Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Hon. Walwyn is a ‘rookie to politics’-Hon. Ralph T. O'Neal

-Opposition Leader is opposed to censorship of the media
Leader of the Opposition and the Virgin Islands Party Honourable Ralph T. O'Neal OBE, has labeled Hon. Myron V. Walwyn the Education and Culture Minister as a ‘rookie to politics’. Hon. O'Neal has told this news site in an exclusive interview that rookies are always trying to push to make it seem that they are doing something. Photo: VINO
Minister for Education and Culture Myron V. Walwyn has emerged as the most controversial Minister of the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government. The Leader of the Opposition has explained Mr. Walwyn behavior by stating in an interview that; “Mr. Walwyn has to prove himself, he has to work hard and show that he is doing something whether or not he is….that is how rookies operate, they have something to prove.' Photo: VINO/File
Minister for Education and Culture Myron V. Walwyn has emerged as the most controversial Minister of the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government. The Leader of the Opposition has explained Mr. Walwyn behavior by stating in an interview that; “Mr. Walwyn has to prove himself, he has to work hard and show that he is doing something whether or not he is….that is how rookies operate, they have something to prove.' Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - In the words of Leader of the Virgin Island Party and Representative of the Ninth District Honourable Ralph T O'Neal, OBE, the Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn is a “rookie”.

"When you make a rookie a Minister, I mean he is a lawyer, but still he is a rookie to politics and rookies are always trying to push to make it seem that they are doing something," said Hon. O'Neal.

These were the words of veteran legislator Hon. O’Neal in an exclusive interview with Virgin Islands News Online when asked about the controversial Minister for Education and Culture.

While staying far from being too critical of Hon. Walwyn, Hon. O’Neal said it’s the way things work, “Mr. Walwyn has to prove himself, he has to work hard and show that he is doing something whether or not he is….that is how rookies operate, they have something to prove.”

When asked what rating he will give to the rookie Minister Walwyn, Hon. O’Neal said it was too early to rate him as I myself served as a Minister for Education, "he has a tough job... It isn't easy" noted O'Neal.

$100G Dinner for teachers

When asked about the controversial dinner hosted by the Hon. Walwyn for teachers costing tax payers a hundred thousand dollars, the Leader of the Opposition-O’Neal said he has not seen the breakdown on what was paid for. However, Hon. O’Neal who himself also served in his earlier career as a school teacher and Principal, said he endorsed the idea of honouring the teachers as they work hard. However, he said the cost was another issue.

Hon. O’Neal said that seldom we recognize teachers for their role in molding the nation and their value to the country. Teachers, Hon. O’Neal said, go a long way in helping “to educate the lawyers, the doctors, the computer people the scientists and so on...”

He also said other professions should be recognized, including police officers, and firefighters as they play a critical role in the development of any country. He added that their pay package need to be looked at also.

Hon. O'Neal said the Minister told the House of Assembly that each year the honouring of teachers will take a different format but “we will wait and see," Hon O'Neal said.

When asked if he could list some things that have been accomplished by the Minister for Education and Culture, Hon. Walwyn the Opposition Leader who has a sharp memory had a long pause. Hon. O’Neal said he had just heard on the news that Mr. Walwyn was making inroads with Her Majesty's Prison. However,  Hon. O’Neal did not name what any of “the inroads” were.

The Ninth District Representative and first Premier said most of what the Education Minister Hon. Walwyn was doing was things left over from the Virgin Islands Party Government.  

This is how Government works, when they come into office you will hear them saying everything the previous government did was bad, they criticise everything done by the previous government but when you look at it they carry on most of the plans of the previous government," Hon. O’Neal said. “They may reject certain polices outright but they will carry on others although not giving the previous government any credit for it.”

NDP was opposed to the London House

The legislator who served in the Virgin Islands Parliament from 1975, recalled how the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government of Premier Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith was the biggest opponent to the idea and setting up of the BVI House in London. “Dr. Smith and others jumped up in the Legislative Council and was so opposed to my government idea.”

However, just recently when they had the celebration of its 10th anniversary “you see the picture of the Premier bragging about the usefulness of this house….you should go back to the transcript of how they were so against the idea back then,” O’Neal told this news site. "Do you hear them giving credit to my government who started the London House?"

Hon. O’Neal told this news site that “the NDP was playing politics at the time that they had opposed the setting up of the London House, so today we see many of the same things they had opposed when we were in, they are carrying on the same things.”

Hon. O’Neal strongly opposed Censorship of the media

When asked if he agreed with the rookie Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn on censorship of the media, Hon. O’Neal said, “no! no! no! we can never support this in our democracy.”

The former Premier said he is strongly opposed to any form of censorship and said the NDP has created a new political culture with such ideas.  

He recalled how a columnist in the BVI Beacon [the local Tabloid], “I can’t remember his name at this time but I think he has since passed away, used to always write negative things about me, investigate everything I did even before I became Chief Minister and I never one day tried to shut him down or up…that is democracy.”

“I also remember that when I served as Minister for Natural Resources and Labour the same gentleman, who was so negative in his writing almost weekly against me, had an application before me for a Non-Belonger Land Holding Licence and everyone thought I would have not approved it….but I did...I was able to separate his criticism of me and my responsibility as a Minister to be fair to all,” the veteran legislator told this news site.

Hon. O’Neal said his government endured so many negative criticisms from the media and talk shows but "never did you hear me or any of my Ministers calling for censorship, never.”  

Hon. J.  Alvin Christopher, the normally reserved member for the Second District, also lashed out at Hon. Walwyn on his advocacy for censorship of the media.

Hon. Walwyn in the House of Assembly had called for censorship of the media and continues to be critical of one online news site, which many believe is childish and a personal attack. Recently, he claimed that his words were mis-interpreted and he was not calling for censorship but “responsible reporting”.

He also accused the media recently of taking his words out of context when he said in the House of Assembly that “Madame Speaker, when we reflect on spending over the years past such as a $136,626.26 for a 45-minute speech by Judge Mathis that has done very little for us”. The upset Judge has since called many of the local media houses to refute what Hon. Walwyn said to the people of the Virgin Islands.  It turns out that the American Judge, Greg Mathis, received less than $15,000 for his visit to the Virgin Islands.

Many persons in the community believe it was a way to get back at Hon. Andrew A. Fahie who was then Minister for Education and Culture and an attempt to justify Mr. Walwyn’s $100,000 spent on a dinner to honour teachers. 

47 Responses to “Hon. Walwyn is a ‘rookie to politics’-Hon. Ralph T. O'Neal”

  • Guest (17/06/2013, 09:21) Like (29) Dislike (74) Reply
    The guy has reached the pinnacle of his life...he has maxed out he cannot go any further leave the poor child enjoy the next two years!
    • WELCOME (17/06/2013, 23:03) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      Right on point Mr. O'Neal
      • like it or hate it (18/06/2013, 17:33) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        please like O'neal everyone has to start somewhere like he did....so what if the boy is a rookie...at least looking in from the outside he is doing a lot more than your government did!
  • Jim (17/06/2013, 09:23) Like (9) Dislike (28) Reply
    Why is this news?? I dont understand why each week we are hearing Uncle Ralph. Gosh man!
    • JACK BE STILL (17/06/2013, 10:54) Like (11) Dislike (6) Reply
      Mr. Tiford, You are so Right on this One. Nothing but a Big mouth and always in front the tv and radio wid he blah blah blah blah
  • -------------- (17/06/2013, 09:24) Like (14) Dislike (28) Reply
    This disgraced minister is coming so irrelevant why is vino and Ralph wasting some much time on him? Struppps
    • the rock (17/06/2013, 22:36) Like (2) Dislike (52) Reply
      jelousy..jelously..jelously..bet u cannot touch him next election though..and i know thats hurts..sorry!
  • Wicked (17/06/2013, 09:28) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
    This is so silly! Why try to blame the media and the bloggers for what he has said to the public???!! Wheel and come again Myron
  • Shara Parlin (17/06/2013, 09:33) Like (10) Dislike (21) Reply
    Get away and go and eat your burgher with your badminded self. You are one Politian who obviously does not like to hear the truth about yourself and you hate VINO because they are not your public relations arm BAM
  • ... (17/06/2013, 09:36) Like (9) Dislike (21) Reply
    I like the last part of the article…he always blaming the media for taking his words out of context!! There is something called 'personal responsibility'. Myron should take time out to understand what this means..!!
    • @ ... (17/06/2013, 10:27) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      My sentiments exactly.
      • Virgin Son (17/06/2013, 10:56) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
        Totally agree with Uncle here...
        • zoe (17/06/2013, 22:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          Discourse is a healthy thing as long as it is civilized, but politics as usual is uncivilized.
          Positive discourse will lead to positive things, but divided politics will always lead to gridlock. Projectory to nowhere.
  • Really! (17/06/2013, 09:37) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    The biggest problem we have in the BVI is POLITICS. I am so sick of it. I just wish we get people who genuinely care about this Territory to try and make it the best place it possibly can be and not just there for their personal benefit or benefit of friends!
    • vex (17/06/2013, 10:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Ah, the conscience of this blog! I am comfortable with my understandable bias, though.
  • Politics (17/06/2013, 10:14) Like (8) Dislike (84) Reply
    It's funny how he is a rookie to politics but he helped VIP to win elections in the past by campaigning, writing and giving speeches. Ahh boy how soon we forget buddy? Wowww!!
    • I can't believe this... (17/06/2013, 10:45) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
      Writing what speech when he is paying $96,000. for someone to write his speeches. ROTFLMAO.
      • @ Myron (17/06/2013, 14:09) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
        Help what VIP win????…Myron go from here with your foolishness and enjoy the next two years!
    • Seriously (17/06/2013, 10:50) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Being on the sidelines in one thing but being in the 'trenches' is another. I think Ralph is alluding to Myron being a rookie to being in office and being in the trenches.
    • snake (17/06/2013, 11:44) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      @Politics, and who the hell did he write any of these speeches for? Can he produce 1 of these speeches you claim he wrote?
  • Liane (17/06/2013, 10:34) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    The fellow who always wrote articles in the Beacon criticising Mr. O'Neal and his government was A.J. (Tony) Edwards. He passed away in 2008 at the age of 65.

    Tony was grateful Mr. O'Neal took his constant chiding very well. Tony would mention his articles to me on several occasions, if I had missed them. Though he was very hard on Mr. O'Neal in particular, he had a great deal of respect for him as well. Or so he said. It might be hard for some of us to believe that, considering the content of some of his articles! But Tony always did his research and had his facts straight before setting pen to paper.

    I believe that censorship is the single biggest evil in our world today. Freedom of speech, freedom of expression and freedom of thought is at the epicentre of modern politics and modern life. Trying to control the media or an individual through censored speech, expression or thought is nothing less than tyranny. In my opinion, anyone who would support such a notion may not be a suitable leader.

    Cases in point: China and North Korea. The average person in these two countries are almost completely in the dark as to what is going on in the outside world because their governments maintain control over the media and even legislate what may or may not be said in public. It is a real travesty. It is something that leaves me shaking my head in disbelief.

    Kudos to Mr. O'Neal for standing up for the media and freedom of speech! Without it, the incumbents could do anything they please and the little man would have no voice at all. Sometimes, I think some politicians forget they are elected by the very people they want to suppress, control and manipulate, to their own ends.

    It seems the truth is often an inconvenient annoyance for various politicians. The truth makes them answerable to the general public. And for some, I suppose that is a scary notion, as the truth has a way of damaging and even ending political careers!
  • small head (17/06/2013, 11:03) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Myron a word to the wise your current approach does not add value, Nor deliver needed results when you fight against the media...Walk slow!
  • Exactly!! (17/06/2013, 11:26) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Liane, I like your post. Ever since the release of the information on consultancy for education to the tune of $328K we have not heard a word from Andrew all week. Imagine he is talking about reverse Robin Hood.
  • nonsense (17/06/2013, 11:54) Like (9) Dislike (20) Reply
    I would rather an ambitious rookie than an out of touch veteran.
  • ausar (17/06/2013, 11:55) Like (6) Dislike (20) Reply
    Yaaaaaawwwwwnnnnnnnnn!!!!!!!!!!!

    Soooooooooo, when Ralph was newly elected to government, he was a political giant or a rookie?

    It is the moo-moo-ness of these bloggers that offer the most comics. Anyone new to politics will be a rookie. But I can say that for a rookie, Myron has done a damn good job so far-much more than a lot of those alot of aryo considered giants in the industry.

    Let Ralph stay there with his foolish noise. Why don't he go help the people of Virgin Gorda-those 60% who are still renting and can't own anything? Any politician with such a track record after spending more than two decades in office would be considered an abysmal failure.

    Now aw gon wait for the moo-moo them to reply. Let's see, "OOOOO", ahhh,
    • @ausar (17/06/2013, 22:42) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      Go back and check the Record, when Ralph was first elected to office he was neither a new comer or a rookie. Having served at very senior levels of government in various capacities and including that of Clerk of the Legislature actually guided newly elected members of the day. Pro or Con people, at he very least have some facts to back what we are saying.

      Freedom of speech actually comes with some responsibility, let us not wear ignorance as a badge of honor.
    • @ Ausar (17/06/2013, 22:57) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      I disagree my friend. True leadership involves the ability to embrace differences, locations, skills , resources, etc.,to win..respectful, no offense meant, but "this is one of the many attitudes" of "we only", me better that you, etc., are reasons why we are where we are... we need to appreciate each others, pull together as equals with respect for all strengths, opinions, skills and resources.
  • leader (17/06/2013, 12:17) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    “I also remember that when I served as Minister for Natural Resources and Labour the same gentleman, who was so negative in his writing almost weekly against me, had an application before me for a Non-Belonger Land Holding Licence and everyone thought I would have not approved it….but I did...I was able to separate his criticism of me and my responsibility as a Minister to be fair to all,” the veteran legislator told this news site. THIS IS LEADERSHIP AND COUNTRY ABOVE SELF..LOOK AND LEARN MYRON

  • Village Girl (17/06/2013, 12:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    M***n get off the short term gain for long term pain I say

  • @ Ausar (17/06/2013, 12:56) Like (1) Dislike (23) Reply
    I believe Myron has the country at heart but Hello having the country at heart is commendable, but, having the wherewithall to make effective long lasting changes and makes things happen without an agenda, well that’s another thing.
  • defrag (17/06/2013, 14:16) Like (2) Dislike (13) Reply
    Uncle Ralphie, You need to look back at the mistakes that you have made during your tenure as Chief Minister/Premier. Both Myron and Mark was sitting at your table... I guess you did not take them seriously,and considered them rookies. Now today those same rookies are beating up on the veterans.
    • Dick (17/06/2013, 20:18) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply

      He has potential to do good but he to hasted and vindictive he need to cool out and keep off the media

      • student (17/06/2013, 22:44) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
        I absolutely agree with Dr ralph T. O'neal - rookie bou is a waste of time and valuable resources, but what else is new for this NDP government?
  • SHUT UP (17/06/2013, 14:23) Like (4) Dislike (70) Reply
    I think he is doing a good job. he is learning and growing everyday.. this old man needs to relax and stay out of the business... it is time for him to retire... pls.
  • very sad (17/06/2013, 15:17) Like (1) Dislike (29) Reply
    This man has lost it many years ago, and the folkes here cheer leading
    know full well he has.

    He is just out for lunch as usual and remain clueless.

    • @ very sad (18/06/2013, 09:59) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply

      Anything to do with Myron and the NDP will be the same old $h1t, GUARANTEED.

    • Well, well, well... (18/06/2013, 14:22) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      If you are going to be critical, at least learn to spell.
  • tell the truth (18/06/2013, 07:47) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Hon. O’Neal said his government endured so many negative criticisms from the media and talk shows but "never did you hear me or any of my Ministers calling for censorship, never.”......that is so true
  • Reality Check! (18/06/2013, 10:12) Like (2) Dislike (13) Reply
    It is hard for all of you to admit that Hon. Walwyn is on the way to become the next Premier of The Virgin Islands! Oh how sweeeeet it is! I cant wait. Cant believe he is from BVI yet? Take a deep breath..........................
  • Nice (18/06/2013, 21:18) Like (0) Dislike (13) Reply
    jealousssssssssssssss he just come and doing better than senior to this thing #lehwedodisting


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.