"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
At a time when the Virgin Islands’ relationship with the United Kingdom is increasingly unpredictable and fraught with tensions, we are glad that the government is launching the long-promised constitutional …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Coming constitutional review should look to independence”
Kudos to the government for working closely with the opposition to finally pass consumer protection legislation, which Virgin Islands leaders have been promising for more than three decades. The achievement …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Consumer Protection Act is a big win”
After months of delays, in late May the government finally unveiled a comprehensive economic stimulus package designed to help the territory through the coronavirus pandemic. We are glad that leaders …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: The good, bad and ugly of the economic stimulus”
In light of the coronavirus pandemic, government leaders are promising to extend the three-month maximum for “temporary” layoffs permitted under their interpretation of the 2010 Labour Code. Though they have …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: System of ‘temporary layoffs’ needs reform”
On March 17, Premier Andrew Fahie and Deputy Premier Carvin Malone promised to keep the public informed about the coronavirus pandemic by holding weekly press conferences on the topic and …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Press conferences needed as Covid questions go unanswered”
Recent warning signs suggest that the Virgin Islands is now seeing local transmission of Covid-19, which could mean that the highly contagious disease is much more widespread here than previously …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Government must expand testing; fix and extend lockdown”
The government deserves kudos for the early implementation of strict measures to mitigate the coronavirus pandemic, but we were disheartened by the poorly planned curfew transition that predictably drew uncontrolled …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Recent lockdown mistakes must serve as a lesson”
Until March 17 the government had begun falling behind in its duty to keep the public informed about COVID-19 in the territory, but it took important steps that day when …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: In a crisis, communication must be a two-way street”
Some motorbikes and four-wheelers are becoming an increasingly dangerous menace on Tortola roads, and the community needs to fight back before more lives are lost. Two young men were killed …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Reckless bikers are out of control on Tortola”
The entire community should be working together to prepare for the potential arrival of the coronavirus strain that has killed more than 1,000 people in a global outbreak originating in …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Prepare, but don’t panic, as coronavirus spreads”
Operating a reliable, convenient ferry service between Tortola and St. Thomas is not rocket science. It is not even ferry science. It is plain common sense. But despite decades of …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: The ferry system is a national embarrassment”
After we criticised the opposition in October for an apparent lack of coordination, we are delighted that members now appear to be working as a team to hold the government …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Kudos to an opposition that has much to do”
The government’s plan to establish a medical marijuana industry in the Virgin Islands could be a sound idea, and we applaud the new administration for its decision to move forward …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Medical pot could be a boon, but it needs to be done right”
The slow pace of the government’s hurricane recovery is nothing short of a crisis, and the resignation of Recovery and Development Agency CEO Paul Bayly is another major blow to …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: RDA CEO’s resignation hurts, but it’s no surprise”
In the Virgin Islands, 2019 was a tumultuous year. The territory saw political upheaval, external pressures, dire new revelations about climate change, threats to financial services, and more delays in …
The startling result of the United Kingdom election this month virtually guarantees that the UK will exit the European Union soon, heralding a historic shift in world affairs that will …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Virgin Islands must buckle up for Brexit”
As a few large countries delayed needed action at the United Nations Climate Change Conference this month in Spain, people are dying from storms, rising sea levels, droughts and other …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: COP25 a call to climate action”
As the world observes Human Rights Day this week , all is not well in the Virgin Islands. To commemorate the observance locally, Premier Andrew Fahie should explain why his …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Where’s the Human Rights Commission?”
Kudos to the government for working with the United Nations Development Programme to explore the possibilities offered by the so-called “blue economy.” At a time when financial services and tourism …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: ‘Blue economy’ has promise in the Virgin Islands”
We had hoped to see the government turn over a new leaf this month when its legislative agenda was unveiled in the first Speech from the Throne under its tenure. …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: HOA needs long-term agenda for making laws the VI needs”
Various events this month have been helping to nurture and preserve Virgin Islands culture, but in-depth dialogue and sustained effort need to continue over the long term if this community …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Recent events a great start, but more needed for VI culture”
The European Union-funded effort to refurbish and stock emergency shelters around the territory is music to our ears. It was also a long time in coming. When Hurricane Irma struck …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Thanks, European Union, for shelter funding”
When we heard that the new government was drafting a revised recovery plan as part of its efforts to secure the United Kingdom loan guarantee, we had high hopes. But …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: The revised recovery plan is even worse than the last”
After this month’s House of Assembly meeting, it is clear that the opposition needs to do a better job of working as a team. During the session, different members asked …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Opposition must work as a team”
The extra congestion plaguing Road Town in the days since the traffic lights were replaced highlights the urgency of solving the capital’s traffic woes. To that end, the new government …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Traffic woes are getting worse in Road Town”