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A walk out? HoA lost quorum when ‘Vote of No Confidence’ was to be read!

The House of Assembly was lacking a quorum last night, October 30, 2024, when Leader of the Opposition Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) was ready to read the Motion on the Vote of No Confidence against the sitting government. Photo: YouTube
Leader of the Opposition Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) and his Members have walked out of the House of Assembly on many occasions, including when important bills related to the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) were to be addressed. Photo: YouTube
Leader of the Opposition Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) and his Members have walked out of the House of Assembly on many occasions, including when important bills related to the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) were to be addressed. Photo: YouTube
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The ‘Vote of No Confidence’ was the last item on the Order Paper of the Continuation of the Twentieth Sitting of the First Session of the Firth House of Assembly (HoA); however, it was after 11:00 PM last evening, October 30, 2024, and at the time when Leader of the Opposition Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) was ready to read the motion the House was lacking a quorum.

It appears that most Government Members had left the Chambers, along with the absence of Hon Marlon A Penn (R8) who is leaving for a Commonwealth Parliamentary Trip with other HoA Members to Australia.

With the lack of a quorum of seven, which does not include the Attorney General, this was brought to the attention of the Hon Speaker Corine N. George-Massicote in keeping with Standing Orders 9: 1 & 2.

Hon George-Massicote then requested that the Sergeant of Arms summon Members back to the Chambers; however, most of the Government Members appeared to have already left the compound since she had placed the House on recess after Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), the Minister for Communications and Works, had finished a motion to add a new Committee to the House. The motion was passed.

Opposition uses the 'walkout' as a tool

Without a quorum, the motion on the Vote of No Confidence was not heard; therefore, the Speaker was forced to adjourn the HoA. It is unclear when the motion will be heard, as a new Sitting will start on November 11, 2024, when the Budget Address will be delivered.

The Opposition has walked out of the HoA on more than one occasion.

With the Sitting of Tuesday, October 29, 2024, after the Supplementary Additional Provision (SAP) was passed, the Opposition, with the exception of Hon Melvin M Turnbull (R2), had left the Chambers. This resulted in the SAP debate being put off until last evening, October 30, 2024, even though all Government Members were present and there was a quorum.

12 Responses to “A walk out? HoA lost quorum when ‘Vote of No Confidence’ was to be read!”

  • IS THST A HOOD SIGN (31/10/2024, 09:33) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    WE THE PEOPLE ARE ASKING JUDGE WIGO & CSC / WHO ALWAYS KNOW MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE
    • @ IS THST A HOOD SIGN (31/10/2024, 12:11) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      Leave wigo Cindy alone she had nothing to do with this
  • WELP (31/10/2024, 09:44) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    SMH We aint ready they all gone on trips instead of vote and then we complain about things not getting no better!
  • democracy or not (31/10/2024, 09:55) Like (35) Dislike (14) Reply
    The premier placed the motion of no confidence at the end of the order paper deliberately. His intentions towards the opposition are not good at all. Just like how Donald Trump is in the US so he is in the VI. This is not good at all.
    • @democracy or not (31/10/2024, 11:24) Like (13) Dislike (5) Reply
      And, if you look at the photo, it is the members of the government side who are missing. Were they nervous/afraid about being asked to vote on record?
    • Legitimate tactic (31/10/2024, 13:16) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
      Its a legitimate tactic part of the rules . It is strategic for him because they are using the no confidence as a strategy also. Even it passed they would be just like the dog that caught the tire on a car , after chasing it forever wouldnt know what to do whne it finally catches it.
  • Channel 11 (31/10/2024, 10:31) Like (18) Dislike (10) Reply
    Imagine the man who they call slow have them running around in circles. What a wanka!!
  • The watchdog (31/10/2024, 12:12) Like (8) Dislike (5) Reply
    Ayo keep playing with showada he is a master at this game
  • candy (31/10/2024, 12:55) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
    you all will only get out the premiere next election but with all his Given out he will end up like his grand father
  • hmm (31/10/2024, 13:02) Like (2) Dislike (15) Reply
    Look at where our house of assembly is held cant we see that we have outgrown that place why cant we have a more classy spacious elegant place what is wrong with BVI where is the pride.
  • Anonymous (31/10/2024, 16:24) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Time the government grow balls
    • Games.. (01/11/2024, 04:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      These people keep playing games..They need to stand up, be present, show up to work and let the process works in respect of the people.


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