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Current VI constitution is 'disrespectful to the Premier' - Hon Vanterpool

- calls for removal of Governor as Chairman of Cabinet comprising of Premier & Ministers
Fourth District Representative Hon Mark H. Vanterpool believes the Governor should not be the Chairman of Cabinet and has called for that to be addressed in the next constitutional review. Photo: VINO/File
The un-elected Governor of the Virgin Islands, Augustus J. U. Jaspert chairs Cabinet meetings, due to provisions in the Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007. Photo: VINO/File
The un-elected Governor of the Virgin Islands, Augustus J. U. Jaspert chairs Cabinet meetings, due to provisions in the Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007. Photo: VINO/File
DUFFS BOTTOM, Tortola, VI - Fourth District Representative in the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly (HoA), Hon Mark H. Vanterpool has called the current VI Constitution Order 2007 as disrespectful to the highest democratically elected office, that of the Premier, over its stipulation to have a UK appointed Governor to chair the Cabinet.

Hon Vanterpool was at the time speaking during the debates on the Motion for Constitutional Review at the Thirteenth Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth House of Assembly on July 28, 2020.

No Respect - Hon Vanterpool 

'You don't respect the Premier, this constitution, if you going to tell me that the Premier and his Ministers are the Cabinet and this explanatory note behind it says the Governor is the Chairman," Hon Vanterpool said regarding the Governor's position in Cabinet. 

"You not no member of the Cabinet, but yet you're telling me that you have to chair the Cabinet?" Hon Vanterpool asked rhetorically of the Governor's seat currently held by H.E. Augustus J.U. Jaspert.

Hon Vanterpool revealed that many past VI Governors would use the steering committee to dictate and say what policies would go on the Cabinet agenda.

"Now what is that? That's respect? The People have elected a Premier and four Ministers to form the Cabinet and the Cabinet must be determined by somebody else?"

Consultations with UK must be had - Hon Vanterpool 

"Where is the respect and self-determination in that Mr Speaker?" Hon Vanterpool asked, adding: "We must go and bow down now and ask to change that, we can't decide ourselves, they must agree," Hon Vanterpool further went on to say.

He reiterated that the VI and UK partnership is not a modern one based on mutual respect and self-determination, but rather, an arrangement where the UK dictates to the Territory.

22 Responses to “Current VI constitution is 'disrespectful to the Premier' - Hon Vanterpool”

  • down2earth (05/08/2020, 16:59) Like (24) Dislike (1) Reply
    How long have you been an elected member of the House? There haven't been any constitutional review during that time? If so, you didn't participate?
  • Ray Charles nephew (05/08/2020, 17:21) Like (16) Dislike (2) Reply
    Mark like he ready to Jump ship for the 3rd time. Mark need to tell the premier, the people are suffering.. release the oppression.
  • 4 reasons. VIP will lose next election (05/08/2020, 17:33) Like (11) Dislike (9) Reply
    1 / Flax going lose., Was elected for her courage to speak out when things going wrong, she ia now a coward....2/ Sowande will lose, the same reason ss Flax but also to add no real improvement in agriculture..3/ .Alvera will lose, too many chances nothing to show after all these years...and 4/ Every Island person / Xpats has enfluence over at lease 2 or more voters.and With the pressure they are getting from this government, they wlll want to see them out...
    • bvi islander (05/08/2020, 20:52) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      Pressure they are getting from this Government??

      All islands are in a crisis!!All islands are doing the same as well as countries... Where there are no available jobs ..persons have to return home until when there are jobs available!
      Its that simple!!
  • Trying (05/08/2020, 17:59) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Looks like Mark is trying to switch to VIP.
  • QUICK (05/08/2020, 18:35) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Mark need to get he island behind back home
  • Real Talk (05/08/2020, 18:44) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hon premier i am begging you dont trust mark.
    • @Real Talk (05/08/2020, 21:35) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      I’m quite sure Premier is up on that already. Mark has been jumping to the Premier’s defense lately, weren’t they Political rivals not to long ago? Maybe Mark is planning to jump
  • rattie (05/08/2020, 20:57) Like (0) Dislike (6) Reply
    Have respect for mark he is a good man
  • SB (05/08/2020, 21:33) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    The governor doesn’t VOTE in Cabinet. It’s a ceremonial position. Calm down.
  • HAHA (06/08/2020, 00:33) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    mark island unlike yours had no curfew and a festival... go Sid dung lol
  • lol (06/08/2020, 00:35) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    That covid food money gone to he head.....He wants more it seems.....It sweetened he
  • Smart mark (06/08/2020, 08:51) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Remember the plane investigation governor and chief of police has investigators on that case right now and what do you know mark and claud Cline is all over the governor and the pair park investigation would be next so it would be nice if both mark and claud Cline could get rid of the governor but little do they know that once that investigation goes into high gear none of them have anywhere to run or any party to help them both of them are going to be thrown under the bus so let them continue all of them time coming real soon.
  • Not at All (06/08/2020, 10:35) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    I think it is odd that Mark is so eager to defend the Premier. premier can defend himself. If Mark jump over to VIP, the VIP will lose my vote. Mark needs to retire from Politics and call it a day.
  • Captain Fiint (06/08/2020, 12:34) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    If VI get independence then we all lose our UK passports and our handouts.
  • el (06/08/2020, 13:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mark looking to get in the ruling party good books.
  • Well (09/08/2020, 07:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    mark just hoping to switch side next election. go sidung antigua man


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