‘No need to further air dirty linen’ – Hon Julian Fraser RA
He was speaking to this news site on the side-lines of the House of Assembly sitting held yesterday June 23, 2015 at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex in Road Town, Tortola.
Honourable Fraser said the resolution of the Leader of the Opposition position is paramount and is the next step for the Virgin Islands Party. The fight appears to be between Honourable Fraser and Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) for the position of Leader of the Opposition.
“It is not politics. This is all about Government and the legislative section of Government. The elections are over and I want to move forward with that,” said Honourable Fraser.
“All the information that is needed to make a decision, whether it is the Governor making the decision...there is no need to bring it all out in public to exacerbate the situation any further.”
The VIP Chairman said he does not foresee the next sitting of the House of Assembly taking place before the Leader of the Opposition would have been decided upon, whether among the party itself or whether by the Governor, who will in a month’s time make a decision if the party does not resolve the issue.
According to the Virgin Islands Constitution, a majority in the Opposition must decide who will be the Leader and that must be conveyed in writing to the Governor.
Many of the VIP candidates have blamed Hon Fraser for their loss as it was reported that they were told on the campaign trail by voters that people could not vote for them because Hon Fraser was the Party Leader.
It is this news site’s understanding that this concern was one of the main driving reasons behind the signing of the letter by a number of members, which included former At-Large candidates Irene F. Penn-O’Neal and Sharie B. de Castro, and former District candidates Elton L. Sprauve, Oleanvine Pickering-Maynard, Elvis J. Harrigan (Mervin ‘Lucky’ Charles signed for and on behalf of Harrigan), Andrew A. Fahie, and Zoe J. Walcott-McMillan. This letter was sent to Governor Duncan.
This news site also has learnt that there is an attempt to unseat Hon Fraser from the Chairmanship of the party with former District 5 losing candidate Zoe J. Walcott-McMillan spearheading a petition to force a meeting of the VIP governing body, its Congress, to have a vote to remove Hon Fraser as Chairman of the Party.
VIP decides August 29
The party in a statement this week said, “In accordance with Article 7, Section 8 of the VIP Constitution and with Section 1 of the VIP Bylaws; after analysis of the general election results and given the pivotal nature and significance of the election of members to the next VIP Executive Committee it has been determined that the VIP Elections is best scheduled for Saturday August 29th 2015. This election timeframe is within the three months stipulated in the VIP Constitution and in contrast to an expedited or a snap election it allows for persons interested in participating in the process to be identified, qualified and examined by members of the VIP Congress.
“The listing of offices becoming vacant shall be those of: Chairman; President; Vice President; Secretary; Assistant Secretary; Treasurer; Assistant Treasurer; Public Relations Officer; Assistant Public Relations Officer," the statement said.
“In the interim, with regard to the appointment of the Leader of the Opposition, the VIP Executive Committee will continue to offer advice sought by His Excellency the Governor in the discharge of his duties under Section 70 (1) and (2) of the Virgin Islands Constitution.”
Opposition Leader position to be negotiated among party members
The party in the statement said that the Virgin Islands Constitutional Order 2007 does not specify the basis on which His Excellency would make his decision as it was customary that the decision of Leader of the Opposition would be negotiated between sitting members without consultation with the VIP Congress or its Executive.
“The Executive members welcome the opportunity to participate and are cognizant that this impasse is not unique to the Virgin Islands,” the statement said.
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23 Responses to “‘No need to further air dirty linen’ – Hon Julian Fraser RA”
By now all of us who were analyzing the situation should have been able to see that this is a 'divide and conquer' strategy. IOW if I want my chance of winning at something the probability of me winning can be increased if I weaken or eliminate the something or someone. It is a clear indication that this is the strategy used and you guys are falling for this nasty destructive tactic of the enemy. Be assured my people that the God that I serve looks high and he looks low and He never sleeps nor slumber ie He wears no pajamas.