The NDP government of the VI, is free to bring proposed legislation to the HoA, but given the existing political reality in the ruling party, getting the laws passed will be, “virtually impossible.” Photo: VINO/File

Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), statements came on Friday November 16, 2018, during a press conference, held at the studios of the Caribbean Broadcast Network (CBN)and on the heels Governor Agustus J. U. Jaspert’s call for legislators to band together and get as many laws passed before elections. Photo: VINO/File

The three legislators to cross the aisle, from left: Hon Archibald C. Christian (AL), Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) and Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2). Photo: VINO/File

At least, this is according to, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), whose statements came on Friday, November 16, 2018, during a press conference held at the studios of the Caribbean Broadcast Network (CBN) and on the heels Governor Agustus J. U. Jaspert’s call, for legislators to band together and get as many laws passed before elections.

Immediately Fired

“The banding together is not a problem for me" he said, but argued, "whatever laws that need to be passed on the eve of election is going to be difficult…I agree with the Governor but it’s going to be difficult given what’s happening within the government."
His comments were made in the context of three government legislators breaking away from the NDP, two being Ministers, who were fired from their government portfolios.

The two are, Honourables Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) and Archibald C. Christian (AL), who, being stripped of their Government Ministerial posts, has resulted in them all now having to migrate to the Opposition benches of the HoA.

The third person is Honourable, Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) also known as ‘Mitch,’ who did not hold a ministerial post at the time of resigning from the NDP.

Hon Skelton was a senior Minister—Minister for Health and Social Development—while Hon Christian was Junior Minister for Tourism.

Key Legislators
Hon Fahie used the occasion to also point out that passage of laws will also be dependent on further dynamics that will play out in the HoA during its actual sittings.

He explained that beyond the new appointments and the rifts within the NDP party and government, he has taken into consideration the attendance of HoA sessions by key legislators.
“Everyone knows that the government had 11 members and everyone knows that to get a quorum…You need any combination of seven members."
According to Hon Fahie, "…everyone knows that the Opposition only has two members and anyone who is even halfway good at math knows that, without the two members, once government shows up, they can proceed…But the government, nine out of 10 times, I believe it’s safe to use that statistic, needs both opposition members to be present in order for the meeting to begin because we are the ones that are there."

Pending Laws
He suggested, “whatever legislation has not been passed so far, cannot be blamed on the Opposition…It is a matter of a dysfunctional government continuing to run the Territory," and insists it is not fair to the people of the VI, what is happening to their government that they elected.
Some of the pending legislation includes, the Consumer Protection Bill and the Freedom of Information Bill, in addition to several pieces of procurement and other ancillary legislative instruments, in order to bring about the proper functioning of the controversial, Recovery Development Agency (RDA).