Local commentator and author Sandra Phillip-Hodge has accused the government of behaving like a “bully government” by making decisions without adequately considering the views, requests and demands of the people. Photo: Facebook

Sandra Phillip-Hodge argued that the constitutional review should respond directly to concerns raised by citizens, including calls for provisions that would allow voters to recall elected representatives who fail to meet public expectations. Photo: Internet Source

Phillip-Hodge, who declared that she will run in the upcoming general elections in the Virgin Islands, said the government’s alleged disregard for public concerns has raised questions about the effectiveness of democratic accountability and the need for stronger constitutional safeguards.

“There are so many things going on in this place that it makes you wonder if we have a bully government that just does things without consideration of the people’s views, the people’s requests, the people’s demands,” she said.

Highlighted ongoing constitutional review 

Phillip-Hodge, who recently staged a one-woman protest against the planned removal of certain trees from DeCastro Street,  argued that the constitutional review should respond directly to concerns raised by citizens, including calls for provisions that would allow voters to recall elected representatives who fail to meet public expectations.

“We would like to be able to say, okay, let us bring this motion, or whatever you want to call it, to the House, or to whatever powers that be, whatever is available for us to use constitutionally,” Phillip-Hodge said.

'Remove bad eggs'- Sandra Phillip-Hodge

According to the commentator, a recall mechanism would give the public a formal way to challenge elected officials and, where necessary, remove and replace representatives who are no longer trusted by their constituents.

She described the proposal as a means of removing “bad eggs” from the political process and replacing them with individuals who are better suited to serve the people.

Phillip-Hodge claimed the issue has been a concern for people within the community.