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‘Fact checked’ on Hon Walwyn: The biggest hypocrite in HoA!
While debating the motion to award two Junior Ministers- Hons Marlon A. Penn (R8) and Archibald C. Christian (AL)- a raise in pay, he called on the people to fact check what politicians say “as they often do not tell the truth.”
Hon Walwyn speaks from 2 sides of his mouth!
Mr Walwyn, who continues to struggle to remain relevant, claimed in the HoA yesterday that he wants policies to protect local businesses. However, the Leader of Government Business and Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith (AL) is wrapping up a trip in Asia where he told businesses that the Virgin Islands(VI) is opened for overseas investment and that he does not support protectionism, like what Hon Walwyn now advocates.
Hon Walwyn said on October 31, 2016 in the HoA that “we have a small business community and a very small market and you must develop policies to protect the local businesses and you must not be ashamed of it…you must make no apology for it at all…”
He contradicted his Leader, Premier Smith, who just told the Asian Market that “the growth of our economies, depend on continued globalisation of trade and opening of markets around the world.”
It is clear the Administration is in conflict with their message, therefore, our newsroom is not clear who now speaks for the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) regime or who to believe.
Can’t protect locals- Hon Walwyn
In January of this year, while addressing teachers, the same Hon Walwyn showed yet again how two-faced and a hypocrite he has become when he told the public that due to the vast difference between the VI society of years gone by and now that the government can no longer write laws to protect locals.
"In today’s society, our Government cannot write laws and implement policies to completely protect our local population like we did years ago. There are many occasions where we wish we could do more to protect opportunities for our people, but the world doesn’t work that way anymore," the Minister said.
He added, "the world that we are in today is more complex, filled with conflict and tension, and our people must learn how to adapt to this and positively respond for their success and for our continued success." In other words, Hon Walwyn was implying local people and businesses are on their own and the NDP Government cannot help them.
Walwyn can sell but others can’t?
Another clear sign that he must be labeled “hypocrite Walwyn”, based on our ‘fact check’ results, is his opposition to the sale of Rite Way Food Markets (RWFM), reportedly to be purchased by a Canadian company North West, which owns popular food chain Cost U Less, and also has stores in the USVI and globally.
At yet another sitting of the HoA earlier this year, Hon Walwyn continued his usual rant. “There is something coming down the pipeline that I will be very vocal on when the time comes as companies are coming in here, trying to displace our local people...I am going to stand on the forefront of it because it is our job as legislators, not to just talk; talk is cheap, money buy land. You stand up and protect the interests of [the] people," he said, referring to the sale of RWFM.
However, it was unearthed that he is two-faced as he has been trying to block others from selling their business while selling his law firm- the former Orion Law- to a foreign company in a big merger deal in December of 2015.
It means that Orion Law, a firm founded by him and Speaker of the HoA Hon Ingrid A. Moses, no longer exists as it has merged with a law firm based in the Cayman Islands, Travers Thorp Alberga.
So it’s clear in our ‘fact check’ that Hon Walwyn says one thing for public consumption but does another when it benefits himself.
We have taken up Hon Walwyn’s challenge as he requested we do in the HoA, to ‘fact check’ local politicians to ensure they are telling the truth.
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42 Responses to “‘Fact checked’ on Hon Walwyn: The biggest hypocrite in HoA!”
You just as stupid as MW.
Politicians can say whatever they want with impunity. For that reason, I believe NOTHING they say. I let their actions speak for them.
They have not allowed the sale of Riteway to Cost U Less to proceed, so in this case, I would have to conclude "someone" did not tell the potential Chinese investors the truth. The Premier has said that it is "being considered". A very long time ago, Ralph O'Neal told me the same thing. I have been waiting on his answer for more than 20 years! When he retired from politics, I sort of figured out the answer was no.
Selective protectionism is very much alive and well in the BVI! This government likes to cherry pick the projects they will allow. The rest join the pile where my request went years ago.
The Premier has the last word on Trade and Investment as it falls under his portfolio. He has the ability to approve or disapprove anything he chooses. But when family is involved - (wife, brother-in-law, fellow minister and fellow party member), I guess it becomes a little tricky. Personal relations SHOULDN'T have any bearing on anything, but this is our government in the sunshine.
It looks better if the Education minister puts up a fuss about it. Makes it much easier for the Premier to disallow the sale and take at least some of the spotlight off him. Having said that, don't think for one minute that objections from Mr. Walwyn or anyone else would actually prevent the Premier from doing whatever he likes. The buck stops with him.