Mather strongly opposes additional At-Large seats

Territorial At-Large Representative Stacy “Budda” Mather says he does not support the proposal to add two more At-Large seats to the House of Assembly, arguing that the current system is already failing to work as intended.

Mather made the statement recently, during his contribution to the debate on the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) report, which recommended expanding the legislature to include two additional at-large members.

“I want to categorically say this: I’m not in favour of increasing the number of members in the House,” Mather stated. “You know why? Nobody buys more of something if they already have it and ain’t using it. You have an At-Large system where almost every member has recognised it is not working properly, and I have been saying that in this House. So why would you add two more to it?”

He questioned what additional At-Large members would actually do if the system remains ineffective.

“What are you gonna do with those two At-Large members? We’re gonna say they’re invading districts, and stepping over to places where they don’t have any kind of say? Why expand something if you’re not going to use it,” Mather added.

The CRC’s report recommended increasing the number of At-Large representatives from four to six as part of broader changes to strengthen national representation and improve accountability. However, the report itself also noted that “the At-Large system is not working,” a view that Mather and several other legislators have previously shared.

Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley previously acknowledged that the At-Large system needs review, saying it has presented “challenges over the years.” Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn has also questioned the value of adding more At-Large members, suggesting instead that the territory explore other models, such as a bicameral system, to improve representation and balance.

Mather’s comments add to a growing chorus of voices sceptical about the effectiveness of the At-Large system, which was introduced decades ago to give residents a chance to elect representatives with a territory-wide mandate. Critics argue, however, that the system has created overlaps with district representatives and blurred lines of accountability.

As the constitutional review debate continues, Mather’s stance underscores broader concerns about efficiency and purpose within the existing political structure — and whether expanding the legislature without reforming how it functions would only add cost without value