'This is the Governor's bill'- Hon Fraser on Register of Interests Act
Bill was ‘Governor’s Bill’ – Hon Julian Fraser
“So we brought the bill to the house, who was responsible for drafting this bill, Madam Speaker? This bill didn’t come from anyone in this room where bills normally come from, this is the Governor’s bill, it’s not our bill,” Hon Fraser stated during the debate of the motion to withdraw the controversial Register of Interests Act, 2022, at the Fourth Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) at Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom, Tortola on July 14, 2022.
The legislator pointed out the double standards of the Governor sending a bill through the Cabinet to the HoA for his hard-working civil servants but exempted himself from being subjected to the same bill.
“I want the public to know this, in that bill it excludes the Governor...so he’s not in the bill and now the public servants are asking that the member of the House of Assembly withhold the bill for further public consultation,” he added.
Hon Fraser said that raises another issue of who is going to consult with whom since it is the Governor’s bill and not one that was created by local legislators.
He added that Governor Rankin should have consulted with his civil service before sending the bill to the HoA through the Cabinet.
Civil servants, via the Virgin Islands Civil Service Association (VICSA), had rejected the bill due to their concerns and lack of consultation.
New Bill is 'not' what Gov't initially committed to- Premier
Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) had said that while the House was preparing to have the act passed by June 30, 2022, a new bill taken to the cabinet and introduced to the House was not what the Government of National Unity initially committed to passing.
“However, a new bill came to Cabinet, which was the day before the House and that new bill was introduced here to the House of Assembly. But that bill was not what the Government of National Unity committed to,” Dr Wheatley told the HoA on July 14, 2022.
Governor is ‘King’ in VI
Meanwhile, this is not the first exemption for the Governor that gives him 'King like' status in the VI. The Governor does not pay taxes in the VI, is exempted from arrest, and was exempted from investigations under the recently concluded Commission of Inquiry in the VI.
In addition, hardworking taxpayers must cough up over $44,000.00 to pay his legal fees for hiring private attorneys to defend him during the recently concluded Commission of Inquiry (CoI).
Taxpayers are also burdened with the cost of the upkeep of the Governor’s residence, water and light bills, ground transportation, food, security, and the running of the office that represents British colonialism.
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19 Responses to “'This is the Governor's bill'- Hon Fraser on Register of Interests Act”
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Questionable dealings are in every government in every country on this planet. Unfortunately there are many among us including the UK who are very uncomfortable with the fact that these “locals” live in a prosperous country that they have developed over many years. There are any white people right here among us do not like the fact that these black people run the show. There are also many that respect and know we are good hard working people. Why are you so turned off by the fact that it’s black people who built, own, and run things. Why should you always be in control? Why? We need to clean up our act, I agree 1000%. We are a young democracy with growing pains. Some of you are extremely viscous, and bitter. BVIs landers please be aware that the UK is not easy. They will put your own against you to accomplish their agenda. Be aware of the tactics and strategies of your enemy. We are doing too much public venting while they use us, including TOLA radio to beat us. Part of their strategy is locals and whites to fan the anger and emotions of us to hate our own. Wake up BVI. We must stand together.
William Cowper :” I am monarch of all I survey,
My right there is none to dispute,
From the centre all round to the sea,
I am lord of the fowl and the brute.
O solitude! Where are the charms
That sages have seen in thy face?
Better dwell in the midst of alarms,
Than reign in this horrible place.” George Orwell in his classic Animal Farm: “All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.” The parasitic monarchical system is a feudal system about social structure and wealth (unearned): monarch, lords, peasants. The BVI and other OTs are treated like peasants. The Governor/UK current attitude and behavior is reflective of Slavery and colonial eras. During these eras, the colonial masters were privileged with all the power, status, influence; slaves and peasants had no rights. It is about social ordering. Check out the model Barbados Slave Code of 1661. The UK-appointed Governor John Rankin, CMG, represents the UK/Crown, not the people of the BVI. Is not a Governor supposed to represent the people? As the Hon Mark Vanterpool noted, the BVI is currently under direct rule; I concur. E. Leonard also noted that the VI is under direct rule without active suspension of the constitution.
What is the position of Civil Service Association position, ie, need for the register of interest or the process (lack of effective consultation) or both? Well, my take is that, in the interest of good governance and transparency, elected officials, some appointed officials and senior civil servants should complete a register of interest at appointment/hire and annually thereafter. The Governor as head of the Civil Service should do so also. He/she must set the personal example. Oh, snap! The BVI governorship is the province of the White male and have been so for centuries. My comments seem to turn off some but I don’t give a rat’s @$$.; turn the page.
What if Mark didn’t pick up on it and put up a fight? Who else knew that it wasn’t the same Bill and said nothing about it? So the Premier is the problem here. He’s allowing the Governor to make him look like an incompetent fool, all in the name of meeting those stiff deadlines for the various COI recommendations.
But look he was unable to meet this one and the UK didn’t impose direct rule!!
Mr Premier, you look really bad on this one. Your local people recognize it and of course, the UK recognize it too, that you’re not up to handling this job.
Natalio Wheathley, Benito Wheatley , Carvin Malone, Marlon Penn, Jeriamiah Frett are all first cousins, Sharie DeCastro, Kye Rhymer, Mitch Turnbull are all first cousins , where does that leave us as a much of personal family agendas are being played out