Fraser rejects claims that HOA members seeking more power

Deputy Premier Julian Fraser has rejected suggestions that members of the House of Assembly (HOA) are seeking to increase their own power through the ongoing constitutional review process, arguing instead that the proposed changes are intended to empower the people of the Virgin Islands.

Fraser made the remarks during a public engagement session on constitutional negotiations in Virgin Gorda, where government officials outlined the territory’s negotiating positions ahead of discussions with the United Kingdom on constitutional reform.

Addressing concerns that lawmakers may be attempting to expand their authority, Fraser said elected representatives were focused on advancing the territory rather than personal gain.

“There are people who question whether or not the House of Assembly has this right,” Fraser said as he defended the legislature’s role in reviewing and amending recommendations made by the Constitutional Review Commission.

Fraser explained that the House of Assembly spent several months debating the Commission’s report and producing its own negotiating document. He noted that members reviewed the recommendations “term of reference by term of reference” and agreed on a collective position to be advanced in negotiations with the United Kingdom.

He also defended the legitimacy of elected representatives in shaping the territory’s constitutional position, citing the number of votes received by House members compared with attendance at public consultations held by the Constitutional Review Commission.

“The members elected in the House of Assembly do in fact represent the people of the territory,” Fraser stated.

During a later exchange with residents, Fraser addressed criticism that constitutional changes were aimed at increasing political power for legislators.

“Here we are talking about moving forward. And then you would have people, for whatever reason, keep talking about corruption. And we want to empower ourselves and all that kind of stuff,” Fraser said.

“I don’t think there’s a single soul in the House of Assembly today who is thinking about empowering themselves. I think all of us are more concerned about empowering the people of the territory than we are about empowering ourselves,” Fraser added.

The Deputy Premier argued that constitutional advancement would allow the Virgin Islands to exercise greater authority over its own affairs and cited other British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies that have broader powers than the BVI.

He pointed to territories such as Bermuda and the Cayman Islands as examples of jurisdictions with more advanced constitutional arrangements and fewer restrictions from the United Kingdom.

Fraser also linked constitutional reform to issues such as airport expansion, saying the territory faces hurdles in pursuing major projects due to constitutional and governance arrangements that require UK government approval.

“It behoves each and every one of us to rally behind the recommended amendments in this constitution,” Fraser said.

The constitutional negotiations are expected to begin in the coming months, with an initial round of discussions scheduled to take place in the Virgin Islands before further meetings are held in the United Kingdom.