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Rev Turnbull praises debates on motion for constitutional review

- commends legislators for finding a 'cause greater than themselves'
Senior Pastor of the Cane Garden Bay (CGB) Baptist Church in Tortola, Dr Melvin A. Turnbull has praised the debates on VI's upcoming constitution review, adding that is step forward for the territory. Photo: VINO/File
Legislators debated the Thirteenth Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) of the Virgin Islands. Photo: YouTube
Legislators debated the Thirteenth Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) of the Virgin Islands. Photo: YouTube
The motion for Constitutional Review was passed during the Thirteenth Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) of the Virgin Islands held at Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom, Tortola, on July 28, 2020. Photo: VINO/File
The motion for Constitutional Review was passed during the Thirteenth Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) of the Virgin Islands held at Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom, Tortola, on July 28, 2020. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Senior Pastor of the Cane Garden Bay (CGB) Baptist Church in Tortola, Dr Melvin A. Turnbull has praised the debates on Virgin Island's upcoming constitutional review, adding that is a step forward for the Territory.

Dr Turnbull was speaking at the Sunday, August 2, 2020, Virtual Emancipation Service, broadcasted on social media as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Youths get the wrong message - Rev Turnbull 

While he scolded legislators for certain behaviours in the House of Assembly, he said it is the youths who would ultimately suffer. 

"Sometimes I wonder what is happening in the House, because of the attitudes and actions that are displayed sometimes... they talk from both sides of their mouths and send the wrong message to young people." 

"They seem to care more about the next election, than the next generation... but in this debate, I heard the statesmen and the politicians, they found a cause that was greater than themselves," Dr Turnbull said. 

Stubborn faith 

He urged the people of the VI and especially legislators to continue with stubborn faith towards causes, indicating a strong belief towards it. 

"We know where we came from, we know who we are and whose we are, and we know where we are going and no one and nothing will stop us"

"That's a stubborn faith, sounds like a stubborn faith," he said, while urging the Territory to move forward no matter what it costs.

Motion for Constitutional Review

Through the motion the government sought for the House to approve the establishment of and the composition of the Constitutional Review Commission for the purpose of conducting a full review of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007 (U.K.S.I. No. 1678 of 2007).

According to the motion, it was agreed between the United Kingdom Government and the Government of the Virgin Islands that the said Constitution may be reviewed after 10 years after the date of which it came into force.

The motion also stated that Cabinet has agreed, subject to the approval of the House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands for the establishment of a Constitutional Review Commission comprising nine (11) members: a Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and six (6) other members to be nominated by the Premier and two (3) members to be nominated by Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition and appointed by the Cabinet, for the purpose of conducting a full review of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007 (U.K.S.I 2007 1678).

The motion also contained information on the composition of the Commission which states: ‘the overall composition of the Commission should cover the main Islands of the Virgin Islands collectively and include persons drawn from the legal fraternity, academia, business, communications/public relations, and other areas of civil society’.

The motion was passed during the Thirteenth Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) of the Virgin Islands held at Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom, Tortola, on July 28, 2020.

9 Responses to “Rev Turnbull praises debates on motion for constitutional review”

  • We all have sin (03/08/2020, 10:03) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    So he coming around after praying on his pulpit against vip
    • lawdy (03/08/2020, 11:08) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
      I use to had respect for this man now he’s involving himself in politics
  • Jay (03/08/2020, 10:37) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Pastor Mel you may have good intenuoms but them boys has to know what they are doing when it comes to the constitution because if they mess up it is the people and generations to come will be in trouble we look at the highly educated people to be on these commitees and commisions and you leave the small man ot but it is the small man who kas what I will call the best topics and answers You as a man of God you need to help the leaders of this country to sek God guidance before seeking their own Your son is a member of government pray and hope that he make the right decisions ans what he is now asking for he should have gotten when the NDP was in session Mr, turnbull pray for this country it is not about prosession politics political parties ptofrsionals but is about pepple and prayers so you try to help lead the people of the BVI closer to their maker who is grater than any earthly government
  • Hmm (03/08/2020, 11:08) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    He Turnbull and his clines family want Want to take over the bvi
  • Outsider (03/08/2020, 12:02) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Hope that the will review and look hard and long at the segregation of people. After the news head line in regards to the return of NO NATIOLAS to the BVI. What a human rights disgrace. Shame, shame, BVI!!
  • problem (03/08/2020, 21:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Independence you say, well a few Ministers say but look at the situation we are in, no help from the Government up till now except free water for 2 months. Now they say the UK gave us no help, it was the Ministers grandfather who tols the UK the BVI did not need any more help. The country is being run by fear and not clear heads, clear heads people would be able to go about thier daily business with hindrance while our borders are closed.
    • truth be told (05/08/2020, 00:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Our forefathers knew better. Read about the U.K, read about the history of the Caribbean on a whole. After doing all of that reading, then come back.

  • churches (05/08/2020, 09:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Pastor Mel is still a good man God bless you
  • down2earth (05/08/2020, 17:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Chat nonsense!


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