Take internal security, Cabinet meetings from Governor!
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has called for certain functions currently under the governor’s control — including internal security and the chairing of Cabinet meetings — to be transferred to elected leaders as part of the ongoing constitutional review.
Speaking during the Constitutional Review debate in the House of Assembly, Dr Wheatley said the Virgin Islands must modernise its arrangements to ensure that critical decisions are made by people directly accountable to voters.
“Why would we want decisions as important as our own security made by someone we cannot vote out?” the Premier asked. “There wouldn’t be another nation in the world that would put their security in the hands of another nation — never. The power must be in the hands of the electorate.”
The Premier argued that, like other territories such as St Martin and Bermuda, the Virgin Islands should have an elected minister with direct responsibility for internal security, including the police force.
Cabinet meetings
Dr Wheatley also called for constitutional amendments to make it “absolutely clear” that in the absence of the governor, the premier — and, if necessary, the deputy premier — must preside over Cabinet meetings.
His comments follow recent tensions over Cabinet procedure. Ministers have boycotted meetings chaired by the Deputy Governor while Governor Daniel Pruce was overseas, forcing cancellations on several occasions. Dr Wheatley said such disputes underscore the need to clarify the rules.
“Even when it’s written in the Constitution, the United Kingdom or their representatives have no intention for us to chair our own Cabinet meetings to make decisions on behalf of our own people,” he said. “That must be a thing of the past.”
Section 49(2) of the Constitution states that the premier — or, in his or her absence, the deputy premier — shall preside over Cabinet meetings when the governor is not present. But Dr Wheatley said this provision has never been respected in practice.
The territory’s leader stressed that transferring these powers is not about removing checks and balances but about strengthening them.
“If you want proper checks and balances, you have to develop institutions,” he said. “You can’t just expect another nation to supervise your governance and think you are doing something good.”
Dr Wheatley also suggested that civil servants — who currently report to the Deputy Governor — should ultimately answer to elected ministers. He said the constitutional review provides an opportunity to build a “model democracy” where partisanship does not derail good governance.
Once elected leaders submit their input on draft constitutional changes, the territory will move towards negotiations with the UK government.
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Study the photo. Premier hands in his pocket. Governor clapping. We still on the plantation.
If u take security away from the governor. Politicians going need heavy police escorting around the bvi. Street man ain’t going be playing anymore with government ministries and there family. So don’t take away the police from the governor
Do you think it’s funny using a name someone else is using…you cannot even put a complete sentence together, why would you do that when you are on the borderline of illiterate.. Please cease or desist. Did the Premier put you up to this??
Why would be want internal security under people who did not stand up against their boss? But then again it will give you more space to spliff up but do not come country.
Please use your own name. There are many other names you could use…why use one that someone is using already???
Power in the hands of the electorate he say?
What power the electorate have after they are bribed to waste their votes for another four years of exploitation at the hands of their local leaders who, under the spell of green flags and the like, continue the vicious cycle of slavery by their own?
I don’t think you are funny at all. Can’t you use another name? what about your real name?? Please find another username because your comments seem to lack common sense in every sense of the word. Stop use my name!
lol these the same people who “secured” our boarders with barges despite the common theme of human trafficking and drug trafficking using speeds boats owned by young “business men”
Donkey of the day. Dont care how bad you think people are when they get kids all fall in line to have a safe place to be an adult.
Y’all adults a jokie out here here arguing over the name hmmmmm like it’s copyright be more creative man lmao