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‘Victimisation fears kept people in’ – Dion M. Jennings

- public meeting in Belle Vue sees Jennings addressing empty chairs
Independent candidate for the Sixth District Dion M. Jennings blamed the ongoing culture of victimisation for the low numbers at his public meeting held last night May 22, 2015 at the Belle Vue junction. Photo: VINO
Just a few seats were taken up. Photo: VINO
Just a few seats were taken up. Photo: VINO
Jennings urged persons not to be blinded by party agenda but to support his run for the Sixth District. Photo: VINO
Jennings urged persons not to be blinded by party agenda but to support his run for the Sixth District. Photo: VINO
BELLE VUE, Tortola, VI – Independent candidate for the Sixth District Dion M. Jennings blamed the ongoing culture of victimisation for the low numbers at his public meeting held last night May 22, 2015 at the Belle Vue junction.

This news site arrived just before the 7.00 pm announced starting time to empty chairs under a tent and nothing but music being played through the public address system.

However, the meeting never got going until sometime after 8.00 pm. With just a few seats taken up, Jennings took to the podium and outlined his vision for the country and what he saw wrong with the current Government.

At the end of the meeting, Mr Jennings told this news site that while persons were afraid to come out, he knows that his message was making an impact on the persons who were on the side-lines listening.

“I know the people in this community and I know that they are listening but are still afraid to come out and show themselves associated with a candidate,” he said.

During the meeting, he urged residents of the area not to buy into the party agenda but to vote for him so that he could represent them in the House of Assembly and bring badly needed changes to the Sixth District.

“If you friends do honour me with representing you in the next House of Assembly I will fight and ensure that the road network continues where people can access their land, that the infrastructure can be developed and repaired, to construct the Belle Vue Gym’s facilities, the Purcell Community Centre, the Baughers Bay Marina. These public facilities are of great interest to the community and we cannot afford to let them run down and then have to spend double to fix them back,” he said.

Government cannot renege on contract

With regard to the call for early elections, he said Government cannot renege on the contract the people have given them even though the VI follows a Westminster system.

“It is not illegal, but if you say you’re doing so well why not take the time to finish the contract with the people…it is a blatant disrespect to the people of this country that you will try to pull the wool over our eyes. We must hold them accountable,” he said.

I could join with others

Jennings made the strong case that Independent candidates do have some hope in bringing their own agenda for the community outside of party politics with a view to improving the lives of people by joining up with others.

“The perception is that the Government must be formed by a party. That is not so. It is absolutely not so. A coalition government is a makeup of everyone who is elected to the House of Assembly. It doesn’t have to be a party. An independent candidate could join with others to make up and form the government,” he said.

He added that government must be formed by seven individuals and the seven do not have to belong to the same party.

“Choose your candidates based on what their vision is for the country and don’t get bought in to the party agenda,” he said.

30 Responses to “‘Victimisation fears kept people in’ – Dion M. Jennings”

  • $500 (23/05/2015, 08:52) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Dem people could vote?
  • good (23/05/2015, 09:03) Like (24) Dislike (7) Reply
    Finally , someone not from the opposition party says this. It's seems that people ignore the message because of the messenger. This isn't a NDP/VIP thing , it's a VI thing. When governments are terrorizing people and their businesses because of political affiliation, we all have a right to stand up against them
    • wize up (23/05/2015, 10:36) Like (15) Dislike (10) Reply
      Yea right: a one-man political party( hello, it takes 7 persons to form a government) even if he gets elected the young man still have join up with either the NDP/VIP.....newsflash( come back in 2019 with a strong party).......
    • Schups (23/05/2015, 11:33) Like (21) Dislike (4) Reply
      What does this man bring to the table? He comes out of the blue on his own, people hardly know him. Why would anyone attend? I didn't even know he had a rally, I didn't hear on the radio or see it anywhere that he was having a rally.
  • Ears (23/05/2015, 09:04) Like (17) Dislike (5) Reply
    Nice Try---love the courage---You are going to lose your deposit.
  • onlooker2 (23/05/2015, 09:17) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    Give up while u, ....got no chance. It going to be an embarrassed day for u all
  • .......... (23/05/2015, 09:17) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    What a flop
  • wize up (23/05/2015, 09:56) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    Stop blaming others: then take a good reality check and you might just conclude not many persons have any interest in voting for you: some of us only know others just before an election...you need to meeting with the persons seeking to run as independent candidate and simply unite and form another organised political party.....
    • @wize up (23/05/2015, 11:06) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
      You make an excellent point that it is necessary for potential candidates to get out there amongst the people long before elections are called. However, I still think it is refreshing to see an independent candidate, as he will likely have to campaign harder on the bread and butter issues. Even if he is not successful at the polls, this is democracy at work - a gift we must truly cherish.
    • Wize one (24/05/2015, 08:14) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
      Wise up----Political Parties are just like Churches--Lots of undermining--everyone wants to be in charge. Every preacher/member thinks he/she is better/brighter--- its not an easy thing to start, and it is much harder to maintain---That`s why we need to give VIP a special Trophy for staying together this long--Though I think after this election it would be a challenge for whoever trying to keep them together.
  • Boo (23/05/2015, 10:19) Like (10) Dislike (5) Reply
    Boss man, you going to lose your $500 deposit.
  • lmao (23/05/2015, 11:32) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply

    When Edmund is the only voter at your rally you know you in deep$%^&. Victimisation my @$$, nobody wants to support you boss, go sit down for godsake.

  • .......... (23/05/2015, 12:09) Like (8) Dislike (15) Reply
    We voting juggie all the way yall
  • Think Wise (23/05/2015, 12:18) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Nothing wrong with putting $500.00 to good use and then losing your money. When we are on a plan, be it phone or cable services we lose more than $500.00 in one year for poor service. At least losing $500.00 now is preparing you for the next four years. I have paid more than $500.00 for merchandise and the companies refused to take them back or give me my money. Good Luck
  • yes (23/05/2015, 14:23) Like (24) Dislike (17) Reply
    We was not afraid to come out. We just wanted him to go home. This district is for NDP All The Way

  • You go (23/05/2015, 14:40) Like (10) Dislike (5) Reply
    Sometimes it isn't about winning, but rather bringing a fresh perspective. With all the bias and corruption we're surrounded by independent candidates are needed. You may not win, but use the opportunity to voice what the people are thinking, but aren't or not able to say.
  • the block (23/05/2015, 16:24) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    look Edmond sleeping
  • 6th district (23/05/2015, 22:56) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    He have a very good vision for the 6th district. If he had advertise his campaign more a lot of people would've attend because he have a lot of followers. So far he's the only candidate that speaks about his plans and vision for his district the rest just bashing each other and not there plans for a better BVI.
  • voter (23/05/2015, 22:59) Like (6) Dislike (6) Reply
    Vote Dion Jennings all the way I bet you guys he will improve the 6th District.
  • elvis j (24/05/2015, 00:33) Like (4) Dislike (16) Reply
    Sorry clean sweep for the vip
  • OBAMA (24/05/2015, 06:37) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Many thought the great Barack Obama wouldn't make it but he did look where he is today. Dion continue doing what you're doing it takes a lot of courage to campaign as independent don't give up the fight this is a tester for you continue to spread your message.
  • ARN (24/05/2015, 06:50) Like (6) Dislike (6) Reply
    He's right people choose your candidate wisely that will move the BVI forward and don't get caught up in party agenda because after June 8 many of them en studying you so vote for a better BVI.
  • great (24/05/2015, 06:54) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    He's very intelligent his message is coming from his heart unlike some other candidates that reads from a piece of paper and could hardly glimpse their audience and people should look at things like that. We need educated intelligent people to represent us as a community.
  • SPEAKINGUP (24/05/2015, 09:14) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    When you have a vision write it down. Not all can go up and speak extemporaneously. The greatest speeches were written down. Do you think Martin Luther's speech I have a dream was not written down? Do you think Barack's 2004 Democratic convention speech was not written down? A good prepared speech sends the message of the messenger and ensures there are not unnecessary ramblings. If many of the politicians would write down what they are going to say before, some things wouldn't spew from their mouth. So I stand in the group that say yes, prepare your speech for greater effectiveness.
  • Rudeboyvi (24/05/2015, 09:43) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    Dion keep pushing forward,bvi have a lot of corruption,I know that you will make a change.people don't like change especially corrupted parties. People only support certain parties ,looking political favors after election
  • focus (24/05/2015, 19:20) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    Dion is very very active in the 6th district. He's the only candidate that meet people and listen to there plight and concerns and willing to fix it once you vote for him. He's the only 6th district candidate who is concern about the issues at stake but many people are more focus on the incubent parties that does the same thing when they are elected. Give Dion a chance to make a change we need to focus on the bigger issues and he's the man to fix it. Stop getting fool every 4 years then complaining afterwards. Dion is the man for the 6th district give him a chance for change. Tell yourself how often do you see the other candidates in the 6th district only election time. Vote for a change and not just the name of an incubent party. Dion is the man for the job.
  • voiceofthevoiceless (24/05/2015, 20:04) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    When you are an independent candidate you have to work twice as hard as a party candidate in communicating your message and getting people to know you. Did not even know there was a meeting or I would have attended. Campaigns nowadays need money but this is a district and simple old fashioned campaigning like getting a megaphone and driving around announcing your meetings or self and going door to door can help. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram are effective with little cost to communicate your message. Get the voters list and get to know the voters.
  • Purcell youth (25/05/2015, 10:16) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    If I did know my boy had his campaign I would've gone he's good people. He's still getting my vote. Big up Buju.
  • Come on (25/05/2015, 14:19) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    The politcal season should not be a social engineering experiment.


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