Opposition Leader fight: No time for massaging of egos- Hon Fahie
“When I gained the confidence of the Party as Chairman I also gained their confidence as Political Leader of the Virgin Islands Party,” Hon Fahie stated during his Annual First District Report to his constituents at the Cappoon’s Bay Recreation Ground on January 28, 2017.
On January 17, 2017, Virgin Islands News Online first and accurately reported that Hon Fahie as the new VIP Chairman had a renewed interest in becoming Leader of the Opposition, even after Governor John S. Duncan OBE had chosen Hon Julian Fraser RA (R1) for the post following the 2015 General Elections and after the two men failed to agree among themselves who should hold the post.
What party supporters and onlookers have been trying to wrap their mind around is the fact that when Hon Fraser won the VIP Chairmanship in 2014, Hon Ralph T. O’Neal OBE stayed on as Leader of the Opposition until the people returned to the polls in 2015.
Also, with Hon Fahie being elected as the new Party Boss, he now feels he should be named the Opposition Leader, even after not supporting the then Chairman Hon Fraser for Opposition Leader back in 2015.
Shift of direction
But according to Hon Fahie, if he is to be effective as Chairman and if the Virgin Islands Party is to be a serious contender at the next general elections the wishes of the party must be respected and the constitution must be upheld.
“Let us put this to rest and be perfectly clear. The voices of the results of the general elections of June 2015 were deafening. Those with eyes must see! Those with ears must hear! The VIP congress agreed that after 18 months of the 2015 general elections there must be a shift of direction within the Virgin Islands Party if the Virgin Islands Party is to be successful in the next elections of 2019 or before.”
According to Hon Fahie, it is the pledge of the Executive to uphold the Constitution of the Virgin Islands and of the Virgin Islands Party. “I simply can no longer be in a fight for that which accompanies the post of Chairman of the Party. If I am not prepared to take up the positions of Premier or Opposition Leader; why then would I contest the post of Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party?”
No time for massaging of egos
Taking a swipe at the Opposition Leader Hon Fraser, Hon Fahie said there has been a breakdown in communication between the Opposition Leader and the Executive Body of the VIP and this can no longer be allowed to exist as much is at stake.
“If the Virgin Islands Party is successful, the entire country would be successful, each of us would be successful. This is no time for massaging egos and parsing of words. Without effective communication by the Leadership of the Opposition with the Executive Body of the Virgin Islands Party, the situation as-it-is cannot and will not work. The people of the Virgin Islands will be the biggest losers.”
An Hon Fahie as Opposition Leader
Looking ahead, the former Minister for Education and Culture said as Opposition Leader he will become chairman of the Public Accounts Committee and as such will immediately broaden its agenda and more meaningfully hold the government responsible to the ideals of Transparency, Accountability and Good Governance.
As Opposition Leader he would also pledge to consult with his legislative colleague and together they will recommend viable individuals for each of the posts of committees and statutory bodies that are required by the VI Constitution and Laws.
“Both the Governor and the Foreign and Commonwealth office must seek the input of the Opposition Leader on matters of importance to the Virgin Islands. It is only through effective communication that your wishes, your ideals would be conveyed. I pledge so-to-do!”
One of the integral part of being a Member of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, according to Hon Fahie, is to ensure that good governance is practiced and maintained. “It is a responsibility that I do not take lightly. I do not believe in opposing for just the sake of opposing. As a matter of fact, some of the initiatives of this government are well intended but giving us what we need so that you can take what you want cannot continue to be viewed as acceptable. We must be accountable!”
More background to the power struggle
On January 17, 2017, the Virgin Islands Party, through its President Dr Natalio D. Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru, in a letter to the media, he stated that the Virgin Islands Party at its Executive Members elections in November 2016 had voted for a new Opposition Leader when they elected Hon Fahie as the new Chairman. Dr Wheatley, in his statement, said the Constitution of the VIP makes it clear that the Chairman of the party shall be the Titular Head of the Party and will lead the Party within the House of Assembly.
Additionally, in coordination with the President of the VIP, a letter was written and signed by Dr Wheatley to Governor Duncan dated December 9, 2016, giving him the new executive officers of the VIP and advising the Governor to use the information to “assist in the administration of relevant onuses, inclusive of appointments.”
However, Hon Fraser, in his statement to the press on January 18, 2017, said he decided to end his silence on the matter after seeing a press release by the VIP that was riddled with falsehoods and fraught with presumptions.
But according to Hon Fraser, petitioning a Governor to remove and replace a sitting Leader of the Opposition by a political party has no basis in the Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007.
Meanwhile, apart from hammering the current National Democratic Party (NDP) administration for their lack of accountability and transparency, the Member of the Opposition Hon Fahie also spoke about the many initiatives in his district, including the successful Bambalela after school programme and job training initiatives.
More than 60 persons braved the inclement weather to hear Hon Fahie report to the district in person. The address was also broadcast on ZBVI 780 AM.
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42 Responses to “Opposition Leader fight: No time for massaging of egos- Hon Fahie”
Holy Marry Mother of Jesus- this man is a chameleon.
Sounds just like the story of Jesus in the desert mountains and being told by the “D”, at a low point in his life, hungry and tired- “do this for me and I will give you the world.” My God.
Andrew, as the new leader of the VIP, go and workout the communication dysfunctions within your party, party brother included, and stop with all this chest pounding public display. If you cannot pass this test, then you're not ready for the Premiership of the Virgin Islands.
As quiet as Premier Smith is, he has a full grasp of the significance of these dynamics- good, bad, or indifference. The art of compromise in politics. It is what it is.
Stay focus Fahie,this too shall pass, keep fighting with a good fight, for the years I know you,I never heard you tell the Virgin Islands that you are perfect. You have a passion for your home,and you will go down fighting for a better Virgin Islands,keep fighting a good fight by educating the entire Virgin Islands.
Mr Andrew , please wait, wait i say ,on the lord,thankyou.