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VI's 'back & forth' with UK Gov’t concerning- Opposition

- Hon Penn says territory ought to be maintaining its relationship with UK
Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) raising concerns on the VI/UK relations was at the time speaking at a public meeting with Opposition Members, Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3), Hon Melvin M. Turnbull aka ‘Mitch’ and Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines (R6) on Wednesday, September 11, 2019, at the Althea Scatliffe Primary School in Road Town, to discuss the BVI/UK Relations and other issues. Photo: Facebook/File
Mr Ben Merrick in a September 2, 2019, letter stated amongst other claims, that the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government since taking office in February 2019, has caused engagements between the Virgin Islands (VI) and the United Kingdom (UK) to weaken. Photo: Internet Source
Mr Ben Merrick in a September 2, 2019, letter stated amongst other claims, that the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government since taking office in February 2019, has caused engagements between the Virgin Islands (VI) and the United Kingdom (UK) to weaken. Photo: Internet Source
Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1) had stated there was a ploy by certain United Kingdom officials to tarnish the image of his government and sway public opinion. Photo: VINO/File
Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1) had stated there was a ploy by certain United Kingdom officials to tarnish the image of his government and sway public opinion. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Leader of the Opposition, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8), has chided the government’s ‘back and forth’ approach with the United Kingdom (UK) on policies, noting that the territory ought to be maintaining its relationship with the Crown.

Honourable Penn was at the time speaking at a public meeting with Opposition Members, Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3), Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) and Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines (R6) on Wednesday, September 11, 2019, at the Althea Scatliffe Primary School in Road Town, to discuss the VI/UK Relations and other issues.

Maintaining Relationships

According to Hon Penn, “We are also very concerned of the recent interaction between… the Premier and the UK Government, more specifically, the engagement between him and Ben Merrick who is the Governor’s [Augustus J. U. Jaspert] Boss essentially of the Overseas Territory,” he said.

Hon Penn noted that is also concerning that the interaction between the Government and the UK is also being played out in a public way.

Touching on the need to implement beneficial ownership in the VI financial services industry, the Opposition Leader said, “In addition to that we have some serious headwinds in terms of the UK and leadership, currently there are some concerns with the current leadership, there’s a back and forth battle with the UK.

“So we feel this is not the time for us to be engaging in this kind of politics with the UK,” he said while reiterating the need to maintain good relationship with the United Kingdom and to spark a dialogue around the subject.

Premier now in the UK

On September 2, 2019, in a letter made public on the request of Director of Overseas Territories Mr Merrick, the UK official had accused the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government of causing engagements between the Virgin Islands (VI) and the United Kingdom (UK) to weaken.

In the letter addressed to Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), Mr Merrick also accused the administration of misleading the public by stating the UK wants the VI Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) to have full control of the territory's finances.

Premier Fahie had publicly disputed the claims, stating there was a ploy to tarnish the image of his government and sway public opinion.

The leader of government business is currently on a mission in the UK to address the concerns and to seek 'common ground' regarding the UK loan guarantees aimed at providing financing for hurricane rebuilding efforts in the Virgin Islands.

16 Responses to “VI's 'back & forth' with UK Gov’t concerning- Opposition”

  • Really (12/09/2019, 12:08) Like (29) Dislike (9) Reply
    Penn really have balls to talk about this but we the people of the BVI cannot be fooled. So after destroying this territory under Dr. Smith, what credibility Penn had to talk on these issues?

    • BVIYoungster (12/09/2019, 19:04) Like (6) Dislike (7) Reply
      YES OPPOSITION, ITS ABOUT TIME. I have no problem with the GOV disagreeing with the UK but when it comes to making decisions/Moves that hinders the relationship Between ourselves and the UK, That is plain out STUPID AND UNACCEPTABLE! No Sah VIP!
  • Observer (12/09/2019, 12:13) Like (27) Dislike (12) Reply
    They wasn't concern when the NDP was in power that cause the RDA and all these things, no plane money etc, all them NDPs are a pack of hiprocrites
    • Alrighty (12/09/2019, 21:03) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      The NDP is history. The VIP is the party in power now. Right?? So we deal with the now. The Premier ought to thread very carefully here and know how to strike a balance. All this sensational BS isn’t going to cut it. He needs to act and be a leader. The Opposition serves a purpose and its high time they stop being so quiet. It’s irrelevant at this critical time in our country’s development and future to be acting so childish with these silly comments about what the NDP did. The VIP campaigned on certain known issues and they need to be reminded. The Premier is and was fully aware of the RDA and how it’s set up. He wasn’t raising hell like Delores and Mitch now was he??
      • @ alrighty (13/09/2019, 06:59) Like (37) Dislike (2) Reply
        You fool so after the NDP mark and myron kill our country caused the RDA and left us broke we must just forget it?

        What kind of logic is that bossie
  • GG (12/09/2019, 12:17) Like (33) Dislike (5) Reply
    No more bullying, we standing up for our rights that head been taken advantage of. Let the UK know we not not bending over backwards because it will be advantage all the time.
  • Kitchen Table Group Panel (12/09/2019, 14:28) Like (32) Dislike (4) Reply
    Set a power hungry people trying to remain relevant and fool we that they doing their jobs GO SIT DOWN Fraser, Penn, Vanterpool and Turnbulll

    Alvera she just going along
  • confused (12/09/2019, 16:15) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
    What is wrong with what Penn is saying, I don't get it, the attacks?
    • Under a rock (12/09/2019, 18:11) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      You cant be from the Virgin Islands with this silly question...
  • old crooks (12/09/2019, 16:21) Like (12) Dislike (4) Reply
    All of them need to stand up and then Siddown... We not having it. Let the Premier do his job.
    • Take one! (12/09/2019, 17:00) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
      The Premier has a job to do and so does the opposition. You set of Cronies will feel the heat soon and very soon.

      Time is longer than twine.
      • LALALA (13/09/2019, 06:49) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        When you was feeling the heat under the NDP you took death. Didn’t utter a word then. Your mouth unlock now.
  • Street reporter (12/09/2019, 17:12) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    Relationship is a good thing. They must be a time for each party to listen and a time for each party to speak. Respecting each others views and opinion... Sometimes u stand up and fight for your convictions... In This case I have no idea what specifically our Premier is fighting for.
  • Charley Rose (12/09/2019, 22:02) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    I am very surprise at the level of thinking and analysis of some people in this Territory. First of all , when the RDA was about to be established, there were a several questions being asked by the Hon, Premier when he was in opposition and on many occasions Dr. Smith refused to answer the questions, only responding that they are confidential. Hon. Christian said that if he had known the whole truth of the matter he would have voted against.

    Here we are and the RDA is established with the CEO getting a whopping over $350000.00 US per annum salary. In addition to allowance. Should the Virgin Islands accept accept the loan guarantee then the government will have to allow the RDA to spend the monies at their pleasure.

    At the same time with an open register of companies conducting businesses in the territory, there may be companies that will relocate their business to other jurisdictions and cause a decline in government's revenue. If the territory is unable to repay the loan, the UK government will take the territory as being pawned to them.
    • Tis who know (13/09/2019, 07:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Charley Rose it amazes me how these people think. The UK can’t manage their own affairs but want to manage the VI and other OTs. As you so rightly say when they force open registers on us and companies flee to other jurisdictions, where will the money come from to repay the loan.
      On another note: IF the Premier was pissy drunk by the Watering Hole falling down and talking about things that he shouldn’t be talking about it would have been all over social media but when that one did it we ain’t hear a peek about it. The time will come to play the tape.
      Bob Marley day to emancipate yourself from mental slavery.
  • dude (13/09/2019, 00:28) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Penn it was YOUR NDP PARTY who were pushing division & even openly talked independence & going to war with the UK, Pickering Vanterpool & Walwyn. You forget? But when it was time to play smart at the negotiation table were totally & completely inept.


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