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‘I don’t have an answer’ – Hon Julian Fraser RA

-no end to Leader of the Opposition impasse as Governor’s deadline approaches
The impasse between Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3) and Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) seems no closer to resolution as there had been no agreement hammered out between them with regards who should be Leader of the Opposition. Photo: VINO/File
It was on June 19, 2015 that Governor John S. Duncan OBE made a statement saying that he had deferred the appointment of the Leader of the Opposition for one month and one day to allow consultation between the members of the Opposition and as they deem appropriate, with other interested parties. Photo: VINO
It was on June 19, 2015 that Governor John S. Duncan OBE made a statement saying that he had deferred the appointment of the Leader of the Opposition for one month and one day to allow consultation between the members of the Opposition and as they deem appropriate, with other interested parties. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The impasse between Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3) and Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) seems no closer to resolution as there had been no agreement hammered out between them with regards who should be Leader of the Opposition.

And the deadline for the resolution of the issue between the two Opposition members of the House of Assembly given by Governor John S. Duncan OBE is fast approaching. There is exactly one week left.

It was on June 19, 2015 that Governor John S. Duncan OBE made a statement saying that he had deferred the appointment of the Leader of the Opposition for one month and one day to allow consultation between the members of the Opposition and as they deem appropriate, with other interested parties.

When contacted by this news site yesterday July 12, 2015 to ask where they were on the issue, Honourable Julian Fraser RA, Representative for the Third District, said that he could not say if the issue will be resolved. “I do not have an answer,” he said, clearly indicating that at this stage there had been no progress.

Attempts to contact Honourable Andrew A. Fahie for a comment on the issue were unsuccessful. Governor Duncan is also out of the jurisdiction and will return later this week.

Tomorrow July 14 will see the continuation of the Second Sitting of the First Session of the Third House of Assembly and again there will be no Opposition Leader. Governor Duncan had said in his statement that he did not envisage the delay in the decision on the Opposition Leader affecting the work of the House of Assembly.

What says the VI Constitution?

According to the Virgin Islands Constitution, the majority of elected members 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.

Governor Duncan said 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.

23 Responses to “‘I don’t have an answer’ – Hon Julian Fraser RA”

  • .......... (13/07/2015, 08:32) Like (9) Dislike (5) Reply
    Make fraser acting opp leader like they did in the uk
  • HOLDSTRAIN (13/07/2015, 08:36) Like (16) Dislike (8) Reply
    That looks so bad that the two of these Members campaigned together and for the democracy and good of the country one cannot yield. It must be that extra $15,000 that got them in limbo. No, man, the love of country is worth more. Brothers, we have to learn to come together as one for the love of the nation. Stop letting the Governor make decisions for us. We want greater political autonomy, but not in this manner you are going. Remember, the eyes of the Virgin Islands are watching. What message are you sending, as we heard on swearing in day.
    • @HOLDSTRAIN (13/07/2015, 10:48) Like (37) Dislike (11) Reply
      The eyes of the Virgin Islands was watching & still watching a $64 mil hospital cost $200 mil & now a $40 mil port project costing $60mil & counting & no one ain't saying a word because it is the beloved NDP involved. What message is this sending? It is ok to do wrong once you are loved by the majority? This place operates on too much hypocrisy. The Leader of the Opposition will get worked out but when will this on going robbery & corruption get worked out.
      • Foolishness (13/07/2015, 14:04) Like (4) Dislike (6) Reply
        Stop telling bold face lies please! The Government always said the Pier Project was going to cost over $50 million. When TPP was involved, the total of the entire project, including developments in other parts of the Territory was around $75mil with the bulk of that being spent on the pier and park. When they borrowed the $35 mil they said they anticipated raising around $16 mil from public offerings. The Marine works side of it had overruns as should have been expected. Now the landside is well underway. The Hospital did not cost $200Mil. With furnishings it's over $100mil and everyone knew that $64 mil price tag was nonsense from the start.
        • @Foolishness (13/07/2015, 16:11) Like (8) Dislike (6) Reply
          The NDP have such a sweet tongue that if they say the blue sky is black then people like you & many others believe that. The only thing I liken the PR on this Cruise Pier project to is the TITANIC...and we know how that story ended.
  • shaw (13/07/2015, 08:37) Like (2) Dislike (9) Reply
    I which we had a third person to vote this is shameful
  • Voter Too (13/07/2015, 09:22) Like (7) Dislike (26) Reply
    I thought this problem was already solved as it goes to show what would have happened also if VIP had win the elections. In all the parties even though some one is elected as the leader there is always another who want to dethrone the same.Fahie and Fraser please come to a conclusion and the other members search your hearts your conscience and please help resolve this issue at hand. BVI needs all hands on deck to continue the road of prosperity for all and not some.Some one has to be there to speak on our behalf so make that decision now
  • wize up (13/07/2015, 10:10) Like (17) Dislike (32) Reply
    and this party wants to lead this territory!!!
  • please (13/07/2015, 10:40) Like (47) Dislike (28) Reply
    I don't find this shameful. What I find shameful is the NDP getting away with a needed Port project but overcost & no accountability & the Governor who is in charge of the police & investigations continues to do nothing while the elected officials & ports officials continue to get fatter & fatter off of the people.
  • BuzzBvi (13/07/2015, 11:05) Like (7) Dislike (6) Reply
    Let's re run the elections in these seats. Fraser would be voted out and then Fahie would be leader. Leader of nothing but leader all the same.
  • shaw (13/07/2015, 11:43) Like (12) Dislike (6) Reply
    I would think that members of the VIP in their petition would have some influence. Fraser has acted like a spoiled brat throughout the campaign. He would prove to be the bigger man if he stepped down. If it is due to a change in salary, then that is too bad. People should come first. We know that people have short memories. But hope not for this.
  • tretretrete (13/07/2015, 12:54) Like (8) Dislike (8) Reply
    This Governor shuns making decisions. The law is clear. He is an NDP. Anything dealing with the NDP he gives speeches praising them & make us think wrong is right rather than just doing his job. Watch when he makes his decision he will try to put down the VIP. I have no confidence in this man. Bought out!
  • true tolian (13/07/2015, 13:10) Like (10) Dislike (10) Reply
    I maintain ndp must go
  • No Opposition needed (13/07/2015, 16:16) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
    We don't need any Opposition as no watch dog because the Governor & the majority of voters have spoken clearly that it is okay to put your hand in the cookie jar & even go with the jar because once you are loved then it is okay even moreso when you are loved & an NDP it is more than okay. So we don't needed any Opposition in the VI. Let the thiefing continue greater than ever...HELLO!
  • @ true tolian (13/07/2015, 22:43) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    It is obvious that you are either in denial or maybe you certainly don't understand that the NDP won the election by a landslide victory and that they will run the country for the next four (4) years. whether you like it or not that's the way it is and they are not going any place because of your dislike for them. Once they perform, they will continue to run things in the VI for many, many years. You will either have to live with it or continue to stress. SO SAD!
  • Very interesting (13/07/2015, 23:57) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    I just can't understand why the two elected members of the VIP can't make a compromise and settle this matter without the intervention of the Governor. Back in 2007, the NDP lost the general election and got 2 seats just like the VIP did this year. As far as I can recall, there was no fighting for power because it was clearly understood that whether by victory or defeat the leader of the party would automatically become either the Premier or the Leader of the Opposition. With humility, those two honorable gentlemen Smith & Pickering went into the House and represented the people without any form of dissention. This type of behavior is totally unacceptable to the public as it raises many red flags about the interests of these two popular politicians. However, whilst I do not always agree with some of the things that Frazer do, I am giving him my full support on this issue because both the VIP Congress and the 2015 VIP slate of candidates officially declared him as their leader. Hence, without any debate he should be given the appointment to serve as Leader of the Opposition. It is time to stop the hypocrisy and unite!
    • @Very interesting (14/07/2015, 08:34) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      You forgot to mention that Smitb had offer to resign as leader after the NDP loss but the party agreed for him to carry on as leader. Here is not the same case.
  • @ Opposition Needed (14/07/2015, 00:34) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Who stole the cookies from the cookie jar? VIP, NDP or Both? This seems like the pot bottom calling the kettle bottom black. We must be FAIR in our judgments and don't be too quick to point fingers. Always remember that records speak for themselves so whoever is without sin; go right ahead and throw the first stone.
  • W*F (15/07/2015, 19:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just flip a coin. That is fool proof.
  • Fatness (15/07/2015, 23:44) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    Well sah people of the BVI can't you all see the election is over stop blaming everything on politics. If the opposition want to be head strong let them be, by the time they catch themselves the world would have already pass them by.


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