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Hypocrite? Hon Walwyn chides Hon Turnbull for being ‘disrespectful’ to Dr Smith

- but is reminded by Opposition Leader Hon Fahie about his ‘Emperor without clothes’ insult to former Premier Ralph T. O’Neal OBE
Controversial Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn (AL), right, who infamously referred to the then Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal OBE as an ‘Emperor without clothes’ back in 2011, has now chastised fellow National Democratic Party (NDP) legislator and Second District Representative Hon Melvin M. Turnbull, left, for publicly criticising the leadership of Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith and expressing his no confidence in him as Minister of Finance. Photo: VINO/File
A screenshot of controversial Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn (AL), during his chastising of Second District Representative Hon Melvin M. Turnbull at the Eleventh Sitting of the Second Session of the Third House of Assembly (HoA) on December 13, 2017. Photo: Facebook
A screenshot of controversial Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn (AL), during his chastising of Second District Representative Hon Melvin M. Turnbull at the Eleventh Sitting of the Second Session of the Third House of Assembly (HoA) on December 13, 2017. Photo: Facebook
A screenshot of A screenshot of Second District Representative Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (standing) addressing the Eleventh Sitting of the Second Session of the Third House of Assembly (HoA) on December 13, 2017. Photo: Facebook
A screenshot of A screenshot of Second District Representative Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (standing) addressing the Eleventh Sitting of the Second Session of the Third House of Assembly (HoA) on December 13, 2017. Photo: Facebook
Fifth District Representative Hon Deloris Christopher, left, said Members should be able to speak freely in the House of Assembly without being chastised, while Leader of the Opposition Andrew A. Fahie (R1), right, said with the lack of accountability in the Virgin Islands Government, including the absence of financial reports for years, it is impossible not to question the leadership of the Ministry of Finance. Photo: VINO/File
Fifth District Representative Hon Deloris Christopher, left, said Members should be able to speak freely in the House of Assembly without being chastised, while Leader of the Opposition Andrew A. Fahie (R1), right, said with the lack of accountability in the Virgin Islands Government, including the absence of financial reports for years, it is impossible not to question the leadership of the Ministry of Finance. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- It was during the 2011 general elections campaign trail that now Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn (AL) infamously referred to the then Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal OBE as an “Emperor without clothes”.

Fast forward to 6 years later and the controversial Minister is now apparently a changed man, singing a different tune, and even quoting verses from the bible.

In fact, Hon Walwyn has boasted that if there is one thing he knows is the bible, and “I remember Romans 13: Respect those in authority, because those in authority were ordained by God.”

Hon Walwyn was at the time condemning the move by Second District Representative and National Democratic Party (NDP) Backbencher Hon Melvin M. Turnbull, who expressed his no confidence in Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) as Minister of Finance during the Eleventh Sitting of the Second Session of the Third House of Assembly (HoA) on December 13, 2017.

“I am saying this here publicly, in this Honourable House and to the people of the Territory, I am saying to my Honourable Premier, as we have all agreed, for this time of uncertainty for this time in this Territory where we need to chart the way forward to lead the Ministry of Finance, and I am saying this publicly to my Honourable Premier, that person, Madam Speaker, should be Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton,” Hon Turnbull stated.

Hon Turnbull had also refuted statements by Premier Smith that Cane Garden Bay had received Government’s help following hurricanes Irma and Maria and stated that the territory was lacking inspirational leadership.

‘If I perish let me perish’

Always known to be dramatic and confrontational, it was no surprise when Hon Walwyn rose to chide Hon Turnbull for his declarations.

According to the Minister, “if you cannot follow loyally, you cannot lead loyally,” adding that the Premier is the leader of the country. “If the Premier has deficiencies it is our responsibility, all of us here, to hold him up…not to insult him.”

The Education Minister, who was criticised for spending over a million dollars on a small wall around Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) prior to the 2015 general elections when many schools were lacking basic resources, a project now under investigation, said “if this is the direction of the National Democratic Party (NDP), to be disrespectful to the leader like this, Myron Walwyn will leave the National Democratic Party. Because this is not what I am here for.”

According to Hon Walwyn, who has a reputation of using his time in the House of Assembly to go aggressively after individuals or businesses he does not like or are critical of him, said it is wrong, “it is disrespectful and if nobody wants to say anything about it I will speak…and like Esther said: if I perish let me perish.”

We have to help the Premier

One of the main criticisms of the NDP Government is that it lacks strong leadership and many times the Ministers and other NDP elected members have had to come to the defence of the Premier. The two strongest personalities in particular, Minister for Communications and Works Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) and Hon Walwyn have seen it necessary at almost every government function to say how the Premier has being doing a wonderful job, although the tune on the ground has been much different.

In fact, Dr Smith has already survived an attempt, led by NDP spokeswoman and former legislator Ms Eileene L. Parsons OBE, to have him relieved of the Minister of Finance portfolio and given to Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL).

But, according to Hon Walwyn, if the Premier is weak on finances “they have businessmen here, they will help him. If I am weak in Education come and help me. If Honourable Vanterpool is weak in Communications go and help him. If Honourable Penn is weak on Trade go and help him. That is what teamwork is about.

“I am not going to be part of anything that is disrespectful to the leadership of the party.”

The people feel unrepresented or not represented- Hon Fahie

Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Andrew A. Fahie (R1) was one of the few persons who were brave enough to come to the defence of Hon Turnbull sharing his concerns in the HoA. Hon Fahie began by saying he wanted to let the Government know something very candidly, “that we must work together” but any leadership that goes unchecked can lead to anarchy.

“From east to west there is one common problem. The people feel they are either unrepresented or not represented. They have to come to the leaders to seek representation. There is no secret that 3 to 4 days after the storm the place was left abandoned, you on your own, every man for himself…where was the leadership?”

According to Hon Fahie, the NDP Government has an opportunity of a lifetime to start over as one, in unity but that unity could not be defined by how the Government wants to define it.

“I was around when they called my leader ‘Emperor without clothes’. What happened then? The same respect wasn’t applying then to my leader? I listen to some of the same members insult my leader to the highest extent. And from then I was telling them even if we disagree let us do it respectfully,” Hon Fahie stated, in highlighting the hypocrisy of Hon Walwyn.

“But when the weight of the elephant gets on your foot you do a different dance from when you were just watching it on the other people’s foot,” Hon Fahie added.

One of the criticisms by Hon Turnbull of his own Government is that the people were not being consulted in the decision making of the Territory.

This was also jumped upon by Hon Fahie, who reminded that he was not invited to any recovery planning meetings that Government was holding after Hurricane Irma. He also stated that the recovery plan should have involved the people from the initial stage, “not after they finish to find out if they missed anything they might put it in, might because it has already been explained in the UK and all over.”

Hon Fahie recommended that a think tank committee should have been set up in every community in the first stage. “We were supposed to build it from out in, not from in out. That means we are performing the same thing before Hurricane Irma and we have learned nothing.”

Impossible not to question leadership of Finance

Further supporting the call by Hon Turnbull, and others before, to have the Ministry of Finance portfolio given to Hon Skelton, who served in that capacity from 2003 to 2007, Hon Fahie stated that with the lack of accountability in the VI, including the absence of financial reports for years, it is impossible not to question the leadership of the Ministry of Finance.

“There is no secret that I stated that one other Member in this House should have taken up the Ministry of Finance. I couldn’t take it up, I don’t have the Government but I love my country…but I saw a storm coming, and it still coming because, Madam Speaker, you need strong people in place for certain things. It is no disrespect towards anybody,” Hon Fahie warned.

We have lots of issues; HoA is a place to speak freely- Hon Christopher

Not seeming to also be impressed with the rants and chiding of Hon Walwyn towards Hon Turnbull, 5th District Representative Hon Deloris Christopher said persons should be able to speak freely in the House of Assembly without being chastised.

“I don’t want one another feel as though we can’t get up in here and say what we have to say, because if there is one free mic as I understand it, since 2003 I may go to ZBVI or I may go to whoever, I am not good with the Facebook and the whoever else, but I know I have a mic in here. And whatever you have to say, this is the place you have to say it. It is my understanding.

“So let us all understand one another and feel free to say what you have to say. Nobody going to lick up on nobody else.”

Hon Christopher also noted that “we have a lot of issues” but one must not forget that the people of the Virgin Islands take centre stage and cannot be forgotten, which seemed to support the criticism that Government has not been involving the people in their recovery plans.

“I am also of the understanding that our people must come first. We could talk about building stronger, better, greener all day and all night but if it isn’t speaking to the hammers and the nails and the forks and what have you, the building is for our people. If we don’t have our people alive and trying to help themselves in going forward building up the walls and whatever it is you want to build and fixing the roads, you can do that all day and all night, it ain’t going to make no difference because the people must come first. That is my philosophy.”

Disrespected; Tired of the tantrums- Premier Smith

Having the last say before the Sitting wrapped up, Premier Smith said his Government was doing a good job and that he was disappointed with the “disrespect” towards him.

“I must say, Madam Speaker, that I was a bit rather disappointed with the lack of respect for the leadership of the territory.

“And I am disappointed, Madam Speaker. Even if it is not in the House, Madam Speaker, it is important that we have respect. And I understand that some persons in the past may have behaved differently but to me, Madam Speaker, it is important. And so I just want to say again, I am disappointed. I am really tired of the tantrums from some Members and I think it is important, Madam Speaker, that we all continue to work together for the good of this Territory.”

Premier Smith and Hon Turnbull have been slugging at each other ever since Hon Turnbull publicly stated that Cane Garden Bay, one of the tourist hot spots in the Territory, was neglected by Government post hurricanes Irma and Maria and that the Territory is not ready to receive cruise ships.

34 Responses to “Hypocrite? Hon Walwyn chides Hon Turnbull for being ‘disrespectful’ to Dr Smith”

  • tretretrete (14/12/2017, 09:47) Like (25) Dislike (0) Reply
    At the end of the day every one is allowed their own opinion.....each minister is elected by the people and therefore your views should be reflective of the people.....you will only know what the people want by meeting with them not dictating to them.
    • @hmmm (14/12/2017, 13:33) Like (20) Dislike (3) Reply
      Mr. Minister for Education for one don't listen to anyone; he likes his way or no way. He need to take a page out of that same comment and start to listen for the good of this country.
    • the rock (14/12/2017, 18:04) Like (2) Dislike (8) Reply
      Very easy to sort out, Mitch you cross over an Andrew let me see u put a party together to take out the NDP, otherwise u all shut you'all behinds, Mitch timing is way off, agsaij he needs to stop listening to john and Claude!
  • NDP voter (14/12/2017, 09:47) Like (29) Dislike (5) Reply

    Funnyman so full of sh*t..he is the master of divisive politics

  • good (14/12/2017, 09:49) Like (19) Dislike (4) Reply

    Meanwhile the UK are readying teams to come in here and lead recovery efforts and may end up staying because we seem to be $%^&* kids fighting on the playground. When will we see the bigger picture as opposed to our own selfish ambitions?

  • long look me come from (14/12/2017, 09:56) Like (13) Dislike (4) Reply
    look at doc pickering with his head down so shame of Myron with his carmess
  • leroy (14/12/2017, 10:00) Like (26) Dislike (2) Reply

    More than a hypocrite. Is a two face ba>>>t. Smile in your face and stab you in your bottom.

    Did it to a musician who had to abandon ship with over 3 hundred thousand unaccounted for in youths affairs.

    When they don't get their way with you they block your education progress.

    They need to be voted out!

  • man about town (14/12/2017, 10:00) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    All good things come to an end, we the people of the Virgin Islands elected these persons to serve on behalf of the people .we have a Constitutional right due to bad governance , we will go back to the poles and vote them out.
  • yea (14/12/2017, 10:05) Like (42) Dislike (9) Reply
    I elected Hon. Turnbull to be our voice. Once he is working for us he will be returned to politics. I see nothing disrespectful if you are honest.
  • foxy (14/12/2017, 10:11) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
    He better hope he do not go jail over the Jerrco Wall
  • DON Q (14/12/2017, 10:12) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    Much to do about nothing myron will be ok!
  • Socrates (14/12/2017, 10:43) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
    I have no dog in this fight. But does anyone remember how the MEC chastise the former Premier Ralph T. O’Neal with the Emperor having no clothes? Did the MEC mature and grow politically? Or he has selective memory? Is it a case that the shoe is on the other foot now and rubbing he corn? Or the elephantt is standing on he foot and he no long doing a slow dance but jumping up to a road march calypso? Are these interesting times or what? Does every member has a right to state his or her opinion in the HOA? What makes Walwyn and Mark right and Mitch wrong. Or Mitch, Andrew and Delores right and Mark and Walwyn wrong? Let the members speak. Respect one another’s opinion in the HOA; respecting does not meaning agreeing.
  • voter (14/12/2017, 11:06) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    A representative is elected to represent their district. Not to be a yes man or woman. And those at-large are there because of district rep votes. Other reps need to voice the cries of their districts and have no fear. Stand up even of you stand alone.
    • VIP seats (14/12/2017, 14:00) Like (14) Dislike (5) Reply
      I already see VIP with 5 sure seats and to add Mitch that's 6 sure seats. Change seems likely. I think its in Mitch political and personal interest to switch.
      • Never (14/12/2017, 16:16) Like (7) Dislike (17) Reply
        Mitch has fallen in a trap and will never get out. Keep your eyes opened and your mouths closed. The NDP will win the next election with ease.
  • wize up (14/12/2017, 12:30) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    I find preposterous that 13 blind mice wants to over 30 thousand of us: at the end of the none of the13 blind mice are suffering like the fools that put them those political positions.....everything in the BVI these days a politics: what about building the territory for the people: the 13 of need to stop standing in public and make the rest of people in terriitoty to look bad: unity is strength
    • Anonymous (14/12/2017, 14:01) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      So does unity mean agree with decisions that will obviously benefit the haves and not the have-nots? I say there is no peace and unity without transparency and honesty. We are a democratic society but acting like these people do not work for US. If you all are waiting for the UK to step in, we are just as much part of the problem as they are.
  • Street reporter (14/12/2017, 13:50) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    They need to cool it down. I don't see the need for Myron to say anything. They now spending precious time on each other I wish they would tell us what's going with cable TV. Or what's going on with Rite Way or What's going on with all the trust. What conversation they had with these companies and what the out come...People are hurting.. While our reps are fighting...
  • Let them kill each other after killing country (14/12/2017, 15:02) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am keeping far from the civil warn
  • 2nd District Resident (14/12/2017, 15:27) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Myron for one don't listen he does whatever he feels like. I guess he feels since he is the youngest politician and green he must sit back and say nothing. Myron wrong is wrong and right is right.
    Dr. Smith on the other hand just wants everybody to agree with what he put in his statement. Do you honestly think Mitch would have lashed out at the Premier if any of what he said about the second district was true. No he would not. He would be the first one to thank the premier for whatever efforts were made to help in the second district after the hurricanes. So if you can't stand the heat stay out the kitchen or don't make comments that will come back to bite you in your behind.
  • Liat 521 (14/12/2017, 15:36) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Look how the ndp has fall from Grace not good at all
  • @Street Reporter (14/12/2017, 16:17) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply

    Power hungry &*%$#kers that is all!

  • Welsah (14/12/2017, 16:22) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    " TEAM WORK " is acceptable when NO ONE else can do the job. Why force team work, Mr Smith is acting like a dictator. That Trumbull guy is very brave to defy him .
  • wize up (14/12/2017, 17:52) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    On the mark get set for next election: Fraser: Willock: Mitch: Claude(you add the rest)
  • police (14/12/2017, 19:45) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Myron should keep quiet until after the wall is ininvestigated
  • The way forward for the best (14/12/2017, 20:20) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Next election it will be VIP 9 seats NDP 4 seats mark my words I will be the first to let the world know I have a vision as far as I can see we need to stand for one thing our fall for anything 14/12/17. With the love of the Lord bless or beautiful British Virgin Islands stand for your rights. .........
  • Flush them out (15/12/2017, 01:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well hurry leave Walwyn do you need a red carpet too
  • wize up (15/12/2017, 02:43) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    what fascinates me; we the voters picking political sides while those we do elected ends up look out for thier self interest once in office: we hating one another while the politicians living large and giving specials projects to thier friends and special interest groups: politics should have no face and look out for the entire territory(wishful thinking on my part)....the district system have become to political because the voters of a given district put serious pressure on thier representative: run at large then the "people" vote for persons to represent and develop the entire British Virgin Islands
  • VG STRONG (15/12/2017, 03:32) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    My 2cents I for sure wont be voting VIP/NDP NEXT time.My advice forget about party vote for who have the country's interest at heart going forward honestly,and with transparency that they must be held accountable at all.times.
  • drunk driver (15/12/2017, 05:56) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    All this over the accident cover up when mvw got involved to look out for his boy al.


    More in the mota I tell you a lot more. But stand your ground hon Turnbull
  • hmmmmmm (15/12/2017, 08:47) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    WELL RESIGN KNOW! AIR TOO THIN UP THERE YOU BEING DELUSIONAL THINKING YOU WILL BE MISSED. THE TRUE LEADER IS RONNIE. SEE HOW QUIET AND HELPFUL HE IS. HE IS NOT ALL OVER THE PLACE PLAYING PREMIER. YOU AND YOUR PUBLICIST NEED TO TONE DOWN AND STOP THINKING PEOPLE STUPID. RONNIE WAS MINISTER OF FINANCE BEFORE SO WHAT IS SMITH'S ISSUE WITH DOING IT AGAIN. THE MAN KNOW HOW TO MANAGE MONEY AND YOU SMITH KNOW HOW TO LEAD AND YOU MYRON NEED TO GO IN THE CORNER LIKE A GOOD BOY.
  • respect (16/12/2017, 06:12) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I often say they are in the house fighting like cats and dogs. Mitch is a young minister and that level of respect was not shown so now that he sepals he is the worse


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