Governor Boyd McCleary has departed these shores after serving nearly four years as the Queen’s representative, and there have been some scathing comments about him online. One news website accused him of being unfair to public officers and violating the rights of accused persons. One of the complaints went so far as to accuse the governor of denying the promotions of police officers.
He was also being criticised for failing to stand up for the rights of public servants who allegedly were penalised by the administration. Mr. McCleary, however, denied the charges and went on the radio to defend himself. He also stood up to the National Democratic Party government’s cybercrime bill, which media workers and watchdogs feared could threaten press freedom and place journalists in jail.
Such reports raise concerns about whether the Virgin Islands should seek independence from Britain, but it seems that this is not a priority — at least not with the current NDP administration under Premier Dr. Orlando Smith. I am not certain what is the thinking of the new leader of the Virgin Islands Party, Julian Fraser, in terms of independence if the VIP is to take over the government.
I doubt whether the VIP would want to take such bold step at this time, since the VI is enjoying a healthy economic state as a dependent territory with its financial services, marine industry, tourism, and other sectors.
During the past few years, a little more independence was placed in elected leaders’ hands when the office of the chief minister was elevated to premier, and a few more powers were given to the leader of the governing party.
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