Governor Jaspert, who has been under heavy criticism for what many considered insensitive remarks about slavery reparations and the preservation of names of landmarks in honour of perpetrators of slavery and evil acts against humanity, is scheduled to depart the Territory this yearend, several months earlier than expected.

During his tenure, the Governor has also been accused of trying to upstage the elected Government of Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) as well as causing a strain in relationship between the Governments of the VI and United Kingdom as well as the elected Government’s and the people of the VI.

A ‘notice’ from the Office of the House of Assembly on October 22, 2020, confirmed that Governor Jaspert will be delivering the Speech from the Throne at the new parliamentary session next month.

The Speech, which is written by the Government of the day, represents the Administration’s legislative agenda.

Productive HoA

The last session of the HoA was one of the most eventful and productive in years, with June 2020 alone seeing a record-breaking 15 pieces of legislation.

Those include legislation that previous governments and legislators have shunned for years, such as the Consumer Protection Act 2020; Gaming and Betting Control Act 2020; and the Cannabis Licencing Act 2020, the latter of which is yet to be assented to by the Governor.

Other legislation in June included the Stamp Duty Amendment Act 2020 and Asset Seizure and Forfeiture Act 2020.

The last HoA year climaxed with the swearing-in of the first local Attorney General in 21 years, Ms Dawn J. Smith, on October 1, 2020.