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No need for Protocols to be renegotiated – Hon. Mark Simmonds

Hon. Minister for Overseas Territories, Mark Simmonds MP, said there was no need to renegotiate the current Protocols for Effective Financial Management. Photo:VINO
[L-R] Hon. Mark Simmonds, Dr The Hon. D. Orlando Smith, Governor Boyd McCleary. Photo:VINO
[L-R] Hon. Mark Simmonds, Dr The Hon. D. Orlando Smith, Governor Boyd McCleary. Photo:VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Hon. Mark Simmonds MP, in his first official visit to any Overseas Territory (OT) since being appointed as Minister responsible for OTs, said he felt there was no need for the Protocols for Effective Financial Management to be renegotiated at this time. The Hon. Minister further stated that he thought the Protocols currently in place were “right”.

In a joint press conference which included Premier, Dr. The Honourable D. Orlando Smith OBE and Governor Boyd McCleary held at Government House yesterday, October 23, 2012 Hon. Simmonds related that if at some point in the future the Premier or his successors say that there may be a need to revisit the Protocols, then that is something either himself or his successors can look at but it was not something he felt was appropriate for today.

The Hon. Minister indicated that his role was “not to get involved in the day to day running” of the finances of the Virgin Islands (VI) as there were separate protocols set up for that specific aspect.

He further stated that the only time he would get involved would be in a situation where the VI wished to “deviate from those protocols” such as in the instance of acquiring financial assistance or support from the UK in ventures such as the airport expansion project.

With regard to a perception that his predecessors had taken political sides locally while not being in touch with local realities, Hon. Simmonds revealed that he was “certainly not in the business of taking political sides”.

He stated that he had met not only with the Premier Dr the Hon. D. Orlando Smith, but also with Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal as well. He indicated that this was necessary to obtain a balanced view of the “political perception” in the VI.

Hon. Simmonds said his view is to put mechanisms in place to assist the people of the VI and stressed that he would do this with the Premier and his colleagues since they were the democratically elected government of the VI along with the Governor as the UK’s representative on the ground.

He offered the assurance that he will follow development extremely closely and was very interested in the VI and making sure that its economy continues to grow, its society continues to develop and that the VI becomes an even better place to live over the years.

When asked to delve further into what he may have discussed with Hon. O’Neal, Hon. Simmonds said “I don’t want to go into detail about our private conversation.” He did reveal however, that just as the Premier has the best interest of the future of the VI, he felt that the Leader of the Opposition also had the best interest of the future of the VI at heart.

Hon. Dr. Smith earlier stated that he was honoured to have Hon. Simmonds in the Territory and congratulated him on his appointment. The Minister departs the Territory today October 24, 2012 for Anguilla.

24 Responses to “No need for Protocols to be renegotiated – Hon. Mark Simmonds ”

  • for sale (24/10/2012, 06:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    orlando sell us out
    • GoonSquad (24/10/2012, 07:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Stupid comment!! We are owned by Britian, how could he sell us out? struppssss
      • weed (24/10/2012, 10:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        good squad you are the fool not wanting to accept reality
        • goerge w. touch (24/10/2012, 14:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          people of the bvi stop depending on England they do not have your interest at hand you all need to make things happen for yourselves...
    • Virgin Son (24/10/2012, 08:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      So in other words the UK is sticking to the plan to run your country thought the ministry of finance…what ah shame VIP hurry come back!
    • under the bus (24/10/2012, 10:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      i agree what a one sided deal all in favor of the UK..NDP sleep at the wheel again..gone UK with less ass Marlon
      • paper bouy (25/10/2012, 00:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        me agree these NDP guys still continue to embarrass us wid tis ting.
      • say i told you (27/10/2012, 23:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        The Protocols on our finance has and will continue to be NDP's downfall.
    • low hope (24/10/2012, 15:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I don't care what a man say the NDP and their lack of negotiation skills sold us down the river with this document ..and history will prove the VIP (Fraser and Fahie) correct
  • ooooo (24/10/2012, 08:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    thats expected
    • CNN (24/10/2012, 11:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      The NDP has taken us down a unsustainable path with these protocols on financial management and now we have to pay the piper the UK master!
    • bay yute (24/10/2012, 15:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I hope we look at this protocol document seriously rather than politically like the NDP is doing on their site. Is the country ready for this?
  • One eye roster (24/10/2012, 08:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This UK man must not be reading the same protocol I am reading but why would they negotiate anyway when the protocol is only in their interest????
    • Crank Shaft (24/10/2012, 09:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      When you live in your mother's house you follow her rules. If you don't like them, you leave and go on your own. It's not that hard you know.
      • Round of Applause!!!!!!!!!!!! (24/10/2012, 10:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        This comment and "GooSquad" comment are the most sensible comments I see on this story all morning!!
  • justice (24/10/2012, 10:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well sah I hope people can read between the lines of what the UK has told the NDP. In other words you are not in safe hands and we do not trust the smith government so we are not negotiating any thing to change what we signed.

    If the VIP was in we would have never be in this position!!! people next elections we must never ever again be put in the position the NDP placed us in with these protocols… I will work to ensure there will never be a NDP government again come next elections.
  • in the news (24/10/2012, 10:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    this comment is on the money Fahie continues to say this
    • lil man (24/10/2012, 15:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Just to play politicks and insult dancia doc went England with Marlon and look what we got the most one sided deal for the people of the bvi ever in our history.

      The lesson should be once we are overseas never play this low down dumb politics with the future of our country and our children children...NEVER AGAIN can the NDP get my vote, look we cannot ever get the cruise ship project and airport off the track to give me little work.
  • ... (24/10/2012, 15:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Bvi look out the British are coming to a theatre near you
  • X (24/10/2012, 18:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Look what NDP has done to us so early in their term...could you imagine three more years to go? What a sad situation
  • youths of the BVI (24/10/2012, 23:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    These protocols will not stimulate the economy people are hurting banks going with people car, house and land!
  • ova & out (25/10/2012, 07:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dr. Smith is such a humble man....the UK is runing him over
  • dog fight (27/10/2012, 23:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Another case of cart before the horse. A "hatchet job" the bvi got with these protocols so i am not surprised they will not be re negotiated.


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