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"A major setback" - Walwyn warns against coalition gov’t

-Urges citizens to not gamble & re-elect NDP to secure future of VI
Embattled Chairman of the National Democratic Party (NDP 1) Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL) is warning against party unity and the prospects of a collation government in the Virgin Islands (VI), noting that a coalition will not work and would be a major setback to the territory. Photo: Facebook
Many political pundits and even religious leaders have long accused the Dr D. Orlando Smith and Hon Walwyn led NDP 1 government of employing ruthless divisive politics and disunity. Photo: Facebook
Many political pundits and even religious leaders have long accused the Dr D. Orlando Smith and Hon Walwyn led NDP 1 government of employing ruthless divisive politics and disunity. Photo: Facebook
In 2018, man of the cloth and ZBVI ‘Honestly Speaking’ Radio Host Claude O. Skelton-Cline in his appeal to the territory and religious leaders warned, “We cannot sit on the side-lines and allow politicians from any group to divide the people who have lived and love together we must speak out from the pulpit… say we are in this boat together.” Photo: Facebook
In 2018, man of the cloth and ZBVI ‘Honestly Speaking’ Radio Host Claude O. Skelton-Cline in his appeal to the territory and religious leaders warned, “We cannot sit on the side-lines and allow politicians from any group to divide the people who have lived and love together we must speak out from the pulpit… say we are in this boat together.” Photo: Facebook
CARROT BAY, Tortola, VI – Embattled Chairman of the National Democratic Party (NDP 1), Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL) is warning against the prospects of a collation government in the Virgin Islands (VI), noting that a coalition will not work and would be a major setback to the territory.

In urging citizens to vote in a majority government at the upcoming February 25, 2019, General Elections, Hon Walwyn was at the time addressing residents of District One in the Carrot Bay community on the main island of Tortola, where his party does not have a district candidate.

They Will Fall Apart - Walwyn

“Now there are some persons who of late, seem to be enthralled by the idea of a coalition emerging from the next week's General Election. They clearly do not understand the inherent risks that face a country with coalition governments,” he warned.

He said coalitions work better in opposition, “when the common interest among the different parties is [the] replacement of the existing government.”

According to Hon Walwyn, “As these different parties have nothing else in common to bind them together, original differences soon emerge once they get into government. They haggle over the most basic issues and the coalition eventually falls apart. Is this what some people really wish for the BVI at this time?” Mr Walwyn questioned. 

He continued, “A coalition would be a major setback for the economic prospects of the BVI at this critical time. We have been saying repeatedly in this campaign that now is not the time to gamble with the future. If you really want to secure the future and keep the BVI… in safe hands, then re-electing the NDP with a clear majority is the only logical option,” while warning that shockwaves of political instability cannot be afforded in the territory at this time.

Politics of Disunity & Division

Many political pundits and even religious leaders have long accused the Dr D. Orlando Smith (AL) and Hon Walwyn led NDP 1 government of employing ruthless divisive politics and disunity.

In 2018, man of the cloth and ZBVI ‘Honestly Speaking’ Radio Host Claude O. Skelton-Cline in his appeal to the territory and religious leaders warned, “We cannot sit on the side-lines and allow politicians from any group to divide the people who have lived and love together we must speak out from the pulpit… say we are in this boat together.”

Further, political pundits have been accusing the NDP 1 of running one of the most divisive political campaigns in the history of VI Politics, putting locals against foreigners and even attacking close diplomatic neighbours like the United States Virgin Islands (USVI).

18 Responses to “"A major setback" - Walwyn warns against coalition gov’t”

  • Wkw (19/02/2019, 09:55) Like (13) Dislike (68) Reply
    Thumbs up if you voting ndp

    Thumbs down if you not voting Ndp
  • ... (19/02/2019, 10:10) Like (49) Dislike (2) Reply
    if he did not want a coalition he would have had 13 candidates, despite no one wanted to run with him but he can't be trust either way
  • Strups (19/02/2019, 10:20) Like (56) Dislike (2) Reply
    With the population of the BVI a coalition government will work. If the interest is truly in the betterment of the BVI you will do what you have to do to make sure you are a team for the people. And the best thing is that everyone will be on their P's and Q's so we the people wouldn't have to be stressed out trying to keep an eye on you all 24/7.
  • VIP all the way (19/02/2019, 10:31) Like (63) Dislike (3) Reply
    Ok Dicktator lol, did we ever have a collusion government? How you kno it’s not goin to work? Stop trying to bully the people them with their own choice! Sick ah u now man!
  • WorldWarZ (19/02/2019, 10:47) Like (27) Dislike (2) Reply
    he lie he wishing for a coalition but no one will work with he
  • Miss Manda (19/02/2019, 11:01) Like (29) Dislike (1) Reply
    With a coalition government the chances of the same ole eletist club and its social butterflies and caterpillars looking down their noses at all and sundry is greatly minimized.
    They can disagree agreeably while having the best interest of the Territory and its people at heart. I much prefer this.
  • ? (19/02/2019, 12:39) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yall always together having drinks and etc. What's the problem with a coalition government now?
  • Political Observer (PO) (19/02/2019, 13:54) Like (8) Dislike (7) Reply
    A coalition government will not be a setback for the BVI. Coalition governments worked elsewhere; they are a staple in Israel; Germany has a coalition government; even the UK has recently had a coalition government; coalition governments are not foreign to the BVI. If my research is true, Cyril B. Romney and Willard Wheatley governments were coalition governments. A coalition government may be the prescription the doctor ordered. History showed that majority/lopsided governments in the VI have not recently done well. For example, in the 2007 general election, VIP shellacked the NDP 11-2. That tenure did not go so well, for in 2011, NDP cut VIP ass 9-4. Then in 2015, NDP beat down the VIP 11-2. Today, the BVI is mired in a myriad of needs from its economy to utilities to infrastructure to social services to quality of life issues to education and health to the environment among other needs. As things stand today, it is a toss up as to whom will form the next government. Let’s not toss coalition on the dung heap; it may indeed become the headstone..

    True, NDP, PVIM PU (well PU is only running 6 candidates) and VIP desire are to capture at least the 7 seats needed to form the next government. However, in reading the tea leaves, a coalition government is a possibility. Of course, it is up to a majority of voters what happen at the polls on February 25. Moreover, politics is the art of compromise. As such, if a coalition government results from the 2/25 election and though parties may have diffrent ideas of how to lead the territory through and out of its challenges, there will have to be give and take, cooperation, compromise, collaboration......etc to make it work. All parties want the same thing for the BVI so they can come together and work in the best interest of the people and the BVI.
    • No coalition (19/02/2019, 15:14) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
      Not sure BVI ever has a coalition, we better at crossing the floor for a ministry!
      • po (19/02/2019, 17:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        @No Coalition, here is Wikipedia definition of crossing the floor:”In politics, crossing the floor is when a politician changes their allegiance or votes against their party in a Westminster system parliament. Crossing the floor may be voting against the approved party lines, or changing to another party after being elected while a member of a first party.” Think Romney and Wheatley coalition governments occured before a government was formed.

        How would coalition work? If VIP got the most votes but not enough to form the government, who will it coalesce with? Same question goes for NDP, PVIM and PU. Similarly, if both independent candidates are successful at the polls, who will they coalesce with, if any?
        • tgif (20/02/2019, 14:32) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
          @po, they will have to work it out. If, as Political Observer said, all parties appear to want the same things for the BVI then setting aside their differences and coming together for the greater good should not be difficult. I agree wholeheartedly with all that Political Observer (or the original poster) had to say. I strongly feel that no one party is going to command a majority at the polls especially with more parties than usual vying. I certainly will not be voting any one party all the way. Not a chance of that as things currently stand. I think anyone who does so is doing this country a huge disservice. The electorate HAS TO think about country first and not self when going out on the 21st and 25th to cast their votes.
      • Outlaw (20/02/2019, 09:06) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
        @no coalition. It was a coalition when CB Romney became premier. Conrad Maduro made way for him but it collapsed.
  • Twanna (19/02/2019, 17:15) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree with Wallwin, a set back because the wall, pier park and the plane investigations will have to continue with a coalition government in place. The Governor had better be ready.
  • RealPol (19/02/2019, 18:02) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    A team of rivals may indeed work and may be in the best interest of the BVI. Would Walwyn refuse being Premier if it means joining forces with another party(s)? No. I will eat my shoes if he refuses. What is more likely 1)Walwyn refusing the Premiership or 2) seeing a green donkey flying around the territory? The latter is more likely.
    • @realpol (20/02/2019, 09:08) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      @RealPol, you got jokes. A green donkey flying. What kind of sauce you want with tennys? Lol!Why ask rhetorical questions you know the answer to? You know Walwyn will team up with, pander to, dog whistle to., drive wedges between, throw anyone under the bus.......etc to become Premier. So too will the others. By the way, whether the BVI gets a coalition government is not up to Walwyn or any other politician; it is up to the electorate. The last two elections were mandates for the NDP and what was the return on that investment? Are voters happy with that return on investment/ that experiment? Financial mismanagement was a failure........... What the hell does the BVI have to lose? Nada.
  • east end voter (19/02/2019, 18:27) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    Vip all the way!
  • Certainly (20/02/2019, 06:23) Like (5) Dislike (9) Reply
    I couldnt agree with Myron more, if you guys feel that the country is already on hold and nothing is being done, wait try a mix government or change the government and you will see. Every 4 years they want to change the government why I dont know. I'm just tired. Election need to hurry come and go.
  • Jacperlance (20/02/2019, 09:03) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    I am not a supporter of Myron V. Walwyn nor the NDP Hutu have to agree with him here. A coalition government will not cut it here in these small islands. It’s a recipe from problems. Vote VIP all the way


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