Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) has called the 2022-2023 Constitution Reform Commission (CRC) Report: more than words on paper but a response to the Commission of Inquiry’s criticisms. Photo: YouTube/HoA

The Constitution Review Commission's Report consists of potential constitutional amendments. Photo: Internet Source

Members of the House of Assembly will continue to debate the 2022-2023 Constitution Reform Commission (CRC) Report on Monday, September 22, 2025, at 10:00 AM. Photo: YouTube/HoA

Members of the House of Assembly (HoA) began debating the report during the Ninth Sitting of the Second Session of the Fifth House of Assembly. 

During the sitting’s continuation on Friday, September 19, 2025, Hon Turnbull said he read the report twice. 

“It’s not just about the report and the merits therein. Because if we take it on the surface, it would just seem like a technical report with pages of analysis, recommendations, comparisons. But this document and what it means is so much more than words on a paper.”

According to the Member of His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, now is the time for the VI to reflect on where they are, as they have been offered a window for a glimpse of where the territory might go. He also said it is now a testing and challenging period for “us to decide whether we’ll be timid or cautious, or bold and faithful as our ancestors were”. 

CRC Report is a response to COI’s critique

The report, he said, did not just fall from the sky but “emerged from the shadows” of the Commission of Inquiry of 2021/2022 that highlighted corruption, exposed maladministration and even identified weaknesses in the system. 

The COI, Hon Turnbull said, did not give proper credit to the achievements of the Virgin Islands and its people. 

“The COI, Madam Speaker, painted us as in colours of scandal, but it did not show the canvas of our progress. It told of what was broken, but it did not tell of what was built. It catalogues our flaws, but it did not chronicle our faith. And so the CRC was appointed in part to respond to that critique,” he said. 

We must not be defined by outsiders

Hon Turnbull further in his contribution to the debate demanded bold reforms that put the people first in education, land, healthcare and governance. 

“But above all, I want to remind this House of Assembly and the people in the Territory of the Virgin Islands, we must not be defined by what outsiders say, but we must be defined as a people of faith, courage and who choose to say and tell our story on our own behalf.”

Members of the HoA will continue to debate the 2022-2023 Constitution Reform Commission (CRC) Report on Monday, September 22, 2025, at 10:00 AM.