Politicians reject term limits for premiers
Lawmakers have pushed back against proposals to introduce term limits for the office of Premier, arguing that the small size of the territory and the principles of democracy make such restrictions unnecessary.
The Constitutional Review Commission had recommended that the issue of term limits be considered, noting that over 90 countries have imposed such limits on their heads of government, particularly in presidential systems like the United States.
The Cayman Islands, for example, restricts premiers to two consecutive terms. But several members of the House of Assembly said the measure would do more harm than good in the Virgin Islands. Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn rejected the proposal outright.
“In a very small population like we have in Virgin Islands, some of these things, as good as they may sound, don’t always work for us,” Walwyn argued. He warned that forcing leaders out could undermine stability. “Term limits may incentivise politicians to focus on short-term planning,’ Walwyn explained.
“You may very well decide I’m going to retire after those two years and so you have a sitting duck, a lame duck premier for the rest of his term.” Walwyn further stressed that voters already have the final say. “If the people want somebody out of the premiership, they could get him out,” he said.
Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture Luce Hodge-Smith also opposed the recommendation. “The recommendation to limit the term limit of premiers is not in my support. I agree that the small pool of eligible candidates poses a problem with this concept,” Hodge-Smith argued.
Opposition member Stacy ‘Buddha’ Mather suggested that the matter could be put directly to the public.
“Put it to a referendum. Put it in 2027 and ask the population what they think,” Mather urged.
Education Minister Sharie deCastro argued that the territory’s systems function well and was also opposed to the suggestion of term limits. “I personally do not believe in term limits. I believe our system works. I believe that we must execute on our mandate, and the people must test us and judge us and mark us accordingly,” deCastro urged.
The commission argued that term limits could prevent complacency and entrenchment of power. But legislators maintained that accountability already lies with the electorate.
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Of course they did… they all just gave themselves a nice pay boost. Why would they want to leave?
Sweet Tooth of Power
Taste the sugar once,
you never want to let it go.
Sticky fingers, greedy tongues,
“democracy,” they crow.
Ninety nations say:
limit the crown,
clip the wings
before they rot the town.
Cayman clipped theirs
two terms and you’re done.
But here, our roosters
fear the setting sun.
They dress their greed in gowns of “stability,”
chant hymns of “democracy.”
But absolute power,
we know its creed:
it fattens the belly
and blinds the need.
Walwyn crows of “lame ducks,”
but his warning’s just a joke.
Better a duck that limps away
than a wolf unchained, unyoked.
Hodge-Smith sighs,
“our pond is too small.”
Yet in small ponds,
stagnation poisons all.
DeCastro insists,
“our system works well.”
Yes — for those who sip sugar
from the people’s shell.
Buddha alone mutters,
“let the people decide.”
A rare spark of reason
in a coop full of pride.
But make no mistake —
they tasted the cane,
and now they are drunk
on its syrup, its gain.
They will fight to the marrow,
they will claw, they will bite,
to keep sipping molasses
deep into the night.
For in the Virgin Islands,
it seems the rule holds true:
Give a man sugar
and he’ll swear it’s his due.
Term limits, restructure the salary scales and the legislatures payment plan after they leave.
We need term limits for all elected positions! Two terms and out, small pension, or just put them on Social Security so they can’t screw us like this set is doing with huge raises and pensions!
we should have term limits, those guys get corrupt when they stay too long
They do need term limits, and they already only focus on short tear goals or maybe no goals at all, don’t agree with leaving them to die in office.
There really is no point of reports or commissions.
This bunch of 13 power hungry crazed politicians just hide reports, ignore commissions and meet in secret to vote for whatever is best for them.
Best we leave the constitution as is if we are not going to advance things in line with a thought out and considered Constitutional Review by a Commission.
Independence = Corruption
Commission = We will do what we want anyway
Report = What report?
HOA = Dictatorship
Didnt hear a word from you on the lifting of the Order in Council . hmmmmmmm
It’s unfortunate but censorship is alive and well. More so on the Yellow Belly site.
For what it is worth I have always thought this so called reserve Order in Council, irrelevant as an Order in Council can be made at any point in time should the UK wish to do so.
If the Virgin Islands do not follow through with real implementation, and not this tick the box lip service that the gang have so far been doing, it would appear it does not end here.
The UK make an Order in Council to rectify any situation that is not in line with the needs of the people of the Virgin Islands at any time.
The Virgin Islands are a Territory of the UK.
Does that help.
I try to not get to upset if my comments do not always get posted but thanks for your concern.
You are correct the yello site is now blocking most real comments from the site. They are also engaging technology to identify IP addresses and ther nefarious software . so be careful .But you are correct .
Term limits are desperately needed in general, made more urgent and critical by the actions of the current greedy moralless group the is currently holding seats.
It has shown by there heartless actions that term limits will be the oonly mechanism thatwill avert complete destruction ameloration of the territory ecoonomic standings.
Term limits must be on the ballots come next election.
I vote in support of term limits…….allow fresh new faces and ideas.
Papa Doc brought Haiti to ruins
We are heading there
Wait till next elections see how so many going in the ring
Politics here is becoming a game. I go in secure myself, my families and my friends.
Integrity and honesty; respect and professionalism; personal dignity, responsibility have slowly given rise to
Prejudice and corruption; dishonesty and incompetence; disrespect and contempt for other; lip services and lies
No one feels no sense of shame for deceiving thr population. In fact they ALL justify with blatant lies or do not talk about is ehen it is the Elephant in the room
Do not watch other governments
Do the right thing by the people and for the people
3 terms are enough to creat their legacy.Then Give the person next up that opportunity.
if they deserve 3 terms.
We already have a mechanism for term limits. It is called the “ballot box”.
In the USA a president can only serve 2 terms for 4 years each. Mayors don’t have term limits and neither do sentators. The Supreme Court is a lifetime appointment and it’s horrible. The highest position in any country should have term limits and especially when there is a one party system that burdens the people more than anything. The BVI is as close as it can be to a dictatorship.
BVI Folks you see the mentality here. Only these people have new ideas reason they will never vote for term limits. In my 49 years , l have never seen any referendum come to the house on behalf of the people to vote on election day. Buddha, l agree with you put it on the ballot sheet and let us vote on it.
Luce you are waste only time you are present in the district is when Edge Reloaded has a function ( softball ) reason being because you want a photo op Not even a case of water for the players. BTW, l didn’t vote for you and your only won because MARK retired from politics.
Sharie you are not a people person.
You won on the strength of the VIP party (Andrew) first time you got elected most votes in the at large. Second Time you were 4th place behind Buddha, Lorna, Ronnie and yourself barely edging out Sheep. This lady don’t talk to people she see you in the streets and walk pass you.
Myron you are playing politics,l voted for you when you were with NDP in the at large and won two consecutive terms. You are a people person definitely, and we do see you out here in the streets. Your goal is to be Premier at all cost reason you don’t want term limits. This current system has failed us. Let’s us vote for a premier, speaker, ministers etc the party politics has failed the people of the BVI.
We have fresh new faces now and how happy are you with that?
We don’t need term limits, we just need the elected to do better.
term limits are desperately needed to avoid persons like Frazer being in power for about 25 years and have little to zero to show for it!
The will of the people will be heard and made good!! The incumbent losers we currently have in ministerial posts are severely lacking in ALL areas.
Ffs – get rid of the VIPers!
I didn’t expect to hear Nothing different from the Majority of those Bunch of The!ves. You all can’t see this is the Lowest our Territory has become? I would really want to say what I wish should happen in this Place But as the saying goes, Becareful What You Wish For. This Place is really Sickening everyday. Why would a Politician Reject the Notion of Term Limits? Because they want to remain in Government forever and Not allow another to take part in Progressing our Territory, That is the Height of Wickedness, Greediness, Thievery Coming from All of Them. Next Election people Must Look at who put themselves up for Contesting the Electoral Seats and really get to know their Background and their Interest in Politics. Good Example: Why Can’t No Government make an effort to Fix NHI? We All Know Why. Why could one Minister Suspend the Trade Commission for over 18 Months Now Thus The Retardation of the Consumer Protection Bill? We All know Why. So Tell Me why do we Elect such Mongrels into the Hollywood HOA Knowing full well their Selfish, Thieving Motives?
Since 2019:
No Separation of Cargo and Passengers on the Same Dock, even after giving one Family 5Mil Dollars Until There is A Death.
No Separation of High School From Primary even though Lands were exchanged giving the Swoper
Prime Land at the Bay.
Community Clinic at North Sound still Closed even after stating It would be Re-open after Elections in 2023.
No Government Community Centre In Virgin Gorda.
Immigration and Customs Building still closed at Gun Creek.
Minimal Upgrade at the Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic in Virgin Gorda quite evident when it Rains even after A Resident lost their Life because of Negligence.
But No Term Limits They Say…… Poor BVI.. Held Hostage!!!!
No a/c at Iris One al clinic now. Please this is beyond and to hear whats happening. The BVI is not a nice place. In VG PWD don’t have a common backhoe, heard for months they have been begging to get tarris to fix potholes. Bronson should come and fake a fall I bet it be on next barge. Me no more VOTING it has consequences.
That the District rep of the 9th was also the Immigartion , Education andWorks and communication Minister. Wow that one hell of a portfolio that he has
Fine with me cause I’m not VOTING again period. I’m disappointed in the UK decision
Some capable, honest, articulate and politically savvy in the (9) ninth truly need to step up and run to win next time.
Enough is enough. Time for a cleanup and clean sweep out.
Checks and balances mist be in place
With no term limits the government will operate like they own the country
It would create party panic
Government will only give, take care of district s that support the party
This will give rise to discrimination, intimidation, fear
Fight to get term limits. It not it will destroy the country
It will also give rise to gang activities
It has a few one-termers in the house
Ok this is the first time I am not in support of Myron walwyn though he is a brilliant person,and also disagree with the VIP politicians on term limits, the recovery or development council should chart development policy for whichever party coming to office to implement, we shouldn’t be playing football with the tax payers money that when the VIP comes in they dot that and the NDP comes in they did this, their should be a synergy that benefits the people of the BVI and not politicians egos. The Vybz Kartel quarter million USD and bank of Asia $5 million USD is an example that the development council could has averted by having projections of important things that should be prioritize like infrastructure and elderly people care.
So without a development plan the BVI is going in circles like a dog chasing its tail. They should be looking at a future of seeing a bridge built to virgin Gorda that enhance tourism and the social welfare of the people, and even marine cable to carry power to anegorda. Think into the future by limiting politicians entrenchment in power, what you are doing is tying out that cow to feed at the tax payers chaff, he or she will travel all over the world in luxury doing nothing and take monies and pay for parties and rappers.
You Must Be one of those Dumb Vipers.
Whose Effing District is it?
Whose Effing Government is in Power?
If not Now, When?
That’s Why Things won’t get Better. Having Stupid, Ignorant Toads like you.
Why can’t the people vote, on such an important issue as this?