Should Anegada get its own District Representative?

Calls are mounting for the island of Anegada to have its own district representative in the House of Assembly, with the opposition’s Alliance members Myron Walwyn, Melvin Turnbull and Stacy Mather backing the request during a recent press conference.

Residents of Anegada recently wrote to all members of the House calling for direct representation, arguing that their unique location and needs warrant their own seat. The letter, read by Territorial At-Large Representative Stacy Mather, stated that Anegada’s geographical distance and smaller population often result in the island being treated as “an afterthought” when national decisions are made.

“As the northernmost island of the Virgin Islands and one with a distinct community culture and set of needs, we believe that separate representation is essential to ensure that the voices and interests of the Anegadians are fully heard and considered within the national decision-making process,” Mather read from the letter.

He added that the petition, signed by about 80 residents, shows courage and civic engagement.

“If there’s anything else within our community that members of the public feel they need to speak on, I wish and I encourage them to take the same action that the Anegadians have taken,” Mather stated. He insisted that the number of voters should not determine representation, but rather the needs of the community. “Why stifle it? Why not give them what they’re asking for?” he urged.

Second District Representative Melvin Turnbull echoed that view, saying Anegada’s concerns have been ignored for too long. “They have said it publicly in the meetings, even with the former premier, they have said it with this premier. Now they have taken the step where they have written and expressed their concerns and their desires,” Turnbull said. “I also will support that view to give them what they’re asking for because they deserve it”.

Each member agreed that Anegada’s people should be the ones to decide on the issue. Mather explained, “I think it would be quite unfair to them to allow the larger margin of voters to make a decision for them, because this is exactly what they’re complaining about”.

Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn also commented on Anegada’s push for its own representative. “How often can the district representative really get to Anegada?” he asked. “The seat of government is in Tortola. And as good as your ambitions might be, as good as your intentions might be, the sheer distance of Anegada creates a challenge in terms of representation or the level of representation that people are accustomed to.”

He commended the Anegadians for being a “resilient people”, who were unafraid of standing up for their rights.

“I think many of us, many of the other districts could take a page from the people of Anegada and be as outspoken and as proactive as they have been on issues that are important to them,” Walwyn stated.

Anegada is currently part of the Ninth Electoral District, which also includes Virgin Gorda — the largest geographical constituency in the Virgin Islands. The idea of creating a 10th district has been debated before, including during constitutional review discussions.

Residents have long raised concerns about limited infrastructure, healthcare services, and attention from the central government due to their distance from Tortola. The current call for representation comes amid the ongoing constitutional review, which could reshape how the territory governs itself in the coming years.