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 …
Continue reading “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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Ideas offered for new 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 …
Continue reading “Commission still seeking feedback on Constitution”
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 …
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 …
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 …
“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!” …
Continue reading “Marchers protest direct UK rule, but others open”
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 …
Continue reading “COI officially recommends 2-year UK takeover [FULL REPORT INCLUDED]”
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 …
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 …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Direct UK rule should be a very last resort”
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 …
Continue reading “HOA okays two more Neville Smith contracts”
“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 …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: UK shares responsibility for governance failings”
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 …
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 …
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 …
Continue reading “HOA debates disaster bill, passes other laws”
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 …
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 …
Continue reading “In midst of JMC, OT minister resigns over aid cuts”
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 …
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 …
Continue reading “Virgin Islands Youth Parliament relaunches”
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Former negotiator offers advice for coming constitutional review”
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 …
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 …
Continue reading “Government forges ahead to review Constitution”
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 …