‘Pay close attention’ to updates on proposed constitution suspension
Governor John Rankin has urged residents to pay close attention to upcoming updates about a likely announcement on whether the BVI’s constitution will be partially suspended as recommended in the Commission of Inquiry (COI) report.
“I can’t give you an exact timeline but… I hope decisions will be made soon and there are serious discussions going on,” Governor Rankin said recently in response to questions about a timeline for that disclosure.
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has been in negotiations with United Kingdom (UK) officials on a proposal for the way forward following the report’s release weeks ago.
Governor Rankin said: “The proposal needs to be looked at seriously, it’s important we get that right but I also recognise we must not delay too long and people want to know what that final decision will be. Watch this space!”
In the meantime, Dr Wheatley said he expects to make that proposal public at some point but noted that it will remain private in the interim since it has gone through several iterations and remains part of a negotiation process.
“When that document is final and it’s accepted, it will be shared with the public,” Premier Wheatley said.
Dr Wheatley further stated that the public has been crying out for years about some of the issues highlighted as some of the report’s recommendations and all the government is doing now with its proposals, is simply responding to those cries.
“We see these reforms as being in the best interest of the people of the Virgin Islands and that’s why we’re taking them forward,” Premier Wheatley said.
A joint press conference is scheduled to be hosted today with the Governor and the Premier where the public is expected to hear updates regarding the COI’s findings.
As one of its overarching recommendations, the COI report called for the partial suspension of the BVI’s constitution as well as direct rule by the UK through the governor as it’s representative for at least two years in the first instance.
The Premier and other elected officials, as well as other prominent members of society, have been in staunch opposition to this recommendation, charging that the BVI is quite capable of orchestrating its own affairs and does not want to lose its democracy.
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No, no no!! Who what institution divine authority gave those people the right to take away people’s freedoms and rights, while simultaneously creating h**l and hardships for them, when there are many other humane approaches that can and should be utilized to remedy the situation?
Taking away peoples right in all their forms must never be a solution to fixing.
The current system was created by same the people who now are playing God and getting ready to reverse thousands of Black lives four hundred years backwards.
Suspending the constitution in any form is an awkward, unwise, distasteful and unsound political, social and economic judgement. It should not be done.
Is that the best that Britons political institutions, minds, intellect and heart can accommodate in the 21st century?
They aren’t taking away our rights they are helping us fix a broken system. You need to move beyond the denial phase of your grief.
The Government is broken and it will be fixed.
Maybe fact that Premier is head of Narco State with main business being smuggling of cocaine & guns good enough reasons?
Bottom line the unity government will be used to do all the dirty work and if they don’t, pop goes the weasel
This is getting sickening. Why all the drama, Governor Rankin? Why? It is obvious to all that we in the BVI are losing our patience with this process. Suspend the constitution, or not. Just tell us what the heck is going on and when is the pain going to stop?
Many want the Governor to take control, but his leadership so far is seriously disappointing and is opening the door to huge doubt, the longer he takes to make up his mind.
How much more of the fake “UNITY” Government ministers bla bla bla do we have to swallow everyday?
Each new day brings further disappointment by way of their own mouths, as to what hasn’t been done. Or what has like spending 31 million of the reserve fund. . .in a vote last night, like that was the greatest vote ever. . Why is the price so much higher than the housing project on the hillside? Here we go again. . .
HOW COULD SHAWONDE AND HIS BROTHER DECIDE FOR US ALL BEHIND OUR BACKS AND CLOSED DOORS ??????????
@Anonymous, That’s a very stupid Blog.
No direct rule once VI implements CoI recommendations- Gov Rankin
– but said direct rule will be implemented if local government fails without justification to implement reforms
What the f$ck. The proposal need not be private as it relates to the people and needs our accent before given to the UK for approval. Slow Wande and the Unity party that seize control of the territory need to sit the f@ck down and STFU.