Wheatley rejects ‘recall’ proposal: “Wait four years”
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has warned that proposals to add recall provisions to the Virgin Islands constitution could harm governance and political stability.
Recall provisions are legal mechanisms that allow voters to remove underperforming politicians from office before their term ends, typically through a petition or referendum.
Speaking in the House of Assembly during debate on the Constitutional Review Commission’s report, Dr Wheatley argued that such provisions would encourage short-term reactions rather than long-term planning.
“If you want to be able to govern properly, you can’t have an election every second,” Premier Wheatley stated.
The Premier explained that the current four-year electoral cycle already presents challenges for leaders seeking to carry out their programmes. He cautioned that recall measures could undermine the ability of governments to deliver on their promises.
“Four years is already a short period of time. And if we seek to introduce things to the electorate that will not allow them to take a broad view of your performance, and there are knee-jerk reactions to every decision, especially as we have a media and an opposition who may be particularly good at painting you bad, anything could happen,” Dr Wheatley argued.
He urged residents to use the general election to hold leaders accountable, rather than pushing for recall options. “Wait four years and then make a decision whether you want to continue or whether you want to go in a different direction,” he insisted.
The Constitutional Review Commission was set up in 2022 to consider reforms following the Commission of Inquiry into governance and corruption risks. Public consultations across the islands led to recommendations on term limits, the structure of government, and the possible inclusion of recall provisions.
Some residents expressed support for recall mechanisms, saying they would give voters more power to remove ineffective representatives before their term ends. However, others, including Dr Wheatley, have argued that the move could create instability and hinder development.
Debates surrounding recall and term limits reflect broader concerns about accountability and public trust in government. Critics of the recall idea fear it could be used for political vendettas, while supporters see it as a safeguard against poor leadership.
Dr Wheatley told the House that the BVI must address its challenges through stronger democratic practices rather than constitutional fixes that risk undermining stability. “Most of these manifestos you could never even accomplish in four years, much less trying to evaluate somebody after a year or two years,” he suggested.
The report of the Constitutional Review Commission now moves to the committee stage, where legislators will decide which recommendations to adopt before formal talks with the United Kingdom.
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The rats want to keep stealing the cheese without a cat to keep guard.
Really, wait four years for another greedy bill raise on the people.
Nah bro, we can’t play those mind games anymore.
Long Look people would have recall this waste of time representative a long time ago.
election around the corner so he will go to them with dreams promises and cash.
Very wise of you Minister Wheatley..not during your term at least.
Says the one holding power right now.
The Recall They Fear
The ones who work the least,
shout loudest at the feast,
fighting recall tooth and claw,
afraid the people see their flaw.
They meet behind closed doors,
vote raises, pad their stores,
clutching perks they will not earn,
while promises to ash they burn.
Contracts awarded,
friends on the take,
projects delayed,
yet more promises they make.
Transparency dodged,
audits denied,
every reform
they twist, they defy.
Four years they plead
“too short,” they moan,
yet longer they grasp
to guard what they own.
Term limits resisted,
recall they despise,
because both reveal
their power grab lies.
The truth is simple,
and cuts like a sword:
Do the work, serve the people,
not yourself and your board.
But instead they defend
the perks they adore,
extend their own power,
while the people want more.
So fight if you must,
spin tales in the hall
but recall’s not the problem,
the problem is you do nothing at all.
Recall proposal should be allowed. Tired of this boy wanna be Premier just utilizing taxpayers $$$ as he so choose and ignoring the infrastructure of the Territory. He doesn’t gives a darn about what is beneficial to the people, but only to himself and his own close net of individuals. What has this administration really shown as progress in the growth and development of this Territory? Nothing tangible. But yet they want long terms of collecting taxpayers money. They all need to be removed when there is nothing viable.
they undoing everything that was done and creating a mess trying to do it new. we need help
If you were underperforming YOU would say that.
Come 2027 or Sooner, You need to be Recall for Good.
Next Elections at Least 98% of All of You need to be Recalled. We are just Tired of These Waste of Time Poppy shows. You all need to wait for another Life. You are definitely Not Cut out for Politics in the Virgin Islands. The Worst Ever!!!!
clap clap clap clap! I support everthing this great leader is saying.
Is there anything that the people have asked for that they are getting?
It’s not what you want. It’s what we want.
Maybe politicians need to plan with time management in mind.
We should NOT let this just quietly go away. This would keep the rats scurrying around. . U.K. Now
Sad, we now have a government of cacistocracy and kleptocracy.
If any one steals they go to balsam, but the goernment kleptocrats do not.
Ethics legislation please.
Fix the damn roads or get out
Why ask for a constitution review and when the people decide what they want in it you the government decide against what the people desire.
I sure you didn’t attend one meeting or even read the constitution review report.
But sir it isn’t for you to decide! If we the people want it in the constitution by majority vote then it should go in whether you agree or not! We the people aren’t asking for you 13 permission. We are telling you what we want. They go in there and act like only they know or like they are our parents or bosses.
Wigo you are right / they are our bosses ( aka ) masters we voted for them AND WHEN MR ALOO HAD THE OPPERTUNITY TO FORM THE GOVERNMENT , THE GREEDINESS FOR POWER BETWEEN A SEUG OF CROCODILES / PIRAHANAS / SNAKES & XENOPHOBIA ETC – WAS EXPOSED . SO THESE SET OF ANGELS SEIZED THE OPPERTUNITY WHILE THOSE WANNABE ARISTOCRATS FOUGHT THEIR PRIVATE ENTITLEMENT WAR . WE GOT TO DANCE TO THEIR MUSIC
MOSES ,IS SAYING )> I STAND FIRMLY BEHIND WHAT AM GOING TO SAY ” I WON’T ALLOW IT “
no more years with you as our premier we made a huge mistake. all at-large candidate come forward for the premier position. this is the will of the people.