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Premier Fahie open to talks with Opp Members wishing to join VIP

- said he would welcome them home if they can put country first, differences aside
Premier and Minister for Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said he would welcome other Members of the Opposition to the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) if they can put their differences aside, put the Virgin Islands above self and are not seeking personal gain. Photo: VINO/File
From left: Leader of the Opposition, Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8) of the National Democratic Party (NDP), Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) of the Progressives Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) and Hon Julian Fraser (R3) of the Progressives United (PU). Photo: JTV/File
From left: Leader of the Opposition, Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8) of the National Democratic Party (NDP), Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) of the Progressives Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) and Hon Julian Fraser (R3) of the Progressives United (PU). Photo: JTV/File
First elected as a member of the National Democratic Party (NDP) in 1999, Hon Mark H. Vanterpool joined the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) in 2001 but left the party in 2007 and re-joined the NDP. Photo: VINO/File
First elected as a member of the National Democratic Party (NDP) in 1999, Hon Mark H. Vanterpool joined the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) in 2001 but left the party in 2007 and re-joined the NDP. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Premier and Minister for Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said he would welcome other Members of the Opposition to the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) if they can put their differences aside, put the Virgin Islands above self and are not seeking personal gain.

The current Opposition, headed by Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8) of the National Democratic Party (NDP), consists of Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) of the Progressives Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM), Hon Julian Fraser (R3) of the Progressives United (PU) and Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) of the NDP.

Premier Fahiesaid during a press conference on January 20, 2020 at Village Cay Marina that the other Opposition Members would have to come in the manner that Honourable Alvera Maduro-Caines (R6) did.

Honourable Maduro-Caines recently crossed the floor, from the National Democratic Party to the governing VIP.

‘We are willing to listen’

“If anyone who feels in their heart that they could share in the vision for the Territory and they feel that they can put away any differences and they want to sit down and talk with us, talk with me as the leader and they are coming to add value and not coming to see what they can get personally, but come in the manner that Honourable Maduro-Caines have come and say: “I want to help, I come for the Territory, it’s not an easy thing to do, but I come;” as the leader I will speak to them and speak to my colleagues and once they agree I’ll welcome them home.”

Reporters then probed the Honourable Premier on whether any other members of the Opposition were having discussions on coming to the VIP.

“I don’t know if any speaking to me, they may be speaking to others, they may not be speaking to no one at all. What I am saying is in case they want to speak once they have oneness in mind then we will be willing to listen,” Premier Fahie responded.

Meanwhile, two sitting legislators who were once with other parties are now aligned with new ones.

Honourable Turnbull, who was with the then ruling NDP, joined the PVIM led by former Health and Social Development Minister Ronnie W. Skelton and Honourable Fraser, who was once with the VIP, exited the party and formed his own party, the Progressives United in the lead up to the 2019 general election.

The two men were still able to retain their respective districts.

Hon Vanterpool, on the other hand, has also crossed the floor before.

First elected as a member of NDP in 1999, Hon Vanterpool joined the VIP in 2001 but left the party in 2007 and re-joined the NDP.

14 Responses to “Premier Fahie open to talks with Opp Members wishing to join VIP”

  • Let’s see (27/01/2020, 08:42) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    Andrew is building a political war chest. Money is being bet that Mitch is going to bolt over to VIP side.
    • @ Let’s see (27/01/2020, 09:58) Like (8) Dislike (7) Reply
      If Mitch bolt, then he will prove that he is not loyal to the Country and the people that he said he care about. Don’t fall into the trap that the Premier is laying out for numbers.
      • Concerned (27/01/2020, 15:36) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        I won't be surprised if Mitch switch sides..he just did that before election right??
  • Looker (27/01/2020, 09:21) Like (18) Dislike (3) Reply
    A strong Opposition is healthy for our democracy. The remaining Opposition Members don't need to go anywhere. Stay and keep the government on their toes. An opposition member doesn't have to join the ruling party to get things done in their district or to find favour with the people. Andrew himself while in the Opposition did what he had to with his limitations and won his district hands down.
    • my two cents (27/01/2020, 09:50) Like (14) Dislike (5) Reply
      Exactly! What is this Premier saying here? If others cross the floor no matter what the motivation, it means they would become like a watchdog with bark but no teeth. He wants no one questioning them and holding them to account. Please the rest of you in the opposition, do NOT fall for this. You can work for the good and betterment of the country right where you are!
  • don cross the floor (27/01/2020, 09:41) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Fahie promised us that he wont leave no district behind and besides every district have 5 reps (4 vip atlarges at that)
  • lol (27/01/2020, 09:46) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mark missing in action
  • A VOTER (27/01/2020, 09:53) Like (13) Dislike (4) Reply
    Don’t break up the Opposition. What kind of S’’t is that. Andrew really think he is the King of Tortola.
  • Diaspora (27/01/2020, 10:51) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    With the crossing of the floor of Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines-Caine, D-6 and a 3-term legislator, from the NDP to the VIP, the VIP has 9-4 advantage in the 13 elected member HOA; the remaining seats are by held by NDP (2), PVIM (1) and PU (1). Is it the VIP’s goal to wipe out, annihilate , neuter the Opposition? Is it (government) trying to have a rock solid foundation, giving it the freedom to do what it wants, when it wants, how it wants, where it wants.......etc.? Is it aiming to become a de facto king/queen, monarch........etc?

    A minimum of 7 seats are needed to form a government. A strong, robust and effective opposition is vital for good governing; it is healthy for the nation and democracy. Lopsided government up and down the Caribbean have been less than successful. Here at home, both NDP (2015-2019) and VIP (2007-2011) have had 11-2 majorities that were failure. In both instances in the succeeding election, VIP and NDP were shellacked at the polls. A sitting government must be constantly looking over its shoulder at the sound of footsteps behind it; a strong opposition keeps the government minding its P’s and Q’s. Nonetheless, even with a strong opposition, government can be successful if does the right things at the right time for the right reason for the right people (masses). It cannot just cater to the connected few but it must also cater to the many. The many have more votes than the connected few, if they leverage their votes effectively.
  • bolo (27/01/2020, 13:27) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    Marlon need to cross as ndp don’t want him as their leader
  • nonsense (27/01/2020, 14:17) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    Premier election done stop playing politics and get to work. It's like you on the opposition side still. A year is less than two months away. what are the new initative for the country. come on whats the 20/20 vision for the BVI.
  • maybe (27/01/2020, 15:13) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Someone else is planning to cross and the Premier is suggestion this to throw people off?
  • 411 (28/01/2020, 05:30) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why do people always overthink things and make things complicated??? Why do u feel like there’s always an agenda. I’ll keep saying, KEEP OUT OF THE PARTY’. All these different sides is what’s causing hindrances. Why can’t all the members work together for the whole betterment of the territory?? Why among districts and district reps there must be like it’s a competition?? Why can’t there be an opposition without being in these parties??? Opposition doesn’t mean to reject and be pessimistic on whatever the government does or suggest. It’s not ‘if u don’t make noise or complain, yr kissing @$$ or not working hard enough. Come on people. One BVI. Let’s just all work together to make it better for us. Is we have to live here in it once the smoke clears.


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