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Premier Smith slaps down Hon Fraser’s ‘floor rag’ comment

-but said not every Opposition recommendation is acted upon
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith denied that the government pays little regard to Opposition District Representatives but said that the Government may not be bound by every recommendation or request that it receives from a district. Photo: VINO
Premier Smith was speaking at a press briefing held today April 21, 2015 in the conference room of the Premier’s Office during which he dealt with a number of issues. Photo: VINO
Premier Smith was speaking at a press briefing held today April 21, 2015 in the conference room of the Premier’s Office during which he dealt with a number of issues. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith denied that the government pays little regard to Opposition District Representatives but said his Government may not be bound by every recommendation or request that it receives from a district.

He was speaking at a press briefing held today April 21, 2015 in the conference room of the Premier’s Office during which he dealt with a number of issues.

Speaking at a public meeting held at the Emile L. Dunlop Community Centre in Anegada on Sunday April 19, 2015, Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3) said that the Government of the National Democratic Party regarded Opposition District Representatives as nothing more than floor rags and that there is no respect given to them.

"Let me just say that this Government of which I am part of would never use such derogatory terms," he said, referring to the use of the term floor rags.

He said when a government is elected they are elected to serve all of the territory.

"Every person elected to office has a responsibility towards the development of the territory and to serve the constituency who elected them,” said the Premier in response to the question.

He said too that while District Representatives can make recommendations it does not necessarily mean that government is bound to act on those recommendations.

Over the past months and years, Opposition District Representatives such as Honourable Fraser, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), and Honourable J. Alvin Christopher (R2) have been vocal in their criticism of the Government for running roughshod over their districts in terms of programmes and projects. One recent example is the cessation of transportation services for seniors in the First District, with the justification that plans were underway to implement a national programme for transporting seniors to and from clinic to access health care.

21 Responses to “Premier Smith slaps down Hon Fraser’s ‘floor rag’ comment”

  • Realist (21/04/2015, 14:49) Like (22) Dislike (12) Reply
    Jellyfish politician is Dr. Smith
    • pancho (21/04/2015, 20:23) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      At least a jelly fish will sting you lol
      • Realist (21/04/2015, 21:23) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
        That's means I can't trust Premier jellyfish. The fact that he stings, that means he will not do what is in the best interest of me, my family and the wider Territory. ☺
  • .... (21/04/2015, 15:10) Like (8) Dislike (14) Reply
    More ndp lies!
  • .......... (21/04/2015, 15:24) Like (13) Dislike (16) Reply
    The people trust fraser any day over dr smith now go talk dat
    • rr (22/04/2015, 09:19) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      Trusting people and just being cordial because you can bennifit directly are two different things.
  • i from here (21/04/2015, 15:29) Like (12) Dislike (21) Reply
    A Premier with CLASS !!!!!
  • Hee hee (21/04/2015, 17:37) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Mr. Puppet Premier. Labour Minister or Education Minister vying for the next Premier. Either way we in trouble.
  • Black starliner (21/04/2015, 17:40) Like (7) Dislike (10) Reply
    Dr. Smith is the term floor rag more derogatory than get the f... Out my face. You did not have to respond to what Fraser said. The whole BVI usually hear and see the utter disrespect netted out to the members of the opposition by members of the government in the house of assembly, so Fraser is not lying
  • kids (21/04/2015, 18:57) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Waste of time smith fraser any day
    • shelia (24/04/2015, 23:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      fraser need to be more humble but he will be the nxt bvi big man
  • POLITICAL DEBATES (21/04/2015, 19:48) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    WE WANT POLITICAL PUBLIC DEBATES BY ALL CANDIDATES.
  • xxxxxxxx (21/04/2015, 22:50) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    A big congratulations to Dr. Smith for a failed attempt to try and change the subject
  • Moses. (22/04/2015, 01:15) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply

    It is sad. The Premir contradicts himself. Only a fool will not see that Smith is l**ng. God wiĺl judge him. He is trying to make the district representatives look bad and hope Shania, Kevin and Mitch win.
    People of the BVI open your eyes and see who suffering. Government can't even buy supplies.

  • zzzzzzzzz (22/04/2015, 08:15) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Stop lying to the people and tell them the truth yall
  • wasters (22/04/2015, 10:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who waste more supplies than Govt. Yes, don't buy no supplies; let them recycle.
  • HELP! (22/04/2015, 15:46) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I read the full article and frankly, I'm not surprised with Orlando hogwash
  • dog (22/04/2015, 23:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    while I agree with Fraser in principle about being somewhat ignored, I do not think using inflammatory language helps any and makes him sound like a petulant child. I do not like fraser but I like NDP less. I keep hoping that fraser will act more maturely as a representative and be a better role model. But he keeps stamping his feet, not a stately minister move. Smith shouldn't have responded because he admitted that he is not obligated to answer every request which leaves him open for Fraser's comment.


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