Lorna G. Smith slams Governor's selection for Constitutional Review Commission
The Government of National Unity, under the premiership of Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D Wheatley (R7), has come in for widespread criticism for not standing up against the Governor for forcing through his nominees despite at least two of them being rejected by Cabinet.
Indigenous Virgin Islander Ms Bernadine A. Louis was unanimously accepted by Cabinet; however, there were concerns with Jamaican Tanya Cassie-Parker and Caucasian Susan V. Demers being on the Commission. The latter two are Belongers of the VI, but there were questions about whether they were suitable persons to represent the interest of the VI.
There are more suitable candidates- Lorna G. Smith
Mrs Smith said there exists in the Territory a pool of persons that makes for a better pick by the governor.
Speaking on the Big Story with Cathy O. Richards on Friday, July 1, 2022, Smith said without reservation, "Let me make it clear, I have no problem with the Governor selecting persons to serve on the Commission. People argue that he gets two bites of the cherry but that is not my concern.
"My concern really is that he should choose people who are really people who are known in the community and know the community perhaps more importantly. If he wanted to choose a person, let's say representatives of Jamaica and it is an important thing to do because the BVI is made up of probably one hundred nations, perhaps more, that's quite fine but pick somebody who knows the community."
Suggestions
Smith suggested persons like the legal mind of Paul Dennis, "who got his Queen's Counsel here in the BVI after living here for many years, Ms Melissa King who has also lived here for many years also a Belonger. There is Mr Percy Rhoden who runs one of the biggest construction companies in the British Virgin Islands and I could go on and on to name people who I think would be excellent in presenting views and contributing more than the persons whom I have heard that His Excellency has selected."
Mrs Smith questioned the depth to which at least one of the Governor's pick knows the territory and understands its people and politics.
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55 Responses to “Lorna G. Smith slams Governor's selection for Constitutional Review Commission”
EVERYTHING always defaults to this weak, paranoid way of seeing ourselves.
– He "have no respect for us as a people". How TF do you know that? What would respect be, for you? Rolling over and doing everything you and your friends want? Ignoring his UK bosses and doing what you ask him? Be real about what you're commenting on, or stay quiet, please.
– "and we should treat him the same way". What way is that? Look how you just managed to claim all BVIslanders are one - which we are not, we are famous for being crabs in a barrel – and you are now calling for us all to treat him with disrespect because you just made-up the conclusion that he is disrespecting us.
– "Our constitution have nothing to do with him". Incredible. He is the British government's representative in the islands they have owned since the 1500s. Whatever you think about that, claiming he/Britain has "nothing to do with ... " is just a lie. He/UK is always going to be part of working out our constitution. You are just pretending the situation is not what it has been for the last 500 years. So your point is meaningless.
– "people who have no true value for the BVI" How dare you judge these people and claim to do it on 'our' behalf? It is obvious you object because they are Jamaican, and white and not from your own family/social network. And if that is a problem for you, that shows how far we are from being able to stand on our own in the world.
This is why the BVI cannot call itself a country. You old time/insider BVI islanders want to strut around like it is an independent nation and you are its natural leaders - when in fact it is a small clique of family and friends who want to share (and fight over power) among each other. In other words, it is nothing like a real nation where voters are not all family and friends and people have to accept they are ruled by people they don't know, and they don't expect to benefit or get a position of power, because jobs are based on ability, not family connections or friendships.
The 'we' you always talking about is the small group that holds power here, not the real population that lives in and belongs to these islands in many diverse ways.
“I can tell you are not one of my family and friends so you - and everyone here like you — do not count.”
Do you vote in the USA like many of us do? BTW how do we fit in up there? And how should we speak when we go to vote and visit? Or should we stay away and just remain among our friends and neighbours here, lexiconing like our ancestors?
Are your kind of VIslanders able to tolerate someone that uses a different 'lexicon'? Or is that too much of a threat?
What about another accent, or language? Or skin shade? Or religion? Or sexuality? Or ANYTHING different from what's normal to you and your friends and family?
If we can't handle people living like free people, different to you in their own land, we definitely can't handle being an independent 'country'. If people can't handle diversity in the BVI, just come out and say it: you want a model something like Saudi Arabia, ISIS or the Nazis - state judgement on which people have value, how they should live, what they should believe – and which people should be thrown to the dogs.
Is it the TRUTH?
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
A construction man is better than a lawyer at this task?
Lobotomy showing itself now…
Perhaps we need more persons who are “hidden/unknown in the community” because sometimes the hidden ones are the ones who truly have value, integrity, wisdom, and can genuinely offer service above self.
sit down former first lady
the reward of cronies with belongership after irma without any due process or fairness in application should be a key part of the investigation