Despite debate with themselves NDP budget passes
The four main reasons for the boycott are the reported reckless disregard for the people of the Virgin Islands, the duly elected Opposition members, the late receipt of the Budget papers by Opposition members and the laundry list of untruths that continue to be told to the citizens by the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) regime.
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith passed the over $300 million budget last night 11, February 2014 without one opposition member vote while debated to empty Opposition benches across the aisle.
Premier Smith was also embarrassed and some described the situation as ‘left with egg on his face’ when he told a local radio station that on Monday of this week the start of the boycott that he had spoken to Opposition Leader and seasoned Legislator Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE and he told him he was in Anegada attending the Agriculture Exhibition “but he expected him to be in the House of Assembly on Tuesday [11, February 2014] making his contribution to the Budget Debate”.
However, the Leader of the Opposition stood firmly with his Opposition members and snubbed Premier Smith, who was left to announce that he was informed by Hon. O’Neal that he would not be at the Tuesday session.
One sided debate with itself
Without any Opposition members to correct the record there were all types of wild statements by the NDP about paying off all the debts and while sticking to their spin that the “VIP left the country broke”.
Premier Smith told the people that he inherited a debt of $42 million dollars and said to have paid it all off which is surprising to many while still saying the VIP left the country broke.
The Minister of Finance also said that he is adding another $15.5 million to the reserve fund while his controversial Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn was saying that the NDP met no money there when they took office in 2011.
Ms. Janet W. Williams a Spy Glass Hill resident on the western side of Tortola who has been following local politics said “the numbers does not match the rhetoric…who are they trying to fool”?
“Where could they have suddenly found close to 100 million from in 2 years, if they were saying they met an empty kitty….someone is lying to the people and this type of politics must stop as only the country will suffer in the end” the American born belonger lamented?
Walk out of HOA history-NDP walked out two times
While many have praised the VIP for the walk out action this is not the first time that such actions have been taken in the Virgin Islands political history.
The National Democratic Party has done so two times in the past. First it was in 2009 when Dr. Smith himself walked out of the HOA when they were debating a motion to allow him to take tax payers' money for medical services while still being a member of the Legislature.
Then again last year he led his entire 9 member Government out of the HOA while Honourable Julian Fraser RA, was presenting his Motion of No Confidence against his Administration.
Many residents have dubbed it simply as the NDP just getting a taste of their own behaviour for disrespect towards the people.
The Bill entitled the Appropriation Act 2014 now goes to the United Kingdom appointed Governor William B. McCleary for signature after which the Minister of Finance will sign a warrant authorizing the Accountant General to spend monies contained in the Budget of 2014.
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35 Responses to “Despite debate with themselves NDP budget passes”
Poor you NDP still with these campaign propaganda? We now have the facts: The NDP told us VIP emptied the Reserves, we now find out that they lied. The NDP told us the VIP left the country broke, we now find out that they lied after learning about the many over priced consultants, airport & port multimillion dollar projects, over priced one night dinner & speechwriter; 10yr old millions in payment to cronies for airport; over priced manse road, Craft Alive project, Georgie Hill, & many more projects by the NDP.
The one most unforgivable act that has damaged this country financially is the NDP's Santo eternity corrupt hospital construction project which sucked & is sucking the Treasury dry but ayo want us to leave that alone & forget it while you try to blame others for the nonsense Ronnie & the NDP has done. Millions & millions & millions & more gone through the hospital door thanks to the can't do no wrong NDP.
If there was any hope of protecting innocent lives and people of the BVI?, I could pay attention. But there is no hope of partnership with this NDP gang. Its time for tehm to go.