Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

‘We ain’t toeing that line’- Hon Christopher

- asks who appointed Richard C.N. Branson the ambassador of the VI or chief negotiator
Hon Delores Christopher (R5) was one of five Members of the House of Assembly who recently wrote a letter to Premier Smith expressing their concerns with the establishing of a recovery agency and board and the secrecy surrounding them. Photo: VINO/File
Sir Richard C.N. Branson in November 2017 had wrote to the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotels Association (BVICCHA) that he had spoken to several international lending agencies offering ‘fantastic ideas’ but ‘we must act now.’ Photo: Internet Source
Sir Richard C.N. Branson in November 2017 had wrote to the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotels Association (BVICCHA) that he had spoken to several international lending agencies offering ‘fantastic ideas’ but ‘we must act now.’ Photo: Internet Source
Fifth District Representative Hon Delores Christopher has implied that Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) is not in control of the ship but is allowing himself to be controlled by others. Photo: VINO/File
Fifth District Representative Hon Delores Christopher has implied that Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) is not in control of the ship but is allowing himself to be controlled by others. Photo: VINO/File
In order for the Virgin Islands to get loan guarantees of up to $400M from the United Kingdom (UK) to help rebuild following the devastation of hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017, they have to adhere to some strict guidelines, including establishing an independent agency to manage all the monies to be borrowed and engage in private sector reform, which some suspect may be result in cutting civil servants pay or cutting the civil service. Photo: VINO/File
In order for the Virgin Islands to get loan guarantees of up to $400M from the United Kingdom (UK) to help rebuild following the devastation of hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017, they have to adhere to some strict guidelines, including establishing an independent agency to manage all the monies to be borrowed and engage in private sector reform, which some suspect may be result in cutting civil servants pay or cutting the civil service. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Implying that her own National Democratic Party (NDP) Government is trying to force elected members hands to satisfy the interest of individuals and that Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) is not in control of the ship, Deputy Speaker and Fifth District Representative Hon Delores Christopher said those are some of the reasons she is finding it difficult to support the Bill entitled: Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency 2018.

Speaking during the debate on the Bill during the continuation of the Third Sitting of the Third Session of the Third House of Assembly on March 23, 2018, Hon Christopher said she wanted to establish early that it isn’t that she doesn’t believe or understand that a “structure” [agency] might be a necessary thing to have established.

In order for the VI to get loan guarantees of up to $400M from the United Kingdom (UK) they have to adhere to some strict guidelines, including establishing an independent agency to manage all the monies to be borrowed and engage in private sector reform, which some suspect may be result in cutting civil servants pay or cutting the civil service.

“It is the conditions that are set for us…to establish the structure. We can’t be in here saying that we representing the people but we can’t see what the intention is and what is happening, Madam Speaker, so we have a lot of concerns.”

Hon Christopher was one of five House Members who recently wrote a letter to Premier Smith expressing their concerns with the establishing of a recovery agency and board and the secrecy surrounding them.

“We had concerns why we wrote that letter to the Honourable Premier to say to him that we are not going to toe the line just because we are the Backbench.

 “We ain’t toeing that line, Madam Speaker, because we can look for things ourselves.”

Who appointed Mr Branson VI Ambassador?

Hon Christopher then proceeded to read a letter by Sir Richard C.N. Branson in November telling the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotels Association (BVICCHA) that he had spoken to several international lending agencies offering “fantastic ideas” but “we must act now.”

In the same letter, Mr Branson, a United Kingdom national with Belonger status, had said his Virgin Team were on the ground from day one and, along with other North Sound businesses and disaster relief teams, have been “reviewing these offers of support in line with short and long term needs.”

He also said he had met with Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert aka ‘Gus’, Premier Smith, Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7), Caribbean heads of state, representatives of Inter-American Development Back, World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF).

“During these meetings I have heard some fantastic ideas; however, there are aggressive timeframes, financial commitments and clear targets to realise the strategy needed for the rebuilding,” the letter stated.

Hon Christopher said when the letter surfaced Members brought the concern to the attention of the Premier, “because it seemed to some of us that somebody had just gotten a position as Ambassador for the BVI.”

“Either he had gotten the position as an Ambassador, chief negotiator, or he had become some type of elected member. As a matter of fact we asked the Premier upfront, when was he elected? Because we couldn’t remember this person was in any district asking for any votes to appoint him to the legislature.”

Whose agenda? What’s the big secret?

Hon Christopher continued that there were other concerns and noted that “the bullet points in the letter seems to be the Government’s agenda.”

“So Madam Speaker, when we think we are having a meeting to go through issues in how we would be going forward, only to find out that our meeting will not be the real meeting at all, and that some persons were already, as stating here, taking action, managing the Government, Madam Speaker.”

Hon Christopher also told the House that the Recovery and Development Plan itself was not shared with members. “I really don’t know if it was shared in the Cabinet before but I know as a member of the Caucus we saw it only after it was being shown to stakeholders and we were being asked or being told that we were expected to defend in our districts. Yes, we had a presentation, but it was one without sight of the plan.”

The third term legislator added that from the get go there were concerns with the Recovery and Development Plan. “When you check the letter I just read and you check the High Level UK letter that was read yesterday, Madam Speaker, you find that they all gel...

“I had a concern from day one, that is why I am so concerned about the agency, because it is not about us being the Government but bringing it to us to pass it because they need you to say yes. But the decision is already made, Madam Speaker….We have no say. So why am I being asked to say yes to this agency and board?

Further Hon Christopher said she only saw the draft bill being debated on March 13, 2018 after it was emailed to Members.

The debates on the Bill are expected to conclude today and a vote taken.

43 Responses to “‘We ain’t toeing that line’- Hon Christopher”

  • qc (26/03/2018, 11:04) Like (33) Dislike (17) Reply
    I stand with Hon Deloris
  • trouble (26/03/2018, 11:24) Like (11) Dislike (4) Reply
    THE OUTER ISLANDS ARE DIPPING IN OUR POLITICS
    • BVIhadenoughofuk (26/03/2018, 12:07) Like (6) Dislike (12) Reply
      They are stirring up trouble to say let VG and Anegada be an extension by themselves, because Edomites always want to be in charge. The day will come when we have to abandon UK's ship.
      • Killmonger (26/03/2018, 13:09) Like (14) Dislike (6) Reply
        Got damn EDOMITES! Virus to humanity! Nobody no other kind of human has done to the world what EDOMITES have done. I wouldn't trust them with their own KIDS.
  • billyb (26/03/2018, 11:31) Like (23) Dislike (11) Reply
    I wid you Delores!!!
  • Online Now (26/03/2018, 12:14) Like (24) Dislike (20) Reply
    Sir Richard had to stand up for the BVI as he has the ears of international decision makers and the vast majority of the elected representatives had disappeared. He wants what is best for the BVI - do you Hon. Christopher?
  • Resident and Local (26/03/2018, 12:18) Like (15) Dislike (11) Reply
    “When you check the letter I just read and you check the High Level UK letter that was read yesterday, Madam Speaker, you find that they all gel...

    Great, the Mother country is being a Mother at last. Just vote and take your seat child.
  • Wel saw (26/03/2018, 12:54) Like (16) Dislike (20) Reply
    UK Is not the enemy, why so much hostility for nothing
  • BVIslandeer (26/03/2018, 12:59) Like (14) Dislike (9) Reply
    this bickering and name calling and closing so many doors is not doing anyone, firstly the BVIslanders who live here and care...We must not let Loud Mouthed people denigrate those who are trying so hard to help us all and get things sorted out and fixed at a huge cost...for the betterment of us all. Stop this name calling and bickering...just stop it all and get on with helping us all get back to some normalcy.
    • How do we. (26/03/2018, 15:06) Like (6) Dislike (12) Reply
      How do we get the place fix? How do we get the money we need?, Tell us that and not just bash..
      • vi (26/03/2018, 15:57) Like (29) Dislike (2) Reply
        Listen we all know we need help, We all know we cannot fix it by ourselves. But the question is at what cost? That is all we need to know before signing over everything.
  • BVI Patriot (26/03/2018, 14:43) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
    I tell you for her speech Hon Chris needs a graven image
  • VoteOut (26/03/2018, 14:44) Like (32) Dislike (21) Reply
    Delores you lost my vote.
    Branson is a blessing to these islands. If we didn’t have anyone like him to make connections to try and help us, we would wish we did.
    You’re put it because you think you should have seen something before and you didn’t? So you using that as an excuse to make the BVI suffer, make it a poor third world country that looked help in the face and told it to F— off.
    Disgusting.
  • Reality check (26/03/2018, 14:47) Like (19) Dislike (11) Reply
    Ms. Deloris is darn right about her position. She is a different kind of Leader she loves country.
  • Suit him. (26/03/2018, 15:02) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    If he had switch the thing up a year ago.. They would have known that u are in control.. Can't blame her for saying that..
  • cromwell (26/03/2018, 15:09) Like (12) Dislike (6) Reply
    If the UK had any sence they would close the book, make the BVI independent and leave the amerture government and their country to sink by it's own stupidity. Why should it bother to try and help people who don't realize they need help.
    • Trueblooded (26/03/2018, 16:03) Like (15) Dislike (9) Reply
      And we will not die. They tried it before when we had a lot of mountain doves and ground doves. We did not die. We ate them for food, fished and got Financial Services and Social Security and all of a sudden they think it is too good for the Cushites. Well, just like you see the Cushites, they will remain resilient, strong and forward thinking. Let's rally around true-blooded Virgin Islanders. Delores is one of them!!
      • ture (27/03/2018, 08:50) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        your a fool to think that independence is so easy, look at Dominica after 30+ years and it has much more natural resources than the BVI.
  • Im surprise at D. (26/03/2018, 15:19) Like (14) Dislike (20) Reply
    You are so wrong about Sir Bronson. Who's a better ambassador for the BVI than him... How many countries would wish to have him be speaking and promoting on their behalf. Who else could have broght the Obamos here and give the bvi international press attention.. Your motive seems to be selfishness and power..Doc has leadership issues. You shouldn't have attack Richard like that. There were no need for that.. U disappointed me..
    • TJS (26/03/2018, 16:06) Like (13) Dislike (19) Reply
      Wrong What!! If you look at how those rich guys are undermining the BVI and BVI Islanders to their advantage you would shut your mouth defending them. Even to the very treasures on our ocean beds they are milking. Do you know they have their own submarines over there scanning our oceans without any authority to stop them from taking what they want? don't talk about restrictions on fisher man. We eat, drink and sleep with them. But don't for one minute think they are looking out for our best interest over their own.
    • Observer (26/03/2018, 18:29) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      If you read what Hon. Delores said in the context that it was said, you would realize that her concern was not with Mr. Branson, but with the channelling of information about the role he has been playing. It seems to be implied that the Governor has been knowledgeable of this also. The question therefore arises, "what laws or protocols are there in place governing Mr. Branson's or any other person's role in negotiating on our behalf? Secondly, why do I get the impression that the members of the House of Assembly do not necessarily need to be involved or have any say in such matters?
    • ausar (26/03/2018, 19:48) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
      You're wrong, "Im surprise at D"!!!

      If Branson was any real ambassador passenger arrivals to these shores would have been at an all time high given the fact that. he owns an airline.

      This is where his ambassador ship skills should have been placed.
    • the rock (27/03/2018, 05:54) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Only problrm i have with richard is thst he could of built a hospital for the people of vg long time ago or a secondary school. In otherr words invest in heslth and education. No better way to show love.


      • @the rock (28/03/2018, 00:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        IF GOVERNMENT WAS NOT IN THE WAY..! I am sure he and the other more wealthy belongers would have. But, it's the pervasive cancerous sentiment displayed in these comments and by the likes of Delores who wouldn't countenance someone white or British doing anything like that. This sort of backwards thinking and the bull about edomites or colonialism will be the slow killer of opportunity for these islands. Such ignorance. Such arrogance. The people need to sweep people like Dolores to the side and get on with building a better more self-sufficient BVI. And by the way, it's no secret the UK wants all OTs to pay for themselves and be financially independent. any form of control or responsibility for the BVI is not attractive AT ALL.
  • Because (26/03/2018, 15:54) Like (9) Dislike (5) Reply
    Yep, she is right, because Sir Richard wouldn't be anybody and wouldn't have any businesses if it weren't for the BVI. It's not as though he is a Billionnaire or anything.
  • Oh yea? (26/03/2018, 15:59) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    This has nothing to do with votes oh who running for elections. This is about standing up once and for all for something that is right.
  • Sharkbite! (26/03/2018, 16:06) Like (22) Dislike (3) Reply

    Sir Richard Branson with all of his money, what has he stepped up to do for the BVI? If he so love this country, tell him go break down Cane Garden Bay School and rebuild it properly or fix two blocks of schools at the BVI High School. 

    • Cayman (26/03/2018, 16:43) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
      I heard a billionaire rebuild Cayman Islands after it was destroyed. What is Brandson doing for us. Another billionaire in Vg told him to put his money where his mouth is. A waste of time.
    • trrefdrfds (26/03/2018, 18:56) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      How about some of those rich belongers maybe do that?
  • Seriously fed-up (26/03/2018, 16:42) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Four choices right now. Either Doc resign. Call election, fire some of these members or the opposers launch h a take over and let the chip fall where they may..any one of those options need to happen ASSP..
  • um (26/03/2018, 17:54) Like (5) Dislike (11) Reply
    So because you are jealous on a gentleman that has the ears of the worlds leaders and money men and went to bat on behalf of the BVI as it’s his home, you want to play petty and stamp your feet like a baby. Have you heard of the Elders and Mr B? Nobody is selling anyone’s Birthright and the BVI Belongers are not under attack, the UK is not coming for us - GROW UP. The BVI is cesspool of corruption especially in govt and to get decent loans that help the many and not just a few with their hands in the cookie jar we need an independent agency.
  • Interested (26/03/2018, 18:56) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
    Poor Deloris.Somebody has her towing their line.
  • @voteout (26/03/2018, 19:24) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    It's sad when you can't see those people who are amongst us ulterior motive. He wants Electricity and Water privitised so he can buy up everything and make us slaves?
    Come on Willock, Fraser, Andrew, join with the others and do something!!
    • VoteOut (27/03/2018, 10:13) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      Prime example of pure nonsense masquerading as people’s-hero-revolutionary conspiracy fact. You SO far from knowing what you talking about it’s a joke. 1. That Branson is interested in big money privatizing deals, not small little insignificant investments like BVI EC! How buys nation’s infrastructure, not tiny little village infrastructure like the BVI. Second, if he buys BVI EC first thing he will do is turn it into solar and wind power because thats what he advocated for years now. Third, what nonsense are you talking about he wants to makes us slaves? Seriously? You think that’s on the man agenda, for real? When I tell my child it’s time to go bed and he tells me he scared because the monster in the cupboard going attacking him, you think I believe him, or do I tell him hush, don’t worry, some stories just aren’t true. 200 years ago some white people wanted to make slaves of African people. How you getting that old time confused with the world in front your eyes, I don’t know except if you choose willful ignorance to avoid your missing intelligence.
  • dude (26/03/2018, 20:02) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    It's exploitation of our situation. Trying to make us sign to secret agreements not disclosed to us. The Native Americans probablyhad the same debates in America and we see how that worked out for them. Don't sign white ppl paper without knowing what you're signing. That's common sense those who don't agree just don't have any b/c they want their material back or anything else. After 400yrs of sufferation injustice colonization & slavery we don't trust british agreements anymore unless we have input.
  • Josiahsbay (26/03/2018, 21:55) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    If Branson wants to save the BVI there must be something in it for him and if there is something in it for him he will steer the recovery towards that end. Where Europeans control and dominate they are always the prime recipient of those efforts and they are sill it that do for self mode.
  • 007 (26/03/2018, 21:57) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Country Above Self!!! 6 Months After Irma......
  • RealTalk (26/03/2018, 22:01) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
    All of u bashing, why u all dont come up wit solutions?
    Social security money is a solution? S this d only thing you guys can com up wit?
    I dont hear one solution n d house
    The peir park thats all i will say 30million missing
    No one held accountable
    All this about s geeedy ppl who want the money in there hand to mis manage it.
    Eat ur pride n vote for the money
    If note do it urself.
  • VotedOut (27/03/2018, 07:59) Like (6) Dislike (6) Reply
    Delores you lost my vote.
    What a set of nonsense you making up! Branson - if we didn’t have a Branson here to go to his powerful friends and seek help, we would wish we did.
    If you so stupid to think that anyone who is white must be scheming against you, you don’t deserve my vote any more.
    All this anti white nonsense just makes bvislanders look stupid. Serious. If the only way you can interpret any event is by seeing it through slavery eyes, how are you able to advance our territory and people? This mindset will make you a slave! In order to make smart moves you need to use intelligence, not simple melanin calculation formula.
    Branson wants to help. That much is obvious and clear as the water. Any other interpretation is willful lying to play to the crowd.
    And if you so upset you didn’t see a document you feel you should have - why the hell the whole BVI should go down the pan because you ain’t big enough to deal with that?
    Get a grip and use some intelligence, not stupidness that only serve to make poeple think we are a stupid people, which most of us, Ms Christopher, are not.
  • Online Now (27/03/2018, 09:50) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    All these people knocking Branson but yet all these multimillionaire politicians have got rich based on investments in the BVI, many of which are undeclared - and therefore may amount to insider trading.

    He should just leave you all to it.
  • Digusted (28/03/2018, 00:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    while the likes of Delores want to keep this place looking worse than a poor Nairobi suburb, you have not just Branson but others as well working hard from day one to bring the World's attention and recovery efforts to the BVI. He goes off and gets some solutions, realising the enormity and then tries to offer those solutions to the powers that be - Govt and the UK, realising that he has some influence and public persona. Then you badmouth him with conspiracy theories that are not even logical. When it boils down to it, there's a section of ignorant society here (as there is elsewhere) that has decided to mistrust and treat badly anyone who does not look like them. When that is lunatic white supremacists in the southern US or Russia, we say that sort of attitude is wrong, when it Israel expelling Africans because they are African, we say it is wrong and it is also wrong here. It's moronic and it is squarely against the prosperity of the BVI and its people. It also take up so much of your energy to hate mindlessly when you could use that energy negotiating real solutions.

    Those trying to hold us back just want a poorly educated BVI where citizens are not well off without government handouts and backhanders so that they can keep the electorate dependent on their power. Be very wary. If you really want to shut out those others who come with solutions and ideas for the betterment of the BVI just because they have more money than you or were not born here, like so many other Belongers, you may just get what you wish for and that will disastrous for the future of this country.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.