Giving Anegada its own District Rep possible in constitution review
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has said that although he believes there is no appetite in the Virgin Islands to add a new Electoral District, adding one for Anegada is something up for consideration as the government moves forward with a constitution review.
Dr Wheatley said he understands that people from Anegada may feel neglected in some sense because of its distance from Tortola and the other sister islands.
He added that the government must listen to the people of Anegada if an exclusive district representative is something they want.
“Certainly, that is a consideration we have to take forward to the people as we are reviewing our constitution. We are reviewing our laws and processes so now is a good time to determine whether we want to add any more districts. I am not sure there is an appetite in the Virgin Islands for that but of course, the people have to make their voices heard and if that is what the people of Anegada want, we have a duty to consider it,” the Premier said.
He noted the government has the opportunity and power – both legislatively and constitutionally – to redraw the boundaries of any district. Currently, on the electoral map, Anegada is drawn in the Ninth District with Virgin Gorda and both islands are represented by Vincent Wheatley.
“Of course, Anegada is far away from Tortola, and I know the people there feel neglected and they might feel as though having a representative may help with that. I believe the Ninth District Representative pays close attention to what is happening there and some of the [Territorial] At-Large Representatives, persons like Honourable Shereen Flax-Charles, have regular visits to Anegada,” the Premier said.
“I feel that we have seen a lot of progress in Anegada. So, I believe until a decision has been made to have a separate representative over there, I would encourage the Ninth District Representative and the At-Large members to pay particular attention there,” Dr Wheatley added.
The Premier also encouraged the different ministries in his government to pay keen attention to the needs of Anegada residents.
“All of the ministries of government – whether it is Education, Health, whether it is Natural Resources or Communication & Works, and myself as the Premier that we pay particular attention to the needs of the people of the Ninth District of Anegada in particular,” Dr Wheatley stated.
Late last year, the different ministers under the then Andrew Fahie-led government had offered support for a proposal that sought to give Anegada an exclusive district representative.
The ministers had held a meeting with residents on the sister island and former Premier Fahie, Territorial At-Large Representative Carvin Malone, Works Minister Kye Rymer as well as Ninth District Representative Vincent Wheatley all offered their support, in principle, to move the initiative forward.
Dr Wheatley was not present at the meeting.
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We voting C. Levons for Anegada
will submerge this island soon so why bother. But it will become a great yacht anchorage and water sports area for future marine tourism.
why dem send all failures to anegada…anegada people dem allyo stop dem at de wharf and send dem back tola and vg. wat a set of moo moos… tola people will send dem miami wid andrew.
Anegada should have its own separate representation.
…for Anegada. We do not want Tortolan colononizers here.
Our Westminster system is not designed for good governance or independence. It was developed for use by English counties to decide things like where the sewerage lines went and how to allocate funds for schools. It is no longer used in the UK and hasn’t helped US with sewerage or education either. How can we possibly work toward independence using a political system that even the UK no longer uses for local governance?
Our political system needs a complete overhaul and yes, Anegada needs representation. There are people who are not only qualified to help redesign our political structure and constitution, but who actually care about the future of the Territory (eventual country?). Let’s find them
If they are planning another district then they need to cut two or even more as we already have to much.
May as well get a member for JVD too. They have just as many people as Anegada.
Damn, just get a member for Norman, Peter, Salt, Great Camanoe and Cooper too!
Moskito, Eustacia, Guana, Scrub, and Necker might enquire as well.
No question the outer islands need better representation but really, this is the proposed plan?
and remove 2 at large posts
I think that’s a good idea!
Yes give Anegada it’s own district rep so anytime a party wants to sway an election and win a seat they only need to put about 10 Spanish people over there with be longer status to vote……smdh……
We want Flax!!!!!