In Or Out? Fraser Questioned

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Hon. Andrew Fahie during the first episode of VIP Moving Forward on CBN Channel 51

(PLTM) - The time is drawing near for former Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), Hon. Julian Fraser, to indicate whether he wants to remain a member of the movement, or sever all ties. This was noted by the recently elected Chairman of the party and Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Andrew Fahie, along with other members of the VIP's executive.

Hon. Fahie, along with former At-Large candidate, Dr. Karl Dawson and Carvin Malone, were the firsts guests on the VIP’s new television series, dubbed ‘VIP Moving Forward’. The programme first aired last evening, July 20, on CBN channel 51.

Over the past months, persons have noted Hon. Fraser’s absence at several activities and events directly linked to the party. This issue has raised many concerns amongst the supporters of the party.

An apparent disconnect has also been noted between both the former Chairman, and the current Chairman of the party.

On last evening’s programme, Hon. Fahie did note that there is some animosity between the two, but stated however, “I’m not saying I am 100 percent right, but I’m not saying I’m 100 percent wrong.”

He said, “I am willing to go more than 50 percent to fix whatever we have to fix, and I have been doing that.”

Hon. Fahie said that if the issue persists, regarding Hon. Fraser’s absence in party activities, a personal inquiry would be made as to his interest in continuing as a member.

This notion was also supported by VIP’s President and host of the television show, Dr. Natalio 'Sowande' Wheatley, who stated that he can he attest to Hon. Fahie’s attempts to reach out to Hon. Fraser on several occasions.

Dr. Wheatley added that the attitude and mentality of the former Chairman has no place in politics.

“Young people don’t have time for for that kind of politics. We want leaders who are going to put country first and our needs ahead of their own interest. We have a lot of challenges to face as a Territory and we need leaders to step up to the plate and address those challenges, and put any selfish concerns on the side.”

Dr. Dawson also chimed in on the matter, where he stated that the party and its members have no shortage of respect for the former Chair. He noted however that it is imperative that the party moves on and continue to move.

“I have been around the table and I know the efforts we have made to Hon. Fraser to assure him that he still has a place in the party as long as he wants it. But at the same time, we cannot paralyze the party and at some point, we have to say you’re either with us or against us, and we have to move forward.”

I Have No Beef With Fraser

"I have no beef with Hon Fraser. This is about country above self and I have to put away all childlike behavior," Hon. Fahie said on the programme last evening, while reiterating that he has made many attempts to include the former Chairman in any activities and events directly linked to the party.

He said that the Hon. Fraser’s schedule seems to be a hectic one.

“I want to assure the public that my attitude of leading VIP has been an open one. It’s the way I live; I have an open door policy,” Hon. Fahie said.

He continued, “I have always made sure I extend courtesies to Hon. Fraser to ensure he is a part of it. Thus far, his schedule does not seem to be able to accommodate. I will continue to extend courtesies to him. At the end of the day, whatever is there to be fixed, I am willing to sit down and fix it, but I’m not going to sit down and leave the VIP paralyzed to fix one issue. You have to fix while moving forward.”

Rebuilding

In the meantime, Hon. Fahie stated that his efforts continue in rebuilding the Virgin Islands Party to where it once was.

“I met a lot of expenses, but as the head you can’t run from it, you have to deal with it.”

He noted that since taking over the party in November 2016, “We are not where we want to be, but we are not where we were. It has only been six months and I am already fixing back the systems in the party so that everyone can feel apart.”

No long will the party be a target for slander and propaganda, Hon. Fahie said.

“We are not going to sit back and allow people to brand us, or sit down and not answer. We are not going to be silent; we will come to the forefront and dispel a lot of the gossip.”

He added, “VIP had a history where we allow a lot of persons to say a lot of things and we do not respond, and they stuck to us. No more, we are growing.”

The party is also preparing itself for the next general elections, by looking for suitable candidates to contest on the party’s ticket. On this note, Hon. Fahie stated that these persons must possess immense love for the British Virgin Islands, and want to get into politics and leadership roles for all the right reasons.

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