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No surprise, AG rules in favour of Speaker Moses; HoA gets hot!

October 2nd, 2018 | Tags:
Speaker of the House of Assembly Ms Ingrid A. Moses Scatfliffe. Photo: VINO/File
Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) blasted the AG's ruling stating in the HoA
Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) blasted the AG's ruling stating in the HoA "it was not an independent opinion." Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI: Tensions flared in the House of Assembly (HoA) after the Attorney General Hon Baba Aziz ruled that Speaker Moses-Scatliffe could remain in seat while running for the National Democratic Party (NDP) via the Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL) wing.

The ruling was made on the morning of October 2, 2018, causing the opposition to go into an uproar.

After the ruling, emotions ran higher as both Opposition Members disagreed with the Attorney General's opinion. Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) blasted the AG's ruling, telling the HoA "it was not an independent opinion."

Mr Aziz, whose appointment to his job was agreed to by the NDP said he did not find any law prohibiting Speaker Ingrid A. Moses-Scatliffe from running and holding the seat, noting however that the impartiality of a Speaker is vital.

Fraser - It was not independent 

Opposition Member Hon Julian Fraser further went on to say, "With all due respect, I do not consider the opinion given by the AG, requested by you on a matter pertaining to you to be an independent legal opinion... I believe it is an opinion rendered on your request and naturally, that is what I expected".  

In defence, Hon Moses-Scatliffe said she has the right to "run for elected office, as the public has asked me when I will take the next step."  She claimed also that the house is being ruled with "integrity and impartiality" under her watch.  

Many in the public and civil society believe that the speaker has not been fair to the Opposition. Public opinion is that Hon Moses-Scatliffe should step aside now that she is a candidate with the ruling party.

18 Responses to “No surprise, AG rules in favour of Speaker Moses; HoA gets hot!”

  • ... (02/10/2018, 21:36) Like (17) Dislike (4) Reply
    No surprise indeed
    • Local.. (03/10/2018, 03:24) Like (14) Dislike (16) Reply
      Was the law broken.. NO
      she was chosen by the ruling party .why did they not complain.
      Members of the house should stop trying to mislead the public for cheap political points
      When they elected her . Did they think she would be bias .

      Whether than trying to fight a senseless fight . They should be saying how they plan to take the country forward ..
  • terrance (02/10/2018, 22:23) Like (38) Dislike (14) Reply
    She can run all she want but will not win.

    The divide and conquer will no longer run our country.
  • Political Observer (PO) (02/10/2018, 22:29) Like (27) Dislike (7) Reply

    I have previously opined that the AG was not needed to provide an opinion on whether the Speaker could serve as Speaker and run for political office at the same time. The Speaker knows whether she is running or not running. And if she is running, she needs to vacate the speakership. Further, even if policy allows the Speaker to serve as Speaker while competiting for political office, she should do the ethical and right thing and step aside, if she is running.

    Anyway it is an open secret in many quarters that the AG would have provided the opinion that was given. Nonetheless, any AG’s opinion should be based on law. Further, the AG is an unelected member of the HOA with the role of ensuring that the HOA is operating within existing rules, regulations, laws.....etc. However, the AG’s opinion on this issue wandered outside legal boundaries. The AG states, “A Speaker can be partisan without being partial,” Really! This sounds like something from George Orwel’s Classic: Animal Farm. What law was this opinion based on? The opinion creates the perception that there is partisanship.
  • #For Moses (03/10/2018, 07:13) Like (8) Dislike (19) Reply
    Yes girl, I am glad you stood your ground against the vulture. Fraser only did this because you are a woman. We need more women in politics.
  • Been Right like is better than been right (03/10/2018, 07:22) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    Wow.. You all see how the AG find all kind of rights to support the speaker.. Yet they suppressed all the rights that give children that born here rights to belong.. That's a true reflection of the injustice people go through in life.. People will find reasons to support what they like and who they like, And will also find reasons to damn what they don't like who they don't like..
    • OMEGA PSI PHI (04/10/2018, 03:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Stop talking hog wash about children born and go read the law of the Virgin Islands. Children aren't responsible for wherever are born. You could have bore your children elsewhere then ask permission for them to live with you here. Sickness the waste of time talk. Beating a dead drum.
  • King Unit (03/10/2018, 09:28) Like (9) Dislike (8) Reply
    Listen all who bashing this lady under this post all these 13 memebers got to do is VOTE her OUT the same way the VOTE her IN! It is time that they put away childish like thinking and tell US the people what they got plan for our future simple as that! Mr.Flax was once the speaker of the house and he was a memeber of the VIP party I ain’t hear no one talking about that ! Y’all please let that woman be and stop bashing your own people!
  • lady M (03/10/2018, 10:52) Like (7) Dislike (10) Reply
    The Speaker of the house is a lady of integrity, fairness, honesty and a people person. She has fought for the staffs of Barclays Bank and wow the battle so I know she will fight for the people of these beautiful islands. I'll VOTE for her anytime because I know exactly who is Ms Moses-Scatliffe.

    GO GIRL YOUR ARE A TRUE LEADER.. BVI NEED YOU SO DON'T MIND THE HATERS GOD IS WITH YOU... REMEMBER HOW HE SAVE DANIEL FROM THE LION DEM HE WILL SAVE YOU ALSO... YOU A WINNER ALREADY.
  • @Lady M (03/10/2018, 14:31) Like (5) Dislike (10) Reply
    You have said everything I was going to say. Yes, she is a winner. She will get my vote.
  • Citizen (03/10/2018, 15:32) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    By Law nothing was done wrong, however the question is ethically. I believe the Speaker of the House position as the Attorney General post should not be appointed or affiliated with any of the political parties.

    To ensure transparency they should be appointed by the Governor or have special elections for those post.

    Something to thing about.
  • concern (03/10/2018, 16:11) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sometimes it takes a constitutional crisis for a country to get better politically
  • Ok Then... (03/10/2018, 20:23) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Members will you vote her out? All talk, no action? Take a stand!
  • wize up (04/10/2018, 03:47) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    We not making any big fuss while others are being recruited to BVI and taking jobs away from our people( every man mouth shut on those issues) the historic facts shows police, ports, prison and other strategic jobs were once in the hands of the people(what’s going on now) none of us upset over this direction but your own people we quick to go that extra mile to tear them down: our political leadership is something else these guys will stand up all day and keep reminding all of us what happened in the past but can hardly tell the people of this territory what they plans are for the future development of this place: political leadership in our country should be far more than he say; she say: I thank God for the days when we had good strong political leadership the ones with open minds and did the best with the little we had back them for the people and the way forward for the people
  • Local (04/10/2018, 04:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Breaking newx.. new party to he formed by minister.. what is the difference .. is this ethical .

    Similar scenario.. should he resigm
    • wize up (05/10/2018, 01:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ local: great observation because some of the affiliates of this movement are certified members of the current administration(now thats conflicting) the more you live is the more you learn)....the big mess in our territory, we the people sits back and allowing certain things to go forward: you are the one who put people in political seats of power(all the talk most of them bringing can’t hold water but we so desperate for change) go back to listening the voice of God and stop being so confused and divided by the voice of man
  • Eagle & Buffalo (04/10/2018, 06:27) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Baba Aziz, AG, says, “A Speaker can be partisan without being partial.” Pure rubbish! I’m confident that in retrospect the learned jurist wish he could take this whopper back. As PO, another blogger, noted, this comrades sound like something straight out of Animal Farm. In Animal Farm, one of the edict was that all animals are but some animals are more equal, ie, pigs. This was mythical and Baba’s rubbish is rubbish. Is Baba a courageous fellow? Is he acting out of self interest as all of us do? Yes. A goat feeds where it is tied (shifted). Don’t piss on me and tell me it is raining.

    Let’s lead as eagles, not careen off the cliff like buffaloes.


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