Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) was speaking at a press conference, venued at the Village Cay, Hotel and Marina, in Road Town, Tortola, on August 15, 2018, and disclosed that the UK decision was taken since July but the NDP has failed to engage or even inform the people. Photo: Team of Reporters

Reporting on the outcome of the meeting with the Premier, the Opposition Leader told media operatives (pictured here) “I am satisfied with what, I am doing.” Photo: Team of Reporters

The Leader of the Opposition, said he has spoken with Premier Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) after which he was convinced that the NDP would treat with the matter, as it has similar situations. Photo: VINO/File

The Opposition Leader reminded of a previous occasion where the NDP administration dropped the proverbial ‘ball,’ when it failed to act on a previous far reaching UK diktat. Photo: VINO/File

Hon Fahie was at the time speaking at a press conference, venued at the Village Cay, Hotel and Marina, in Road Town, Tortola, on August 15, 2018, and disclosed that the UK decision was taken since July but the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) has failed to engage or even inform the people.

VI Politically Polarised

Hon Fahie said ever since announcing an independent initiative under the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, he has spoke with Premier Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) after which he was convinced that the NDP would treat with the matter, as it has similar situations.

Hon Fahie told media operatives, “I was pausing hoping that the government would have taken the lead.”

He qualified his position saying, “…this country is so political, polarised politically that people will always say that you looking for power…people misunderstand your interest in the country.”

The Opposition Leader reminded of a previous occasion where the NDP administration dropped the proverbial ‘ball,’ when it failed to act on a previous far reaching UK diktat.

Similar Situation

He drew reference to the 2011 ‘Protocols for Effective Financial Management,’ where a similar situation occasioned—the UK through an online posting called for submissions to be made to its Select Committee.

Hon Fahie said most of the persons in the territory “don’t even know this.”

The deadline for submissions to be made to that Committee was December 2011, but “lo and behold” in January 2012, the NDP Government held a meeting, “getting the views of the people after it was closed off.”

According to Hon Fahie, “to me, those things are disingenuous.”

He revealed that the views that were solicited from the people, after the fact, “went nowhere but the people up to today, felt that they had an input in the protocols document and they did not.”

The Opposition Leader speaking to the current UK Committee’s call for submission, said “whenever we are given an opportunity to give our input, we have to go to the people,” and quipped “…when we want to get the job we go for the votes.”
Leading in the Darkness

Slamming the administration over its stewardship or rather, ‘censorship’ of information, from the VI public, Hon Fahie said, “…our leaders in the government have not been keeping the people informed.”

He posits, “…one way to lead people the way you want them all the time is to keep them in darkness.”

According to the Opposition Leader, following the announcement that he would be establishing a domestic committee—for the purpose of engaging in countrywide consultations in order to provide a consensus based submission—he met with Premier Smith following the House of Assembly’s (HoA)’s sitting on August 14, 2018,   

Satisfied?

Reporting on the outcome of that meeting, the Opposition Leader told media operatives “I am satisfied with what, I am doing.”

Pressed further on the outcome of the meeting with Premier Smith, Hon Fahie said, “I was more convinced to continue to get the people involved.”

Grilled further by the media for a more specific answer on the outcome of the meeting with the Premier, Hon Fahie said rhetorically, “I was satisfied that the government is being consistent…they are being consistent with how they get people involved, they’re being consistent with how they’re going to do their (PR) Public Relations afterwards, I was satisfied they’re being consistent.”