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‘Opposition impasse will resolve itself!’ – Premier Smith

-is confident that the two members of the Opposition will come to an agreement before the Governor has to impose a decision
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith said he believes the matter regarding the impasse for Leader of the Opposition will resolve itself as he is positive that Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) and Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3) will soon decide between themselves on the way forward. Photo: VINO
The two members of the Opposition in the House of Assembly are Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) and Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) and. Photo: VINO/File
The two members of the Opposition in the House of Assembly are Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) and Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) and. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith said he believes the matter regarding the impasse for Leader of the Opposition will resolve itself as he is positive that Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) and Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3) will soon decide between themselves on the way forward.

He was speaking at a press conference held in his conference room at the Central Administration Building today July 16, 2015.

“Once that is done the person that is decided on as the Leader of the Opposition will become the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee.

At the last sitting of the House of Assembly on Tuesday July 14, 2015, Premier Smith had named the members of the Public Accounts Committee, saying that a Chairman would be named when the Leader of the Opposition is appointed.

Meanwhile the Governor His Excellency John S. Duncan had given a month and a day for the two Opposition members to come to a decision regarding who will be the Opposition Leader, a post just vacated by Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal OBE a little over one month ago at the June 8, 2015 general elections.

The Premier said what usually happens is the party to which the members belong will select a leader for that party and usually that leader is the one that will be the Premier of the Virgin Islands once the elections had been won by that party.

“In the event that the members elected cannot make a decision then the Governor will have to make a determination,” he said.

On June 18, 2015 Governor Duncan said it would be a retrograde step in the development of democracy in the Virgin Islands for the Governor to be required to impose a solution in this matter without allowing the people of the Virgin Islands and their elected representatives a further window of reflection to agree a solution.

20 Responses to “‘Opposition impasse will resolve itself!’ – Premier Smith”

  • ... (16/07/2015, 16:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Smh
  • wize up (16/07/2015, 19:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    any bets as to who will become the opposition leader: I betting on the member for the 3: call me now 5555555 to place your bets now!!!!! 5 to 1 odds
  • tretretrete (16/07/2015, 19:07) Like (7) Dislike (7) Reply
    Tell the Premier to take care of his side & the other side will take care of theirs. The NDP want to run everyone affairs.
  • well well well (16/07/2015, 19:12) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    I don't see how for the Governor to make this decision is a retrograde step in democracy. The Governor playing politics. If his authority to make a decision in this matter is a retrograde step in democracy then why is it part of our laws in our modern Constitution. The Governor just intends to always bluff his way through every tough situation that he is suppose to make a decision on as stipulated by law.
  • my two cents (16/07/2015, 19:18) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    The biggest retrograde to democracy was when the same waste of time Governor refused to investigate the poor way the monies in the Cruise Pier Project was & still is being handled. Either he is an NDP or he setting us up for a big time fall or he is just a waste of time. He will try to score points when he decides on this matter by trying to diss the two Opposition Members in his speech. Wait we will hear.
  • Clearly (16/07/2015, 19:23) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    I worked with Fahie & Fraser. Both are very intelligent & well learnt men. They have different styles but effective nonetheless. Both are capable. However I know that in these kinds of matter Fahie usually finds how to resolve the matter in the best interest of all as much as possible. I have seen him do that over & over. However to be honest the only resolution Fraser seeks is to have it resolved his way or no way. There I am sure lies the impass.
    • Negotiator (17/07/2015, 09:58) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
      As intelligent as these men may be, they do not seem to be smart enough to be able to find common ground and to create a win-win situation. Their egos seem to have gotten in the way. As such, they both fail as politicians and leaders, no matter what their IQ is.
  • Solved (16/07/2015, 19:26) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Clearly the Governor is going to appoint Fraser as Leader of the Opposition because it is in the best interest of the NDP to do so & from all indication it is clear he has already been drawn into their web so whatever helps them stay in power he will facilitate.
  • I know who it will be!!! (16/07/2015, 19:27) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    Hon. Fraser will be the leader of the opposition!!! The governor doesn't like Andrew !!!! Chk it out
  • tretretrete (16/07/2015, 19:54) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Struuupes!
  • liberal (16/07/2015, 19:59) Like (9) Dislike (6) Reply
    If Andrew was a good team player and respected the leader of the party he himself supported on radio and TV leading up to the election this would have been put behind us to have Julian the Leader of the Opposition and not look for power with extra money and benefits. School children say - Andrew has set another example of trying to have power. The VIP needs to get rid of him although the people knows where Julian coming from but Andrew no sah, can't be trusted. God put it that way for NDP to win cause if the VIP had won, Julian would have never been Premier and his own party people would have formed the Government right under his nose. I give God praise cause he knows it all.. If Dancia is elected as leader of the party it might be saved.
    • @liberal (17/07/2015, 09:02) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
      If the few of ayo crooks think Fahie is a nut without a shell then try touching him & you will find out. Dancia is a waste of time. She did nothing for health nor for her 8th District. She even could not win At-Large. Fraser is a dictator & it is his way or no way. Fraser is the one that cannot be trusted. Look what he did with Bi-Water & many other questionable decisions which left him pretty.
      • liberal (17/07/2015, 20:54) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
        School children say People has this man as a saint but knows how to cover his tracks but it's all there to be seen of power and control he wants. It's clear as day to see how the VIP was derailed from within it's self and what was in the dark has now come to like once again.. Dancia still best to lead the VIP and people like him should go and form a party with his cronies but you would never see the wrong that is done cause your on his side but I am not on no side. The dictator is the one you protecting but bad vibes isn't good when the most high looks down on the ones that keep calling his name and doing bad to other in a smart way. Julian I feel would give up the chairmanship and I only pray that Andrew don't get it. Party will then have a dictator. BI-Water and lights issue matters with Julian are over now you and the rest of the VIP need to past that bull. Dancia did do what had to be done in her ministry she held if you don't see how the NDP just continued with the Hospital and also the projects in her district people you ain't know half of what she still done and you pointing fingers on the woman. You same man you defending, Cookie monster and others were fighting the woman in a smart way from within the party and government to derailed and delayed the fisherman dock in east end, the school in greenland and other things. Julian was the only one trying his best to help her with the road works exxtra... But I ain't taking sides I outside looking in and around. VIP are haters withiin themselves so nothing gonna be right
        • @liberal (18/07/2015, 12:56) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
          You hear trying to defend Dancia with the same piddle...YAWNNNN! It is obvious Fahie & even Fraser are better leaders than that waste of time woman. She is just a show without substance.
        • To liberal (18/07/2015, 13:31) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
          Don't be so quick to put a halo over Dancia's head. Check who was in the company that was being paid millions to staff the new hospital. More to talk so come good. Also when you want to talk about bad & cronies there is no one worse than this NDP corrupt gang especially M&M & the dictator
  • cay (16/07/2015, 20:52) Like (12) Dislike (5) Reply
    why the hell olando do not mind he own business as we do not yet know who is the real prmeier
  • Voter Too (17/07/2015, 08:47) Like (7) Dislike (5) Reply
    @liberal , Well said and the truth must be told
  • ..... (17/07/2015, 11:16) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    Mind is who business you say... My god you people are idiots. Who is leading the opposition is very much the Premier's business....
  • cat (17/07/2015, 13:16) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
    Fraser is the only one can save the vip bottom line


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