Who will it be? NDP internal drama over final Junior Minister!
Hon Marlon A. Penn In!
It was this news site that first and accurately broke the news that the NDP administration had settled on one of two Junior Ministers in the person of second term and popular 8th District Representative Hon Marlon A. Penn. However, to date the NDP has failed to make the announcement.
Fight over second choice!
While there is unanimous agreement within the ruling party for Hon Penn (R8) to serve as a junior Minister, a debate is ongoing as to the final junior Minister.
It is reported that the debate is among the choice of third term Member of Parliament and Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly (HoA) Hon Delores Christopher (R5), newcomer Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) and second term At Large Representative Hon. Archibald C. Christian.
Those in the debate who are supporting Hon Christopher are claiming that she is the most seasoned back bencher having been in office from 2003-2007 and then again in 2011 to current and that there needs to be some representation of women at higher levels in the male dominated NDP Government.
Others who are supporting newcomer Hon Turnbull are claiming that he is the future of the party, while others in the party who oppose to his appointment as the second Junior Minister are claiming “he just come.”
Finally, there are those in the internal debate supporting Hon Christian, who seems to have the support of the NDP establishment. It appears that the NDP prefers the At-Large system over the district system and seems to govern by giving preference to its At-Large Members, however, according to the Virgin Islands Constitution both District Representatives and Territorial Members are equal Members of the HoA.
It appears that neither second term Representative Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines (R6) nor Dr The Honourable Hubert O’Neal (R9) are being considered for the post of Junior Minister.
In the hands of Premier Smith
The same source told our newsroom that the decision is now in the hands of Premier Smith as “everyone had their say.” It remains unclear when Premier Smith, whose critics claim is not good at making timely decisions, will choose the final Junior Minister and when he will make the announcement.
Efforts to get a comment from Dr Smith were not successful as of post time.
Background to appointment of a Junior Minister
Following the request from the Government of the Virgin Islands to amend the Constitution to allow for the creation of two Junior Minister posts, the Governor conveyed a formal request to the appropriate authorities in the United Kingdom.
“The Governor’s Office is pleased to announce that the Virgin Islands Constitution (Amendment) Order, 2015 (the ‘Order’) has been approved by the Privy Council. It has been laid before the United Kingdom Parliament and will come into force on 5 November, 2015,” stated a press release from the Governor’s Office on October 29, 2015.
It further stated that consequently, from November 5, 2015 the Governor would be able to appoint, on the advice of the Premier, two Junior Ministers from among the elected members of the House of Assembly.
The new Minsters will not be members of Cabinet, but will assist in the performance of Ministerial functions relating to economic development. The exact portfolios will be agreed on the recommendation of the Premier.
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55 Responses to “Who will it be? NDP internal drama over final Junior Minister!”
Tortola got one V.G should get the other if first comers are being considered. Fair is fair. Who vex,vex.
M..ch get to big for his breeches. He is so arrogant and pompous…Cannot stand him now..He has changed for the worse. You cannot mis God and politics…bam!
I agree with the person who said M**** has let this position gone to his head. He is very stuck-up now, never thought I would see that in him. But I guess that's what position does to black people. Marlon makes a better candidate for the position than any of the others on the list, so give it to him.