A Matter Of Urgency! Constitutional Review Process Begins
Citing that the Virgin Islands should have been further along on the road to self-determination, Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon. Andrew Fahie said the Constitutional review process is moving forward as a matter of urgency.
In a statement to the House of Assembly on Monday, June 8, Premier Fahie pointed out that it has been 13 years since the most recent Virgin Islands Constitution was enacted and a lot around has changed since.
“Mr Speaker, I wish to advise Honourable Members that as Premier, I have caused the necessary documents to be prepared for the matter of a Review of the Constitution to be brought before the Cabinet as a matter of urgency. His Excellency the Governor has already been advised of your Government’s intentions to review the Constitution,” the Premier stated.
The Territory’s Leader explained that the Cabinet Note asks for the matter to be referred to the House of Assembly where the elected Representatives from the nine Districts and the four At-Large representatives will debate the issue.
Further, the Premier explained that providing the resolution gains the approval of the House of Assembly, the next step will be the establishment of a Constitutional Review Commission.
“The Commission’s work will include engaging the population to find out their views on our present Constitution and what the citizens of the BVI would like to see changed,” Premier Fahie stated.
Mr Speaker, as you are aware, a Constitution is not just a set of rules to enforce upon people, as we often think it is. It is a vehicle for enabling citizens to achieve their dreams and aspirations. Your vehicle has to be designed and equipped for your journey, otherwise it will not fulfil its purpose and you will not get to your destination.
“This is not a one-man job. It is not a one-party exercise. It is about all of us as Virgin Islanders, because it affects all of us as Virgin Islanders, regardless of social status and political affiliation. There will be full transparency,” Premier Fahie stated.
He added, “This is why the issue will be debated in the House of Assembly and why Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition will have input into the composition of the Constitutional Review Commission.”
The Premier stated that steps have already been taken to convene a special informal meeting of the House of Assembly, on June 16, to discuss the dynamics of this Constitutional Review exercise.
“I have also spoken with the Honourable Leader of the Opposition on the matter as well. I look forward to this being a very fruitful exercise for the benefit of the Territory,” Premier Fahie stated.
The Premier also pointed out that on several occasions, former Premier, Dr D. Orlando Smith, spoke of the necessity for reviewing the Constitution. He indicated, both to the local population and to the UK Government, that it was time for a review.
“Circumstances such as the 2017 natural disasters got in the way of this process being started. But, having given our word to the population that as your new Government, we would commence the Constitutional Review process, I am here today to say that your Government is moving to keep this promise and to begin the process for Constitutional Review,” the Premier stated.
It is now 70 years since the BVI got its first written Constitution. The 1950 Constitution returned certain powers to the reformed Legislative Council in the BVI from the Governor of the Leeward Islands where decision making had been vested previously for some time.
In the 70 years, the BVI has had four Constitutions, and a few amendments accordingly.
"When we look at where we started, Mr Speaker, after 70 years we should be much further. I truly believe this.
Our people should have been further along the road of self-determination. I am not blaming anyone. I am merely reflecting a sentiment on how I see the potential of the Virgin Islands people to be," Premier Fahie told the House.
“Mr Speaker, I wish to advise Honourable Members that as Premier, I have caused the necessary documents to be prepared for the matter of a Review of the Constitution to be brought before the Cabinet as a matter of urgency. His Excellency the Governor has already been advised of your Government’s intentions to review the Constitution,” the Premier stated.
The Territory’s Leader explained that the Cabinet Note asks for the matter to be referred to the House of Assembly where the elected Representatives from the nine Districts and the four At-Large representatives will debate the issue.
Further, the Premier explained that providing the resolution gains the approval of the House of Assembly, the next step will be the establishment of a Constitutional Review Commission.
“The Commission’s work will include engaging the population to find out their views on our present Constitution and what the citizens of the BVI would like to see changed,” Premier Fahie stated.
Mr Speaker, as you are aware, a Constitution is not just a set of rules to enforce upon people, as we often think it is. It is a vehicle for enabling citizens to achieve their dreams and aspirations. Your vehicle has to be designed and equipped for your journey, otherwise it will not fulfil its purpose and you will not get to your destination.
“This is not a one-man job. It is not a one-party exercise. It is about all of us as Virgin Islanders, because it affects all of us as Virgin Islanders, regardless of social status and political affiliation. There will be full transparency,” Premier Fahie stated.
He added, “This is why the issue will be debated in the House of Assembly and why Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition will have input into the composition of the Constitutional Review Commission.”
The Premier stated that steps have already been taken to convene a special informal meeting of the House of Assembly, on June 16, to discuss the dynamics of this Constitutional Review exercise.
“I have also spoken with the Honourable Leader of the Opposition on the matter as well. I look forward to this being a very fruitful exercise for the benefit of the Territory,” Premier Fahie stated.
The Premier also pointed out that on several occasions, former Premier, Dr D. Orlando Smith, spoke of the necessity for reviewing the Constitution. He indicated, both to the local population and to the UK Government, that it was time for a review.
“Circumstances such as the 2017 natural disasters got in the way of this process being started. But, having given our word to the population that as your new Government, we would commence the Constitutional Review process, I am here today to say that your Government is moving to keep this promise and to begin the process for Constitutional Review,” the Premier stated.
It is now 70 years since the BVI got its first written Constitution. The 1950 Constitution returned certain powers to the reformed Legislative Council in the BVI from the Governor of the Leeward Islands where decision making had been vested previously for some time.
In the 70 years, the BVI has had four Constitutions, and a few amendments accordingly.
"When we look at where we started, Mr Speaker, after 70 years we should be much further. I truly believe this.
Our people should have been further along the road of self-determination. I am not blaming anyone. I am merely reflecting a sentiment on how I see the potential of the Virgin Islands people to be," Premier Fahie told the House.
