At-Large system ‘is not working properly’- Hon Stacy R. Mather
One of the recommendations of the Constitution Review Commission (CRC) is to increase the members in the HoA by two At-Large members. This recommendation is part of the 2022-2023 CRC’s Report, which is currently being debated in the House.
In the Virgin Islands, there are 13 elected members of the House of Assembly. Of the 13 members in the House, nine are elected to represent Territorial District seats while four are elected At-Large.
“I want to categorically say this. I’m not in favour of increasing the number of members in the House. You know why? Nobody buys more of something if they already have it and they ain’t using it; that’s greed,” he said during his debate contribution on Monday, September 22, 2025, Hon Mather said.
Hon Mather added that he is not the only member of the HoA who has recognised that the current system “is not working properly”, and it is something he has brought up in the HoA many times.
They will be begging like me
He further questioned the reasoning behind the recommendation to add two more At-Large Members, asking if it is just to get a sixth minister.
“We [are] going to say they [are] invading districts, them stepping over into places that they’re not going to be able to have any kind of say in. They’re going to be like me in here, begging the Premier for some money in the Ministry of Communications and Works to do roads. What are they going to do inside here, Madam Speaker?”
He stated that it was not necessary to expand something if it would not be put to use.
“Who feels it knows it,” Hon Mather said.
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19 Responses to “At-Large system ‘is not working properly’- Hon Stacy R. Mather”
Moreover, the at large system provides a global, territory-wide perspective focusing on jurisdiction needs vice the narrower focus of district/neighborhood needs. Secondly, the at-large system builds consensus.
On the other hand, the at large system can dilute voting power and influence for sectors of the jurisdiction. Secondly, candidates for at -large seats have to campaign in all 9 districts in the territory. Thirdly, the at- large elected members represent the entire jurisdiction. This can disconnect them from some constituents, ie, constituents outside Tortola, the main island. How can at/large representation be improve, if so?
Instead of at large members representing the whole jurisdiction, they can represent a geographical area, splitting the territory into four (4) geographical at-large districts. Before roll out of the ministerial system in 1967, I think (historians can check me on this), the territory had at/large districts. I think Road Town, the capital of Tortola and of the VI, had two(2) reps. Additionally, the territory can consider transitioning from a unicameral HoA to a bicameral HoA, a senate. Members can be appointed or elected or a hybrid of both. The senate membership can comprise 7-11 members. A senate will slow the normal legislative process down but it will put more eyeballs on legislation, providing more vetting. By the way Bermuda, a sister OT, has an 11-member appointed senate, along with a 36 elected member HoA, I think.
We know the AL reps don’t have any power under the constitution even though those top 4 deserve it as they were elected by the MAJORITY! Not some smal district that has elected the same old ineffective trash for multiple times.
Luce, Karl, Lorna are one-termers - they just don’t cut the mustard. Big disappointments…has their districts learned this hard lesson? We shall see just like the dinosaur in D3 they need to go!
VIP is not working overall!
run for your given district and make sure that all is going well for the people who place you political office
The at large system have been a waste of time because you only see an at large member just before election
The District Candidate Should Reside within the district
Put your name on the slate if you have an interest to be our premier and let the people vote
No political party should be selecting the leader of the territory those day has passed away