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'UK now standing over VI like a cop with a gun'– Bishop Cline

-Disappointed in lack of willingness of UK to be a partner with VI on CoI recommendations
Local clergyman, Bishop John I. Cline says he remains disappointed in the lack of the UK to truly be a partner with the Virgin Islands (VI) on the way forward regarding the implementation of the CoI recommendations. Photo: VINO/File
Bishop Cline made the comments during the Friday, June 17, 2022, edition of 'The Big Story' with Host Cathy O. Richards on the recent development with the VI and the UK, along with the Framework for implementation of the recommendations of the commission of inquiry report and other reforms. Photo: Facebook
Bishop Cline made the comments during the Friday, June 17, 2022, edition of 'The Big Story' with Host Cathy O. Richards on the recent development with the VI and the UK, along with the Framework for implementation of the recommendations of the commission of inquiry report and other reforms. Photo: Facebook
FISH BAY, Tortola, VI – Local clergyman Bishop John I. Cline says he remains disappointed by what he perceives as the United Kingdom's lack of effort in truly partnering with the Virgin Islands (VI) on the implementation of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) recommendations and other reforms.

Bishop Cline made the comments during the Friday, June 17, 2022, edition of 'The Big Story' with host Cathy O. Richards.

“What I think troubles me most, sitting from where I sit, is the lack of willingness of the UK to truly be a partner with its Overseas Territory,” he said, regarding the threat to suspend the local constitution should the VI not implement the CoI recommendations on schedule.

“Instead, what see is a cop, this big police that’s standing over your head with a gun, and if you don’t what I say, then I will make you pay dearly by suspending your constitution and even rewriting it,” Bishop Cline added.

He added that in the 21st century, the UK ought to be more of a partner, given it has the capacity to help the VI.

“And that is one of the most disappointing things for me… that you could have a great power like the UK who has capacity, who has the ability, who has the resource to help a territory like the BVI, who they claim they value… but instead of helping US, they stand like a police over us.”

No mutual responsibility from the UK - Bishop Cline 

According to the Bishop, words of the UK wanting a modern partnership based on mutual respect is just words with no mutual responsibility on the side of the UK.

“You require certain things of us that we do, but we can hardly expect anything from you except for us to keep you off our back, so instead of it becoming like a partnership, it’s like a war,” he said.

He said the hope was that both the VI and the UK want the same things, however, both parties are not on the same page.

The Bishop added that the UK is now putting extreme pressure on the Government of National Unity, that they are almost ready and willing to comply to stop the suspension of the local constitution.

It has long been stated by residents, the political class and governments that a modern partnership with the UK does not exist and has never existed, since the UK has only been interested in carrying out its agenda and is never held accountable in the so-called partnership.

Even the now-sitting Premier, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has expressed similar sentiments in the past.

38 Responses to “'UK now standing over VI like a cop with a gun'– Bishop Cline”

  • vi (20/06/2022, 09:52) Like (82) Dislike (0) Reply
    We have to blame people like you
  • 45 (20/06/2022, 09:53) Like (59) Dislike (1) Reply
    OK BISHOP, and who’s fault is that and what’s your solution, go preached to your flocks
  • question (20/06/2022, 09:59) Like (52) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why should anyone want to partner with an entity that seems to thrive on cronyism, corruption and dishonesty? The good bishop could have done his bit by perhaps trying to exert his pastoral teachings to encourage the leaders on the BVIs to be honest, truthful and to work in the interests of the people here instead of lining their onw pockets. There would have been no CoI had the government (this one and previous version) tried to do its job properly.
    • WOW (20/06/2022, 15:04) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      Thank you and well said. All I am reading is his critique of the governor and UK as if the past and present Government not responsible for their actions.
  • Lb (20/06/2022, 10:04) Like (7) Dislike (10) Reply
    Totally agree
  • who feels it knows it (20/06/2022, 10:05) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    And how does that make you feel sir??
  • for sure (20/06/2022, 10:10) Like (55) Dislike (0) Reply
    This man is a joke. He must stop talking.
  • Yup (20/06/2022, 10:20) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    As they should.
  • Better analogy (20/06/2022, 10:22) Like (28) Dislike (0) Reply
    would be that the UK has the entire population of the BVI in a large closed classroom with a very stern professor at the lectern teaching good governance with the Principal QE II standing outside the closed door watching the 'students" learn.

    This clergy man watching too much USA TV.
  • Jane (20/06/2022, 10:24) Like (27) Dislike (0) Reply
    Can the pastor set out the practical steps he would like to see in terms of help?

    I am not sure what the objection is to the UK's position is. The Unity Government has said, they will bring into effect all the changes identified by the COI within 2 years. The UK Government has said they can do so, but set a two-year deadline for this. Surely the circumstances require a deadline to avoid prevarication? I am sure that if we get to week 103 and the Unity Government has fulfilled 95% of the changes required then the UK Government isn't going to suspend the constitution. If we get to week 103 and the Unity Government has done 20% then clearly the job is too big for them and the UK will take charge. Seems reasonable to me. Talk is cheap, so action is what is required and we've seen very little so far, tick tock, tick tock.
  • Change is needed. Stop it. (20/06/2022, 10:46) Like (43) Dislike (0) Reply
    Maybe of locals were holding the Gun over our politicians and our leaders head when they were doing the wrong things so they can do right. It wouldn't reach to where Britain is the one holding the Gun. We have failed and refused to accept our failure and now find it convenient to blame Britain. Britain is doing what we refused to do.
    • mad max (20/06/2022, 13:14) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      Yes, because locals/voters does not = majority tax payers. There will always be issues until this is resolved.
  • WOW (20/06/2022, 10:49) Like (27) Dislike (0) Reply
    As a man who claim to walk with God, why don’t you address all the corruption that has taken place in past and present Government. Why don’t you write and article and let the citizens of the BVI know how they can come to Christ and save their soul from hell. These are important issues too.
  • What Do You Expect (20/06/2022, 11:04) Like (23) Dislike (5) Reply
    The double barrel of the shot gun is down our throats from the UK because we did that to ourselves and allow it to happen. We sat back, quiet, complacent and turn a blind eye to all the wicked, dirty nasty going on. Yeah, each and everyone of us have a double barrel shot gun down our throats waiting to see if the trigger is going to be pulled.
  • bvi (20/06/2022, 11:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The British Virgin Island /British overseas territories you mean ? lol
  • lol (20/06/2022, 11:42) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    Where y'all find this Jim Jones buddy?
  • Yes to UK (20/06/2022, 12:08) Like (25) Dislike (1) Reply
    John I. Cline, You need to shut up because every time you open your mouth you show us what type of person you are and it has nothing to do with God. You never talk about all the wrong doings from both governments seems like that's alright with you, What kind of man are you?
  • HMMM (20/06/2022, 12:32) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    Get that fake bishop a soap box. we can't see him.
  • Remember (20/06/2022, 12:51) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    @yes to UK tell him he is part of the corruption that's what they like
  • mad max (20/06/2022, 13:09) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    You could apply that to anything though ...

    "The Bishop was standing over his congregation like a cop with a gun".
  • Yo (20/06/2022, 15:34) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    I tired of this dude mehson
  • See (20/06/2022, 17:15) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    We are getting what we deserve . Maybe Cline's gravy train is ending .
  • Well (20/06/2022, 17:29) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    The milk was good all the time there was no noise now it turn sour you talking blouse right now you knowing your own drum and dancing to it my dear
  • Ku Klux Klan (20/06/2022, 17:35) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    uk only interest in bvi purely money connected

    from back in the 70s London have done nothing for this overseas territory other than build HM Prison

    Actually London; came after the hurricane BUT the NDP administration ran them away
  • lol (20/06/2022, 18:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    When you were standing over the treasury with gun in hand taking your fill who said anything? The milk has dried up. Please drive one of your luxury cars up to your ranch and sit on your expansive verandah and a sip a piña colada or two for us who can't afford such luxuries.
  • E. Leonard (20/06/2022, 18:42) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I implore readers to actively read the petition the leaders of the Great March of 24 November 1949 delivered to Commissioner J. A. C. Cruikshank. The leaders, protestors, and others had a heightened awareness of the value and need for individual/collective freedoms, democracy, and vicious circle of colonialism, an oppressive and extractive institution. The 1949 warriors and freedom fighters generations put current generations’ residents to shame. They were impressively way ahead of their times. There was much that could have been learn from them. They provide an exemplary template and give the VI people a great start to pursue democratic rights and freedoms. We dropped the baton.

    The VI people got “drunk” on its success, focusing on materialism and little on civic engagement. Consequently, it failed because of its success, bringing its pig to a fine market as the elders used to say. Nonetheless, it needs to lean forward, fail forward, and learn and develop from its failure. Virgin Islanders contributed to the VI failure and setbacks and Virgin Islanders must engaged like an engaged rattler to fix the VI. Surprisingly, the VI people appear to be split as to whom can fix the VI. As such, the current agreement give the Governor full command and control for fixing the VI. The UK was moving bud speed ahead to suspend the constitution and impose direct rule.

    Nevertheless, the current agreement achieves the same goal. Now, missteps can be shifted directly on the local, powerless government. It is suspending the constitution without suspending the constitution. But the constitution look as if it will be suspended and held in abeyance. It will be held over the head of the VI like the Sword of Damocles. With any perceived or subjective misstep, all the Foreign Sec has to do is direct the Governor to take full charge of the VI.
    • Disinterested (20/06/2022, 21:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @E. Leonard, where can I get or see a copy of the 1949 petition that you alluded to?
      • E. Leonard (21/06/2022, 06:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Disinterested, Dr. Charles Wheatley in his daily Wheatake lecture series, ie, Wheatake 37 ( 1949 Petition) list the Petition in its entirety. I have reposted Wheatake 37 on my Facebook profile and page (Ed Leonard, or Ed Leonard Talk Fest).
  • 3 HOLY IMPOSTERS (20/06/2022, 18:48) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    AND THEY ALM
  • AM SAYING IT AGAIN (20/06/2022, 18:55) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    3 WANNABE HOLY PRETENDERS , AND ALL OF THEM FROM CGB / NO SHAME , 2 LIKE PARROTS AND THE OTHER ,IS MISTER WONDERFUL , AND MORE QUIETER THAN A CHURCH ???? ,( EXCEPT AROUND XMAS ????
  • @ say it again (20/06/2022, 22:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Oh yeah ????, one good bullwood ???? on those clines will have them singing like canaries , and as for the silent one ???? we might have to get some cheese to loosen his tongue ???? and if that doesn't work , then wake he up with a bullwood too so we can hear him sing before Christmas
  • Bishop Babble (21/06/2022, 09:01) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply

    This p****y religious man is speaking in tongues again.
    Like, the BVI wasn’t ruled by corrupt and greedy locals allied to foreign narcos, who did whatever they want with our territory with the implicit message that we need to accept it because, well, colonialism was bad, whites are evil.
    Bishop Crime, please shut up and accept that our dysfunctional world was forced on us by people like YOU.

  • Optimist (22/06/2022, 14:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This man is the devil's advocate or wha? he always making some crazy statement.
  • Tola Needs taking Ova (26/06/2022, 02:17) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Plenty of yall down there senseless, brainwashed and dumb can't stand on your own, Government stealing money and involved in drugs and what other shady business is going on behind close doors, UK NEEDS TO TAKE OVER, LONG OVER DUE, Yall Bet NOT Slip up, and is there still sewage water running in the streets DISGUSTING, over 20 years water been running in the streets, and that island meant to be a tourist attraction, Extremely Appalling.


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