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by pltm
(PLTM) - Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Andrew Fahie admitted to reporters that he has stepped ahead of government by calling the meetings that kicks off on August 16 regarding the UK’s request for information on future relations.
During a press conference on August 15, the media asked the Opposition Leader whether he consulted with the government regarding his decision to hold public consultation and why he decided to take the matter into his hands.
In response Hon. Fahie said: “This is an initiative that should be led by government, to be honest with you, but I have seen this opportunity pass our people by all of the time. I also believe in practicing what you preach if you say you want transparency, if you say you want accountability… you can’t wait till you meet in a government to do that.”
He noted that the views of the BVI in response to the UK’s inquiry on the future relationships between the United Kingdom and the overseas territories could have been submitted by any citizen of the Territory.
“This initiative does not need me to do, anyone can write into the website for the UK and submit their input; but let’s face fact, the fact most people do not check on the weight of the elephant until it gets on their foot. Most persons are very busy in the community and it is up to the leaders that they’ve put in place to alert them, because they are the gate keepers,” he said.
In relation to whether he consulted Premier Dr. the Hon. D. Orlando Smith, the Leader of the Opposition said: “I have spoken to the Premier and I don’t want to use this press conference for his response, so he will tell the people what he is doing and what his course of action is. My course of action will involve the people. “
When further prompted for details of his conversation with the Premier, Hon. Fahie said: “We spoke last night …we were able to speak to each other…that would have been after the House of Assembly last night,” he said.
In response to why he is pushing ahead with the consultation with a small window remaining before the September 3 deadline, Hon. Fahie said: “I was pausing hoping that government would take the lead… The moment you try to do something in this country it’s so political –that people always say you looking for power… People misunderstand that interest in your country has nothing to do with you looking for power for you. You’re looking power for people.”
The Select Foreign Affairs Committee in the United Kingdom was established to conduct an inquiry on the future relationships between the United Kingdom and the 14 Overseas Territories.
The consultation being spearheaded by the Leader of the Opposition is to gather information from nationals and Belongers of the Territory, which would then be forwarded to the Committee by September 3.
The topics to be discussed are: human rights frameworks, the benefits of the relationship of the UK to the OT’s and; of the OT’s to the UK; the adequacy or inadequacy of financing of the OTs; representation of the OTs in the UK; in the Commonwealth and; in other international forums and; the identification and assessment of Assets and liabilities (including but not limited to ecological richness and the effects of extreme weather, and natural resources such as minerals and fish).
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