Statement By The Leader Of The Opposition Dr. The Hon. D. Orlando Smith On Why The Opposition Walked Out On The Legco Meeting

Ladies and gentlemen, by now many of you would have heard of the Opposition's en masse departure from yesterday's sitting of the Legislative Council. It is my duty as Leader of the Opposition to inform you why we found it necessary to take this action.

Ladies and gentlemen, one of the stated reasons for increasing the number of Members in the Legislative Council and particularly for adding the At-Large seats was to encourage debate in the House. The reason for encouraging debate in the House is two-fold: To inform you the people of our community of what your Government is doing on your behalf as well as what they plan to do: To hear their views on what is important for us as a people and by hearing these views to be able to hold the Members of the Legislative Council accountable when they are in the position to act on your behalf. Last night's debate was very important because of the increasing incidents of crime and particularly violent crime and domestic violence in this country and what it says about us as a people, about our love for God and our fellowman, about our compassion and caring for each other. Ladies and gentlemen, last night's debate was even more urgent and dramatic because of the molestation of a five (5) year old reported just yesterday morning.

The motion on crime and domestic violence which would not have been introduced at a more appropriate time, was examined by both the Speaker and the Attorney General and accepted as satisfactory to be put to the House. The motion was put and supported most eloquently by the Hon. Ronnie Skelton because he feels so passionately about our country and about the effect of increasing crime and domestic violence. After more than three hours of debate had taken place on the issue, the Chief Minister claimed, while giving very little support to the topic, that there were financial implications in the Motion and that he could therefore not support it. Ladies and Gentlemen, I beg your indulgence as I read the relevant part of the motion: ....Now therefore be it resolved that the Legislative Council of the Virgin Islands do appoint a special select Committee of five legislators...to investigate and make recommendations on how to address the root causes of the aforementioned activities. (being crime, antisocial behaviour and domestic violence).

In my humble opinion, there were no financial implications. However, I leave it to you to drawn your own conclusions. On the mid-day news, in a rather convoluted statement, the Chief Minister said that he would offer an alternative at a later date when the subject could be discussed informally and carried back to the House. He also said that at that time, he would be taking a motion for a supplementary appropriation to the House, which could include provision for any action on the subject.

Ladies and gentlemen, this was just a delaying tactic and more politics as usual, while our women and children continue to be assaulted daily. I maintain that the Motion had no direct financial implications. We were certain of this, and have since confirmed our opinion with a leading Caribbean Parliamentarian. Ladies and gentlemen, we are insistent that proper debate must be allowed in the House. The Speaker should have allowed a vote to be taken on the motion. His actions were so contrary to the principles of democracy to which we accord the highest regard, that we had no recourse but to depart from the House at that stage. Ladies and gentlemen, we have noticed a most disturbing trend in the Legislative Council where the rights of your Representatives on this side of the House are no longer respected. This must end.