VI in leadership crisis – R. Dancia Penn, QC, OBE
Mrs Penn, was the featured guest on Mrs Karia J. Christopher’s CBN Channel 51 talk show, “Real Talk – Virgin Islands 10 Most Inspirational Women for 2016” aired on February 7, 2017.
The former Eighth District Representative said it’s her observation that there is an unfortunate leadership crisis not only in the Virgin Islands. “And part of what I believe is very important, we all say it, and I believe we mean it, we love the country, we ought to work in unity.”
Country divided
“We have an unhappy and divided country and those on the public stage and those in the public life I would advise to just step back a bit and take yourself from the centre of the stage and think about what your ultimate goal is. And the ultimate goal in my view cannot be to have infighting and spend energy and time and resources in what are in effect destructive means.”
Those words followed Mrs Christopher seeking her guest’s view on the state of affairs in the Virgin Islands Party (VIP). “We have a great deal to do. We are part of the international community, we have our financial services to grow, our financial services to protect, our tourism product, we have a lot of social issues in our country, health, health care, infrastructure,” Mrs Penn pointed out, as she also alluded to the literal non-existence of ‘fresh air’ in the streets of the VI.
“Often, I drive with my window up, but the windows were open last night. I didn’t smell that fresh air that we use to have. I believe that the persons on the political stage really need to step back. We all have a duty to work for a more united country, a more progressive country and to provide a way in life for the youths,” Mrs Penn stressed.
R. Dancia Penn for Government again?
Responding to the question whether she feels there is still a life in politics for her, Mrs Penn responded, “Karia, I love this country in a very deep and profound way. It’s been very good to me, it’s been very good to all of us, it’s been good to the world I like to believe….And I was very fortunate to grow up and raised in a community at a time where we had leaders who really paved the way for us and for my own life I would value the importance of a good government. Of a good government that looks out for the people of the country especially for the young people of the country.
“I love the country. Whether I return to politics, elected politics and whether I am elected to public political office again very much rests with the people of the country because obviously, it is people who would have to vote.”
Of deep concern to Mrs Penn are matters she classified as the rule of law and issues of governance. “And I am not being political here, this is nothing about the Virgin Islands Party, the National Democratic Party, the People’s Empowerment Party, its nothing about any party. It’s about us and our survival in a vibrant democratic society.”
Not a member of any party
Mrs Penn also sought to clear the air of the notion that from the “advent of time” she has been seen as a member of the VIP, “I am not an active member of any political party… I had always believed in voting for the persons who I thought could best represent us and best take our country forward.”
According to the woman of law, 2007 was the first time she contested the general elections when she had joined the VIP. “As I sit here I am not a member of any political party.”
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26 Responses to “VI in leadership crisis – R. Dancia Penn, QC, OBE”
Former D-8 rep, AG and Deputy Governor is an admirable paper tiger. But her record of getting things done is still a work in progress. Dancia, if she wants to progress in the world of politics, must change her leadership and mangement style to enhance her effective. She must become a tireless candidate who is not leaning on her record but commited to sacrifice for the public good. During her short stint in the HOA, she didn't take charge. She was the Deputy Premier yet she let herself be bullied by other colleagues (Ralph let it happened). She was beaten by the Hon Marlon Penn because she under performed for her district. D-8 is the gateway from the airport to other parts of Tortola but it looked horrible. It was not aesthetically pleasing. She did not bring the bacon home. The first rule of politics is that you got to take care of your base. She did not do that. Furthermore, she ran at large last election and though she had a good platform she started too late and depended too heavily on electronic campaigning. She needed to start early and wear out some tennis shoes over the length and breadth of the territory. Need to decide if she want she to run for political office or not. If she wants to run, she needs to markedly improve her retail politics.
Danvia needs to either fish or cut bait or be either fish or fowl or sh.....t or get off the pot. There is no time for vacillating. The BVI is in crisis. Danica claims she is not part of any organized party. However, this one man band charade is out of vogue. A serious candidate must align him- or herself with a credible party. There are exceptions to the rule, of course. As always, let's soar as eagles and not be led off the cliff like buffaloes.
The BVI needs more female public and political figures because women bring something to the table – a unique perspective that will help make better policy and that should be what it is all about. Too many women wait to be asked to get into politics. Then when they are asked, they ponder it and examine it – and wonder if they are smart enough. Men do not question their talent at all. They see the opportunity, and they are off and running (even when they don't have a donkey's clue about what they actually doing).
It is time to start a new conversation! The culture will not adapt until enough women are in leadership to change it. So there must be a greater effort and focus placed on making this happen. Empowered women can do a lot of things. So women like Dancia need to be the change. It will take more women at the top to make the changes that are needed to get more women to the top – you cannot be what you cannot see!
Why does this matter? It matters because women bring a unique experience to the political arena. Their life experiences are different from men’s and their perspectives on issues can be different. This serves to enhance the quality of the debate and broaden and balance the perspectives on a wider range of issues of importance to not only women but everyone. It does not mean that women have a better perspective than men – just a different perspective.
VI Leadership in trouble so what are you going to do about it Dancia? It is time to stop being another feather in the wind and actually decide whether your in or are your out! You have the know-how, you have the money all you need is to actually do the work and form a team and stop titivating about Town. (A woman leader in each district in the BVI would put the BVI on another stratosphere, I can see it now!)