Alliance meets with Governor; Hons Skelton & Penn notably absent
The meeting was held to discuss “serious concerns surrounding the recently published Criminal Law Enforcement Review and the Commission of Inquiry”, and attended by Opposition Leader Hon Myron W. Walwyn (R6), Hon Melvin M Turnbull (R2), and Hon Stacy R. Mather (AL).
The meeting was announced on the official Facebook Page of The Alliance, of which all three Opposition Members present at the meeting are a part.
‘I think it wasn’t wise to go separately’- Hon Penn
Speaking with Virgin Islands News Online (VINO), moments ago, both Hon Skelton and Hon Penn confirmed that information regarding the meeting with Governor Pruce was sent in the Opposition’s group chat.
Hon Skelton informed that he was out of the territory and only returned yesterday afternoon.
Asked whether or not he would have attended if he were not away, he replied that he does not respond to “hypotheticals”.
Meanwhile, Hon Penn informed that he chose not to attend the meeting.
“I opted not to go because we made a collective decision to deal with this issue as an entire House. I think it wasn’t wise to go separately when, as a House, we made a decision to deal with the matter,” he explained.
The strained relationship between the three members, who formed what they term a parliamentary alliance, and Hons Penn and Skelton has been more noticeable.
Recently, Hon Penn and Hon Skelton buried the hatchet. The Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) was dissolved, and the National Democratic Party (NDP) was revamped, with Hon Skelton returning to the NDP.
Hons Walwyn, Turnbull and Mather have not publicly revealed their intentions regarding the NDP.
Glad for the opportunity to raise concerns- Hon Walwyn
The Alliance’s announcement revealed that the meeting with Governor Pruce lasted two hours and provided an opportunity to directly represent the views and concerns of the people of the Virgin Islands at the highest level.
“We recognise that the matters addressed in the Criminal Law Enforcement Review have significant implications for the governance and the future of law enforcement in our territory. It is therefore critical that the voice of the people is heard and carefully considered in any reforms that are proposed,” the Alliance stated.
During the meeting, the opposition said, among other things, they made clear their staunch disagreements with the recommendation made that the Governor re-specify his powers under Section 60 of the Virgin Islands Constitution and made a call for the responsibility for customs and immigration to remain within the control of the local government.
“We were glad for this opportunity to raise concerns from the public with respect to the Criminal Law Enforcement Review. His Excellency listened intently and gave us the assurance that the concerns raised on behalf of the people of the Virgin Islands will be given much consideration,” Hon Walwyn said.
The Opposition and Alliance members said they remain committed to “ensuring that transparency, fairness, and respect for the rights and aspirations of the Virgin Islands people remain at the forefront of any ongoing or future reforms”.
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18 Responses to “Alliance meets with Governor; Hons Skelton & Penn notably absent”
Bvi better look some eligible ladies to run for Election . Look T&T just got a female PM .We tired of these bl**dy Men now-Looking Power.
Push and fix the Greedy Bill then perhaps, maybe we can talk.
If it is true that they all did agreed to dialogue with Governor, Daniel Pruce, as a united front according to Hon. minister, Marlon Penn, and if it is also true that Hon. Ronnie Skelton was not in the B.V.I when the meeting took place with the governor, and the three disbranched opposition members, I think, in my opinion, that the meeting should have been rescheduled, so that all opposition would have gotten the their fair opportunity to air their greiviance, and made known, face to face, their opposition position against the topic issue concerns. I too, as they are, have indept concern, about ultimate UK'S wide-gapped imbalance political policies that it seek to force its so-called "peace-through-strenght tactics on us. We are not their cows to be branded, and drenched, but equally human, as the are.