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‘I am not a little boy, don’t mess with me’- Hon O’Neal to Hon Fraser

-urged the Opposition Leader to wait till after 4 years to criticise him; Hon Fraser said his visits to Districts, including the Ninth, will continue
During the House of Assembly on December 19, 2016 Ninth District Representative Dr The Hon Hubert O'Neal (left) attempted to justify his immature and ill-mannered public remarks to Opposition Leader Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3). Photo: Photo: VINO/File
Opposition Leader Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) addressing residents of Virgin Gorda at the Catholic Community Centre on November 2, 2016. Photo: Provided
Opposition Leader Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) addressing residents of Virgin Gorda at the Catholic Community Centre on November 2, 2016. Photo: Provided
 Some of the persons at the Catholic Community Centre in the Valley, Virgin Gorda at the public meeting called by Opposition Leader Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) on November 2, 2016. Photo: Provided
Some of the persons at the Catholic Community Centre in the Valley, Virgin Gorda at the public meeting called by Opposition Leader Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) on November 2, 2016. Photo: Provided
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- What began as an apology to the House of Assembly for threatening remarks directed to Opposition Leader Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) at a public meeting in Virgin Gorda back in November quickly turned into an attempt by Ninth District Representative Dr The Hon Hubert O’Neal at justifying his immature and uncouth actions.

Speaking under Any Other Business during the Third Sitting of the Second Session of the Third House of Assembly on December 19, 2016, Hon O’Neal stated that he regretted what he had said and that he had “crossed the line.”

He, however, never directly apologised to Hon Fraser, instead saying it was unfair for Hon Fraser to criticise him after he was only elected for over a year and expected that the Member, being a seasoned politician, would have pulled him aside and “counsel” him on the issues rather than going public.

“I would have expected the member to pull me aside being a rookie or a junior member…It hurt me to the core. It was unfair Madam Speaker.”

The ophthalmologist, Hon O’Neal, who unsuccessfully ran four times in the Ninth District but finally was elected in June 2015 after former Premier Hon Ralph T. O’Neal OBE had stepped aside, said he inherited a District that had enormous problems and that he was certain that no District Member would have been happy to inherit such problems, especially being newly elected.

“The other thing, Madam Speaker, is that he disturbed my father’s spirit,” noting that his father, the late Robinson O’Neal, was a back bencher who accomplished much during his short time (3 years) in office. “And for the Member to go in Virgin Gorda and claim that I have no reach and I had no clout because I am a back bencher, that was uncalled for, and I was not going to standby and allow those statements to go unchallenged.”

‘I am not a little boy, I just made 60’

Hon O’Neal also reminded Hon Fraser that a term is four years and that he was free to criticise after four years and not after one year and five months.

“I am asking the member not to mess with me, I ain’t no lil boy, I am not a little boy. In fact I just made 60 in July. Don’t mess with me, let me do my work in my District,” Hon O’Neal stated in the House of Assembly.

I am returning to the Ninth- Hon Fraser

Hon Fraser then rose on a point of information, saying that he wanted the Member of the Ninth District to know that he is not just a Member of the Opposition but the Leader of the Opposition “and if there is a District out there that thinks I am not going to come there because some Member who representing feels offended, think again.”

In fact, Hon Fraser said he was going to visit all the Districts and that he was returning to the Ninth District.

“Madam Speaker, as Leader of the Opposition, when I go in to a District I speak the truth, I don’t make mischief. If someone wants to take offence to something I have said so be it.

“I have been here [House of Assembly] for 17 years, Madam Speaker, and I have never seen anything close to what happened after I went in to that District. It boggles my mind, I have never seen anything like it, and I don’t think that anyone else has, and I don’t expect to see it again.”

Rookie needs to learn fast

According to Hon Fraser, he didn’t go to Virgin Gorda to make any mischief but that he was called there to have a meeting in his position as Opposition Leader. “And the only message that I am going to spread when I come around in the Districts is the same message that I spread in this House of Assembly. We are the Opposition, we ought to point out matters that pertain to the territory and good governance, and that is the only thing we going to be doing, nothing else.”

The veteran politician Fraser then urged Hon O’Neal to learn the ropes fast from those seasoned politicians in his party camp.

“You refer to me as a veteran and you as a rookie. I think you have to learn. Learn from your colleagues who have been around as long as I have, learn from me.”

Hon Fraser then noted that he has no hard feelings to anyone and placed on record that he was coming around to all the Districts “doing the same thing I did in the Ninth District.”

This prompted Sixth District Representative Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines to jokingly remark that she may have to build a wall around her district.

Background

Dr O’Neal was upset with statements made by Hon Fraser at his public meeting on November 2, 2016 at the Catholic Community Centre on Virgin Gorda.

Hon Fraser had addressed the alleged inability by constituents to reach Hon O’Neal, going as far as suggesting that it may be a case of disrespect for the Representative through assistance by his own National Democratic Party (NDP). He pointed out that the shortcomings of any Representative of the Ninth District could be blamed on them not having clout and having a “lack of reach.”

A furious Dr O’Neal called his own meeting on November 9, 2016 at the Catholic Community Centre and, in a manner most unbecoming of an elected representative, said he is normally a quiet person but he was upset to the point that he would have punched Hon Fraser.

"But I could tell you something, after that I was so angry with that member. If he was anywhere near me, and I am telling you this from the depth of my heart right, if he was anywhere near me, he would find out how much reach I have and he would find out how much clout I have because I was going to hit him bottom up, put a good fist on his jawbone and he was going down."

Hon O’Neal even directly disrespected the House of Assembly (HoA) when he said he would have physically assaulted Hon Fraser in the HoA if necessary.

“I am very serious. I don’t normally do them kind of thing but he had me so angry that was what was going to happen. And I would have done it right in the House of Assembly too if necessary.”

According to Hon O’Neal, he was not going to take any “disrespect” from the Opposition Leader.

44 Responses to “‘I am not a little boy, don’t mess with me’- Hon O’Neal to Hon Fraser”

  • . (20/12/2016, 08:25) Like (30) Dislike (0) Reply
    so childish!
    • Smile (20/12/2016, 10:16) Like (11) Dislike (17) Reply
      Maybe Hon O'Neal stepped over the line, but so did Hon Fraser.

      To say that O'Neal is not able to accomplish anything in his district is one thing, but to say that he is unable to accomplish anything in his district because "he has no reach" is another thing and frankly insulting. It confuses politicking with governing.

      Yes, Hon Fraser, go into the District and report on the issues, but leave out the politicking. The elections are over and the campaigning for the 2019 elections should begin in 2018.

      If there is someone "without reach", it is Hon Fraser himself, because after leading his party to a 2-11 defeat, the losing candidates supported Hon Fahie for the position of Leader of the Opposition, not him. That shows that his own members have no confidence in him.

      And all of this was before he recently lost the position of Chairman of the VIP to Hon Fahie.
      • Loner (20/12/2016, 11:24) Like (10) Dislike (6) Reply
        Yep, keep whining about Fraser and see if that could help you sick ass VIP
      • fyah ras (20/12/2016, 13:16) Like (8) Dislike (6) Reply
        @smiles the opposition leader is right!!!
      • Just sit down (20/12/2016, 15:02) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
        you know something, being loyal don't mean making yourself a fool for the person you are being loyal to. there only one person here who was wrong. he acted like a child and made a public spectacle of himself and I suspect is from listening to people like your self @smile.

        Dude needs to just let it go and let people forget about his asinine behavior.
      • Smile (21/12/2016, 10:31) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
        I would just ask the haters to re-read what I have written.

        O'Neal was wrong to threaten Fraser. (He should have responded differently).

        I also said Fraser can be critical but he shouldn't be insulting (which is what he was), especially as he represents what (a politician without reach as I laid out previously) he is "insulting" O'Neal about.

        The old sayings "if you live in a glass house, don't throw stones" and "the pot calling the kettle black", apply in this case.
        • spot (21/12/2016, 23:07) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
          Jack A&$, it ain't nothing in your statement to re read, both you and O'Neal crazy. Fraser did not insult O'Neal, he just got tin skin. And you just as foolish to be up on here supporting he wir he sh!$
  • HMMM (20/12/2016, 08:28) Like (27) Dislike (5) Reply
    He is competing with Pickering to see how little he can do in his district! He just vex that Fraser found out about this competition
    • all the same (20/12/2016, 09:21) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      That's a five man and woman race to do the least. Don't forget delores and alvera are tiempo setters in the race and mark stays in front of the pack until election time.
  • concerned citizen (20/12/2016, 08:29) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wow
  • Hmm (20/12/2016, 08:34) Like (28) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr Hubert O'Neal, it is normal for you to feel these emotions but it is a sign of intellectual immaturity when you fail to maintain composure and resort to such forms of expression. We as adults will fully understand the pain and frustrations of todays politics but you must be better prepared to handle yourself. Stand by your post and hold strong to moral and principle, be wise enough to know that when you sway to the otherside, there is always a chance to find your way back through remembrance of what is right. You are being tried and tested by your maker.
  • What's wrong with is this man (20/12/2016, 08:39) Like (36) Dislike (4) Reply
    Acting like a little man. Frazer please sing him a lollaby.
  • Winston (20/12/2016, 08:40) Like (30) Dislike (3) Reply
    Dr. Oneal.........sorry to say , but you are clearly out gunned in this one.
  • wize up (20/12/2016, 08:46) Like (18) Dislike (2) Reply
    If the leadership of the territory conducts themselves like so(such a wonderful example for children!!!!!)
  • I AM (20/12/2016, 08:51) Like (26) Dislike (2) Reply
    I am not one for Fraser but in this case I am...As the Opposition Leader it is his right to listen to the people, no matter the district...
  • Yes! You are (20/12/2016, 09:03) Like (26) Dislike (0) Reply
    A little boy by your ongoing example, and you are proving yourself to be a political failure in the process. You were never ready for politics and now you are imploding. NDP train has broken the rail.
  • Sawda (20/12/2016, 09:04) Like (6) Dislike (23) Reply
    How will the VIP grow if the new chairman is not running the show? The public is confuse,what's the process for Fahie to come the opposition leader to unite the party and rebuild? It look like we the VIP ain't going no where soon..
    • Wako (20/12/2016, 11:27) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
      Fahie wa Opposition Leader? Them thief the election..
    • point (20/12/2016, 14:21) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      FAHIE will be Opposition Leader if he loses next elecrion or Premier if he wins in the next election. Fraser was sworn in as opposition leader from last election. VIP recent election is external to that process.
    • ....... (20/12/2016, 14:44) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      Ain't no quit in Fraser messon. Dude goes hard in the paint regardless....
  • facts man (20/12/2016, 09:07) Like (25) Dislike (3) Reply
    But burtee is a dam little boy
  • vg massive (20/12/2016, 09:11) Like (21) Dislike (3) Reply
    homeboy is too soft
  • tola (20/12/2016, 09:29) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr oneal you to thin skin stop if that's how you going to behave well come out of politics.
  • boy burtee (20/12/2016, 09:33) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    Pleas don't mess on yourself while you exposing all that anger within you. Not a good example to set at all.
  • Cruickshank (20/12/2016, 10:14) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    Leader of the Opposition: Hon. Fraser continue to be the Leader of the Opposition for the entire territory. We need you especially at this time. Broke government, no accountability, sewerage running in the roads, garbage everywhere, broken promises, no running water, no budget while Y2016 seems to be 430 million. Roads in Sea Cows Bay, Hope Hill, Pariquita Bay, West End, Jost Van Dykes, Valley VG, Anegada, Shoelassen, Cocodella, and Horse Path need urgent repair.
  • Vg man (20/12/2016, 10:52) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    bertie soft like pap
  • boxer (20/12/2016, 12:26) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Instead of Iron Dog and Iron Fist or whatever their names are, this should have been the main event Saturday night. The featured bout of the evening..... Would have pulled a bigger crowd... I would have paid for a ring side seat..
    • wow (20/12/2016, 16:06) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      that was my idea i wanted them to do a charity boxing match when mike tyson was here with iron mike as special guest referee
  • Hmmmm (20/12/2016, 12:57) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Says: I'm NOT a little boy!

    Does: .....Proceeds to act like a LITTLE BOY!

    WTF!!!
  • Birdie (20/12/2016, 13:11) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Peckish
  • Political Observer (PO) (20/12/2016, 13:19) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    Cuz, stop the nonsense. Stop behaving like a likle boy(you are a 60 year old, big hard tone man). You are cuz Robbie O'neal son but you are no Robbie O'Neal. Cuz here is a news flash. It is a free country and you cannot stop the Leader of Opposition or anyone else from coming into D-9 and criticizing you. If you are thin-skinned and beyond criticism, perform/represent well. If you perform well, your constituents will have your back and deal with anyone that comes into your district to diss you. Clearly, you are not at that juncture yet. To fix that you need to build a strong relationship and bond with your constituents. Earlier I stated that you were Robbie's son but you were no Robbie. This was not intended as a diss but to keep it real. Robbie represented his district well. And I'm highly confident that Robbie was so well respected that no one dared out of respect to come into his district to diss him. During Robbie's tenure his constituents would not have invited or have a need to invite another politician into the district to vent their problem, frustration, and dissatisfaction to. Do not blame Fraser for the current situation. Look in the mirror.

    Moreover, here is another news flash cuz. Politics is not for choir boys or the weak hearted or the week kneed. It is not for the thin skinned( one has to has to have skin like an old wife fish. A politician has to be competent, confident, patient, discipline.....etc. A polician must lead from the front by personal example. In this instance, Berthie let his guard down and let Julian needle him under he kin. If you going to be in the tough world of politics, you must be able to deliver blows as well as take blows (not literally of course). Cuz, you need to bone up quickly on the art of retail and global politics. Comon cuz, represent. Get Turnt Up!
  • Fyah Ras (20/12/2016, 13:23) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr.Oneal just like Donald Trump foolish and childish! Feel how it is to play with the big boys. I don't know why anyone bothers with this man. Not my representative!!!!
    • nope (20/12/2016, 15:16) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      @Fyah Ras, Trump knows how to play with the big boys. If he didn't, he would not be President. Trump outplayed the big boys.
  • Ms. Diva (20/12/2016, 14:44) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    O'Neal is acting like he is going through some type of mid life crisis. Don't be surprise if you see him driving around Tortola in a red corvette sports car. Heard men going through mid life crisis love red corvettes. It make them feel young again.
  • Banana Split (20/12/2016, 15:12) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    O'Neal, Fraser apologize to you, what more do you want. You are acting real petty now. If you don't have the funds to cover the check, don't fill it out. Stop acting like you are a little boy on the playground throwing a tantrum because the other kids are playing in the sandbox and you have to wait your turn. If you can't handle Politics, step down.
    • Peal (20/12/2016, 21:14) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      When exactly did O'Neal apologize to Fraser? You fool. Don't know what you talking bout.
      • Banana Split (21/12/2016, 13:36) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        @ Ms./Mr. Peal, it would be so nice if you read a comment and understand what you are reading. There is no where in my comment I said O'Neal apologize to Fraser. Maybe it is a lack of not knowing how to under simple English on your part. And please don't refer to a person as being a fool for your mistake. You have a great day.
  • Love to see (20/12/2016, 15:25) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    I would pay big money to see O'Neal and Fraser have a one on one debate. Poor O'Neal will run off the stage in 2
    minutes crying. He is to soft for Politics.
  • weed (20/12/2016, 15:50) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Boy Burtee you letting we down.
  • My girl (20/12/2016, 18:55) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    If you ask me butee acking like a little girl
  • Sigh (20/12/2016, 20:08) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    I don't recall ever personally feeling so embarrassed for a Politician. It is pitiful to see how events are unfolding for Mr. Oneal. Aren't the more seasoned Legislators mentoring him. The real losers in this is the ninth district if he doesn't sort himself out.
  • Hit hard (20/12/2016, 21:35) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Fraser go pick on them petbulls in the house and leave the man alone .
  • Trump (20/12/2016, 22:39) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    more of this kind of backlash is not necessary in our politics
  • Charley Rose (21/12/2016, 06:06) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am surprised at the statement made by Hon. O'Neal in the House of Assembly. There is an old proverb that states ïf you cannot take the heat, stay out of the kitchen". The representative is displaying signs of immaturity. I would like him to know that he cannot prevent anyone from critizing his non representation of the people of the Ninth District. People will continue to do so because they are hurting. He cannot prevent anyone from speaking to Hon. Fraser. The constituents are hurting and he is no where to be found and now he is talking nonsense.


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