Smith opening constituency offices in Anegada, Jost Van Dyke
Territorial At-Large Representative Lorna Smith has announced that she will be opening a constituency office in Anegada on April 12, a move that is expected to bring greater representation to that community.
Smith also said she will be opening a similar office in Jost Van Dyke in June.
“These offices will allow me to be more present and allow me to better serve those communities by providing a dedicated space to connect with constituents and represent your interest effectively,” Smith stated.
The opening of the constituency offices would fulfil a major campaign promise that Smith made, to create a forum to listen to residents and provide greater political representation. However, with three major ministerial portfolios (Labour, Trade and Financial Services) it’s unclear whether Smith will have enough time for At-Large duties on the sister islands.
Among other things, the At-Large system was implemented in the BVI to provide voters with a few candidates that are more aligned with the interests of the wider public rather than political parties. However, many believe the system isn’t working as most At-Large representatives in government are weighed down by ministerial and other duties and hardly find time to represent the interest of the public as they should.
There have been several calls for the At-Large system to be revised, however, there is no indication of what the revision will look like and whether it will be abolished.
Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
A very nice gesture to us, the common people, but all it will involve is talk, talk, and lots more talk. Because none of these elected members can do anything without his Excellency the Dictator’s permission!
It will involve more than talk, it will involve increased expenditure on the offices, when they already have district offices. These people never miss an opportunity to spend our tax money.
Expenditurefor more offices. And most of that moey will disappear right into personal accounts. They really got this thing down to a science, and we have been noticing it for decades now.
Two things need to be done. stop this none sense and take back the country and purse by; organizing a country wide boycott and ja totaland complete ob walk out.
It is only drastic tough measures taken by the people will get this system of the self enriching VIP and the abandonmentof the people will change the current paprdigm.
Wher Cindy is on this. We need to organize and galvanize the whole population into action to take back our country from those hoodlums.