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Hon Fahie Out! Hon Skelton In! as new Opposition Leader

Hon Fahie Out! Hon Skelton In! as New Opposition Leader. Photo: GIS
Governor of the Virgin Islands (VI), His Excellency Augustus J. U. Jaspert today, December 21, 2018, officially announced the appointment of Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) as the new Leader of the Opposition. Photo: VINO/File
Governor of the Virgin Islands (VI), His Excellency Augustus J. U. Jaspert today, December 21, 2018, officially announced the appointment of Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) as the new Leader of the Opposition. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Governor of the Virgin Islands (VI) His Excellency, Augustus J. U. Jaspert today, December 21, 2018, officially announced the appointment of Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) as the new Leader of the Opposition.

Hon Skelton's appointment effectively means that the appointment of Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) as the Leader of the Opposition has been revoked.

Signed letter

The Governor via a statement released by the Government Information Service (GIS) said, “On 20th December 2018, I received a letter from Member of the Opposition, Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton, [with] other signatures affixed to the letter.”

He said the signatures affixed to the letter includes two other Opposition Members namely Hon Archibald C. Christian (AL) and Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2).

“Hon Skelton in making representation via the letter requested that he be appointed Leader of the Opposition,” the Governor continued in his statement.

“After seeking appropriate legal advice and in accordance with The Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007, I wish to announce that effective 21st December 2018, the appointment of Honourable Andrew Fahie as the Leader of the Opposition is revoked in accordance with section 70 (3) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007,” he said.

Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) in a report published on Tuesday, December 11, 2018, was first to accurately report on the possible take-over. Sources said that since the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) now holds a 3 seat majority in the 5 member Opposition—via internal discussion—the party was considering taking over the Opposition Leader post.  

The was later confirmed when Opposition Leader Hon Fahie, announced at a press conference, that on December 12, 2018, that the PVIM had approached him indicating their intentions of taking over his post. 

Legal Right 

“Under section 70 (1) and (2) (a) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007, the Governor is empowered to appoint a Leader of the Opposition and shall so appoint a member of the House of Assembly (HoA) recommended by a majority of the elected members of the House who are members of any opposition party whose numerical strength in the House is greater than that of any other opposition party,” the Governor points out in his statement.

He said, “Therefore, effective 22nd December 2018, Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton is appointed Leader of the Opposition in accordance with section 70 (2) (b) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007.” 

The Governor thanked Hon Fahie for serving the people of the VI as the Leader of the Opposition and wished Hon Skelton the best in his new role as the new Leader of the Opposition.

24 Responses to “Hon Fahie Out! Hon Skelton In! as new Opposition Leader ”

  • paul (21/12/2018, 21:46) Like (14) Dislike (51) Reply
    The only person I see will win for the VIP is hon Andrew fahie .He will win back his seat
  • ta ta (21/12/2018, 22:02) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    So what?
  • well well well (22/12/2018, 00:29) Like (41) Dislike (8) Reply
    Ronnie & Mitch are power hungry
    • wize up (22/12/2018, 07:20) Like (8) Dislike (9) Reply
      @ well well well: just a question(what do you mean Ronnie & Mitch are power hungry)....I personally know that it is the voters that puts any political party or politician in electoral office...@ well well well(if you think dem mucking up come 2019 send your message).....it is the voters with the power(no person in this territory can hold political office with the voter)....one election day?
    • So was Andrew (22/12/2018, 07:28) Like (12) Dislike (51) Reply
      When he took it from Fraser. If Andrew was in this position he would have done the same dahm thing and you VIPs would have encouraged it also so go sit dusk.
      • To So was Andrew (22/12/2018, 09:31) Like (55) Dislike (2) Reply
        What you are saying isn't factual. Fraser got the Leader of the Opposition only because he was the Chairman of the Virgin Islands. When Fraser lost the Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party then he automatically had to release the Leader of the Opposition post to the new Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party which was Fahie. Stick with the facts as allowed by law and stop talking out of ignorance and hatred for Fahie or anyone else.
        • wize up (23/12/2018, 10:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          @ so what Andrew: he did not had to force the issue, It was just him and fraser could have work together(there is more influence being the leader of the opposition)..
    • @well well well (22/12/2018, 07:31) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
      If you say the position has no power this close to election then how could they be power hungry. Besides of the three leaders in the race to elections, MCW is the most power hungry, then Andrew and Ronnie is the least. There are other people in this country besides VIPs
  • what (22/12/2018, 00:31) Like (37) Dislike (3) Reply
    With a couple of weeks to go before General Elections I must say that this move makes no sense.
  • Real Talk (22/12/2018, 00:32) Like (27) Dislike (4) Reply
    I am ashame of mitch & ronnie. This is all about POWER
    • Truth Sayer (22/12/2018, 07:10) Like (3) Dislike (22) Reply
      @Real Talk: You were not ashamed when Fahie took Leader of the Opposition from Fraser very shortly after he won Chairmanship of VIP. Remember it was a one and one battle. Under the Constitution, any Party with the most seats has the right to seek the Leader of the Opposition post. It is okay when others seek and grab positions but when others who are quite capable and legally entitled do the same, they are power hungry.
      • To truth sayer (22/12/2018, 13:37) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        Please get your facts correct. Fraser held the post of Leader of the Opposition as long as he was the Chairman of VIP. When he loss the chairmanship then automatically he loss the post of Leader of the Opposition.
    • Yes (22/12/2018, 07:32) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      What power? I thought you all said there is no power to be had. I’m confused. Lol
  • question (22/12/2018, 00:35) Like (53) Dislike (4) Reply
    Fahie said two things: One was that Mitch asked for Deputy Premier. He said Ronnie said he will be taking the Leader of the Opposition post. Well Fahie was correct about Ronnie so I now believe him about Mitch. That NDP 2 are about themselves.
    • Amateur Night (22/12/2018, 07:36) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      We are babies to politics in this country. “the Hovernor shall, not may. He shall! Why in the world would we encourage any one to sit in the Opposition as leader who does not command the support of the majority ? Whatever the reason, it was to be done along time ago! Nothing more to see here except an education on Constitutional democracy.
  • old (22/12/2018, 07:20) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mitch is plenty trouble and Ronnie. Sick We don’t need no ndp gov...
  • To Ronnie (22/12/2018, 07:40) Like (5) Dislike (27) Reply
    You are a leader and you are prepared to fight for what you believe. Don’t mind the noise. That will die. Right now this country needs someone to lead who has a track record with making small finances work to turn things around. You have that. You are honest, true and your morals are intact. You are a family man with one wife and no concubines, neither man or woman. You have been embroiled in no scandals ever, locally or internationally and you love your country. To me, of all the competitors, you stand ahead when all things are truly considered without party glasses on!! I will definitely vote for you.
  • tretretrete (22/12/2018, 08:50) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
    A hermit crab change it’s shell.might use a Counch shell or a Whilk shell but it still remains a Hermit crab…… The point of the story is. You guys are smart you’ll figure it out. Happy holidays.
  • Feel n Sad (22/12/2018, 09:21) Like (31) Dislike (1) Reply
    THis is a bad move by Ronnie in every way..Politically . Personally and Morally . If he had Just say no I don't need it his following and admiration would have increase big time....Sometimes Its not always about power or the law...We have to at times apply wisdom . Descretion. Morals . . This move can only be seen as Reckless . Selfish .. I love Ronnie . I wish he had say no I don't need it. Be the bigger man the adult in the room. How proud I would have been ...
  • dude (22/12/2018, 09:58) Like (25) Dislike (0) Reply
    Only the blind can't see that this win will cost Ronnie bad at polls. Fahie held the gov accountable & Ronnie is & was complacent in the corruption until he lost the rigged ndp election & decided he couldn't tolerate smith anymore. IT was never about the people's representation and that is what the post of leader of the opposition is about. They will now cover up al that they were part of which is everything. Ronnie's track record has been far from perfect and now he feels entitled to screw up as many times and ask for more. He is not the only citizen in this country there are others more intelligent and more capable with greater integrity. Ronnie lost his long ago & he & all of us know it. He can have the post it will be his last.
  • voter (22/12/2018, 11:24) Like (2) Dislike (19) Reply
    Ndp 1 and ndp 2 run things
  • Listen (23/12/2018, 09:12) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Everybody saying this and that but I'm hitting the nail right on the head an I don't want to hear about loop holes... I'm ashamed that someone like the governor made such ruling, Ronnie was elected in the government PVIM didn't contest the previous general election so under what terms did this party becomes a legal opposition party I hope you all know the governor has just open the gate to destruction of the BVI... once there is a party falling out all one need to do is convince a few colleagues once you have more than the then opposition you automatically becomes the opposition which means the gate is open to the bvi having 6 and 7 political parties in the near future.... good luck with that..this decision is what ppl needed to argue but instead finding petty stuff to make a big issue out of...
  • Sigh (23/12/2018, 22:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I noticed that you’ve finally dropped the unelected from the Governor. I wonder if he’s become favorable to your political learnings? The best governor since slice.


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