Gov Rankin reportedly threatens to use Sec. 85 of VI Constitution to reconvene HoA
Many believe that the report is another biased one that lacks balance, failed to interview those subjected, and that the report is also reportedly filled with inaccuracies.
Attorney General did not object to programme
It is our understanding that when the Fast-track programme originally went to Cabinet, the then Attorney General Mr Baba F. Aziz reportedly shared no objection and recognised it was a policy matter that fell under the purview of the government.
However, Auditor General Ms Sonia M. Webster disagrees and has pointed out persons on the list whom she believes should not have been fast-tracked.
In his anxiety to reportedly embarrass the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government, our news center understands that Governor John J. Rankin, CMG, is demanding that a special Sitting of the House is called and that the report be laid so that it can be made public.
Sources close to the House of Assembly have told our news center that the House will meet on Monday, April 17, 2023, according to the instructions and powers of the Governor.
One local blog 'Guavaberry Media' is reportedly carrying false headlines claiming that it is the VIP who wished for the meeting of the House, however, the Government does not have the power to reconvene the House at the moment.
Governor hold discretionary powers
Within the HoA, neither the Premier nor the House Speaker can reconvene the House once dissolved, only the Governor has the powers to do so and it is a discretionary power once he deems it necessary under Section 85 of the constitution, "Recalling dissolved House of Assembly in case of emergency."
The section states, "If, between a dissolution of the House of Assembly and the next ensuing general election, an emergency arises of such a nature that, in the opinion of the Governor, it is necessary for the House to be recalled, the Governor may, acting after consultation with the Premier, summon the House that has been dissolved, and that House shall thereupon be deemed (except for the purposes of section 86) not to have been dissolved, but shall be deemed (except as aforesaid) to be dissolved on the date on which the next ensuing general election is held."
The section implies that the Governor can reconvene the House between its dissolution and the next General Election which is on April 24, 2023.
There are also concerns by the Auditor General and the Governor regarding fast-track approved persons flagged in the report, who can now vote, and whether the presence of these new voters can compromise the official list of registered voters for the upcoming elections.
Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) and Governor's office did not immediately respond to our queries on the matter.
This story is still developing and our news center will bring more details as they become available.
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101 Responses to “Gov Rankin reportedly threatens to use Sec. 85 of VI Constitution to reconvene HoA”
. The rules of the colonizers and the governing order of the colonizers…. has brought this chaos.
Its simple. Fahie ( no one else ) designed the fast track so that you could become a resident and belonger at the same time. The law however says that you must be a resident for 12 months before becoming a belonger
If these both at the same time people vote in the election it would open up the possibility of a legal challenge to the validity of their votes. Only the HOA can resolve this by either changing the law or barring those people from voting.
If they bar them from voting that would open up another legal challenge.
Its basically yet another BVI snafu
https://bvi.public-inquiry.uk/sites/default/files/2021-10/Hearing%20Day%2048%20Transcript%20%28redacted%29.pdf
i think that there werr so many people who were fast tracked who dont even live here..( i know of a few and advised immigration at the tine) that it could very well open thw door to the loosing political party to contest the elections, if inded there are named individuals in the report who end up voting. It needs to be resolved and these people banned from voting until a full and complete audit is made of those who received belongership or residency ( steppping stine to belongership) otherwise the outcome of this election could be compromised. it needs sorting.
there are so many people who retyrned to the territory to file for fast teack even after they uad been away for years....they didnt even have to prrove that they live here, didnt even have to sign a document saying that under the threat legal recourse they are signing as true and correct. I know some LAWYERS who filed for fast traj, knowing that they didnt meet the criteria, but they still wend agead and did so and were approved. i dont disagree with the fast track process, i just disagree with the way that it was processed without due dilligence
1) Make it seem as if the Government did something wrong again and he is the knight in shinning armor to sweep in & save the day & good governance.
2) Threaten to take off 700 names off the voters list so they do not get to vote for who he does not want in power.
3) Open back the House to save the 700 names on the voters list but while doing so he gets more mischief done by getting the auditor general report on the VIP fast track for belongers only and not the NDP one in 2019 before the last elections for only a few rich white friends.
4) Divide the country further with locals verses expats especially those from the Caribbean.
5) Get to now pressure Immigration more to immediately approve his huge number of upper class Uk white friends.
Talk about another well organized plot once again disguised as preserving good governance. Time alone will deal with these plots as he has plenty more to come because that is all he and his gang plans all day.
"However, Auditor General Ms Sonia M. Webster disagrees and has pointed out persons on the list whom she believes should not have been fast-tracked."
Where was the Auditor General when the last AG gave his legal advice? Where was the last Governor when the last AG gave his advice? So, the people must now suffer because two different AG have two different legal advice especially with the latter being now given long after the fact?
These are high stake dangerous games being played with people's lives by the Governor and others with professional egos and political agendas.
This is not good by the people at all.
Mr White still in command; some thought 1834 was the last but look clearly 2023
If as Virgin Islanders we have nothing good to speak about each other what do you expect will continue to go on
very shameful we have no pride in ourselves and no respect for history
Look sharp Mr White might disrupt the political elections
Ask yourselves the question, why did Fahie introduce the fast track initiative, could it have been because the UK was considering abolishing Belongership ????
if the loosing party decides to question the validity of voters right to vote, they could ask for a recount or invalidate the election all together.
people were graned belongershop / voting rights by falsly subbmitting applications for bongership / residency. these people need to be prevented from voting and have their rights removed immesiately. they lied in their applications, wilfully and knowingly submitted under false pretences. even lawyers who disnt even live herr for years submitted. they should be removed from tge bvi bar association and be stripped if their immigration statuss,
Rankin , HMM.. those who were for you , will find out who you really are… and you are just starting. I really don’t understand your stance in this day and age… yea there are some corruption that needs weaving out… but this stunt you pulled is on a whole other lever mehson.
We understand that some who ran down there to give news in an improper manner about fellow BVIslanders are on the election ticket - but geez just come out and campaign for them then.
I hope someone impartial is looking into this Governor’s behavior
Can’t we just be left to focus on who next will run this country.
Moreover, the VI supposedly share power with the UK, the Administering Power, which is tasked with assisting and guiding the VI towards a full measure of self-governing. In the supposed partnership, the UK is responsible for external affairs, defense, internal security ( including the RVIPF), civil service, judiciary; VI, remaining functions. However, though it is billed as a partnership, the UK has unilateral power. The VI constitution is a dependency model constitution with the UK-appointed Governor having special reserved powers, retained special responsibilities, power of assent on bills passed by HoA, and even powers devolved to the VI can be easily reverse, ie, suspending the constitution. Currently, by an order in council, the VI constitution was suspended but is being held in abeyance like Damocles Sword over the VI.
Further, former Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert on the way out the door in January 2021, hand-picked a single commissioner, Gary Hickingbottom, to conduct a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into governance in the BVI and make recommendations for improvement. Many viewed the CoI as controversial, one-sided, partisan, racist,?showed indifference to functions under the purview of the Governor. The CoI had numerous findings with approx 49 recommendations. The major recommendation was suspending the constitution and inserting UK direct rule. It appeared that the UK was ready and poised about suspending the constitution. Premier Natalio Wheatley’s effort was instrumental in forming a Unity Government consisting of the governing party and opposition to at lease pause the suspension of the constitution. The UK agreed to the pause, though the constitution was eventually suspended and is being held in abeyance. It appears that the working relationship between parties was at best luke warm, ie, government and Mount Olympus. And though the constitution was not officially suspended, the Governor seemed to be wielding much influence and power as noted above the Governor wields unilateral power. For example, it is alleged ( opinion) that the Governor may be putting his thumbs on the scale in regards to the upcoming general election on April 24. It goes without saying that the governor should not have dogs in the election fight and should not take any action that may destabilize, show preference ( not even just appearance of is bad and cast doubt on his neutrality). Professionalism deserves no less.
I guess people like you just don’t care. No matter what, you’re going to ignore the wrongdoings by the VIP/Unity government and cast blame on everyone else.
Let us go forward and work collectively with each other to ensure that all the residents benefit from this economic and social development of Territory. We need to educate our youths on technologies they can use to enhance themselves. No more we will surrender to the British. Massa Days are Over and we don't need the British to dictate to us.
Ss for the auditor general she is a strong NDP and SANDY HER STEP SISTER FOR RUNNING NDP NOT ONLY THAT THE GM BREWLY IS THE AUDITOR GENERAL FATHER AND SANDY STEPFATHER ...DO THEY TACKLING FROM SLL SIDES AND BALD HEAD ... MALON...THE PAST AND PRESENT SPEAKER THEY GO TO ANY LENGHT TO VIP FAIL
WHY SHOULD THE VIP SUFFER FOR ONE MAN FOR HISPERSONAL AGENDA.......PEOPLE OF THE BVI ..BVI IT TIME TO TAKE THIS TO THE STREET AND MARCH AND SAY NO TO THE GOVENOR....NO TO REMOVING WHAT EVER HIS INTENTION IS BVI HAVE STAND UP AND DONT LET THIS DEMONIC ATTIVITY PREVAIL OVER US WE CANT STAND ON THE SIDE LINE AND BE WEAK
The NDP HAVE NO LOVE AND WAS NEVER A PEOPLE GOVERMENT THEY WAS ALLWAYS AND WILL BE FOR THERE RICH BLACK AND WHITE FRIENDS ASK PICO HE COULD TELL YOU DONT MIND THEIR NOISE
NDP WE WULL SHOW YOU A SECOND TIME AROUND WE WILL DO IT AGAIN ALL NASTY POLITICAL .NONSENCE
THE GOVERNOR CANT GET SHOWANDER HANDLE SO HE TO DONT WANT SEE THEM THERE THE GOVENOR HOPING HE GET THOSE HE COULID HIS HAND ON OUR CONSTITUTION AND TAKE HOLD OF OUR COUNTRY ...
SHOWANDA.IS INTELGENTLY SMART, .EDUCATEDAND WILL CONQUER .....OVER THE NDP 1AND2
If we ever put these people in power WE DOME THE GOVERMOR KNOW HIS GAME PLAN AROGRANT PEOPLE MAKE POOR DESCISION AS FOR MARLON IT TIME ITS TIME YOY GET THE MESSAGE FOR YOU CANT COME PREMIER THE UK YOU UP AND SPUR YOU OUT..
TELL THE PEOPLE WHY YOU KEEP THE HIGHSCHOOLERS IN CTL BUILDING SO LONG AND DID TRY TO BUILD BACK THE HIGH SCJOOL SO LONG ....IS IT THAT THE CTL COMPANY FUNDED YOUR CAMPAIN AND NEEDED TO GET THEIRONEY BACK AND THAT THE ONLY WAY TO DO IT
DR.PICKERING YOU DIDENT EVEVN TRY TO LOCATE THE FISRY AND ARGICULTURE .......WE WILL TSLK AGAIN AT THE POLL
Could it be the beginning of events, leading up to, and to include ,the abolishment of our Constitution?
I am convinced that this is the ultimate goal of this man. I have never been impressed by him.
But then again, he must carry out the wishes of the King, even, if to our own detriment!
those who are legitimate will have no issues providing such details. it is key that they MUST sign saying that they have lived here full time and false declaration is liable to fine and prison time. that will weed out the fake applications