VIP disagrees with Flax-Charles

By MERRICK ANDREWS
Online News Editor

The Virgin Islands Party (VIP) has responded to the resignation of Territorial At-Large Representative, Shereen D. Flax-Charles — giving its side of the story over her non-ratification as a candidate in the General Elections, which appears to be one of the main reasons behind her resignation.

On Sunday, Flax-Charles, who is also the Junior Minister for Trade and Economic Development, Agriculture and Fisheries, resigned from the VIP, noting in a statement she will only be part of a leadership that is “transparent, fair and honest”.

Flax-Charles was not among the 10 candidates — seven district and three at-large candidates — who were ratified by the VIP Congress on Jan. 5.

Following the congressional meeting, it was disclosed at a press conference by Party Chairman and Premier, Natalio Wheatley, that Flax-Charles’s non-ratification had to do with administrative issues: paper work she submitted did not meet the requirements.

Party officials had said that a “special meeting” will be convened soon to ratify the remaining candidates.

In her resignation statement, however, last Sunday, Flax-Charles insisted that she followed the protocols.

The party disagrees.

“The Virgin Islands Party executive is in receipt of the resignation of Honourable Shereen Flax-Charles, Territorial At-Large Representative. Contrary to what was stated in the press release by Hon. Flex-Charles, the party maintains that the paperwork submitted did not satisfy the requirements. Hon. Flax-Charles received written correspondence of what needed to be rectified, and to date has made no attempts to do so,” the party said as it “expresses its gratitude for the service demonstrated by Hon. Flax-Charles during her time in office and wishes her the best in her future endeavours”.

The VIP went on to say that “it remains committed to promoting good governance and demonstrating unity and strength as it approaches the 2023 general elections. The party is confident in its ability to continue serving the people of the Virgin Islands and maintaining its commitment to progress and development. Forward ever, backwards never!”

In her statement, Flax-Charles explained: “My priorities are clear and have been communicated. I will only be a part of leadership that is transparent, fair and honest, conducted with the utmost integrity; developing and honouring structures which hold us to account. On this vein, I want to ensure that my own upholding of these standards remains unquestionable.

“I pride myself on understanding and operating within laws and rules. While many of you have rightly dismissed the idea that I somehow infringed on the constitution of my former party, I know that for others this has been a concern as it brings my ethics and frankly, my common sense, under scrutiny.

“Summarizing The Virgin Islands Party Constitution, Article Twenty: Nomination and Selection of Candidates for the Legislature, it is made abundantly clear that any incumbent VIP member of the Legislative Council desirous of re-election under the banner of the party is entitled to do so once they have informed the executive by the deadline prescribed.

“I fulfilled the basic requirements as outlined in Section 4, and made my intention known to the party’s secretary. I could not met the deadline which Section 1 makes mention of as to date none has been communicated, at least not to me.

“Anyone interested in further investigating this exercise of wordplay and paperwork is free to peruse the party’s constitution. There will be varied opinions as there always are, but what I can share is that my interpretation is supported by a senior party member’s written correspondence. Ultimately, this is a minor matter. When compared to the tremendous challenges we face as a Territory, it warrants no further dialogue.

“I only raised this for two reasons. It is important to me that you all continue to know that I do not play party games and that I have complete respect for fair protocol and due process. Whatever clerical mishaps and misunderstandings may have occurred, I hold no animosity towards my former party as this only reassured me of what I have been considering for a time,” she added.

JTV News understands that Flax-Charles intends to remain as Junior Minister for Trade and Economic Development and a member of the National Unity government until the general elections which is due this year but for which a date has yet to be set.