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The British are coming to impose direct rule - Hon Mark H. Vanterpool

Minister for Communications and Works, Hon Mark H. Vanterpool delivering his speech at the official opening of the Rita Francis Festiville in Road Town on Tuesday July 25, 2016. Photo: VINO
Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (left) has not been loud and clear about self determination for the Virgin Islands. He did say recently that he wants the Virgin Islands to have a say in the Brexit negotiations and not just to be consulted. This is left to be seen since the local governor Mr John S. Duncan OBE (right) continues to be a strong arm and dictate to the Smith Administration. Photo: VINO/File
Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (left) has not been loud and clear about self determination for the Virgin Islands. He did say recently that he wants the Virgin Islands to have a say in the Brexit negotiations and not just to be consulted. This is left to be seen since the local governor Mr John S. Duncan OBE (right) continues to be a strong arm and dictate to the Smith Administration. Photo: VINO/File
Leader of the Opposition, Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) has also in the recent past sounded the call for self determination. Photo: VINO/File
Leader of the Opposition, Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) has also in the recent past sounded the call for self determination. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Minister for Communication and Works, Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) has said, while “some” would prefer him to be silent, the territory’s freedom is under threat by the United Kingdom.

The Minister was delivering his speech at the official opening of the Rita Francis Festiville in Road Town on Monday July 25, 2016.

We want to remain free

According to Hon Vanterpool, it is important not to forget that the Africans were once considered property to buy and sell and all must be mindful that they want to continue to ensure that they can lead themselves for generations to come.

He said it is important also for those who might not be listening all the time, “who are a bit too busy, to understand and for some of us in leadership positions” to remind them that “more than once and more than twice” the United Kingdom Government had contemplated instituting direct rule over the Virgin Islands again.

“Which means that they are going right back to what we are here celebrating tonight,” he pointed out, adding that the decision was being made “that if we don’t do, as they say, they were determining that they will come back and directly rule over us. So we will have no more premier of our own, we will be led no more by our own government…the United Kingdom was intending to implement a direct rule.”

Hon Vanterpool noted that he chose to speak out since “this can happen indeed. So we will not dwell on it but we will not forget it and we will not be fighting against it but we want to be remindful of it so let’s go forward in peace and enjoy the 2016 emancipation celebrations.”

Self Determination

Hon Vanterpool has in the past joined the chorus for ‘self determination’ for the Virgin Islands.

Speaking at the Emancipation Service at the Sunday Morning Well in Road Town on August 4, 2013, Hon Vanterpool had spoken of how the Virgin Islands still has to adhere to its “Colonial Masters” and that the Territory needed to determine its own political status and cultural and social development without outside influence.

The self determination, which Hon Vanterpool had said he was referring to, “would be our right, as a Virgin Islands people, to decide, our own political status, without outside influence; and freely chart the course, of our economic, cultural and social development over the next 25 years and long into the future spanning many generations to come.”

He had also said he was happy to see that the conversation about self determination has begun, regardless of whether persons are for or against it.

The Minister for Communications and Works had also expressed disappointment that the United Kingdom did not seem keen on going all out to protect the Virgin Islands financial services industry but rather seemed relentless in shifting the goal post in this sector in keeping with international demands.

In recent times, talk show personality Edmund G. Maduro pointed out similar concerns about UK nationals sweeping up top positions in the territory and the hypocrisy that exists within the government structure, speaking from both sides of its mouth.

Leader of the Opposition, Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) has also made calls for the Virgin Islands to continue the conversation for self-determination.

38 Responses to “The British are coming to impose direct rule - Hon Mark H. Vanterpool”

  • time soon come (26/07/2016, 11:04) Like (64) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is because of his bad spending habits
    • @time soon come (26/07/2016, 15:21) Like (36) Dislike (0) Reply
      We voters are to blame, we smell the cesspool that man created in Free Bottom/Purcell and went in droves to vote him in. But only now looking into his spending habits. smh.
    • Bold (26/07/2016, 17:11) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
      I second you on that .
  • B Real (26/07/2016, 11:31) Like (51) Dislike (0) Reply
    SCHUPES! This would have been a strong point IF and only IF government was actually helping the people. BUTYOU ONLY BAWLING BECAUSE THE DAYS OF USING THE TREASURY AS PERSONAL BANK ACCOUNTS ESPECIALLY WHEN RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION SOON COMING TO AN END. Might have to actually answer about TPP and you know when messing with BRITS you going jail.
  • vi (26/07/2016, 11:42) Like (52) Dislike (3) Reply
    It would be the best thing for BVI if they do, cause this Government is out of control
  • wize up (26/07/2016, 11:53) Like (39) Dislike (0) Reply
    Over 40 years of leadership under the Virgin Islands Party and I don't ever recall here anything about the United Kingdom coming back to take over rulership of this territory.....now the NDP administration in office for less than 5 years and buzz in the air is "the British are coming"...the great leader of these Virgin Islands have to be roiling over in their graves ( Hon Wheatley & Hon Stoutt)....we had a wonderful little place up until 2007
  • W*F (26/07/2016, 11:53) Like (24) Dislike (1) Reply
    Praise God.
  • Hmmmm (26/07/2016, 12:00) Like (43) Dislike (1) Reply
    Given the over-spending and lack of accountability (and accounting) of the Government, this has a ring of truth to it.

    Might be the best thing to happen to the BVI in years and the worst thing to happen to the politicians in their lives!
  • ThaLaw (26/07/2016, 12:05) Like (36) Dislike (0) Reply
    Tell Them Hurry Come!!!... we sick of ayo!! ndp/vip all the same bs!
  • wow (26/07/2016, 12:11) Like (42) Dislike (1) Reply
    I think most of us regular citizens would welcome it, because of how the ruling party has mismanaged our money
    • I would (26/07/2016, 13:08) Like (23) Dislike (1) Reply
      @SMH, I would welcome it with arms wide open. I hope it happens sooner than later.
    • wize up (26/07/2016, 14:44) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ SMH....I also think that things will flow far better....the spending of our tax by various government administrations has been outrageous.....it is amazing how some of our political leaders have accompanied so much fininically on their monthly public servent wages???
  • perez (26/07/2016, 12:20) Like (13) Dislike (7) Reply
    The British have enough drama to deal with without worrying about some two bit amateur politicians ripping their own people off. It is more likely that The UK will jettison the OT's in one fowl swoop. Big fish in small sea just bigging himself up...yet again!
    • wize up (26/07/2016, 17:56) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ Perez...I agree with you somewhat because at this time the UK is trying to put its own house in order so we here in BVI have the same two years to come up with a good game plan that will determine our future and the future growth of this territory.....It can no longer be business as usual going forward; we need solid leadership and prudent spending of our tax money along with accountability to all the people of this territory.....time alone will tell
      • perez (27/07/2016, 03:33) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        @wize up...yea but....time waits for no man!
        Action plan required immediately, not Action Man.
  • Scary Mary (26/07/2016, 12:31) Like (51) Dislike (0) Reply
    I wish that when making statement such as, "The territory’s freedom is under threat by the United Kingdom." inducing headlines such as the one for this article, the minister would cite specifics.

    A. If the threats were made by the current Tory government, when EXACTLY were the threats made?
    B. What were the actually phrases used?
    C. Were these threats put in writing?
    D. In context to EXACTLY what were these threats made?
    E. By whom EXACTLY were these threats made? (Please don't say Jeremy Corbyn.)

    F. If the threats referenced were in fact those made by struggling labour leader Jeremy Corbyn last year in reference to beneficial ownership, WHY are you dredging it up again, making it seem as though these are new threats coming from the UK government?

    The labour party is NOT in power and Corbyn will never be re-elected leader of the party. Ergo, such "threats" are hollow and completely meaningless.

    OR ... is all this nonsense just smoke and mirrors to further the NDP's cause to persue Independence so they can more closely align the BVI with their beloved China and their communist/socialist (and very controlling) government?

    Over the past several years, our government leaders have been quietly aligning the BVI political infrastructure with that of China. The BVI Financial Services Commission approved the establishment of the new "Bank of Asia BVI" sometime prior to March 2016.

    The Smith government opened BVI House in Hong Kong in September 2011, with an eye towards expanding our financial services to the wider Chinese (mainland) area. Currently, more than 40% of our financial services business comes from Asia with the bulk of that coming from China.

    The government wants to hire Chinese contractors to build OUR airport, while more and more consumer goods are being imported from China.

    The government is purchasing Chinese equipment for various projects, some of which has already broken or proven to be of inferior quality. But the icing on the cake and the thing which should have made everyone stand back and say hmm, was the fact that in April 2014, Minister Walwyn announced that he wanted to introduce Chinese and perhaps Portuguese into our school system.

    Interestingly, although China House is located in Hong Kong, (where mostly Cantonese and English are spoken), Lorna Smith suggested that Virgin Islanders should learn Mandarin Chinese, which is the main language of mainland China.

    It is very clear to me the direction in which the NDP government is headed. When government ministers start stirring the pot about colonialism, a UK takeover, self-determination and independence, I suggest those who continue to back the NDP start taking Mandarin lessons and brace yourselves for a whole new kind of existence.
  • RAVEN (26/07/2016, 12:40) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Even a blind man could see dat coming.
  • okay (26/07/2016, 12:44) Like (31) Dislike (3) Reply
    I rather them have direct rule than NDP having direct rule over us. Nothing is wrong with the UK. At least we will have more benefits: citizenship, better education etc.
  • Welcome! (26/07/2016, 12:46) Like (31) Dislike (0) Reply
    LOL. This is suppose to scare us? We welcome them with open arms.
  • Fart (26/07/2016, 12:49) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    That man could lie! OMG! The UK has their own problems to deal with right now. And if there is no more premier, so what? Does he think the UK is going to come down here with whips and chains. Mark, please take a seat, because the only people you fooling are the idiots who voted for you. Action man my left toe, more like "Talk Fart All Day Man".
  • Fraid (26/07/2016, 12:56) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    sound like a frighten man. A lot to uncover if them check in the right places. You guys run the place amuck without anybody investigating youall. Heaven help us when there is no accountability to anybody
  • VG-1 (26/07/2016, 13:14) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    I was always wondering when and if this was going to happen. Please give us a little more insight and that we welcome them to come deliver us out of the hands of tyrants. I'm sure many will be locked up as well. can't wait .
  • Truth That. (26/07/2016, 15:17) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
    It must be a reason and a good reason why. I believe Mark speaking the truth and knows exactly what he saying and why he saying it. Maybe he indirectly warning his colleagues to do better.
    • Truth? (26/07/2016, 17:03) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
      You must be mistaken.... This man has never spoken the truth about anything.
      • Jacko (27/07/2016, 20:05) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
        Mark is better than any Caucasian put in a position in the Virgin Islands Government or elsewhere? Why? Mark love this country and will never, ever do to it or its people what a white man will do to you, the VI or the future of your children. Stop doeting, people. British takeover could never be in the interest of the people of colour. Them messed up UK and they are looking for safe haven for their people. We say, no way. Stay and live among the Muslims so they could cut your tail like you cut our tail during Colonialism. Virgin Islanders, don't be foolish taking sides with the British over your own. You know not of what you speak. The British left a trademark, oppression, savagery, brutality and superiority. Not again, Brits.
    • Amethyst (26/07/2016, 18:19) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
      He is the xxxxxx reason they are coming.
  • The Dog Man (26/07/2016, 16:52) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Take that in your @$$. BVIs. These leaders is fools. All of them.
  • sister act (26/07/2016, 20:03) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Oh happy day.
  • saying (26/07/2016, 20:53) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    I hope the hurry up cime
  • tola (26/07/2016, 20:58) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply

    Please ayo hurry up an come mark is afraid cause he an is government will not get that big money again to s**** lol .....UK plz hurry up an come am begging u ....Mr governor plz tell them come fast we fed up of this NDP government plz plz plz .....father god u hear the cry of our people woiiii am happy

  • Law Abiding citizen (26/07/2016, 20:59) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply

    I hope the queen does come and clean up this country starting with you Dishonorable Vanterpool. The truth is never far behind.

  • John (26/07/2016, 21:18) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mark is just trying to spook the people into voting for independence so that the ndp can then better introduce their dictatorship. It is power, money and secrecy these guys are after. They will be stealing and spending with abandon.
  • believer (26/07/2016, 22:05) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    I really hope they come soon before NDP gets a hold on to our social security money to rescue NHI. I wonder if people really checking NHI. Not quite a year yet and horror stories are emerging about the administration of the fund. NDP government are the only ones that believe we can sustain NHI but they are not checking. Only when it's too late you'll see them running up and down like chicken with their heads cut off. The older BVI folks usually say ''time will tell''.
  • God Save The Queen (27/07/2016, 06:55) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Among the many numerous fundamental errors Mark and Myron made, is NOT remembering that they are a guest in another man's country. Every VIslander knows this country belongs to the UK. These two single handedly bought their anti British ways along with their cartels and bullied and terrorized the gentle subjects of the Queen. All we ask is the UK delay no further. Get on with it. Save this country.
  • Weep my people (27/07/2016, 11:21) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
    I read with disgust the many persons who are on here blogging calling for the UK to take direct rule over the Virgin Islands. I am weeping inside because I realize that 99 percent of our readers do not understand our history; they do not understand our past of slavery and what it was; they do not understand how we are here as a people and the true reason for the emancipation celebrations that we are about to embark upon.
    Oh, Virgin Islanders, when will you return to the history books and the new emerging hidden history to know and acknowledge that the very British was responsible for keeping our forefathers in slavery? When will you understand that the British Monarch engaged heavily in the slave trade? When will you understand that their plantocracy meted out hardship on our ancestors from Africa? When will you understand that they owned a ship called "JESUS" that transported slaves to these regions? When will you understand that they raped the gold and treasures from Africa? When will you understand that the religion that we now embrace, Christianity, was used as a tool to keep our people in subjection with promises of better days in the sky? When will you understand that the Africans had a religion prior to Christianity?
    People of the Virgin Islands, why would you rejoice and want direct rule from the former oppressors? A burnt child is always shy. It is because you do not understand your past. Well, you must understand quickly so that we can shape a better destiny for generations yet unborn. A direct rule over the Virgin Islands will be a big, big step backwards. It will confirm that we don't know how to govern ourselves, and that is farthest from the truth. We do know how to govern ourselves.
    When they left us as a bird sanctuary, we didn't sit down. Our forefathers toiled, worked the land that they had bought, sailed the Caribbean sea and traveled to neighbouring islands to help build the Virgin Islands.
    The UK had 182 years head-start on the Virgin Islands, because that is how long slavery has been abolished in these islands, and they built the UK from the strength of the Caribbean slaves from their commerce in the islands. And look at where we are today as a country, as a people, the envy of many British who come among us.
    People of the Virgin Islands, do not fear self-determination. The time is ripe and it is high time for this conversation. This dialogue is very important because many of the conscious and knowlegable thinkers refuse to return to direct British rule.
    So, Honourable Vanterpool, start the conversation and you will hear the views of many. At this juncture, it is obvious that many, many do not understand what the effect of direct rule over us will be. Well imagine the apartheid era in South Africa, that was recent enough. Direct Rule will be Introduction to Apartheid 101 to start with. We have nothing to fear. We are a wise people; plan, plan, plan. Put the plans in order. Team up with other OTs for "security." The spiritual leaders will tell you and believe it, "the God of your forefathers, the God whom you now serve and has brought you this far for 182 years will never leave you but will only bring you into a better country flowing with our own milk and honey.
    We the members of the Positive African Movement say "No to British Direct Rule" and Yes, to Self-determination. We will not give up until it comes. We have not forgotten the sacrifices of our ancestors and the prize they have given us -- The Beautiful Virgin Islands. Forward Ever; Backwards Never. We mean it with all our might. Unite, Virgin Islanders, for the future of our children.
  • chad (27/07/2016, 11:56) Like (4) Dislike (7) Reply
    Welcoming the ones who killed all of the original occupants of these islands brought our fore fathers here killed torchered murdered raped in order to control, raped the country of the natural resources, and we are welcoming them back ??? WITH ARMS WIDE OPEN?? YOU SAY WOW!!!!what make you all think that things have changed? with our skin color/colour
    please be reminded this is happening and will not be better, because we have not been observing the laws and covanants that our fore parents made with God(yahuwa) look at the US....we are israelites and we are supposed to be runing this world but instead we are left here bickering, robbing and killing each other then saying we want the red skin to come and free us..WHAT ARE YOU THINKING? WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!! WAKE UP GET BACK TO THE LEARNING AND OBSERVING THE COVANANTS THAT WAS GIVEN TO MOSES, THEN CHANGE WILL COME< SABBATH IS VERY IMPORTANT OBSERVE IT FRIDAY 6-SAT 6pm. WOW
  • True (27/07/2016, 12:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    we are all Africans. Mr. Vanterpool is trying to separate us from our culture and who we really are. "the africans" or we africans. tell the children the truth like Jimmy cliff once said.


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