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Vote out NDP but vote in who? – Hon Andrew A. Fahie

-VIP said to be in restructuring mode
First District Representative Honourable Andrew A. Fahie is confident that the VIP will be ready for the 2015 national election though the party is in restructuring mode. Photo: VINO/File
The general public feels is that it is time for the NDP to take its leave but the question has been regularly asked of VIP’s readiness. Photo: VINO/File
The general public feels is that it is time for the NDP to take its leave but the question has been regularly asked of VIP’s readiness. Photo: VINO/File
Hon Fahie vowed that for as long as he is a representative of the people certain things will not happen as he is confident that the VIP will get its act together. Photo: VINO/File
Hon Fahie vowed that for as long as he is a representative of the people certain things will not happen as he is confident that the VIP will get its act together. Photo: VINO/File
CAPOON’S BAY, Tortola, VI – The question of the readiness of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) to once again return as the ruling party in government has been sparking discussion in various sections of society.

Many believe that because of uncontrolled human factors, the present leader, the longest serving politician Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE seems not to be physically capable to hold the position as Premier should the VIP win the next elections.

During an in-depth exclusive interview the question of the VIP readiness for the 2015 national election was put to the ever vocal Representative of the First District Honourable Andrew A. Fahie. “There is no secret about it, the VIP is in the restructuring mode, and one of the problems I am getting too with my side is that I consider myself to be a realist,” said Hon Fahie.

“Even if you want to move the NDP, the question is, well, who would you put because the Virgin Islands Party is in the restructuring mode?” asked Hon Fahie.

Hon Fahie was confident that time and the applicable section of the VIP’s constitution will take care of that aspect of the pondering question. He was very confident of his position as he also noted that the VIP is the only existing party to date in the Virgin Islands that has a constitution that has been proved and tried with the passing of time.

“So it is a matter of when all the ducks line up and the party do what it has to do. That said I still have to represent the people,” noted Hon Fahie.

I am with the VIP 100%

Professing to be committed to the interest and future of the people of the District he was elected to represent and equally the entire Territory Hon Fahie dispelled any possible insinuations that he would throw in the towel on the VIP and move on.

“Even though I am with the Virgin Islands Party 100% I am more concerned about the future of these Virgin Islands and at times what I gather from the conduct of the government of the day is that they feel that because there is no other party now is structured as them, or seems to be as structured as them that they could act in a manner that they are acting.”

Hon Fahie vowed that for as long as he is a representative of the people certain things will not happen as he is confident that the VIP will get its act together. “…The constitution is there and whatever decision is decided, once I am a member of the Virgin Islands Party you have to abide with it,” state Hon Fahie.

Asked if the tides of time should change would he be prepared to jump ship in order for better opportunities to represent the people of the VI, Hon Fahie responded, “I don’t see that in the whole line up of things right now … so whatever I can do to improve the Virgin Islands Party with the constitution that is there, I am going to do my best to do it.”

Infighting - Ignorance and nonsense!

It has been reported in various sections of the media during the past year that there has been obvious alleged in fighting in the VIP among its members. Some alleged that Representative of the Third District Honourable Fraser, RA and Hon Fahie are on the run to assume the most senior seat in the VIP.

While on numerous occasions Hon Fraser has dispelled this assertion, Hon Fahie is now referring to it as ignorance. “I do not lend any support to the ignorance when people say that there is in fighting for leadership or that I am fighting Fraser or I am fighting the current leader for leadership, that is nonsense,” stated Hon Fahie adding that the larger issues would the working together of all involved for the better of the Territory as a whole.

44 Responses to “Vote out NDP but vote in who? – Hon Andrew A. Fahie”

  • qip (30/01/2014, 08:18) Like (19) Dislike (11) Reply
    both ndp and vip need to go
    • jtv (30/01/2014, 09:21) Like (15) Dislike (27) Reply
      The VIP is not dead, they will come back stronger, smarter and as the future and NEXT government of the BVI!
      • Lucas (30/01/2014, 18:12) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
        Not them!!!!!
      • Yo (31/01/2014, 06:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        lol! you full of jokes boss!
      • The one (01/02/2014, 11:03) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        You go VIP....We need Minister Fahie as our Educational Officer
        • grace (05/02/2014, 19:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          @ The one. You go VIP..GO JUMP IN THE LAKE! Fahie has been failing your children miserably and you can't see that MYron has made such an improvement in the short time he has been in? You must be one of those parents who is not in tune with your child.
    • Yep (30/01/2014, 09:40) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
      So true but the sad thing is who else do we put in. It's like having a noose around your neck just sucking the life out of you & that's what having both these parties feel like. The ppl that are there has the public feeling like we're in a bind, none to say come out as my grandmother useto say
    • grace (31/01/2014, 11:12) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      I am so tired at listening to and looking at these same old lame excuses of government. Please let a new party be formed so we all can run to the polls with a speed to vote them ALL out. Sick of this.
  • POPE (30/01/2014, 08:59) Like (6) Dislike (10) Reply
    Keep Quiet!! I can't wait too hear from Uncle
    • @POPE (30/01/2014, 10:47) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
      You must be the only one who wants to hear from uncle. Uncle is the reason thr VIP is in neural. A true leader leaves things better than they met it but this one seems to want to kill it once he is not head or has gone which is sad. I had so much respect for uncle but I have lost it all.
    • JACK BE STILL (30/01/2014, 12:40) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
      Anyone who seriously believes that Uncle ralph O'nealis going anywhere would also believe in little green people running around Road Town, Santa and the tooth fairy !
      • Scary Mary (31/01/2014, 12:44) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        Uncle has withdrawn HIMSELF from the people and the party. We barely hear from him and we rarely heard from him during his last turn in office.

        If he has no plans to vacate his position as head of the party, he will forced aside. Sad but true.

        I have always liked Uncle and had great respect for him in many ways. However, he should have bowed out gracefully when he had the chance. Sadly, that time has passed and I am relatively confident that the younger generation won't sit still for yet another election under his leadership.

        Sadly, my family are left in a quandary. None of us are happy with either party (as they stand today) or any of the potential leaders, if either leader were to step down. It's a sad state of affairs. To us it's six of one, half dozen of the other. None of them seem willing to actually REPRESENT the people. They prefer to do what THEY think best and to heck with what the voters think.

        I'd like to remind all past, present and future district and at large REPRESENTATIVES that you are elected by the people to REPRESENT the MAJORITY. Being elected does not give any representative a free pass to do as HE or SHE sees fit!

        Who does not hear will feel! I just hope we have a better selection of candidates in 2015 with some NEW blood and better ears for hearing us ABOVE their own (self important) voices.
  • SAHRA PARLIN (30/01/2014, 09:03) Like (5) Dislike (12) Reply
    It’s highly unfortunate and disappointing that many of our elected officials in the current NDP have no interest in the people. They are elected and only serve the wishes of foreign interests of the big corporate entities on the sister islands an cays that exploit and oppress our people.

    Equally sad is the VIP has become a waste of time
  • qc (30/01/2014, 09:08) Like (6) Dislike (6) Reply
    Dr. Fahie, go on over to the NDP or PEP. Your services will be well appreciated by the country.
  • JACK BE STILL (30/01/2014, 09:11) Like (8) Dislike (7) Reply
    I think Andrew is not telling the truth, there's more to it.
  • Go on (30/01/2014, 09:16) Like (22) Dislike (4) Reply
    The VIP is stuck in neutral, while the current NDP is struggling to get out of reverse gear. Sad state of affairs.
    • rattie (30/01/2014, 12:33) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      NDP coming back or getting things going after two long years that's a joke!
  • THENWHO (30/01/2014, 09:20) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
    If VIP and NDP need to go, then it means its time for PEP and Shana's party. What a ting to tell the King!!
  • time will tell (30/01/2014, 09:23) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well today you are up tomorrow you are down
  • we the people (30/01/2014, 09:27) Like (10) Dislike (8) Reply
    not to worry the VIP will bounce back.
  • No Confidence (30/01/2014, 09:51) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    I have no faith in either party; they have been tried, tested and both have failed the people and this Territory!! Time for fresh faces with feasible ideas to get this ship on the right course!!
  • clean talk (30/01/2014, 09:52) Like (5) Dislike (13) Reply
    why is HON ANDREW FAHIE WHO IS ALWAYS calling on GOD name dont be still and know that GOD is GOD he will fight our battles.NOW hear me i never heard him confess to be a christian nor did i say that a born again wash in the blood of JESUS and have the HOLY GHOST living in side of him christian cannot speak out about the injustice in the country.PLEASE HON FAHIE pray and leave it alone it is GODwho put up and take down.READthe story of king nebucanazza.
    • @clear talk (30/01/2014, 10:44) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      You try rest yourself because you now judging the man which means that you are playing God. I admire Fahie's positive mindset because most persons run away from things when the chips are down. But Fahie has stuck it out with the VIP despite the negative words about him from within & without the VIP. It takes a real man that cares to do this & the people will benefit in the end. Time will tell.
    • behave (30/01/2014, 12:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      like it was still walking about praying up the complex?
      • Big timer !! (30/01/2014, 18:54) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        If you all think changing government is the solution go ahead. Then we will get things to talk.
  • Michael (30/01/2014, 10:48) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Its time for voters to think outside the box. What we need is a strong third party. Both the VIP and NDP have disappointed us in someway or the other. The problem I have with the VIP is that many of the problems we are now facing, including the sewage situation should have been dealt with during their earlier years in power while the territory was experiencing great economic propserity. They could have made the airport runway longer when it was first expanded and could have further expand the length of the cruise pier. This would have strengthened our tourism product and placed us in a much better position that we are now. In short, the the VIP lacked vision and as a result failed o plan for long term.

    The situation is not much different. They first came to power in 2003 following a campaign of promises of change and government is the sunshine. Unfortunately they failed to live up to their promises and was ejected from office after just one term. The VIP Government was relected following a resounding victory at the polls in 2007 with many feeling confident that all would be well once again while the old political stalwart the Hon. R.T. O'Neal is at the helm.

    Unfortunately, the world strongest economies all went into a tail spin which brought the global economy to its knees. Fortunately, it would take the Virgin Islands years to feel the true effects of this catastrophe. However, with a now weakened VIP, which apparently lacked the know how was unable to respond largely because they, much like the ousted NDP had burnt through the remaining of the territory's financial reserves due to a flurry of election spending in an apparent last ditch effort to win the support of the so called small man, whomever they are.

    The result? The VIP lost the Government and the NDP was swept back into power, though with a small majority. Almost three years into power with an economy at a standstill, the NDP Government now finds itself facing a worldwind of criticism from the way they handled the proposed cruise pier expansion project to the continued conflict of interest due to many of the party members involvment with the BVI Investment Club. The result is that many voters in the Virgin Islands are now calling for their removal from office inspite of the fact that the next general election is not constitutionally due before somtime towards the middle or he end of 2015. Now the looming questions many voters have in their minds is whether there would be an suitable alternative to the NDP or VIP come 2015 or would they once again be forced to choose the lesser or two evils.

    For me the choice is crystal clear. Neither nor NDP or VIP derserve my vote. Instead I will sit back and hope that a few honest men and women, who truly have this country at heart step up to the plate and declare their candidacy.
    • Politics (30/01/2014, 12:48) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
      You are talking pure nonsense! Any viable 3rd party will turn into the same thing that these current parties have. You cannot have a party without financiers, backers/supporters and once you get in, you will do the same damn thing that they did. If you win elections and you really want to 'change' Government for the better, you will need 'your' people in critical positions and when I say your people, I mean suitably QUALIFIED people within your camp who you can trust. But then what? Once you do that, the people look at it as cronyism. So what will this 3rd party do? Keep a set of people in positions who will not push their agenda, just to seem 'fair'? Cut the BS! Running a campaign costs millions in these times. Nobody finances these things just from the goodness of their heart. The BVI don't need no damn 3rd party, we need a different system. What we need is for CABINET Ministers to ALL be elected Territory-wide (AT LARGE!) and that will solve all of our problems. Anybody wanting to be a Minister with the big stick will have to act on behalf of ALL residents of the Territory if they want to smell their seat again. Every single local qualified to contest elections in the BVI will have a conflict of interest whether directly or indirectly and that's a fact. Let's be realistic here and stop beating the same old drum. NDP was a new party when they came out and now they're being crucified. Any other party that comes out will be crucified as well. If you have a party system it always comes down to TWO main parties. Even in countries will millions of voters third parties don't make that much of a difference so what will it do here with about 12,000 voters? All that will happen is that the incumbent Government wins re-election. PEP and VIP are going after the same voters this time around. PPA may come back on the scene but nobody will pay them any mind. for what? Even if they win 2 seats they can't form a Government with that so their work, plans etc. go down the drain. Then what, we hear about a few other new ones popping up, who studying them? PEP and VIP split votes, NDP supporters remain and it's enough to win them the election. If we want Party politics we need to live with it. If we want change, let's revamp the At Large system, only candidates voted for by the ENTIRE Territory can hold Ministerial positions. Then and only then will we see any real change instead of pandering to a few hundred people in one corner and they put you in a position to lead the country, makes no sense. Finally, all this talk of new party, none of the new ones can bring you 13 candidates, lucky if they got even 5 decent ones. Pure nonsense and barring a big blow up, cross overs etc, NDP will win elections. Archie may be booted from his at large seat if some good ones come but NDP will get 7 or 8 seats with at least 3 of them being at large with Myron, Doc and Ronnie.
      • problem (30/01/2014, 15:15) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
        I disagree with you. You state, "Running a campaign costs millions in these times". Now how did we come to that in the BVI? We have lost our grass roots and fund raising idealogy we once had. Our politics is becoming liek the US whereby those with the deepest pockets have the better advantage. Be careful what you wish for; you do realize that the At-Large system was created and implemented (by the FCO) to destabalize Government at the time and oust VIP but it did not work. How many other BDTs have the At-Large system? When you find that out come back and comment. I could get into population demographics as to why At-LArge is not advantageous for the VIslander. We'll keep the districts thank you very much!

        Furthermore, the two party system is completely bogus! Basically it is two gangs fighting for turf; there is a need for a new gang to upset the status quo. Another note is elected members taking alternative oaths that are not in the interest of the people or country as a whole.

        Elected officials are there and part of a broken sytem with civil servants being the engine of this country. It will take the ELECTORATE to have wisdom and really want change in order for us to move forward. If the electorate wish for a new party but come with the same bush politics (handouts, fridge, stove, mortgage payment, cruise, retaining wall, paved road) then it is all for naught because they have SOLD their vote. If an elected official has bought a vote then they are corrupted before they even enter the HOA! I am not for either party at the moment cause they have both disappointed. What I am looking on the ballot are people (men & women) who have this BVI to heart and willing to say NO when an absurd request comes there way that may compromise them, their position and this country.
  • virgin gorda (30/01/2014, 10:50) Like (11) Dislike (5) Reply
    it's so clear that once the vip gets its act together and have fraser as the leader they gone clear come next elections
  • Trujillo (30/01/2014, 10:50) Like (6) Dislike (6) Reply
    Fahie just showing why he cannot be leader of the VIP not now or ever
  • yellow (30/01/2014, 11:56) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    forward ever backwards never
  • Proud (30/01/2014, 12:35) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    Anyone who seriously believes the VIP is dead does not underastanding the BVI voters
  • north sound (30/01/2014, 12:45) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    The sad truth is that because of people like Ralph O’Neal remains the single greatest threat to any hopes of the VIP coming back so in the end it will be NDP again!!!
    • Really? (30/01/2014, 13:28) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      The problem is not Mr Oneal, who can he past the baton to? Fraser? Fahie? Alvin already gone about his business. Mr Oneal will not past the VIP mantle to either of the 'F's, that's a fact. So that's the problem not the man himself. School kids say it got a bombshell to drop soon but we'll see..
      • HMMM (02/02/2014, 11:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        he dont have to pass the baton cause he dont have it. love him and he cares so for the bvi but time is time, and this is time.
    • x (30/01/2014, 13:54) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
      Boss ndp must go
  • same 'ol same 'ol (30/01/2014, 13:30) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    whoever wins, it will just be the same. 90% of their time will be spent in pointing fingers at the previous administration, only 10% in doing their jobs. before they even reach 50%, its time for election again..oh well.
  • David (30/01/2014, 13:38) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    If you want to change the way government works, you have to change who you elect. A new, fresh political party is needed.
    • @ David (31/01/2014, 06:40) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      We change the government last time put in some new faces and so called young blood...look at the mess we got? More corruption, waste of tax payers money and so much foolishness and childish behavior…better we go back to the old guard at least we know the devil we had!!
  • choice (30/01/2014, 16:28) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    who said ralph and Oolando are the only two that can run the place eh
  • bb (30/01/2014, 18:31) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    NDP VIP who cares we are hungry!!
  • RICHARD (05/02/2014, 19:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Funny you should use the name Sarah Parlin, you are as dumb and out of touch as Sarah Palin is.


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