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

VI Inquiries Bill ‘never should have left the Cabinet’- Hon Fraser

- said Ministers of Cabinet need to be more responsible
Third District Representative and Opposition Member Hon Julian Fraser, RA believes the VI Inquiries Bill should have never made it out of the House of Assembly (HoA). Photo: YouTube
Members of both sides of the aisle in the House of Assembly (HoA) have opposed the Virgin Islands Inquiries Bill, 2024, in its current form. Photo: YouTube
Members of both sides of the aisle in the House of Assembly (HoA) have opposed the Virgin Islands Inquiries Bill, 2024, in its current form. Photo: YouTube
Opposition Leader Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) has labeled the Virgin Islands Inquiries Bill, 2024, as dictatorial. Photo: YouTube
Opposition Leader Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) has labeled the Virgin Islands Inquiries Bill, 2024, as dictatorial. Photo: YouTube
Governor Daniel Pruce. The controversial Virgin Islands Inquiries Bill, 2024 was brought to the House of Assembly by Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) on behalf of the Governor. Photo: GIS/File
Governor Daniel Pruce. The controversial Virgin Islands Inquiries Bill, 2024 was brought to the House of Assembly by Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) on behalf of the Governor. Photo: GIS/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI—The Virgin Islands Inquires Bill 2024, in its present form, should have never made its way out of Cabinet and is, in fact, a testament that the “Ministers of Cabinet not doing their job or they don’t know what their jobs are.”

This is according to Opposition Member and veteran legislator Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3), who on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, in giving his take on the proposed legislation, suggested that “this thing should not see the light of day, it should not pass Waterfront Drive, it shouldn't get here.”

The District Three Representative told legislators at the 15th Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth House of Assembly (HoA), “As long as you are going to be a colony, as long as you are going to be owned by those people; they will continue to treat us like this.”

Both Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) and Opposition Leader Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) have united against the bill, which they have said reeks of colonialism.

The bill was brought to the HoA by Premier Wheatley on behalf of the Governor.

Bill ‘never should have left the Cabinet’

According to Hon Fraser, Premier Wheatley has a good understanding of the danger of the bill in its present form, “because he has a good understanding of where these people are taking us. He has a good understanding of where we need to go, and he has a good understanding of what he has to do to get there.”

Hon Fraser, nevertheless, was not impressed that the bill passed through Cabinet.

Addressing Dr Wheatley directly in the House, Hon Fraser reminded “You said that it [Bill] would not leave this house in this fashion; we need to get these things fixed, that's what it came here for, I would say to you that it never should have left the Cabinet.”

Additionally, Hon Fraser expressed that the Attorney General (AG) Hon Dawn J. Smith and Governor Daniel Pruce should not be part of Cabinet.

Hon Fraser was also of the view that anything the Premier does now to get the Governor out of Cabinet “is nothing  revolutionary; it was something that was planned a long time ago, it was intended that with this new Constitutional Review, he wouldn't be there.”

The District Representative was firm in his view “The decisions in Cabinet are made by the five of you, this thing should never made it out of cabinet but I understand how it works.”

Amendments needed

He quipped, “...that's why I told your Minister some time ago that when we get up and we speak we are working with you, we doing the things that you can't do so support us, stop getting ah itch in ya throats stop coughing and leave,  you don't have to vote on a matter let us do the voting, we have a majority.”

Speaking specifically to the powers to call a Commission of Inquiry, Fraser RA was of the view that at the Committee stage, the Bill should be amended to reflect similar provisions in the United Kingdom’s (UK) legislation where it provides for any Minister to call an inquiry.

5 Responses to “VI Inquiries Bill ‘never should have left the Cabinet’- Hon Fraser”

  • BuzzBvi (18/07/2024, 15:29) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    Julian Fraser's comments regarding the Virgin Islands Inquiries Bill 2024 reveal a troubling pattern of negativity and unconstructive criticism that does little to advance the debate or offer viable solutions. His dismissive and inflammatory rhetoric that the “Ministers of Cabinet not doing their job or they don’t know what their jobs are” is a sweeping and unfounded accusation. Such statements not only insult the intelligence and capabilities of his peers but also erode trust and cooperation within the legislative body. Baseless attacks only serve to create divisions.
    By stating, “this thing should not see the light of day, it should not pass Waterfront Drive, it shouldn't get here,” Fraser dismisses the bill outright without engaging with its contents. His blanket rejection is unhelpful and suggests a lack of willingness to engage in meaningful debate.
    Comments about being “owned by those people” and how “they will continue to treat us like this” are loaded with us-versus-them implications that border on xenophobia. Such language can inflame tensions and distract from the substantive issues. Legislators should be above inflammatory rhetoric.His dismissive tone directed at Premier Wheatley and other members, such as telling them to “stop getting ah itch in ya throats stop coughing and leave,” is unprofessional and unbecoming of a seasoned legislator. Such remarks do not foster a respectful or productive legislative environment. Instead of contributing positively to the legislative process, his comments reflect a desire to undermine and criticize without offering substantial solutions. For effective governance, it's imperative that legislators focus on collaboration, detailed critique, and constructive dialogue rather than resorting to inflammatory and disrespectful commentary.
    By saying the bill “never should have left the Cabinet” he shows a disregard for the procedural aspects of governance. If there are issues with the bill, the legislative process is the proper forum to address and amend these issues. Fraser’s comments suggest a desire to bypass this process rather than engage with it constructively. Same attitude he and the leading elite have had to the whole process of being brought to account by the COI. You have to ask why our leaders wish to avoid oversight at all costs. Even a reckless lunge towards independence without being properly prepared. They clearly think they are losing out on opportunities they had in the past.
    VI people think less opportunity for corruption is a good thing not a bad thing, but then it is not us that end up with the money.
  • jack in the box (18/07/2024, 15:31) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    Them man afair of the slave Master
  • @ BUZZ BVI (18/07/2024, 16:54) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    NOW YOU ARE TALKING SENCE , THIS IS THE PERSON WE WANT YO NTAKE ON THE WANNABE EMPEROR OF THE THIRD DISTRICT / ITS A GOOD START TO GET AWAY FROM YOUR RACISM AND NEGATIVE CRITICISM OF OTHER PEOPLE / YOU HOT THE KNOWLEDGE USE IT WISELY AND DO THE RIGHT THING , FOR HEAVENS SAKE / WE CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER RODEO PLAYER ON THE LOOSE HERE AGAIN
  • I glad (19/07/2024, 11:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I glad it leave cabinet.

    The thing yall making noise for over transparency and accountability

    but when come to improving the country and making life a little easier for everyone i.e: roads infrastructure water electricity services, goverment services, price control, lowering bank interest, renting to everyone.... yall dont make noise for that.... you just drag your feet over and over.

    I glad this governor means business.

    dont play with these cry babies Mr. Pruce

    you see for yourself in report that for years they have all been raping the country for their own personal benefits.

    Make noise now and dont expect the citizens who are not blinded by our politicians short comings to support them.
  • smh (20/07/2024, 17:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I can’t hear what u saying sir! Pls go the barber…..asap!


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.