HoA (Management) Bill 2025 won’t ‘separate legislature from the people’- Speaker
The House of Assembly (Management) Bill, 2025, was scheduled to receive its second and third readings during the Continuation of the Tenth Sitting of the Second Session of the Fifth House of Assembly (HoA) on Thursday, October 30, 2025.
Hon George-Massicote explained that for many years, the operational and administrative framework of the VI’s HoA relied on external mechanisms that were not fully aligned with the principle of legislative autonomy.
The introduction of the House of Assembly (Management) Bill, 2025, she said, seeks to correct this. This Bill, therefore, represents not merely an administrative reform but a clear statement of constitutional maturity and democratic progress.
“An autonomous legislature is the foundation of every functioning democracy. It is within these chambers that the voice of the people finds expression, where laws are created, and where government is held accountable. For this process to have true meaning, the legislature must be able to act independently, free from interference, and guided only by the Constitution, the Standing Orders, and the will of the people.”
Bringing people closer to the centre of governance
The Speaker of the House said the House’s autonomy is not about separating the legislature from the people, but it is about bringing the people closer to the centre of governance.
“It ensures that your representatives can perform their duties without fear or favour, guided only by what is right and just. It ensures that your voices are heard clearly and acted upon with transparency and integrity.”
She explained that the Bill establishes a well-defined governance structure that empowers the House to manage its own affairs, including staffing, budgeting, procedural integrity, and institutional development.
“It ensures that the House of Assembly has the necessary tools and authority to conduct its business with transparency, efficiency, and independence.”
Hon George-Massicote added that an autonomous legislature best serves the people when it is properly resourced, effectively governed, and fully accountable to the citizens it represents.
“This Bill ensures that those principles are not only upheld in practice, but also firmly enshrined in law.”
CPA provided assistance
The initiative she assured was not undertaken in isolation, as the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), of which this House is a member, has “consistently advocated for strong, independent, and well-resourced legislatures throughout the Commonwealth”.
The CPA provided technical guidance and capacity-building support, which has strengthened the VI’s efforts to bring the House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands in line with international standards of legislative governance.
“This Bill, therefore, responds not only to local needs but also aligns our institution with global best practices in parliamentary management, integrity, and accountability.”
The House of Assembly (Management) Bill, 2025, she continued, marks a new chapter in the growth of the institution by strengthening democracy, enhancing accountability, and deepening the trust of the people in their legislature.
“As Speaker, I remain committed to upholding the dignity and independence of this Honourable House, ensuring that its proceedings reflect fairness, respect, and the highest standards of public service.”
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5 Responses to “HoA (Management) Bill 2025 won’t ‘separate legislature from the people’- Speaker”
It does not matter how much you try to wriggle from your responsibilities as a Territory of the UK, promoting criminals should have no place in the HOA.
And also let's remember the HOA13 are clearly not the voice of the VI people.
They are the DirtyHOA13 trying to move further from accountability and transparency.
I am honestly surprised that you as Speaker would be behind this as you appeared to be a good representative but this is atrue Wigged Ones move.
Well then, in brings people closer to the centre of governance may we, the citizens, formally seek a retraction of the extensive pay raise awarded to the ministers?
What’s needed is a system where the electorate votes directly for Premier, not the Premier being chosen by a majority of elected members, as is currently the case. Too much horse/ donkey/ mule trading goes on for guaranteed collected responsibility. Additionally, the process needs to move from a unicameral to a bicameral system, adding an elected Senate. This is not a novel idea in the OT universe, for, for example Bermuda has an 11 member Senate ( appointed), along with 36 elected member HoA. What size is Bermuda? I think it is less than 30 square miles.