A number of topical issues were discussed when former Permanent Secretary and Chairman of the Board of Directors for Advance Marketing and Professional Services, Julian Willock, appeared as a guest on the CBN Channel 51 show, Vigilate Dialogues, with Shaina M. Smith on July 14, 2016. Photo: YouTube

The famous Brexit vote as well as USA politics were also part of the lively discussion. Photo: Internet Source

Mr Julian Willock slammed divisive statements made by controversial Minister for Education and Culture, Hon Myron V. Walwyn (in photo). Photo: VINO/File

Mr Willock was at the time speaking on the TV show, Vigilate Dialogues, with Shaina M. Smith on July 14, 2016 on CBN Channel 51. The one hour show dealt with a wide variety of topics, including USA Presidential Politics, United Kingdom’s vote to leave the European Union, Independence for the Virgin Islands, Financial Services Sector and ways to bring the country together.

Julian Willock speaks on real issues

On the British vote to leave the 28 Member European Union, which has been famously referred to as ‘Breixt’, Mr Willock said, “it caught the political, businesses and intellectual class by surprise and  those who were pro-Exit also played on the fears of the people with code words about taking your country back and the anti-immigrants…”

When asked about independence for the Virgin Islands, Willock responded that he supports “self-determination for the VI….however, the people must develop trust in the political class to lead us there…”

Willock, who has emerged as the new voice of reason in the political debate in the Virgin Islands (VI), called for the dialogue to change and said we must always respect the will of our people, the grassroots.

He again defended the Virgin Islands Financial Services Sector and referred to the now popular interview that has gone viral internationally- the one he did with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) early this year on the Panama Papers.

Willock maintained the transparency of the Financial Offshore jurisdiction and called on both the government and the private sector (users of the services) to continue to defend our legitimate business.

Stop the divisive politics

Mr Willock also said the VI must stop the divisive politics. He said one Politian told the public that he could no longer protect locals. Mr Willock blasted that thinking and warned that as we go into the future of the territory we must protect all residents, locals, children, women, the elderly and not discriminate against any group, as that is a dangerous and reckless way to govern.

He also referred to the same Minister of Government as being divisive when saying that locals are breaking the law using the fact that they are locals. Mr Willock condemned this as divisive and that we must work on bringing people together.

The Minister for Education and Culture, Hon Myron V. Walwyn, a Territorial At Large Member, was the Government Official making those two controversial statements, according to media reports.

The way forward

Mr Willock, who is dubbed the ‘esteemed’ one by the media and public, said going forward our goal must be to unite the country and not to divide. The former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works also told the public on the TV show that at the end of the day all residents living in the VI want the same thing, “decent schools for our children, a livable wage, jobs and education for young people, good health care, good infrastructure and to be safe in our homes and on the streets…”

See link to YouTube video of interview:

https://youtu.be/JSAuq08Bawo