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

Dr Wheatley slams Opposition for 'self-serving negativity' towards Fahie Gov’t

-calls for end to disruptive & deceptive criticisms coming from VI opposition
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture Dr. Hon. Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has slammed members of the Opposition for being constantly negative towards the sitting government. Photo: GIS/Facebook
The VI opposition is made up of Leader Hon Malon A. Penn (top right) and opposition members Hon Julian Fraser RA (bottom left), Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (top left) and Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (bottom right). Photo: VINO/File
The VI opposition is made up of Leader Hon Malon A. Penn (top right) and opposition members Hon Julian Fraser RA (bottom left), Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (top left) and Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (bottom right). Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr. Hon. Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has slammed members of the Opposition for being constantly negative towards the sitting government.

“As a part of government we may give criticisms behind closed doors and we might hash it out and fight it out and try to get to a better position. So criticism is healthy but we have a certain kind of criticism which is disruptive and which is deceptive to the public and it is a type of criticism where it is self-serving,” he said to his Opposition colleagues on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 during the 2022 budget debate.

Hon Wheatley said the self-serving criticisms may be coming because the Opposition is trying to gain power, “I think we have to keep away from that type of thing,” he said.

The VI Opposition is made up of a Leader, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8), Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4), Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) and Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2). 

Dr the Hon Wheatley added, “We have to work our best to try to build the Virgin Islands; we cannot mislead persons and we cannot deceive them and some persons may see that as their job, they describe it as their job, but I don’t really see this as our job as representatives. I think we should be as honest as possible and say the truth as we understand it.”

He said the politics “has become more toxic” and that he despises when a party wants to get into power or wants their friends in power, they “tend to be extremely negative about everything,” Dr Wheatley said. 

Focus on your vision - Dr the Hon Wheatley 

“In my view, if you want to justify [that] you want to be in office let the people know what your vision is, focus on your vision for the Virgin Islands, focus on what you want to see. The difference between what this administration is doing and what you would do; instead of being negative about everything and just looking for things to happen, I don’t think its progressive and I don’t think it helps the people at all.” 

The Deputy Premier said when the VIP administration succeeds, the entire VI succeeds.

“You have Opposition members who probably figure that if they asked the question or they went and they made a statement to the media that they are responsible for the progress that takes place in a particular area."

"I don’t think that is a mature way to look at it I think Mr. Speaker, we have challenges in our communities whether you are an Opposition member, whether you are a backbencher or a ministerial colleague. Let’s have a conversation,” he said. 

Hon Wheatley however, extended congratulations to Hon Vanterpool for his position of being a politician but a statesman and said Mr. Vanterpool is not afraid to give criticisms and praises when it is deserving, and this he says, is the posture that all Legislators should take.

 

 

 

14 Responses to “Dr Wheatley slams Opposition for 'self-serving negativity' towards Fahie Gov’t ”

  • BS! (16/12/2021, 12:36) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
    Honourable (?!?) SoWhatsGoingOn? Got jokes meh son.
    • This man (17/12/2021, 08:33) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
      Just rubs me the wrong way. Vision? Where is the vision you have for the school system that is in a mess. The only vision you have is walking around like you are some kind of preppy black boy on the fly from the East side.
  • Man please (16/12/2021, 13:52) Like (35) Dislike (2) Reply
    But were you not doing the same? dude You are running scared that you are about to vacate your seat soon. Man ain’t no one listening to you and your BS. GO FIX THE SCHOOLS.
    • @man please (16/12/2021, 20:38) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
      I could shake your hand a million times. That is what he needs to do. Fix the schools. Up and down talking shit.
  • Long bag crew (16/12/2021, 14:14) Like (32) Dislike (0) Reply
    What I want to know is why replacing the gym Ac cost so much. This is good criticism
  • Hey Sir (16/12/2021, 14:14) Like (18) Dislike (2) Reply
    Like Ludacris rap song say MOVEEEE GET OUT THE WAY. YOU NEED TO MOVEEEEE GET OUT THE WAYYYYY.
    • laughing (16/12/2021, 18:03) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      After I read Hey Sir comment I had to listen to that rap song. Still laughing. moveee get out the way B***h moveee.
  • karma (16/12/2021, 14:56) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    Self-serving negativity is the House that the Fahie Government built. Dismantle it and nothing left. Don't take our word for it. Just play the tapes of every single member and their cronies on the election stage. It was stifling. So happy you are finally being choked with it as well.
  • lol (16/12/2021, 15:00) Like (12) Dislike (5) Reply
    pathetic, you cant take the heat get out of the kitchen. Just like you always running down the gov and uk
  • Sam (16/12/2021, 15:26) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    it is often told that those that uphold is no different from those that actually did the taking.

    some of those that now standing in the halls of congress can not distance themselves from the missing plane; sewage money(east end); pier park; and the wall

    suddenly some of them pretending to squeaky clean and full of political integrity after 8 years of political silence knowing fully well what they political associates were doing wrong with the tax money



  • think about it (17/12/2021, 06:35) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    If you don’t want negative comments, do something positive. Fixing the schools comes to mind, nor spending hundreds of thousands on security for schools, or putting ac in the Sports Complex.
  • Citizen (17/12/2021, 08:36) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    This govt is always in campaign mode, now he complains when he gets a response.
  • musa (17/12/2021, 19:14) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    1 time deal back to hlscc


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.