The term ‘veto’ refers to a constitutional right to reject a decision or proposal made by a lawmaking body, such as the House of Assembly.

The Education Minister’ statements comes on the heels of a refusal by former governor Augustus Jaspert to grant assent to the Cannabis Licensing Act and other legislation passed in the House of Assembly (HOA) more than a year ago.

Prior to leaving office, Jaspert forwarded the cannabis legislation to the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office for further consultation, arguing that some necessary provisions had not been made.

“The reality is these governors that they send down here won’t assent to these things, if you do those type of things. The assent has now become a veto on any provision in any Act that they disagree with,” Dr Wheatley said.

“I don’t think the assent should be used that way, but unfortunately this is the way it has been used, especially of late,” added the Deputy Premier who was at the time debating the Integrity in Public life Act.

Among other things, the Act provides for an Integrity Commission to be established in the BVI.

Dr Wheatley called the way in which the commission is to be established — with input from, and agreement between the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition — an example of progressive politics.

He said it was important to demonstrate this type of politics if the BVI is to be able to advance towards more autonomy and to have some form of freedom of association, integration or even independence at some stage.

And according to the Deputy Premier, the existence of independent bodies such as the proposed commission was key to the entire concept of having good governance.

He said this would ensure that they are able to operate without any hindrance.