Beautiful Virgin Islands

Monday, Jan 26, 2026

Disagree without 'degrading character' – Premier Fahie urges

Disagree without 'degrading character' – Premier Fahie urges

Virgin Islands (VI) Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has called on persons in the VI to remember their culture as it related to respect and values, especially when disagreeing on an issue.

“I'm not going to get angry with people and fighting people because we disagree on an issue,” Premier Fahie said during the 12th Sitting of the 3rd Session of the 4th House of Assembly on November 5, 2021.

Hon Fahie said since taking up the role as premier, he has had to say more prayers than usual.

“When you hear what some people tell you and you being respectful to them and if you answer some of them out of the way, you’re the only one have something to lose so you have to shut your mouth,” he said.

The Premier continued, “But we have to learn also how to teach people what our fore-parents did. How do I disagree with the Leader of the Opposition without degrading his character? How do I disagree with the Minister of Education without degrading his character?” the Premier questioned.

Some persons have sought to justify their disrespectful expressions towards elected officials due to revelations of the Commission of Inquiry, even though there has been no evidence of corruption but rather a need to introduce or tighten policies for transparency and accountability.


Culture or respect- Premier Fahie


The Premier said being respectful was part of the VI culture; however, he said respect has been going out the door even as the people have become more educated.

“We're allowing ourselves to get in a position where we could become enslaved again because some people think that their own is not good enough to do anything,” he said.

“That's why when the 1949 March came up, it would have had more unity than [now] because it was not about fighting for something personal."

Some persons have sought to justify their disrespectful expressions towards elected officials due to revelations of the Commission of Inquiry, even though there has been no evidence of corruption but rather a need to introduce or tighten policies for transparency and accountability.

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