Former Speaker of the Virgin Islands House of Assembly Julian Willock has slammed claims which suggest that he was a rogue Speaker and acted outside his remit while serving in the position.
Willock responded to the claims during his recent appearance on the local radio programme Talking Points.
He said he never once acted beyond his outlined responsibilities, adding that he was more than reasonable in his approach to members of the House of Assembly during his tenure.
“I’ve always said to them that I serve at the pleasure of the members. I have never ever been some sort of rogue Speaker. I’ve never pretended or acted like any minister. I was clear about the role of the Speaker and I believe that Speakers are to be heard in the House of Assembly… in silence when it is relevant and they’re to work on the mandate given to them by members,” Willock stated.
The former Speaker also insisted that he consulted members of the House on matters regularly, adding that he could not understand why some members would classify him in such offensive terms.
He said, “I consult members on, for example, some Speakers throughout the Commonwealth countries would say members are only allowed to speak for 20 minutes or 30 minutes. I haven’t done that. I’ve said members, let’s agree between the opposition and the premier on a speaking time. So those are the kinds of broad-based consultations that I’ve practiced.”
“So it was a little troubling when some of them suggested that this was some rogue speaker doing what he wants and acting like a minister. It was a little disheartening, divorced from the reality. But again, when you are dealing with politicians, they have a role to play and they have constituents to deal with and they read the temperature, and maybe at the time, the Speaker was not so popular. So I understand all that they have faced,” Willock further expressed.
Only two members wanted me out
Willock also claimed that it was only two persons from the 13 elected House of Assembly members that wanted him out as Speaker.
He said while he could have challenged the matter and put it to a vote, he opted to be selfless and put the needs of the territory first by stepping down without a fight.
“I wasn’t prepared to fight. They had reserved the right to bring a motion to remove me and it’s still up in the air whether they had the vote to do that. But nevertheless as I said I have lived my life trying to serve my country and if stepping aside as Speaker for a while helps in whatever the Unity Government is trying to achieve, I am there. I have never been obsessed with power,” Willock stated.