Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 2025

COMMENTARY: Dialogues about BVI as a ‘young democracy’

COMMENTARY: Dialogues about BVI as a ‘young democracy’

I have been hearing the phrase “young democracy ” in conversations lately when referring to the Virgin Islands’ development.
I am not sure when the “birth” of the country is being tracked from but let us use 1950 when our constitution was reinstated by the UK government.

Up until that point, we were governed for 49 years by the Governor of the Leeward Islands Federation through a local Commissioner. Before that we had a locally elected legislature from 1774 – 1901.

In 2015 while doing research for my Virgin Islands History course paper, I was amazed at the accomplishments made in the first 30 years by the policymakers of that era: hotel aid to encourage tourism, social security scheme, labour code, a secondary school, Beef Island airfield, Main Street administration building, a Development Bank, and graduating from UK grant assistance, to name a few.

After almost every election year up to the 1960s, more responsibilities were given by England to the locally elected officials. In 1967, the ministerial system was put in place and the first Chief Minister was appointed. This is proof to me that we are a resourceful and ingenious people who worked hard to develop this country from little means.

Last year was the 70th anniversary of the restoration of the elected legislature and in the Bible that is referred to as a lifetime. When we reflect on the fact that we have accomplished a one billion dollar economy by the turn of the 21st century, I think we have done very well for ourselves coming from humble beginnings.

I admit we have not done everything perfect, but if we learn from our past and focus on doing what is right by the people, this generation will leave the country better than we met it. In my opinion, we are more than capable of managing our affairs with EXCELLENCE, FAIRNESS, AND JUSTICE but have been operating below our potential in recent years and we must step up our governance game.

To get back on the right track, we must take care of two things:

1) the public service and 2) the budget. The COI is making plain what needs to be addressed for a more accountable, efficient, and effective organization so that will be a matter of leadership having the backbone to make the tough decisions that will be necessary when the dust settles.

There is a cliché that says if you want to see a person’s priorities watch where they spend their money, and our budget says our priorities are in the wrong place.

If people are our national asset, then we need to put our money where our mouth is. Funding should be spent on empowering our youth to be employable and the future business owners.

I propose that the education, health, social services, and environment sectors be allocated at 50 percent of the annual national budget to build our people and not just physical infrastructure.

The goal has and should always be improving the quality of life of Virgin Islanders. For example: do our people make a “living wage” to easily pay their bills, educate their children, have access to quality medical care and own their own home? If not, why not? And what should to be done to make this a reality?

Our ancestors had a mindset of legacy – they made decisions with our success in mind, and we must do the same for those coming after us. How will we be remembered fifty or even just 25 years from now when the HLSCC student in the VI History course learns about our decisions? Will they be better off?

I do not want to disappoint them, do you?
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
China Accuses US of Violating Trade Truce
Panama Port Owner Balances US-China Pressures
France Implements Nationwide Outdoor Smoking Ban to Protect Children
German Chancellor Merz Keeps Putin Guessing on Missile Strategy
Mandelson Criticizes UK's 'Fetish' for Abandoning EU Regulations
British Fishing Boat Owner Fined €30,000 by French Authorities
Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
×