Hon Turnbull lashes back @ Premier & Walwyn; 'I am no little boy'
At the time Hon Turnbull, who is an NDP backbencher, ridiculed Premier Smith over statements that the Virgin Islands (VI) was “open for business.” Hon Turnbull said that is not the truth on the ground. He further stated that he received no help from his own Government in the clean up efforts for his district, particularly Cane Garden Bay.
Background
Then Premier Smith fired back on December 11, 2017, via a Government Information Service press release, stating that the first termer Honourable Turnbull was misrepresenting the truth, as “all my Ministers were involved in the clear up efforts in Cane Garden Bay.”
In fact, they even got the Rotary Club of Road Town involved, a non-governmental organisation that should be non-political, to report that they had also assisted in the Cane Garden Bay clear up efforts. A Rotary Club of Road Town spokesperson, Ryan Geluk, had an interview with ZBVI claiming that they were one of the firsts on the ground in the Second District.
Many persons said Mr Geluk was interjecting the Rotary Club into local politics, a move that can undermine the service organisation’s credibility.
Then came December 13, 2017 in the House of Assembly. Hon Turnbull was on full throttle when he hit Dr Smith some upper cuts. He told the public that Dr Smith lied about help given to his Second District when in fact it was he “along with some volunteers who started the early clean up following Hurricane Irma.”
Mr Turnbull, the youngest member of the Legislature, also made clear what many within his own party had been saying for months that Dr Smith should be stripped of the Finance portfolio and it should be given to Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL), a former Finance Minister (2003-2007). Hon Skelton is also the current Minister for Health and Social Development.
Hon Turnbull's bold statements sent shockwaves throughout the country. However, Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL), the Education and Culture Minister whom many have alleged is the chief architect of divisive politics after the 2011 elections in the Virgin Islands (VI), jumped to Premier Smith's defense, claiming that he will “leave the NDP, if members are disrespecting the leadership” and with a straight face even quoted bible verses.
Walwyn the most disrespectful member
Walwyn, over his tenure has insulted and disrespected Premier Smith before, claiming that he gave the public misinformation in the House of Assembly (HoA) on the cost for a small wall around the Elmore Stoutt High School, costing tax payers over $1.6M.
He has also disrespected former Premier Hon Ralph T. O’Neal OBE, calling him an “Emperor without clothes” and insulted former Opposition Leader Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3), telling him “ask yourself the question” when Hon Fraser posed a question to him in the HoA.
However, Hon Deloris Christopher (R5) came to the young politician Turnbull's defence, warning members that the HoA is the place to “speak your mind.”
Premier Smith, for his part in response in the HoA on December 13, 2017, condemned his own member Hon Turnbull, saying “I was rather disappointed with comments which basically demonstrated some lack of respect for the leadership and Premier of this county, and I am disappointed by that.”
Upper cut no 3 –Mitch hits Dr Smith & Walwyn
However, yesterday December 15, 2017 Hon Turnbull fired back at both Premier Smith and Hon Walwyn's statements in the December 13, 2017 HoA. He told an online radio show, ‘Fresh Radio Vybz’ hosted by Paul A. Peart aka ‘Gadiethz’, that “what I said, were issues that needed to be addressed, nothing about what I said, or the way I said it, when you take it in its fullest context was in anyway disrespectful.”
He lambasted both Dr Smith and Walwyn saying, “what was taking out of context and tried to be purported as facts was what was said after…”
Hon Turnbull said that if he “see and experienced something that is wrong and not right, I have a responsibility in our democratic society… I will speak out against it.” The fiery politician, first elected in 2015 with the ruling NDP, warned Premier Smith and Hon Walwyn that, “I am no body's child expect my fathers’ and my mothers’ and most importantly God’s child.”
In a jab at his boss Dr Smith again, Hon Turnbull emphasised that the people of the Second District elected him to his post and therefore “I am nobody's child in terms of what to say and what not to say. I have a responsibility to speak in the House of Assembly, and it’s the place to voice our opinions whether persons agree or disagree with it.”
When asked if he has confidence in Premier Smith as the Leader, the young elected Member ducked the question saying Dr Smith is the Premier of the country and he has utmost respect for him, but “I can follow you and not agree with you.”
The former Youth Leader noted that the issues he came public with was discussed with the Premier repeatedly in private and now he had a responsibility to go public. He rebuked both Dr Smith and Hon Walwyn for claiming he was disrespectful simply because he had a “dissenting view.”
No Little Boy! Turnbull doubles down
Hon Tunbull said the attempts to make him seem like a “little boy” or “immature” are not going to be believed by the public as “the people of the Second District would not have elected a little boy, all 600 plus of them, to represent their thoughts and actions.”
The Second District Representative said all the things that they are trying, is simply to “distract” from the issue and the message and he “stands committed to what he said.”
Hon Turnbull also said the only plan he has right now is to represent the people of the Second District and that is his “job and duty and my responsibility,” when asked whether he will run for office again.
The first termer said he is laser focused on what his duties are and his agenda is to represent the people of the Second District, and the county.
In another upper cut, this time at Hon Walwyn, the young politician told Mr Peart, yesterday December 15, 2017 during the online radio interview, that he is an ordained Minister and “I will not use scriptures out of context, I will not use scriptures to try and make myself look intelligent…I have no other agenda..”
Mr Turnbull doubled down that the Leadership of the NDP is not listening to the people and stated, “it’s important that after hurricanes Irma and Maria we rebuild the country with the input of the people.” The now popular member of the HoA admitted he does not “have all the answers” but he said the direction of the country must be determined by the people of the country and “the only way to go forward is with the people of the country.”
He ended by wishing former Premier and former Virgin Islands Party Chairman Hon Ralph T. O’Neal OBE a ‘Happy Birthday’, having turned 84 on December 15, 2017.
50 Responses to “Hon Turnbull lashes back @ Premier & Walwyn; 'I am no little boy'”
SMH you expect him to say anything else . Remember that is a director of BVI Airways...may I say more?
After the hurricane I have been on the listening and observing mode in respect of what our beautiful Virgin Islands have just been through; however, I must interject here. Mitch, allow no one to silence your voice; I did that for years when I should have voice my knowledge, experience, and wisdom. Today, I am much more aware of how the "laws of duality" works between supposed good and evil, right and wrong, bravity and cowardice, and I have learned that standing for TRUTH will live forever- beyond our physical existence. Speak your TRUTH and allow no one to silence you. It's all part of the trickery within duality. There is no testimony without its test. Stay strong youngman. Our Virgin Islands need our young progressive-independent-thinkers; we need young people like yourself and others-to not only survive-but strive beyond the struggles of today for our people. Forgive those who may not stand in support- for all may not discern the wisdom of your heart. Hence- The Christ Story. Thus- B.I.B.L.E: Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.
The Hon Turnbull is being treated like a little boy that is smelling his p....s. Really! Well, he is a grown a...s man with a voice that D-2 sent to the HOA. Here is a news flash to the leadership of the NDP. Respect cannot be demanded or legislated; it has to be earned. Furthermore, strong and effective leadership do not come merely from positional status; it is attained through confidence in performance. Look like leadership wants to be revered and put on a pedestal. Is this episode a waterloo in BVI politics or just a flash in the pan or a minor skirmish? Hope D-2 is not punished for its rep doing what he was elected to do. Tribal politics is worming its way like a cancer into BVI politics and ruining the territory.
I think this is a season of madness.
Unless someone eye is attended to by the district nine representative they will not observe that the NDP is playing with the minds of the electorate fof their personal development. Now that Hon. Turnbull is speaking out we can see clearly that he has in own vision. The government is sleeping at the control of leadership. Hon. Walyn is deceiving the Premier because he is trying to protray himsejf as the next premier since he had the most votes at the election. I have good news for him because Dr. Carl Dawson is waiting for him.
I will never join any of them and I am very disappointing in Ryan
Some serious scrutiny required of this player, his employer and the terms of his work permit. In whose best interest is he operating?
2. Zan was told by ball head to go talk to Mr. G, so the streets knows everything no more time to fooling the people, we on to the game. Can't wait until next election
Garden did not get Government's help because the Solid Waste Department did a lot of clean up in that area - that is a Government Department utilizing public funds. What if the rest districts were to behave the same way! There are problems everywhere - the capital still has potholes and rough roads as well as the stench of sewerage! To dispel the Premier's action to say that we are ready for business is not right! The USVI and Puerto Rico are open for business as well as St. Maarten. If we do not start now, how do will find our way back? By the time we wait to get back, we would be so far behind, that it would be damn hard to catch up! Politicians and citizens please spend your time being more thankful and working together for the good of this country! THIS COUNTRY NEEDS ALL HANDS ON DECK WITHOUT ANY SELF INTEREST. LET US TRULY SHOW THE RESILIENCY OF VIRGIN ISLANDERS!
I give him credit for defending himself and we might be on fence whether he was wrong or right but i must say with or without the NDP party. Mitch already did hi calculations and he already recognized this is his seat to lose going forward and this move validate that. So the NDP need to treat situation good and don't muddy the waters because they will only know they had the second district in their grasp in the next general elections.
We cant criticize unjust on one end and not hold the mantle on the next.