Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

‘Stop fighting against each other' - Hon Smith urges Legislators

- says discussions on improving life of citizens lacking in HoA
Deputy Speaker and government backbencher in the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly (HoA), Hon Neville A. Smith (AL) aka ‘Sheep’ is imploring fellow legislators to stop fighting against each other and put the business of the people first. Photo: HoA
Lauding Premier Andrew A. Fahie's (R1) 1000 jobs in 1000 days initiative, Mr Smith said Legislators need to start looking at similiar initiatives that can improve the lives of the People. Photo: VINO/File
Lauding Premier Andrew A. Fahie's (R1) 1000 jobs in 1000 days initiative, Mr Smith said Legislators need to start looking at similiar initiatives that can improve the lives of the People. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Deputy Speaker and government backbencher in the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly (HoA), Hon Neville A. Smith (AL) aka ‘Sheep’ is imploring fellow legislators to stop fighting against each other and put the business of the people first.

Speaking at the Sixth Sitting of the First Session of the Fourth House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands on September 2, 2019, Hon Smith said that since taking to the house, legislators are failing to include the people of the VI in their discussions.

Society of Beggers - Hon Smith 

“We come to this house a lot of time talking a lot of stuff, discussing business but somehow we leave out the most important element, which is the people, with what we [are] discussing,” he said.

Hon Smith continued, “The people in this Virgin Islands are hurting… very very bad. We need to come to this house and start fighting what we are going to do for the people, that’s what we need to start fighting for.”  

He told the House that he is constantly trying to come up with solutions to fix issues facing the people of the territory. 

“Every time you go on the road somebody begging you for help, some might be genuine, some may not be genuine but it's there, I see it every single day and it's hurtful," he said.

Fighting in HoA

Lauding Premier Andrew A. Fahie's (R1) 1000 jobs in 1000 days initiative, Mr Smith said Legislators need to start looking at similiar initiatives that can improve the lives of the people. 

“It like we fighting against each other all the time, that how it looking to me. We come in here and it's like trying to keep your own brother down,” the often quiet Hon Smith told members of the House. 

"Every time we fighting against each other, somebody come in and takeover," the emotional Smith charged in noting too that he is fed up of citizens crying out and begging for help. 

17 Responses to “‘Stop fighting against each other' - Hon Smith urges Legislators”

  • Yes (05/09/2019, 19:53) Like (28) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes Sheep!!! Let them know. Let's come together and become what we are meant to be! POWERFUL in unity
    • Step back (06/09/2019, 08:49) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
      This is a distraction. The problem is not about fighting in the HOA, it's about corruption in the government and the Civil Service' inability to do things right.
      • SHUT UP (06/09/2019, 14:25) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
        Always someone to see the bad, go siddown
        • Kumbaya anyone? (07/09/2019, 07:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          Shut up?

          So Government and Opposition should hold hands and sing together? This is not a communist state. The Opposition's job is to hold Government feet to the fire, you moron. I bet you did not ask Opposition leader Andrew Fahie to hold hands with the NDP, did you?
  • east (05/09/2019, 21:36) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    The men speaking good
    • Oppressive Labour laws (06/09/2019, 07:37) Like (26) Dislike (0) Reply
      The labour laws are what oppressing the the masses. The lack of justice / enforcement from labour workers when employees complain.. Labour is the oppressive force .. Especially the case workers.. Labour reception is good ...Immigration need some more training of how to talk to people. How to be customer friendly no matter how a person looks. I was told of an incident where a new worker not knowing the procedure went to the office went to the desk got roughed up by the officer the lady didn't even get the chance to ask her question that she wanted to ask. She sat in shame and try to get her answer from another customer.. Minutes after a white person did the same thing and the said officer were seen to be very polite to that person... They need to know that every body that walked through those doors is a customer and is entitled to best customer service practice. People are watching and taking notes. Its not about who got power and who begging. Its a service department. ." Empathy" is the word comes to mind....
  • rewrsdffds (06/09/2019, 04:12) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree with Mr Smith..totally
  • wow (06/09/2019, 05:35) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    I agree with your sentiments Hon. Smith. The People voted for these Legislatures to work on their behalf, not to be in the House bickering their personal feelings or intentions. When in House their Actions should show their Concerns and efforts toward the People. What they can do and what they are doing. Time to stop all this shananigan and Let the People be First and Farmost their top concern.
  • Yes (06/09/2019, 06:27) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    This ain't no moomoo sheep, i already see he would not be led astray.
  • agreed (06/09/2019, 07:10) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    100% HON Smith. Sometimes it’s real and other times it’s fake. I feel it often myself. The 1000 jobs in a 1000 days is a good something but sadly a lot of people especially those between 17 and 30 years old already made to their minds not to (1) work (2) work until they get enough money to buy their PlayStation then walk off the job forgetting they have to buy games for the PlayStation. We can do and do for people but if people refuse to do for themselves and honestly give themselves the opportunity and chance for making it right it will be the same over and over and over agin. There’s a culture of influences in our community that somehow intimidate our young people from being actual positive and respectful people. The culture of being turn-up /LIT etc seems to be the main focus. (Trending) - Trending is good, but it’s only good if it’s good trending of good vibes vs trending of bad vibes. It’s we the people who have to be willing to be part of the solutions.
  • Shooting Straight.. (06/09/2019, 07:23) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    They all just trying to impress. Trying to lift their own profile and feed their own Ego. Too much time and effort on RDA so many other things affecting people.. Example. If a Hurricane should come and do some damage. God forbid. Employers / Companies are going to use that opportunity to start laying off workers. Send some home for 3 month not a penny because the labour code say they can do that. .. These are what need urgent fixing. I would suggest the new law should be u want to send and employee home for 3 months. That employee should be given 5 days pay for each month home and 12 days notice, before the 3 months up of the company intention either to keep them or let them go. So many cases employees show up to work after the 3 months home not a dime just to be given a letter saying they are either redundant or terminated.... Why r they pretend to be blind. Deaf and heartless to these inhumane issues..
  • Adic (06/09/2019, 07:49) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good vibes.
  • Heart for the people (06/09/2019, 10:04) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hon Smith is absolutely correct and I am excited to hear of the plans and initiatives to acheive these goals.
  • trrefdrfds (06/09/2019, 10:07) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    One of the best things I have heard coming from a legislator in the last 20 years. Hope they will heed this call.
  • voter (06/09/2019, 10:10) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    I will vote for hon Smith as long as he runs he is a great man
  • Meekly Wait (06/09/2019, 10:39) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hon. Smith, I applaud you.

    I can attest to what you alluded to that the people are hurting because I make up that number. Nobody is listening to me or returning calls , but thank God the only person to shut me down when I take to FB to air my grievances is FB itself. Stay woke my people.
  • my 2 cents (06/09/2019, 13:39) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    MR SMITH WILL ALWAYS BE REVELENT, AND WIN ELECTIONS BECAUSE HE CARES ABOUT THE PEOPLE AND MEANS IT.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.