‘Hon Fraser is clear choice for Opp. Leader’ – Edmund G. Maduro
He was speaking on July 2, 2015 on his EGM Show aired on ZROD 103.7 FM during which he dealt with a number of topical issues affecting the Virgin Islands.
The caller suggested that there be a referendum among the people to decide who the Opposition Leader will be – whether it is Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) and Third District Representative Honourable Julian Fraser RA or Honourable Andrew A. Fahie, Representative for the First District.
“Do you know that today is two weeks and one day since the ultimatum was passed that the Opposition Leader must be chosen among themselves before the Governor steps in and decides?” asked the caller to host Maduro.
Maduro explained that the Constitution makes allowance for the members of the Opposition to say who they think should be the Leader of the Opposition.
“Here you have two members, only two members from the Opposition from the same party and one of them is the leader of the party. Does the Governor have to ask himself who should be the choice for Leader of the Opposition? So what is this ignorance of a month and a Sunday to decide?” asked Maduro.
“The Governor is not an illiterate man. He can read. He knows that there are two men in the Opposition and both of them belong to the same party and one of them is the leader of the party. So who in the name of God he should be asking is the leader of the party?” he asked.
To the suggestions from the caller that Hon Fraser might not be the right choice, Maduro said that people must stop being personal and deal with the issue according to the law. “We must stop trying to mess up one another because I could tell you something about each and every one of them. But that is not the issue. The issue is who the more qualified man is.
Because within the party, this man was appointed by the majority of his people within his Congress so what does the Governor want to ask now? Can’t he read and understand?” Maduro said.
“Man from the day this man come here he doing stupidness,” Maduro said, referring to Governor Duncan.
Governor's decision
On June 19, 2015, Governor John S. Duncan OBE in a statement explained his involvement in bringing an end to the impasse.
"It is my decision that the appointment of Leader of the Opposition will be deferred for one month and one day to allow for further consultations between the Members of the Opposition and as they deem appropriate, with other interested parties. I am satisfied that this brief delay will not adversely impair the conduct of business in the House of Assembly or Government.
At the expiry of this time period I expect the Members of the Opposition to make a recommendation as envisaged under section 70 (2) (a). If this is not the case, I will make an independent decision as envisaged under the discretionary powers granted to the Governor under the Constitution," Governor Duncan said in the statement.
According to the Virgin Islands Constitution, the majority party in the Opposition must decide who will be the Leader and that must be conveyed in writing to the Governor.
The Constitution, according to Governor Duncan, does not envisage a situation where members of a single party are unable to reach agreement, therefore he took further legal advice and considered the case law on the use of the Governors’ powers, including views expressed by the Privy Council of the United Kingdom.
He stated, however, that none of the criteria suggested to him by various parties, namely precedent in the VI, the experience of the two candidates, or the expectations of political parties prior to an election, provide a conclusive solution.
"As I have stated on a number of occasions, it is the responsibility of all persons elected or appointed to public office (including the Governor) to give the highest priority to the interests of the territory above all else. In this context I have during my tenure drawn on the Governor’s discretionary powers to decide matters in the interests of the territory. I am prepared to do so in this matter.
"However, I consider it would be a retrograde step in the development of democracy in the Virgin Islands for the Governor to be required to impose a solution in this matter without allowing the people of the Virgin Islands and their elected representatives a further window of reflection to agree a solution," Governor Duncan concluded in his statement.
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23 Responses to “‘Hon Fraser is clear choice for Opp. Leader’ – Edmund G. Maduro”
This G**** is a waste of time. He is an NDP. He also makes no decisions whatsoever.
Baaaaaaaaaaaah!
NDP need to solve this problem also since the people put them back in high demand.
One government for all including the ram goats and sheeps.
Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaah baaaaaaaaaaaaaah baaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!!
They voted for this overwhelmingly so no need to be concern.
My advice is to hold on to the little that you have and watch the place crumble to its knees.
differences as they are in the same party.The governor can only make a decision if they cannot make one
their self.also he need to know their constitution by laws and what it says as he in not a member of any party.
from what i am reading here sir you is very much out of order, regardles of what and how things are going there must be a level of respect for those who is in authority , yes you maynot like the gentleman and the way he does n handles things but show some an have some kind of respect for the governor, i kno you wants to bring across your points of view and shed some light on what going on in the country, but for a man of caliba and stature i really espected better from you sir.