Constitutional reform debate expected to spark intense discussion
When the House of Assembly begins debating the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) Report on September 18, Virgin Islanders will face decisions that could reshape how power is shared and how leaders are held accountable for decades to come.
The report, based on months of public consultations, makes 57 recommendations. At the centre is the electoral system, with many residents saying the At-Large seats no longer work as intended.
Proposals include requiring the Premier and Deputy Premier to be selected from Territorial At-Large members, ensuring they answer to voters across the territory. There is also growing support for fixed election dates to make the process fairer and more predictable.
The question of how the Premier is chosen is likely to spark heated debate. Some residents want the post to be directly elected by the people, giving the office a stronger mandate. The CRC did not recommend this model, citing costs and complexity, but left the door open.
Term limits for the Premier are also on the table.
Calls for stronger local government structures featured heavily in consultations. Many believe communities should decide more for themselves instead of relying solely on central government. At the same time, the report pushes for stronger accountability measures, including tougher rules on conflicts of interest, constitutional protection for statutory boards, and greater freedom of information.
Perhaps the most politically charged issue is the balance of power between the Governor and local leaders. The CRC recommends clarifying reserved powers and creating a mechanism to gradually transfer some authority to the Virgin Islands Government without full constitutional change.
Residents are being urged to read the report and follow the debate closely, as the issues raised are expected to shape how democracy in the Virgin Islands functions for years to come.
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A power shift from the Governer to the the local people must be ront and center, and must become apermanent feature in Virgin Islands political
Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados, in 2020, annoounced her countroy’s intention to remove Queen Elizabeth 11 as head of state t become a republic.
“Recommends clarifying reserved powers and creating a mechanism to gradually transfer some authority to the Virgin Islands Government” must become a reality.
As, most peöple are yawning to be free. To be free t guide their own political aspirations and future, sink or float, into the future, without the chains of conolial and neocolonialism as its master.
Um sir please have that energy for our local politicians who bold face misuse our tax money
Bank of Asia
Pier park
Eshs wall
Bi water
Greedy bill
Grants
Pay rise after getting greedy bill despite alrdy making livable wage
Bvi airways
Fake fishers
Fake farmers
Fake students getting scholarships money
Etc etc
people like you is who steal and corrupt our country people like you dirty minded.
with a fixed date for independence should be the agenda here but as usual the Virgin Islands fear and complacency drives every avenue of achieving independence. Imagine recommending term limits for our Premier but none for expat workers. Why should I even waste my time.
The inheritors of slave blood money are busy thumbing down the truths about local political aspirations,as usual.
All the BVI constitutional reforms since 1949 have eventually failed as these islands develop as overseas territories of the UK. Better to abolish the BVI constitution for now until a vote for independence or OT status is held for ALL persons over 18 years who reside in the BVI since 2022.
All familiarise yourselves with the report as it will now increasingly be the subject of much discourse around the territory.
Don’t rely on what you hear from others – read it yourselves.