Hon Flax-Charles says eradication of colonialism on her 2023 wish list
Junior Minister for Trade, Economic Development and Agriculture Hon Sheeren D. Flax-Charles (AL) said her New Year's wish for 2023 is to see the eradication of colonialism, among other challenges in the Virgin Islands (VI).
Speaking under ‘Other Business’ during the Continuation of the Ninth Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Fourth House of Assembly, on December 21, 2022, Hon Flax-Charles said while it was a relief that the budget for 2023 was passed, her New Year’s wish includes the creation of better roads, completion of the Trellis Bay Visitor Center and the provision of water pumps for wells at Paraquita Bay.
Hon Flax-Charles added that the eradication of colonialism is also on her agenda to see happen in 2023.
“I will not apologise for being a Virgin Islander, I will not apologise for being a Virgin Gordan. As the famous Calypsonian has said, tell them, I say I was born in this land, I go die in this land and nobody gonna run me from where I come from.”
During the budget debates, there has been
a heightened call from legislators including Hon Mark H. Vanterpool for
the UK to loosen its grip on the VI through the ending of colonialism
where OTs will immediately have more autonomy.
No 'yes woman'- Hon Flax-Charles
Hon Flax-Charles added that she is not going to be a ‘yes woman’ despite many factions, including persons in the House, disagreeing or having different opinions on matters.
“I'm not against what all of us in here, I think, want, but right is right and wrong is wrong, we all love in our own way, behind the scenes, in front the scenes all over these Virgin Islands, for a better Virgin Islands, not for those of us in the room, but for the people of these Virgin Islands.”
Hon Flax-Charles continued, “I speak when I need to, and I'm silent when I need to be silent. I may not win every victory, I may not win every war or every battle that has fought in this House, I may not always vote with the majority but be rest assured, I am here defending the people of these Virgin Islands,” she said.
During the budget debates, there was a heightened call from legislators, including Hon Mark H. Vanterpool, for the UK to loosen its grip on the VI by ending colonialism and giving British Overseas Territories more autonomy.
