Boycott? 8 Members & Speaker snub Governor's swearing in!
The prized job in the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office, which carries more power than the local elected House of Assembly (HoA) as per the 2007 Virgin Islands Constitution, saw the 13th unelected white male being appointed to the post, notwithstanding there are females and blacks in Her Majesty’s Diplomatic Service.
However, the story is who were not there.
It was Tuesday August 22, 2017 that Augustus J. U. Jaspert aka 'Gus' took the oath of office to be the Governor of the Virgin Islands (VI) amid controversy after being shut out of the HoA, a move spearheaded by Speaker Hon Ingrid A. Moses-Scatliffe.
Other Members had conflict of schedule
A senior National Democratic Party source, speaking to our newsroom, told us that the other eight members who were a no show wanted to send a message. "Some were on vacation, one even was at Martha's Vineyard, some were overseas on official business while the one or two who were here were not coming anyway."
The senior source also told our newsroom there was an informal meeting of the HoA where the matter was raised a few weeks ago of the governor not being invited to be sworn in at the HoA, and from then "it was clear who supported the move."
When asked if he can speak for one Opposition Member who was not in attendance at the ceremony, the source responded "I don't usually talk all…"
Elected Members who were not at the High Court in Road Town, the capital city, for the August 22, 2017 swearing in of Mr Jaspert, were Hons Ronnie W. Skelton (AL), Myron V. Walwyn (AL), Archibald C. Christian (AL), Marlon A. Penn (R8), Delores Christopher (R5), Julian Fraser (R3), Alvera Maduro-Caines (R6), and Melvin M. Turnbull (R2).
Also not showing up at the ceremony were Speaker of the HoA Hon Ingrid A. Moses-Scatliffe and Attorney General Baba Aziz.
Some made it, USVI not invited
The other five members of the HoA made the ceremony, along with an Acting Attorney General, and Deputy Governor Rosalie Adams, who has been an advocate for the status quo.
One time it was reported that Mrs Adams walked out of a ceremony when the British National Anthem was not sung at the beginning of the event.
Meanwhile, no officials from the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) or other regional governments or diplomats were invited to the ceremony.
A government spokeswoman, Ms Desiree Smith, told our newsroom "it is not customary to invite officials form the USVI to the swearing in of the Governor." She declined to comment further.
We want independence
It is our understanding that the stand taken by some who did not attend the ceremony was to send a message that the VI should be thinking about independence and not holding on to vestiges of the colonial past, where an unelected civil servant in the post of Governor has more power that an elected government.
It is unclear if there will be fallouts over the matter as Governor Jaspert has already sent a message that he will not be afraid to act if the local elected Representatives are "not practicing good governance".
102 Responses to “Boycott? 8 Members & Speaker snub Governor's swearing in!”
Are we saying that persons should have scheduled their family vacation around the Governor's swearing in. Or are we saying those who were on island should of attended?
Maybe you don't consider this begging because they are too entitled to beg. Okay, I get it, they demand!
Is it pride which turned down the offer of help or something more sinister such as those making the decisions being invested in the companies clearing up? Either way, progress is too slow.
We have been fooled enough for you to try to pull the wool over our eyes with the "we are proud people" statement. Yes we are proud but we also know when to ask for help.
Parents you need not to worry, as they want Social Studies to be taught through real events! Oh and don't forget our Ministers are the leaders of this Territory! I am going to make them super proud! After all we are going to create a society that behaves like them!
Ps... that's why we are in so much trouble if we put the likes of these people back in! Speaker of the House, you're a disgrace! H*bert you're a big disappointment! There was a reason why we never wanted you in! Gave you a chance and look at the let down! Wow! These people are mindless and spineless!
Time will tell
The 3 got tons of money for vaction....set of th******
Hope he look into Immigration and labour and the nonsense going on in there where born here children are being denied entry.
they want Independence. They must first display the ability to use good judgement.
The swearing in ceremony must have been discussed at some time and it was not something to happen abruptly. All the members were suppose to make arrangement for their presence. Except there was a war fighting in the battle field and the security of the nation was at threaten, all soldiers were suppose to be present.
This is a gross disrespect for the British Monarchy and it will not go well. Whether we like it or not, so long as the Union Jack is hoist in the territory, the British government's representative will be here. The talk of independence for the territory is a view of the members of the House of Assembly and not a view of the voting public. If a referendum is to be held tomorrow or in the near future to decide if we should go for independence, the government will loose badly and they will hold a snap election. The other political parties must be prepared.
"It is our understanding that the stand taken by some who did not attend the ceremony was to send a message that the VI should be thinking about independence and not holding on to vestiges of the colonial past, where an un elected civil servant in the post of Governor has more power that an elected government"
Your reading of the constitution leaves a lot to be desired and is narrow and self-serving. People like you do not care about the constitution nor this territory. You only care about your party and what you can get from them. It matters not, to you, what your party does. Please read the VI constitution.
We have always done for ourselves! A people who are scared to fight and do for themselves are a people that will forever be rule by some one else. VIlanders have always been a prideful people that do for themselves, if you live right, live within your ability/resources and if you know what you want/have done is righteous then there is no need to fear.
Make sure your govt have set up measure/laws/policies that serve the people, that give the people real power.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
It is one thing to talk the talk of independence, but are we ready to take such a gigantic leap? Most definitely not! Do we have our infrastructure in place? No. We are a long way off.
Methinks our people should learn to creep before they want to rush off speedily. With the dark clouds hanging over the head of our current government, it is only prudent that they work toward harmony among our people, toward good governance, and toward getting their ship in order. Right now it is seriously off the coastline, and if they don't watch out, it will end up on the rocks.