goin down worst government ever in history can't wait for ayo to get out of office mehson
  • vi (07/04/2017, 16:17) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    The governor needs to desolve parliament and make way for fresh election, these politician playing with this governor, they have no idea what he capable of doing, i think they have something big coming.
  • 3rd pillar (07/04/2017, 20:00) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Simply amazing failure to see the big picture.
  • KESHA (08/04/2017, 20:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Actually who is getting hurt is us budget cut from all departments for Police to get that money so who feels it we
  • son of the soil (09/04/2017, 11:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    There are some uneducated fools who does nothing but speculate. There are others who wish to see the U.K. Governmet take over the treasury of the Virgin Iskands. I for one don't want this to happen. Gone are the days of slavery and colonialism. While I am appalled at the now Government and the leadership of the Honourabke Premier, this is our country and we should run it not the U.K. Wake up people forward ever backward never never.


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