Anegada & JvD having own elected Reps would make 'a big difference'-Julian Willock
During an interview on Talking Points on June 22, 2026, broadcasted on ZBVI 780 AM, Mr. Willock remarked, "One of the things that I've said to the current government, the premier, for example, is the issue with the Constitution, and where they have allowed for 2 At Large seats, instead of giving at least Anegada and Jost van Dyke one of those individual seats.”
For many years, the residents of Anedaga and Jost van Dyke have expressed disappointment over the lack of representation.
However, in a recent episode of the podcast 'Too Inquisitive', which aired on June 12, 2026, the Premier emphasised the need for increased representation for these islands.
According to an article by our news centre, Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) stated that the government will move forward with discussions on the establishment of district councils to improve representation for the residents of Anegada and Jost van Dyke.
Struggles of the people of Anegada & Jost Van Dyke
Mr Willock noted that some Virgin Islanders are unaware of the daily struggles faced by the people of Anegada, Jost van Dyke, and, to some extent, Virgin Gorda.
“The struggles to get a boat, to come to Tortola, the struggles for economic development on those little islands,” he stated.
The former Speaker of the House stressed the importance of focusing attention on representation for Anegada and Jost van Dyke.
'Own representation will be a Game-Changer'
“I think having their own representative would have made a big difference. It would have been a game-changer because the history of this country shows that when people are represented, that's when this country takes off, even under the ministerial system. When we moved to representative, the history is clear, the country took off, so we should have considered, given Anegada and Jost van Dyke their own representatives,” he further stated.
Willock contended that representation should not depend on population size.
“Don't tell me anything about the number...representation is representation. They're big states, and they're small states. They all have 2 senators, and the issue of the population is not a factor,” he added.
Mr Willock concluded by asserting that these two sister islands deserve equal representation, which he identified as one of the policies he finds unacceptable in the current government.
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14 Responses to “Anegada & JvD having own elected Reps would make 'a big difference'-Julian Willock”
Moreover, outlying islands have historically been stigmatized, treated as second class citizens., etc. Some may say that is ancient history but it is real; it is facts. The BIG question is it lack of representation or poor representation is the problem? What will change with JVD and Anegada having their own representatives in the 15 member HoA? What if the District Reps and four at large members were to do their damn jobs, effectively representing the population of Anegada and JVD? Are the numbers the issue or damn poor representation? Let’s make sister/outlying islands matter
By comparison , Antigua and Barbuda combined is 170 square mile and has 17 members of parliament. . Dominica is 305 square miles and has 21 members of parliament. St.Kitts and Nevis is 104 square miles with 11members of Parliament. BVI 59 square miles 15 members in House of Assembly.
2 more members!! And then the extra house that Fraser wants so he has a place to sleep and still be paid.
IT seems the additional borrowing soon going to be mopped up on 2 sets of HOA salaries!!