'The VIP has a lot to be blamed for'- Rajah A. Smith
Smith also bashed the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) for what he termed their reckless overspending by some ministers of government and said that many have been left to wonder if people who are “running our territory are ‘educated fools.’”
VIP put on blast
“While I sympathise with the people of the territory, my team, the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) has a lot to [be] blamed for,” said Mr Smith as he lashed out at VIP Chairman and Opposition Leader Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3), First District Representative Hon Andrew A. Fahie and President of the VIP, Mr Carvin Malone.
“While people are looking for hope, the VIP members are engaged in a contentious civil war for power, from the Chairman to the President to the Congress,” Mr Smith said, adding that the party has a democratically elected chairman that was never fully embraced by his opponents after the election, “a president that’s not objective, a senior member who led an unsuccessful coup against its own leader and a divided congress with no unity near in sight.”
According to Smith, for the betterment of the party and the territory “these three grown men need to put aside their personal ambitions, their egos, and find common ground and unite for the greater good or step aside.”
The Virgin Islands Party has been criticised for its apparent disunity, especially after the 2015 elections when they lost 11-2 and many of the losing candidates blamed the leadership of the party as the main reason for the loss.
Further there was a tangle over the Opposition Leader post, with Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) and Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) both presenting themselves as suitable for the post and refusing to give way to the other despite Governor John S. Duncan OBE giving them a month and a day to sort out their differences.
Eventually, Governor Duncan appointed Hon Fraser as the new Leader of the Opposition, a position that was vacated by former Premier Hon Ralph T. O’Neal OBE. Hon Fahie made it public that he respected the decision of Governor Duncan.
“Everybody wants to keep quiet, this is politics, when you put yourself out there for good or worse at some point you have to shake it off and prepare for the next shot,” Smith said, referring to his decision to put his own VIP members on blast.
‘I don’t see myself as a loser’
Meanwhile, Smith, along with Mr Elford W. Parsons of the People’s Empowerment Party (PEP) had contested the Second District at the 2015 general elections but lost to incumbent Hon Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull.
‘While I lost the election and my very low support I don’t see myself as a loser...I am forever thankful for all the love and support I received throughout the entire Virgin Islands. Special thanks to the people who donated their money, who gave their cash and wrote their cheques. You believed in me and the old saying; ‘put your money where your mouth is’ and you did,” Mr Smith said.
23 Responses to “'The VIP has a lot to be blamed for'- Rajah A. Smith”
VIP leadership is at stake,and needs to be rectified before it is too late.
The fact that Mr. Smith is speaking up so forthrightly and honestly makes me want him to continue to fight as an alternative to NDP. We need new blood in VIP leadership. The others may have more experience, but their politics are getting in the way of true reform. Keep speaking out and being visible Rajah. Organize by district to find new people with commitment.
Furthermore it didn't matter whether Hon Fraser or Hon Fahie was the chairman because in all due respect to these gentlemen with a party of two they are sitting ducks. They can not do diddily squat. Surely you if you aspire to be a politician you must know this because the NDP has the number on their party to get anything they want to do passed through the house. Hon Fraser and Hon Fahie votes do not count. And as for blaming them, son you do realise that the NDP has been in power for nearly five years. So exactly what are you talking about that VIP are to blame? Blame for what? What have they implemented in their non power, name only positions that have yielded hardship for the BVI?
And remind us why exactly it is VIP job to correct NDP mistakes? Didn't you ever learn, what you buy you wear? You get yourself in it, get yourself out? That is what is wrong with you all generation, don't want to take responsibility for your actions.
VIP warned about NHI, the school term, jumped up and down about the budget and transparency. No one listened so what exactly are you looking for them to do? And I am sure it will require a magic wand. Will you give it to them Rajah?
From what I understand the VIP delegates elected a Chairman who is Julian Fraser and not First District Representative Hon Andrew A. Fahie. But it seems as if the party's President Mr Carvin Malone can't organize the party to be united and that is making person to see that he's also a huge problem in the party of his one sided style. Persons are tired and sick of the party's ways it's been run by the president of the party who has all the power. THe chairman has no power. There are person in the party who doesn't like the chairman cause Fahie didn't won the position and holds some serious grievance which makes the party weak. Person haven't for got about the setup of the 8th and 4th district. The delegates of the VIP needs to get up off their @$$£$ and show the President that they are in charge and not him but them so stupid saying he's doing a good job which he's not. Meetings of the party are so far apart and that;s why the sh*t hits the streets cause he's making the chairman look bad when the public don't know that the President has the control and power of the party.. I say no more cause I getting vex..