GOVERNOR’S QUALITIES MORE IMPORTANT THAN COLOUR: CM SAYS

by Oscar Ramjeet

 Reports from Bermuda state that the ruling Progressive Labour Party wants that territory's next governor to be black.

In the light of the wishes of Bermudians The Island Sun contacted British Virgin Islands  Chief Minister, Dr. Orlando Smith by telephone and asked him if he was thinking like the Bermudians in that regard. In response he responded— "I am not looking for colour--- what I want is quality".

He went on to say that he is not placing emphasis on the colour of the Queen's representative, but what is important to him and his government is the caliber and quality of the person. Asked whether he was satisfied with the current governor, David Pearey, he responded, "of course I am"

The Royal Gazette of Bermuda reported that there have been explicit discussions with Government House in Bermuda about recruiting either Baroness Valerie Armos or Baroness Patricia Scotland - two high-flying Caribbean-born ministers in Britain's Labour Government.

The current governor in that territory, Sir John Vereker is scheduled to leave early next year and talks have begun of breaking the mould of hiring relatively unknown white men instead of recruiting someone who is known to Bermuda. Both Baronees Amos and Scotland are known by both government and opposition members. In fact the former Premier, Alex Scott had suggested either one of the two baronesses to govern his territory and his predecessor Jennifer has concurred.

Both Dominica-born Baroness Scotland, and Guyanese born Amos are also known to Dr. Smith, but the BVI leader is not thinking like his Bermnudian counterparts.

The Royal Gazette stated that serious consideration was given to both Baroness Scotland and Baroness Amos from the UK end. The report said "it's been discussed both in Bermuda and in the UK."

Baroness Scotland visited the BVI when Dr. Smith was in the opposition. At that time she was junior Minister in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office She is now Minister of State for the Crimianl Justice System and Offender Management.

Baroness Amos who hails from the island of Wakenaam Essequibo, the birth place of West Indies vice captain Ramnaresh Sarwan, was appointed to Britain's House of Lords in 1997. In 2001 she became Overseas Territories Minister.