‘I wish to be sitting with the Opposition’ - Hon Turnbull on resignation
Hon Turnbull—in an interview with Jahphix Television (JTV) Journalist, Ms Cathy O. Richards, on Friday, November 16, 2018—said the NDP Government has a general lack of transparency, accountability and integrity that he no longer wishes to be a part of.
He further stated that he had enough and a change for him started the moment his resignation was tendered on Wednesday, November 14, 2018.
Time for change
“For some reason, we [NDP] think we can continue to fool the people, so I have had enough and yesterday my contribution ended… a change was going to come and it was going to come now, hence me giving my letter of resignation,” he told the Television Journalist.
Hon Turnbull’s resignation from the NDP came literally hours after founder member of the party, Honourable Archibald C. Christian (AL), resigned as Treasurer and was later fired from his post as Junior Minister for Tourism.
Only recently, Ms Shaina M. Smith, who also served as Chairperson of the party’s Women’s Association, tendered her resignation.
“After my contributions and after understanding all the things that have been happening for a long time, I handed my resignation to the Speaker of the HoA stating that I no longer want to continue sitting on the government side, and I wish to be sitting on the opposition,” Hon Turnbull said.
Speaker leaked to press?
In explaining how his resignation was tendered, Turnbull said that he is yet to send the resignation letter to the NDP Chairman, Honourable Myron V. Walwyn (AL), however, it was leaked to the press.
“I have not yet sent my resignation letter to the Chairman of the National Democratic Party… however, the story broke… It leaves to question how that information got out because I gave the letter specifically and directly to the Speaker in her hand,” he said.
Speaker Ms Ingrid A. Moses-Scatliffe—a NDP At-large Candidate—is no stranger to controversy.
Only recently, she was embroiled in a scandal of running for public office while remaining House Speaker, a move that many political pundits called morally and ethically wrong, since the House Speaker is expected to be impartial.
“Within the Government system, a lot of things have been going wrong even before the passages of Irma and Maria… we have been on the wrong track,” he said.
He made reference too, to the outspoken Late, Honourable Delores Lettsome-Christopher (R5) and others who have publicly defied the NDP Government over its poor governance.
Final straw
When questioned about the ‘one straw that broke the camel’s back’, Hon Turnbull said, several actions led to his resignation, including the fact that he could no longer be truthful to himself, the country and his district under the lies of the NDP.
“It is not just one straw… it’s a haystack, there have been a number of things, I pointed to accountability, I pointed to transparency… just frank, open communications, sharing of information, there’s none of that… but the presence, the fallacy, that, it exists… and it’s really not so,” that was the final straw he said.
“I have tried my best within the three years I’ve been elected, to serve not only the people of the Second District who gave me this opportunity.”
He said, “My position [now] and my job, is basically to ensure that the Virgin Islands, as a country and its people are leading the way.”
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19 Responses to “‘I wish to be sitting with the Opposition’ - Hon Turnbull on resignation ”
But I think you should also reconsider who you’re joining as well! Look for fresh clean air! What God has given you no one can take it! You have been an inspiration to me and I’m not even in your district!
You are allowed to make mistakes, we all make them but it’s what you choose to do when you pick yourself up! God will continue to bless you... keep striving for the stars!
WHICH YOU JUST DID
They do not have any of those things. That's why they couldn't handle that Hill man how they wanted and to continue to fool people, especially the young people. They ate a disgusting lot.
What I c u imply n is u n all those others traitors r say n is when things begins 2take a bad turn U MUST RUN, QUIT & BETRAY ur party.
If u were & those other cowards were men u would of stand n fight4 ur country. But u dont care bout the country it's all about POWER & POSITION4 u. Ur a little virgin n this political arena & this is the type of behavior u display n. U abundant ur district u abundant ur people u abountant ur COUNTRY!