Skelton-Cline urges Gov’t to pre-engage incoming Governor Rankin
Building an early relationship
“When these Governors make the transition, a dossier, a book, a document is handed off… the thoughts, the views the position of the sitting Governor,” he said, would be detailed in the book.
Mr Skelton-Cline was at the time speaking on his 'Honestly Speaking' radio show on ZBVI 780 AM on Thursday, October 8, 2020.
“I think it’s just not prudent for Governor Jaspert to hand off his book on us as the country and elected officers to the incoming Governor. I think it is incumbent upon this sitting Government to tell their own story in writing and handoff also a dossier, a book,” he said.
Skelton-Cline said the Governor dossier should paint a vivid picture about the VI, the Government, and its agency as well as the people, their culture and concerns.
“You should not let other people tell your story because they will tell their story according to them,” he said.
Reset relations between Gov’t & Governor
The man of the cloth said the new Governor will therefore come to the VI with a certain predisposition based on what was communicated, hence early government engagement is key.
Further, Skelton-Cline called for a reset between the relations of the incoming Governor and the VI Government, while pointing to the preamble of the VI Constitution Order 2007.
He said any future relationship should be based on mutual respect as key to the relationship with the new governor and the UK. “I do believe in moving forward in a more protective and healthier relationship, the reset button has to be pressed,” he said.
Embattled Governor
The outgoing Governor, Mr Jaspert, has been accused of trying to upstage the elected government, seeking to cause a strain in the relationship between the elected government and the VI people as well as the VI Government and the Government of the United Kingdom over public remarks he has frequently made.
He was under fire recently for what was regarded as insensitive comments regarding reparations for descendants of slaves and preserving the names of landmarks in the VI named in honour of persons who were involved in the slave trade and who committed cruel acts against humanity.
The UK appointed Governor was also accused of interfering with the legislative branch earlier this year when he tried to dictate to the House of Assembly (HoA) to meet so he would not miss the deadline for the laying of the BVI Airways Report in the HoA.
Veteran legislator Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3) subsequently brought a motion to the HoA seeking to have the Governor reprimanded for the delay of the report; however, the motion was defeated.
In September, the United Kingdom Government announced that Mr John J. Rankin, CMG, who is currently serving as Governor of Bermuda, will replace Mr Jaspert, who exits the VI this year-end.
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57 Responses to “Skelton-Cline urges Gov’t to pre-engage incoming Governor Rankin”
UK ain't helping we financially but always sending some white boy to watch over us. Seems like unless black people go back to their home land there is no escaping these vul*****.
Free your mind.
after this rac**t Jaspert it can't get any worse
The conventional wisdom is to believe that Governor Rankin will believe Governor Jaspert. Well, the government and people of the VI should in fairness should give Governor Rankin the chance to prove himself as a decent and respectful person. Nonetheless, both government and people of the VI should be vigilant. They should trust but verify. It should be a short honeymoon. Hopefully, Governor Rankin is different from Governor Jaspert.
Governor Jaspert showed no respect for Slaves nor their descendants. His refusal and inability to offer even a simple apology for his clumsy and inartful comment on reparation for VI slave descendants is telling. His comment was dismissive, disparaging, and disrespectful. Adding insult to injury, he also suggested that the names of slave owners, pirates, buccaneers, murderers.....etc should be retained be on local landmarks. Baron Sugg supported his action; no surprise there. There are no Pilates here. The local government is not perfect or blameless. Nevertheless, the VI people needed to be respected. Governor Jaspert needs to apologize.
GUS MUST GO NOW!!!! Get off our necks & leave!!!
. He speaks for himself and the VIPGovernment.. Iss he of the Cloth a piece of Floor cloth, or a Bombo cloth?
Claude talks so much s**t he is starting to believe it! Claude, the Governors are sent by the UK to be the UK's eyes and ears here. It doesn't matter the name or age of the Governor, they all come with the SAME AGENDA! If you think Government approaching Ranking before he arrives will change anything then I really don't know what you can be consulting the Government on because your head can't be good.
No wonder we look like Idiots. What’s up those Polo selves now? Approaching Ranking before him/her arrival is simply low class and embarrassing.
Kidnap the lad
You have caused enough problem with the Governor so, don't think the new one will be out smarted with yout fake welcome.
However, the handing off of the books is exactly what is necessary for the next move of the incoming Governor. Sure hope he addresses all the past issues as he see fit.
Thank you Governor Jaspert for your honest services to the BVIs.
Chapter 3 of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007.
The Governor.
Section 35.-(1).
"There shall be a Governor of the Virgin Islands who shall be appointed by Her Majesty by Commission under Her Sign Manual and Signet and shall hold office during Her Majesty's Pleasure".
(2) The Governor shall have such powers and duties as are conferred or imposed on him by this Constitution or any other law and such other powers as Her Majesty may from time to time be pleased to assign to him.
(4) Person appointed to the Office of Governor shall, before entering upon the functions of that office, make oaths or affirmations of allegiance and for the due execution of that office in the forms set out in Schedule 1".
Schedule 1.
Oath of allegiance.
"I (The Governor), do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Her Heirs and Successors, according to law. So help me God".
Question to the Host, Skelton-Cline. Are you holding a Constitution?
Where is it written in the Constitution, for Her Majesty's Government, to interview and to question, A GOVERNOR, who is appointed in the United Kingdom, at Buckingham Palace by Her Majesty, The Queen?
Before a Governor arrives in the BVI, he is already appointed by the Queen, under Her Sign Manual and Signet.
So how can the local Government of the BVI question him, when he is already appointed?
Cline, you are a pastor: Go and read the Constitution and educate your people.
Why is he carrying two last name though? Or the Skeleton is just a middle name??
Well please let us understand that this place belongs to HER MAGESTY THE QUEEN. We have lots of priviledges still,why are we letting just a few to behave in this manner. When you think you are man enough or woman enough to tangle , get up and go on out of your parents covering, you dont need their permission.
Just jump over board and swim. Find your own place.
But here you want to rant and rage , misbehave. Well understand this "who holds the damn Book, is who could,/ would/ and should turn the damn pages. .if anything by chance you may or maynot even get to look at it ,worst read it. Stop being ignorant.
You as a talk show man, all you doing is telling us about a Governor. We never vote for a Governor.
The Governor does not have to come to our homes and businesses to find out how tings going. When is election time, it is our elected representatives who come to us with their team of executive supporters and campaign managers and to say vote for me, and I will do that for the country, and you will benefit.
You keep talking about a Governor, who did not take part in our elections on 25th February 2019.Talk about the people who we elected but are now hiding from us, and docking our phone calls and whattapp messages,until 2023 when the Governor will announce the date of the next general election.
I will put 4 votes for the politicians and one for the Governor. All voters should do the same. The Governor will win the next general because our elected reps are too focused on a Governor, who is watching their every corrupt moves.
"Noting that the UNITED KINGDOM, the administering power for the time being, has articulated a desire to enter a modern partnership with the Virgin Islands based on the principles of mutual respect and self-determination".
The Constitution, identified UK as the administering power of the BVI, but you and the Premier refused to accept that in the supreme law of the BVI.