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HoA to meet Dec 21, 2015; Another Censor Motion in the making?

- Standing Select Committee Chairman Hon Ronnie W. Skelton to bring resolution limiting time Members can speak
Part of the Standing Orders Committee proposal to the HoA for the December 21, 2015 Sitting is to limit the time Members have on debating a Bill, Motion, Resolution or speaking under Other Business. The Motion is to be brought forward by Standing Select Committee Chairman Hon Ronnie W. Skelton. Photo: VINO/File
Prior to the 2015 General Election, three Opposition members had accused Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn of a breach of Section 67 of the Constitution because two of his companies, MVW International Ltd., and the Pub Ltd., were doing Business with the House of Assembly by providing food without, what they reported as, getting permission from the HoA.Photo: VINO/File
Prior to the 2015 General Election, three Opposition members had accused Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn of a breach of Section 67 of the Constitution because two of his companies, MVW International Ltd., and the Pub Ltd., were doing Business with the House of Assembly by providing food without, what they reported as, getting permission from the HoA.Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Virgin Islands House of Assembly (HoA) will meet at its Chambers on Monday December 21, 2015 at 10:00 am in Road Town, the Virgin Islands capital city.

The Order Paper for the Fifth Sitting Of The First Session Of The Third House Of Assembly (HoA) was released to the media late today, December 17, 2015. 

One of the many items on the Order Paper and the other documents obtained by our news site, which caught the attention of our newsroom, is a motion to be moved by the Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton.

Limiting debate in HoA; Is that censorship?

The Territorial Member is the Chairman of the Standing Select Committee of the HoA, which is charged with the responsibility of reviewing and updating the HoA Standing Orders.

Part of the Standing Orders Committee proposal to the HoA for the December 21, 2015 Sitting is to limit the time Members have on debating a Bill, Motion, Resolution or speaking under Other Business.

Some Members view this as censorship and a backward step in doing the people’s Business and a challenge to democratic principles. The other Members of the Committee are Leader of the Opposition Hon Julian Fraser RA, (R3) Deputy Speaker of the HoA, Hon Delores Christopher (R5), Education and Culture Minister Hon Myron V. Walwyn and Senior Legislator Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1).

According to our news room’s sources within the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP), the Amendment to this portion of the Standing Orders did not enjoy unanimous support from all Select Committee Members.

Pecuniary Interest changes coming!

It is our newsroom’s understanding that there is also a proposal to make amendments to the portion in the Standing Orders on Pecuniary Interest. It remains unclear if the changes are to strengthen or relax the rules.

Prior to the 2015 General Election, the Virgin Islands Party Opposition accused controversial Minister for Education and Culture Hon Walwyn of violating this section of the Constitution related to declaration and permission from the HoA to do business with Government. They alleged that the pecuniary interest was for having two companies, which he had direct interest in, doing business with the House of Assembly.

It was later discovered, following a question in the HoA, that another company, Orion Law, was also doing business indirectly with a Government Statutory Body, the BVI Health Services Authority. The then three Opposition members accused Hon Walwyn of a breach of Section 67 of the Constitution because two of his companies, MVW International Ltd., and the Pub Ltd., were doing Business with the House of Assembly by providing food without, what they reported as, getting permission from the HoA.

The Opposition, who petitioned Governor John S. Duncan OBE, claimed that it was a contractual agreement which they said was a breach of Section 67 of the Constitution and wanted Minister Walwyn to step down in line with Section 67 (7) of the Constitution.

It remains unclear if the Standing Select Committee Motion being put forward by Committee Chairman Hon Skelton will remain on the Order Paper on Monday, as there are conflicting reports from two Senior NDP Parliamentarians.

25 Responses to “HoA to meet Dec 21, 2015; Another Censor Motion in the making?”

  • Willy Nilly (17/12/2015, 21:53) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    ting to talk!
    • NDP must go (17/12/2015, 22:46) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
      Ayo better release some bush cutting in the third people getting upset
      • VOW (18/12/2015, 10:45) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
        The Government is dead broke and they are hiding it we are in for a rude awaking soon check the financial situation. This Government is running this place to the ground it might look good but the dark is round the corner.
  • ccc (17/12/2015, 23:21) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    I guess if you can get the media shut down shut up fahie and fraser from chatting and asking questions
  • where's claude and ed now? (17/12/2015, 23:21) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    I remember clearly when action mark spoke for about 6 hours trying to defend/deny corruption at the ports.
  • shocks man (17/12/2015, 23:24) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Next will be the amount of questions asked...So we wont know about the berlin wall around spooner's nor why the VG clinic foundation is taking so long.
  • well saw (17/12/2015, 23:40) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
    The NDP running a dictatorship country but they got the people fast a sleep so they getting away with it.
  • chad (17/12/2015, 23:43) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    If this happens then put a time limit on them long untruthful statements by Ministers also. Don't do things to get at the Opposition & leave the government side free to do ananything they want.
  • Yes (17/12/2015, 23:50) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Now that in 2016 & beyond it got ting to talk the NDP trying from now to silence the Opposition. Don't worry the corruption talks will not be swept under the rug.
    • Nottrue (18/12/2015, 10:01) Like (1) Dislike (12) Reply
      It's noting about limiting the Opposition. In most modern democratic parliaments, there is a time limit on how long an MP can talk? Have you seen the Bahamas house, timed, and a person telling you when you have one minute left. They write out what they have to say so they are not all over the place. When some of our representatives get up to talk, they are talking piss all over the place, and by time they are ready to conclude tis the number 2 business them talking. So, yes, modern times, put limits on them, yes. The majority will get used to it and the Ministers can return to their office to deal with more pressing matters.
  • Debate team (18/12/2015, 06:31) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    If it means the ministers have to learn how to give a concise debate rather than the waffle they currently come up with then good thing! Say what you have to say in 5 sentences rather than the 20 bloated ones.
  • Get to the point (18/12/2015, 07:06) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply
    Ronnie making sense. It goes way too late it gets monotanous. I hope he includes the back benchers and have their comments be limited to 3 minutes. They make no sense most of the time. For others I think a 25 minutes limit Is fair..get to the point.
  • Admirer (18/12/2015, 07:11) Like (4) Dislike (42) Reply
    One thing Ronnie is blessed with is Courage. Courage to make tuff decisions..I truly admire that.
  • This a good change (18/12/2015, 07:17) Like (3) Dislike (8) Reply
    I agree with Ronnie on this one. Limit back benchers to five minutes. The other members to half an hour at a time..they can have more than one half an hour. But half an hour the most whenever they stand.. Rotation..Rebuttal. Keep it moving
  • hope festival payments on paper (18/12/2015, 07:26) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    I must be the only person that still not paid for festival performance. Not hearing no one else complaining. Please I need to get pay. Hope thats on the paper.
  • Bigger issue. (18/12/2015, 07:31) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    You are picking on the wrong things. The hospital board is of major concerns and need looking at. Restructuring. Is it too big for you to touch..So you pick your fight carefully. Smart man. Leave the monster alone. It may trample you. Pick on the sheep.
  • pay (18/12/2015, 07:33) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    I too ain't get pay for festival
  • pat (18/12/2015, 07:49) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Vino i just the best
  • Blue Balls (18/12/2015, 08:09) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is so ridiculous, while I agree at times some of those government NDP ministers talk too long and a bunch of hogwash they also need to limit those long poorly written, poorly read statements by ministers which are usually lies and propaganda
  • other ways (18/12/2015, 08:51) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    It has other ways for the opposition members and the others to communicate.
    It has the radio stations
    It has townhall meetings
    It has the social media
    So hope is not lost.
    HOA is not giving lost of hope.
  • Eagle and Buffalo (18/12/2015, 09:48) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nonsense! Let the members talk; there should be no limit on debating bills. There are only 13 elected members and all 13 rarely comment on issues on the floor. Are members in a hurry to go somewhere? Were they not elected to serve? Serving is fully debating issues on the floor, bringing pro and con opinions to the floor. Those who have somewhere to go, perhaps, need a permanent vacation from the HOA. Do not sacrifice clarity on the altar of brevity. With an 11-2 advantage, the propose bill is a fait accompli. Ronnie once had the reputation of being the voice of reason in the caucus. But sometimes power........,,,ultimate......absolutely. The NDP needs to let go of its passion for wanting to rein freedom of the press and free speech. The whole thing reminds me Animal Farm, a fable by Grorge Orwell. We can soar as eagles or go off the cliff as buffaloes.
  • ndp youth arm (18/12/2015, 12:01) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    A member of the standing order committee just told me the motion will be withdrawn on Monday…too much heat and done too quickly!
  • Actually (18/12/2015, 14:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    It's the seasoned experienced Politians doing the rhetorical scamming.
  • facts man (18/12/2015, 23:40) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Instead of wasting time on this motion what we need is Whistle-blower laws and what I want in the legislation is no time limitation to report and it should be retroactive from the time it is passed back to 2011.
  • mixed feelings (19/12/2015, 00:12) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    It's always fun to watch them stroking their own egos for agreeing to a bucket of water to put out a 4 alarm fire


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