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2017 Budget passes despite 4 Members no show!

- Hon Myron V. Walwyn accused of lying again
March 2nd, 2017 | Tags: 2017 Budget lies Myron V. Walwyn HOA vote
The 2017 Budget has been approved by Government. After a final committee meeting on Wednesday March 1, 2017 further amendments were made and money added to the Estimates; however, the final amount has not been made public. Photo: VINO
From left: Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith (left) and Financial Secretary Neil M. Smith (right). Photo: VINO/File
From left: Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith (left) and Financial Secretary Neil M. Smith (right). Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Despite what some described as spreading ‘alternative facts’ and downright lies, especially from the likes of controversial Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL), the 2017 Budget was approved by Government.

After a final committee meeting on Wednesday March 1, 2017 further amendments were made and money added to the Estimates; however, the final amount has not been made public.

Hold on airport project now- backbenchers

The highlight of the debate was when some six legislators from the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) made clear to their Leader Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) they did not wish to move forward with the runway expansion of the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island at this time.

Government front bench Members with airport project concerns included Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton (AL), the Minister for Health and Social Development, who made clear he had issues with the funding mechanism, while Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL), the Minister for Education and Culture, the often divisive politician, danced around the issue, claiming that he has concerns with the project but never stated his position.

In fact, Mr Walwyn used most of his time during the 2017 Budget presentation, as he has done for the past six years, to throw words against citizens and businesses he does not like and blame the civil servants for the dysfunction of government.

He also claimed that there are no issues with supplies for schools; however, many teachers, and parents called our newsroom as recent as this morning to allege the Minister was lying to the public as usual, because there are still many schools in need of supplies, including the Bregado Flax Educational Centre on Virgin Gorda, where not even the photocopying machine is reportedly working.

4 not there for Budget Vote

The Opposition Leader Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) called for a division of votes on the Budget, which he abstained from.

All who were present for the Government, voted for the 2017 Budget; however, there were three NDP Legislators who left the House of Assembly before the vote. They were Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7), Hon Walwyn and  Hon Delores Christopher (R5).

In addition, Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3), the Third District Representative, was not there at the time of the Budget vote.

17 Responses to “2017 Budget passes despite 4 Members no show!”

  • cay (02/03/2017, 11:18) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Ting to talk
    • Well (02/03/2017, 22:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      When there's this much smoke, you really start to believe there's a fire somewhere.
  • We already know (02/03/2017, 12:15) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    Funnyman is a two-sided, down-low, spin man.
  • VG (02/03/2017, 12:26) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Heard he jumped on fahie and the esteem
  • dog (02/03/2017, 12:39) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    the walk must match the talk. otherwise no one will believe you.
    So much for standing up to postpone the airport funding.
    Shame!
    • @dog (02/03/2017, 13:14) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
      Who says the airport expansion is going anyplace? Was there a vote in the house for this project? Was there a line item in the budget that says airport expanson? No! They voted for the passing of the budget, which does not include 153 million for an airport expansion. Read my people and stop listening to third hand talks and lies. A vote for the budget is not a vote for the airport expansion.
  • GoonSquad (02/03/2017, 13:21) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    I surprise the leader of the opposition abstain from Voting. If he feels the budget was that bad then he should have just voted no. He trickery he tried on the backbenchers about voting for the budget is a vote for the airport expanson project did not work. The backbenchers are smart
    People and knows their politics. I yet to see that project listed in the budget. In fact the Premier knows it could not have been put in the budget for it would have never pass. Fahie, try again. If you are with the backbenchers, when and if the airport expansion paper comes to the house, vote against it with them. Don't try trickery my friend. You should smile at the budget for I heard you got some good $$$ to run your office as leader of the opposition.
    • wize up (02/03/2017, 14:33) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      @ goonsquad:(thank for this blog; it's wonderful) someone needs to inform the Virgin Island Party the old school way of dealing political matters has changed(those 45 year old political tricks just not cutting it today)....simply based on his level of conversation during the budget debate(as you noted) the Honourable Members should have stop up and said NO when the vote was called
  • wize up (02/03/2017, 13:22) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    all the talk; ask fahie where the former opposition leader was, also ask fahie where the former chairman was when the time came to vote on the 2017 budget.....poor fahie had to fan the coalpot by himself( if any election call now VIP won't win)
  • myrun fan club (02/03/2017, 13:42) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    He prefers to speak after the opposition so he can throw blows
  • Well Sah (02/03/2017, 17:37) Like (4) Dislike (7) Reply
    So Andrew talking and attempting to bullying the backbenchers with false information.

    A hot mess and he himself could not do what he dared them and others to do .This man cannot be trusted.
  • Ban (02/03/2017, 19:55) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    All you ain't tired a getting use. Didn't I tell all you them ladies talking out was pure tricks. My people please learn the game of politricks. BAN (Ban all NDP)
    • wize up (03/03/2017, 06:51) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      @ Ban: those ladies did well and spoke from heart about the shift in our territory: we can agree to disagree.....I usually use this as an example(we love our children but when they need to get a cut @$$ we do it)....it's fahie that is a jokers(he should have said directly NO when the vote was called)....understood this; i rally around the VIP for over 30 years BUT the current bunch have no balls(all talk) so I voted NDP all the way last election(want to make the shift back to VIP now fahie running things)....
  • ballheaded antiguan (05/03/2017, 18:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    That this wildly unfit and unqualified politician is allowed to continue his daily, constant lying to the public and making crazy, again baseless and unsubstantiated claims needs to be stopped immediately.


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