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No mandate for 'lame duck' Premier in UK talks'- Jamal S. Smith

Eminent Virgin Islands Attorney-at-Law, Jamal S. Smith Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The National Democratic Party (NDP) Government led by Premier, Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, has “no mandate to hold any discussions on anything, much less the critical decisions being taken in London to use the Overseas Territories to replace Britain's involvement in the Galileo Satellite Network (similar to GPS used in the USA).”

This is the position held by eminent Virgin Islands Attorney-at-Law, Jamal S. Smith, who today, December 3, 2018, vented his frustration in a social media post saying “Our lame duck Premier is leading a delegation to the Joint Ministerial Council to hold talks with the British government without any discussion or input from the public.’

He was at the time responding to the fact that Dr Smith along with His Excellency Governor, Augustus J. U. Jaspert had travelled to the United Kingdom to engage in the high level talks.

According to the local Attorney, “this is a major development and we need leadership that can speak intelligently about the future of our Territory based on what our people want, not keep the people in darkness about something this important.”

Hon Fahie consults

He drew—as contrast—reference to Opposition Leader and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VI), Honourable  Andrew A. Fahie (R1) whom he observed “consulted with the people before on a critical issue of our future relationship with the UK, and I am impressed with his leadership style, while I have made it clear that I will be voting for Julian Fraser RA in the Third District, I have to think long and hard about how I will be voting at-large.”

According to Smith, “right now, I have expressed my support for 2 VIP at-large candidates, but I am still soul searching about the other 2 candidates… certainly, neither NDP-1 nor NDP-2 will be getting my support this election.”

He observed that this is the second time in history that Virgin Gorda has two representatives in the House of Assembly (HoA) and the first time that a woman will be representing the territory from Virgin Gorda, “and only the third time in our history that a woman would be an at-large representative, each time (at least initially) by the VIP.”

According to the Attorney at Law, “this election will not be a walk in the park and will not be for the faint of heart, but it is now time to fight for our future, and Sheep and Queen Shereen, I am ready to work with you both!”

19 Responses to “No mandate for 'lame duck' Premier in UK talks'- Jamal S. Smith”

  • one eye (03/12/2018, 13:06) Like (26) Dislike (13) Reply
    every where you go Carvin is hard to sell...he just want to get back on the government TT, they made a mistake in not chosing JW.

    I can support young Decastro for sure
    • Jacperlance (03/12/2018, 19:47) Like (15) Dislike (7) Reply
      @one eye, you name suits you well but it seems like you totally blind. Keep off of Carvin because he is no worst off than those NDP Cookie Monster. I really do t understand how people can point their finger at Carvin. When he was been awarded government contract he used to complete all of them and gave us value for money. If you recall very well, the last contract he had was that east end/ long look sewage project which he started but was stopped by the NDP when they first got into power. Up to now the people of the territory especially those in the east still dwelling in raw sewage every day. How easy we forgot. Can you recall how many consultancy contracts were given out to NDP Cookie Monsters. “Hmmmmm”. But up to now we cannot see or do not know what consultancy they provided. Take it or leave it, no government in the history of the BVI can be worst than this NDP Government.
      • EE resident (04/12/2018, 11:01) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
        why was he stopped? you did not say.
        • Jacperlance (04/12/2018, 11:32) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
          @EE resident. All and sundry knows he was stopped because of political victimization. You have any other evidence why he was stopped, bring it forward.
  • wize up (03/12/2018, 13:06) Like (17) Dislike (13) Reply
    the fact of the matter; Dr Smith is still the legal and lawful Leader of Government Business in this British Overseas Territory: apparently the good Gentlemen intends to go down swinging
  • Political Observer (PO) (03/12/2018, 15:12) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply
    Support or despised NDP, it is a lame-duck, dysfunctional government. At most, it has 4 months remaining on its term in office. As such, in the remaining months, it should be a caretaker government, handling routine operations and emergencies. Therefore, all major programmes, projects........etc should be paused and left up to the next duly elected government.
    • wize up (03/12/2018, 18:33) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
      @ political observer: it is RDA that will oversee financial matters within this territory: whom ever you vote into electoral office have to sit around the table with the RDA: the RDA have the mandate to ensure all expenditures are justifiable: you better realize is no longer business as usual up this place(say what U want)....the head of the RDA is set to make over 30,000.00 of your tax dollars each month for about the next 5 years(when he returns to New Zealand he will be set for life) as a matter of fact he might purchase land on the island of virgin gorda(like his English Friend)...wake up an live!!!!(while we busying ourselves speak negatively about our own, others up in here flexing and relaxing)
  • No Respect (03/12/2018, 15:44) Like (28) Dislike (15) Reply
    I don't agree with everything Doc has done, but I sure as hell am not going to disrespect him. Say what you have to say, but do so respectfully and professionally. If Doc is a lame duck, what say you about yourself sir. How many times have you been insulted from the Bench. How many times have your filed documents been flawed. Doc is not perfect and neither are you. He might just be the one to save your life one day so cool it
    • Outlaw (03/12/2018, 20:04) Like (21) Dislike (4) Reply
      @No Respect. I agree that he is the duly elected premier but he deserves absolutely no respect. He caused it upon himself. Have you ever stop to imagine the disrespect Orlando Smith give to the people of this territory when he went into the treasury, took out 7.2 million dollars, allegedly gave it away to some airline operatives and blatantly refused to provide any answer to the populace about our money. The office he holds should be respected but he does not deserve our respect. He has lost all of his credibility.
      • wize up (04/12/2018, 04:24) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
        @ out law: some day you will find out the facts behind that million dollar plane transaction and your jaw will hit the floor?????
  • Music (03/12/2018, 16:10) Like (11) Dislike (5) Reply
    Jamal is just a member of the public like the rest of us. He is entitled to his views but he is not necessarily correcr.
    • wize up (03/12/2018, 19:52) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
      @ lodger: mr smith is a brilliant man( the territory certainly needs good political guidance) mr smith might wish to jump on the political bandwagon(he could make a difference)
  • Understand (03/12/2018, 17:40) Like (12) Dislike (5) Reply
    I am really trying to understand the purpose of this article. Ok I got the disrespect you have your Hon. Dr. Smith but is it that you just want the public to know who you voting for?
  • The TRUTH (03/12/2018, 20:15) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    I am truly saddened to see the state of affairs in our country. We are all being played. It's a Pony and Dog Show, politics are in place to give you the illusion that you have choice. You don't. You have owners. The Agenda will be pushed through regardless of the results of this joke of an election, I find it hard to believe that people are taken in by this obvious sick joke of a farce."You're either with us or against us." This is your basic Dualism Ultimatum from a Dictator. " Choose a side or one will be chosen for you," It's nothing but a Pyramid Scheme. From 1 Ruler to Angels, Profits (yes Profits), their friends, priests, the masses. All layered in pyramid format of a well planned power structure through a Monarchy (Dictator). It's all about the salts and the good (god) oil in us. There was no Jesus. The Gospels are just the seasons in code. But tell that to all and they can't handle the truth. People are all Suns of God. The Bastards have been lying to us about the truth of it. Real Truth must be realized. Truth cannot be told.
  • I agree with you (04/12/2018, 05:14) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    He’s a lame duck the 7mil from the treasury the money for sewage up in east end and all the looting that took place after the hurricane Irma that’s all on the NDP the wall around the high school and pier Park and lots more all NDP
  • Lb (04/12/2018, 09:58) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    If you can be this disrespectful to the Premier of the VI, then I can never respect you Jamal! Learn to follow before you can lead. Give respect to get respect.
  • COME AGAIN (04/12/2018, 11:49) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    For all those that’s bashing Jamal former Deputy Dancia Penn wrote a letter to the UK parliament asking what?
    • Tiem will Tell (04/12/2018, 13:50) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Yep She did, but still wants to hitch her wagon to the train of the Movement lead by a man who she criticized as part of that Gov't she wrote about. How does this work? What is she not saying in public?


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