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by pltm
(PLTM) - There are active discussions taking place to push for Hon. Ronnie Skelton to be named Leader of the Opposition, a post currently held by First District Representative Hon. Andrew Fahie.
This was confirmed by persons close to Skelton's newly formed party, Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM).
Speaking to BVI Platinum News today, December 13, in his first appearance on the Opposition side since being booted from Government, Hon. Skelton declared, “I don’t want to take anything.”
Further, he denied allegations that Second District Representative, Hon. Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull, who is a candidate under PVIM, wrote to Governor Gus Jaspert recommending that he (Skelton) replace Hon. Fahie.
“That’s not true,” he said, also adding, “I am not interested in doing anything besides doing what is legally right and appropriate.”
Hon. Skelton was also very vague in his response when asked whether or not he would support a recommendation for him to take the position.
“When it happens, I will let you know.”
PVIM now currently holds the majority in the opposition 3-2. Following the June 2015 polls, former Governor John Duncan appointed Hon. Julian Fraser as Opposition Leader. At the time, Mr Fraser was leader of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP).
Subsequently, when Hon. Fahie won the party's leadership from Hon. Fraser, members of he VIP wrote to the Governor in support of having Hon. Fahie as Opposition Leader.
Mr Duncan, in an unprecedented move, rescinded the appointment of Hon. Fraser, and appointed Hon. Fahie has Opposition Leader.
According to the Constitution, the Opposition Leader is appointed by the Governor based on the majority support from the members of the opposition. However, it remains to be seen if Governor Jaspert would consider such a move with elections just months away.
Keeping Gov't Accountable?
In the meantime, Hon. Skelton, who has been in government for two consecutive terms said that, he will be pushing to keep the Government accountable to the people.
“All Opposition Members will be working hand-in-hand...The Opposition is all about keeping the Government accountable and responsible to the public. I will do my job…I have a new assignment and I will do it the best way I know how," Hon. Skelton who was recently fired as Health Minister and later resigned from the National Democratic Party (NDP).
It should be noted that despite these sentiments, recently when Hon. Skelton was asked about Government mismanagement of funds and projects while he was a Minister in Government and sat in Cabinet Caucuses, he refused to accept any blame.
“In Cabinet, I approved the airlines project, how the Government spend the money…you can’t hold me responsible for that…I was not the leader of the National Democratic Party. You cannot hold me guilty for things that I did not have responsibility for,” he had stated.
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