Beautiful Virgin Islands

Wednesday, Aug 27, 2025

The enforcers of good governance

The enforcers of good governance

OK. Residents in the Virgin Islands are today witnessing the true meaning of Rule of Law, as it applies to the powerful.
And we all understand that in the absence of enforcement mechanisms any talk of transparency, accountability, and justice, by those who are tasked with rule over the land—government—is just that: talk.

True accountability will only ever take place under conditions where the virtues of accountable and honest government are enforced by law. That is the very essence of the Rule of Law: that the law is supreme and no one is above the law.

As residents observe the discomfort, irritation, and nervousness of a number of high officials appearing before the Virgin Islands Commission of Inquiry, it is clear and evident that the route to good governance runs through external oversight, that the law is followed by those who make up the ruling government.

Now, good governance rests upon ethical and honest behavior by the ‘high and mighty.’

And history has shown that freedom and justice can only be protected by law. That means checks and balances. In the absence of checks and balances on ruling impunity, rulers tend to arrogate to themselves greater power and privilege, to the clear disadvantage of the masses.

That is the singular reason modern western history is replete with narratives of the tug of war between ruled and ruler, and heroic attempts by the peasantry and working classes, to fight against privilege and impunity by monarchs, feudal lords, and tyrants.

It is indeed a paradox that a ruling power such as the UK has called for a Commission of Inquiry in one of its Overseas Territories to investigate governance.

However, it is worthy of note that the UK, in spite of its unwritten constitution, and the customs and conventions that drive its own governance, is a model of checks and balances.

In the UK the Crown, Supreme Court, Lords, and HM’s Opposition, and a military that is under the Crown, act as effective checks on any UK government that attempts to usurp power and act unconstitutionally. A visit to the Prime Minister by ‘’men in dark suits’’ is all that is required for a change of government in the UK, if a Prime Minister acts outside his or her powers.

The value of the Virgin Islands Commission of Inquiry is in its sanitizing effect.

The commission forces the high official to look more closely at the ethics and rules he or she is expected to abide by.

The Commission offers the residents insight into their own government that would never be revealed under ‘’normal circumstances.’’

The very public investigation offers the resident the what, where, when, how, and why, of governance matters. That level of transparency and insight would never take place under normal circumstances.

After a full investigation, and the outcomes of that investigation, residents will then be offered a set of contemporary benchmarks, practically set in stone, in which to measure their governments now and future, and what to expect from their governments.

Consequently, the Commission of Inquiry is putting steel into the rules by which government operates. It is ensuring the constitution is followed to the letter. And that those who go rogue feel the full force of the Rule of law, and in the full glare of the people who they supposedly govern.

Ultimately, the key beneficiaries of the COI, are the Rule of Law, and an informed public, which alone drives a safe, prosperous, and just society.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Spotify’s Strange Move: The Feature Nobody Asked For – Returns
Manhunt in Australia: Armed Anti-Government Suspect Kills Police Officers Sent to Arrest Him
China Launches World’s Most Powerful Neutrino Detector
How Beijing-Linked Networks Shape Elections in New York City
Ukrainian Refugee Iryna Zarutska Fled War To US, Stabbed To Death
Elon Musk Sues Apple and OpenAI Over Alleged App Store Monopoly
2 Australian Police Shot Dead In Encounter In Rural Victoria State
Vietnam Evacuates Hundreds of Thousands as Typhoon Kajiki Strikes; China’s Sanya Shuts Down
UK Government Delays Decision on China’s Proposed London Embassy Amid Concerns Over Redacted Plans
A 150-Year Tradition to Be Abolished? Uproar Over the Popular Central Park Attraction
A new faith called Robotheism claims artificial intelligence isn’t just smart but actually God itself
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner Purchases Third Property Amid Housing Tax Reforms Debate
HSBC Switzerland Ends Relationships with Over 1,000 Clients from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Qatar, and Egypt
Sharia Law Made Legally Binding in Austria Despite Warnings Over 'Incompatible' Values
Italian Facebook Group Sharing Intimate Images Without Consent Shut Down Amid Police Investigation
Dutch Foreign Minister Resigns Amid Deadlock Over Israel Sanctions
Trump and Allies Send Messages of Support to Ukraine on Independence Day Amid Ongoing Conflict
China Reels as Telegram Chat Group Shares Hidden-Camera Footage of Women and Children
Sam Nicoresti becomes first transgender comedian to win Edinburgh Comedy Award
Builders uncover historic human remains in Lancashire house renovation
Australia Wants to Tax Your Empty Bedrooms
MotoGP Cameraman Narrowly Avoids Pedro Acosta Crash at Hungarian Grand Prix
FBI Investigates John Bolton Over Classified Documents in High-Profile Raids
Report reveals OpenAI pitched national ChatGPT Plus subscription to UK ministers
Labour set to freeze income tax thresholds in long-term 'stealth' tax raid
Coca‑Cola explores sale of Costa coffee chain
Trial hears dog walker was chased and fatally stabbed by trio
Restaurateur resigns from government hospitality council over tax criticism
Spanish City funfair shut after serious ride injury
Suspected arson at Ilford restaurant leaves three in critical condition
Tottenham beat Manchester City to go top of Premier League
Bank holiday heatwave to hit 30°C before remnants of Hurricane Erin arrive
UK to deploy immigration advisers to West Africa to block fake visas
Nurse who raped woman continued working for a year despite police alert
Drought forces closures of England’s canal routes, canceling boat holidays
Sweet tooth scents: food-inspired perfumes surge as weight-loss drugs suppress appetites
Experts warn Britain dangerously reliant on imported food
Family of Notting Hill Carnival murder victim call event unmanageable
Bunkers, Billions and Apocalypse: The Secret Compounds of Zuckerberg and the Tech Giants
Ukraine Declares De Facto War on Hungary and Slovakia with Terror Drone Strikes on Their Gas Lifeline
Animated K-pop Musical ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Becomes Netflix’s Most-Watched Original Animated Film
New York Appeals Court Voids Nearly $500 Million Civil Fraud Penalty Against Trump While Upholding Fraud Liability
Elon Musk tweeted, “Europe is dying”
Far-Right Activist Convicted of Incitement Changes Gender and Demands: "Send Me to a Women’s Prison" | The Storm in Germany
Hungary Criticizes Ukraine: "Violating Our Sovereignty"
Will this be the first country to return to negative interest rates?
Child-free hotels spark controversy
North Korea is where this 95-year-old wants to die. South Korea won’t let him go. Is this our ally or a human rights enemy?
Hong Kong Launches Regulatory Regime and Trials for HKD-Backed Stablecoins
China rehearses September 3 Victory Day parade as imagery points to ‘loyal wingman’ FH-97 family presence
×