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Non-locals invited! Constitutional Review doesn’t exclude anyone

Chair of the Constitutional Review Commission, Lisa Penn-Lettsome

Work permit holders and other non-residents who are legally residing in the BVI are welcome to present their views to the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC).

Chairperson for the CRC, Lisa Penn-Lettsome said she respects residents who believe only Belongers and BVIslanders should participate as they will be most affected by the next constitution.

But she pointed out that everyone’s views will be considered once submissions are made.

“The review is not going to exclude anyone. We don’t want to lose contributions if they might be relevant. Relevance isn’t based on your immigration status, it’s based on your experiences, what you bring to the table and we don’t want to lose that,” Penn-Lettsome explained at the recent launch event for the BVI’s constitutional review.

While the CRC welcomes the views of non-residents, the leaders present at the launch event advised BVIslanders and Belongers not to take a back seat while everyone else participates in the process that will determine the BVI’s future.

In the meantime, Opposition Leader Julian Fraser indicated that he wanted locals to show greater interest in the review process.

“Who is this constitution for? If John Q public who has no connection to the Virgin Islands can make contributions to the advancement of the constitution, then something is fundamentally not correct,” Fraser said.

The senior lawmaker said he remains concerned that some of the most vocal people who speak on various media platforms have no vested interest in the territory.

“Some of the most aggressive people are those who have no rights to access the information that they are publishing. And those people who have all the rights, are so reserved that they never come forward. We have to be careful with this,” Fraser highlighted.

He also said the Commissioners who have been appointed to lead the review of the BVI’s constitution shouldn’t be primarily responsible for getting the public interested in the process. Rather, Fraser said elected leaders are the ones who have a duty to get their constituents excited about the important event.

“We as leaders need to get out there and encourage our people to participate in this review, explain the importance and the benefits. As it now stands, the Commission is not going to accomplish that. It has to come from our class (elected leaders),” Fraser advised.

Constitutional Review Website

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16 Comments

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  1. nah says:

    Leave dem outta our sauce

    Like 8
    Dislike 18
  2. WoW ? says:

    so you christen them over now
    ??? ] it’s no more island people anymore now its ( non local ) I hope they shout for joy and say hallelujah , praise the lord . AMEN

    Like 3
    Dislike 4
  3. Concern says:

    As a people that are living in the bvi
    I strongly believe that they should have a say in the future development of this territory

    Like 17
    Dislike 6
  4. Really says:

    Can I have a say in st Vincent or Jamaica constitution. The answer is no. Nor do I want to because their constitution is their sacred right

    Like 14
    Dislike 3
  5. not tom, dick and harry says:

    This is ah we thing

  6. @ Reality says:

    There are no sacred rights for BVI people. Y’all don’t seem to understand that they have all been sold. This place is doomed.

    Like 2
    Dislike 2
  7. Question? says:

    Are you currently living in St. Vicent? How long?

    Like 2
    Dislike 2
  8. Bullsh*t says:

    You certainly WOULD have a say, as once you lived there for 5 years you could be naturalized, buy land and vote.
    Here? Nah

    Like 11
    Dislike 2
  9. Really says:

    It does not matter. I am not a Vincentian. How dear me what to get in their sacred business.

    Like 2
    Dislike 1
  10. Des says:

    Some belongers have houses in USA and dont live here full time in Virgin islands why should they have a say and the people who work here dont? Even in China you get permanent resident after 7 years – I know people who been here over 20 years and still not allowed to be permanent resident and some over 28 years before they got it.

    Like 15
    Dislike 2
  11. Ok says:

    Then move to China.

    Like 2
    Dislike 2
  12. Anonymous says:

    Every person living in the Virgin Islands should be giving the right to have a say yes. What allot of you people fail to understand, is that the very same person that you so call indigenous people try to marginalize, are the very same person who may eventually become a citizen anyways. An equal opportunity society, is a fair society.

    In many countries around the world, one does not have to be a citizen to vote and have other political say.

    As a matter of fact, if it’s not in the Virgin Islands constitution already. I want to see legal residers in the Virgin Islands, who have been living here for no more than 3-5 years to be able to vote.

  13. Riddick says:

    At Des…. So what?

  14. Tired says:

    People are tired of the animosity that exists in the county
    People are tired of the injustice
    People are tired of the leaders who have no vision
    People are tired of the blatant lies and unfulfilled promises by the leaders
    People are just tired of the state of the affairs of the country .
    That is the reason why the turn out to meetings are so poor…. Fed up .Perhaps the UK should take over … too much ignorance and foolish quick fix decisions are made Waugh are not benifiting the people ..

  15. Secret Bear says:

    Yes, “John Q. Public” who’s lived here for 15 years, built a business and contributed millions of dollars to the economy but still can’t become a belonger, has no vested interest in the territory.

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