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by pltm
(PLTM) - Former Minister of Health and Social Development, Hon. Carvin Malone has announced his decision to leave the Government of National Unity and to join Opposition Leader, Hon. Julian Fraser in the opposition effective immediately.
"I have said there is no bitterness in it," Hon. Malone announced this afternoon, June 15.
Hon. Malone who has been a long-standing member of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) is a first-time legislator having been elected in 2019 as an At-Large Representative.
He was stripped of his ministerial portfolio after the passage of the no-confidence motion against the VIP that saw Dr. Natalio Wheatley assume the Premiership following the arrest of former Premier Hon. Andrew Fahie who was arrested in the United States on drug trafficking and money laundering charges.
Hon. Malone explained that being cognizant of the political fates of other Overseas Territories in relation to having their Constitutions suspended and subsequent imposition of United Kingdom (UK) rule, he committed the last eight years to good governance principles.
Hon. Carvin Malone admitted to the people of the Virgin Islands that he was unsuccessful in this pursuit.
He stated that “With the laying of “THE VIRGIN ISLANDS CONSTITUTION (INTERIM AMENDMENT) ORDER 2022 No. 627” in the UK's House of Parliament on 9th June, 2022 and its inevitable proclamation via gazette by the Governor in the Virgin Islands, I regrettable have considered that I have failed in my quest.”
In addition, Hon. Malone expressed that although he believes that the Government of National Unity, which is led by Dr. Natalio Wheatley, is well-intentioned in the goal to secure the interests of the people, Hon. Malone noted that his views critically differ from most of the members of the Government.
“I am equally convinced however that several substantive decisions and processes adopted by the majority of my government colleagues on how best to attain this goal are in stark contrast to my views and will result in conflicts that are not necessarily beneficial to the territory’s primary goal,” Hon. Malone stated.
He also revealed that one of his main reasons for contesting in the last General Election was to assist in ensuring that the Virgin Islands constitution would not be suspended, either completely or partially.
Hon. Malone's stated that in spite of the announcement to cross the floor his commitment to serving the interests of present and future Virgin Islanders remains unwavering.
“The issue I now face, for the remaining term of this 4th House of Assembly is to decide how best I can assist the territory and our citizens of what opportunities and challenges are immediately ahead,” Hon. Malone told reporters.
