No discussions to run as Unity Gov’t ‘but anything can happen’- Hon Penn
Hon Penn was at the time speaking as a guest on the Talking Points radio show on ZBVI 780 AM on January 16, 2023.
Quick decisions had to be made - Hon Penn
The Minister reminded that following the events surrounding the arrest of Ex-Premier Andrew A. Fahie, both the government and opposition had to make quick decisions to stabilize the economy from all the negative publicity.
“It might not have been popular decisions, everybody didn’t agree with the decisions being made… but our economy was going into free fall and all the implications,” he said.
Hon Penn added that the decisions were also to secure the democracy of the VI, with parties agreeing that the suspension of the constitution was not something they would support.
No talks on keeping Unity Gov't
“We’ve got to the point now where we can have General Elections, where we could determine whether we want to run as a unity group or a party group but we have an election,” he said.
Hon Penn said while he does not have the intention to run as a unity Government as is the case right now, anything can happen. He however noted that the intention of the National Democratic Party (NDP) is to have candidates for the upcoming elections.
“I have had no discussion with us running as a Unity Government, I have had no such discussion,” Hon Penn said when questioned on the possibility or whether advanced talks were had.
Dr Wheatley wants unity Gov't to last
Meanwhile, Leader of the Government of National Unity, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) says he hopes the coalition government lives beyond the next general elections constitutionally due in 2023.
Dr Wheatley was at the time speaking on the July 13, 2022, episode of Territories Talk, a cross-border British Overseas Territories talk show hosted by Shaina M. Smith-Archer from the Virgin Islands and guest host Damian Wilson of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
“I surely hope that the coalition lasts even beyond the next election, because of course sometimes when you [are] arguing and fighting, you really forget how like-minded you actually are,” he said.
“The members who came across from the different groups, we agree on a lot more than we disagree on, and I believe that it's in the best interest of the people of the Virgin Islands for us to continue working together,” he added.
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10 Responses to “No discussions to run as Unity Gov’t ‘but anything can happen’- Hon Penn”
While I don't often agree with the Hon. Minister, Hon. Marlin Penn, I do believe that he has clearly made known ti us where he stand at this point and time whether or not he would run as a Unity Government candidate next coming general election. Keep in mind that prior to his current appoint he was the VIP opposition leader, and Hon. Mitch Turnbull was a member a different party.
Hon. Premier said, I read, that he would seek to lead the VIP Party next general election, probable Hon. Carvin also will, too. It is clear that there are various opinions of what should, and what should not among the Unity Government as of late. This I know for sure. A true Unity Goverment is needed. I do hope that the general public will soon be given the opertunity to choose from the best qualified political candidates from among all the contestants in 2023 general election.
Please note: It is of my honest opinion that no particular party leader should automatically become Premier, but rather the general public should be allowed to choose who our next premier should be. That is only fair. True democracy means by the people, for the betterment of the people.
Fraser
Pickering
Need to just leave politics
I don't want Ronnie back politics his whole will run this place. Like Claude them so
cuphead