Adding two at-large seats to the House of Assembly. Amending the Constitution to grant the public an explicit right to access government information. Holding a referendum on whether to adopt …
Premier fumes as governor seeks new powers
Governor John Rankin drew the ire of elected leaders last week when he announced plans to seek additional powers to push through delayed Commission of Inquiry reforms. Premier Dr. Natalio …
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COMMENTARY — Ideas offered for new Constitution
I am glad to be alive for such a time as this. When I read about our national heroes like Hope Stevens and Howard R. Penn and how they wrote …
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Commission still seeking feedback on Constitution
The window to provide feedback on the territory’s next Constitution is likely to close next month, and the Constitutional Review Commission is strongly encouraging residents to weigh in. In recent …
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Constitution review team seeks feedback
One of the territory’s most important guiding documents is the Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007, and the government is asking residents for input on how it should be amended following …
New HOA committee to push COI reforms
Legislators created a special select Reform Committee on Sept. 27 to help ensure that the House of Assembly meets its law-making obligations under the National Unity Government’s framework for implementing …
Speaker silent on Fahie’s seat
After missing at least part of three consecutive sittings of the House of Assembly while awaiting trial in Miami, former premier Andrew Fahie may be in danger of losing his …
Marchers protest direct UK rule, but others open
“Whose country is this?” Angelle Cameron shouted to a crowd gathered Monday morning along the road near the Governor’s Office. “Ours!” the crowd yelled back. “Whose country is this?” “Ours!” …
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COI officially recommends 2-year UK takeover [FULL REPORT INCLUDED]
The day after Premier Andrew Fahie’s arrest in Miami, Governor John Rankin said Friday morning that he had decided to expedite the release of the Commission of Inquiry report, which …
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VI gets good marks in governance report
The future holds many possibilities for the governance of the Virgin Islands, and one expert said last week that the territory has a solid foundation for exploring ways to take …
EDITORIAL: Direct UK rule should be a very last resort
The stakes are high as the United Kingdom-appointed Commission of Inquiry prepares to submit its recommendations to Governor John Rankin next month. Following two similar COIs in the Turks and …
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HOA okays two more Neville Smith contracts
The House of Assembly last week voted once again to exempt Deputy Speaker Neville Smith from vacating his HOA seat because of two more government contracts for a firm where …
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EDITORIAL: UK shares responsibility for governance failings
“That’s how we’ve always done it.” This excuse has been bandied about with shocking abandon in the Commission of Inquiry in recent weeks as elected leaders and other senior officials …
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Caricom backs VI government over COI
Heads of government from the Caribbean Community said last week that the organisation continues to support the Virgin Islands government as the United Kingdom-led independent Commission of Inquiry into possible …
Young leaders tackle self-determination
During the historic first session of the second Virgin Islands Youth Parliament on March 11, young representatives drew on extensive research as they shared their hopes for the territory’s future …
HOA debates disaster bill, passes other laws
In recent months, Virgin Islands leaders have placed focus on the role of self-determination in the territory’s future development as they plan a review of the 2007 Constitution. The House …
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As legislature turns 70, HOA looks ahead
As he spoke about the 1950 restoration of the Legislative Council, Premier Andrew Fahie compared the Virgin Islands to a lab rat that doesn’t realise the familiar glass borders to …
In midst of JMC, OT minister resigns over aid cuts
As Premier Andrew Fahie and other overseas territory leaders met online with their United Kingdom counterparts last week during the annual Joint Ministerial Council meeting, the UK minister in charge …
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What’s next for the VI Constitution?
Before discussing whether the Virgin Islands should pursue greater autonomy from the United Kingdom during the upcoming constitutional review, panellists at a Nov. 8 forum offered ideas about what is …
Virgin Islands Youth Parliament relaunches
In his first address as premier of the newly relaunched Virgin Islands Youth Parliament, Kevin Fahie pledged to be a role model. “Now more than ever, the territory’s youth need …
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COMMENTARY — Former negotiator offers advice for coming constitutional review
In March 1999 a parliamentary seminar was held for the seven newly elected members of the then territory’s then-Legislative Council. It included several members (also newly elected) from the Turks …
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House votes to review 2007 Constitution
As the Virgin Islands prepares to celebrate emancipation, elected leaders also turned to the history books this week before greenlighting a constitutional review. Premier Andrew Fahie referenced the political groundswell …
Government forges ahead to review Constitution
After about three years of delays caused in part by the 2017 hurricanes, the government is soon to launch a constitutional review, Premier Andrew Fahie announced last Thursday in the …
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House nixes motion to censure governor
Last week in the House of Assembly, elected leaders delayed the Consumer Protection Bill and other government business and spent at least 10 hours debating a motion to “reprimand” Governor …