VI residents told to stop divisive ‘Indigenous/Belonger’ rhetoric
Chairman of the British Virgin Islands, (BVI) Christian Council, Bishop John I. Cline, voiced his concerns on the issue in a social media post on Tuesday, June 26, 2018.
Every Election!
According to the prominent religious leader, “the issue of first generation BVIslanders versus indigenous BV Islanders” is very divisive and those fueling the segregation need to stop.
“This shows itself every election…especially when it comes to who is qualified to sit in the House of Assembly, or to be elected as Premier,” Bishop Cline stated. Cline said he believes that the Constitution Order of 1976 and the Advancement of 2007 can be used to resolve the different legal views on the issue.
“I’m not a lawyer, but I am sure that there have been plenty reviews in looking at this issue…and they have come up with, that those who have been elected in office right now who have come into question, that being the Honourable Myron V. Walwyn, the Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool, and the Honourable Archie C. Christian are all eligible to sit in the House of Assembly, and no distinction is made as to who can sit in the House of Assembly and who can be Premier,” he stated.
The prominent Bishop, who leads the New Life Baptist Church, is urging citizens and residents to quell the rhetoric, saying, “let us put down this divisive rhetoric and this talk that can only serve to undermine the unity and strength of the BVI.”
Respect for each other!
The religious leader is adamant, “the division by citizens and by residents, and by us who call ourselves BV Islanders, we should not allow this kind of rhetoric to divide us.”
According to Bishop Cline, “I think whether by birth or by descent, if you are a BVIslander, or even by some other means where you have been granted your BVIslander status, I believe that all of us are BVIslanders…We have made it our home, call it our home and it should be respected as that, and we should have mutual respect for each other.”
He noted that all residents of the VI play a significant role in the development of the Territory, and should be respected.
The Bishop, as such, is appealing to residents to unite as, “one people, as BV Islanders and let us build a BVI that all of us can be proud of—that is inclusive and not exclusive—that recognises the right of every citizen to belong and not feel like some outsider.”
Bishop Cline posits, that this ‘united front’ is necessary for the advancement of life in the Territory. “Whether by birth, whether by descent, or whether by naturalisation…we are all BV Islanders and we should stand together as such,” he declared.
Following the National Democratic Party (NDP) victory in 2011, concerns were raised over the nationalities of several elected members.
These include particularly, Hon Walwyn, Hon Christian, and Hon Vanterpool, whose parents are not indigenous to the VI. Legal experts argue however, that based on the Constitution, they are eligible to sit in the House of Assembly.
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19 Responses to “VI residents told to stop divisive ‘Indigenous/Belonger’ rhetoric”
You tell them to stop playing both sides of the fence and we will stop saying exactly what we are thinking which is Myron cannot be the premier of these British Virgin Islands!!!
When he is around certain people he relates by saying he is from other Caribbean islands, give me your support I will do what is right by you. He cannot serve two masters