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by pltm
(PLTM) - Back-bencher and rookie government member, Hon. Melvin 'Mitch' Turnbull took on Governor John Duncan over his historic decision in imposing his constitutional powers, forcing government to provide additional funding to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force.
The Second District Representative urged residents not to allow the Governor to take the Territory back in times, noting that they must stand together and fight.
"As long as I sit and stand for the people of these Virgin Islands, I will not sit quiet; this is our land, this Territory of the Virgin Islands belongs to us…We must do everything in our power to ensure we fight; ensure we grind our teeth; ensure that we put our heads together," he told the House of Assembly last evening, March 21.
He said, "Forget the silliness or trying to be popular or make a stand in the eyes of the people, when the move that was made to cripple the very people and set us back years and years."
No other member of the National Democratic Party administration has spoken out publicly on the actions of Governor Duncan, who has accused the government of not prioritizing areas for spending. Premier and Finance Minister, Hon. Dr. D. Orlando Smith as the Territory's leader held a live broadcast in response to the Governor hours after he announced his decision.
Hon. Turnbull said that he understands that these are the times where everyone wants to be popular.
"Everybody wants to be seem like they are involved in running this country, but I stand here not recollecting anytime the people of the Virgin Islands elected the Governor to represent us."
He added, "So I want to let the Premier know that he has my full and unwavering support to ensure that we do the things necessary to continue the progress that we have been making since the existence…We cannot turn back...We will continue to forge ahead because the people that put us here have to inherit just as we did this beautiful nation."
Meanwhile, he implied that the move was done for political points outside of the BVI.
"I would not take it lightly for anyone using what was done for political points, because it is far more reaching than local politics. It is far reaching to the point that it is seeming to pave the way for a host of things that we cannot afford..."
The Second District Representative also suggested that the decision by the Governor was not done in the best interest of the people. He said that the recent crime activities were used as an excuse.
"...So when we are going to use the law and constitution to justify a move we must ensure that it is contextual, we must ensure that we are doing it for the best interest of the people, and I don’t believe that was done in this instance," Hon. Turnbull said.
He reminded Premier Smith that he is ready to stand by him.
"I am letting the Hon. Premier know that I am a solider in battle with him and I would hold up his hands when it gets tired, but we will not allow and not sit idly by to allow this country’s progress to be turned back to from whence we came," he said.
"I understand that not in the history of thisTterritory has any past Governor exercised the constitutional privilege in the manner in which the Governor did."
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