According to the December 24, 2021, Government's Official Gazette, the House of Assembly (HoA) of the Virgin Islands has been prorogued. Photo: Official Gazette

The Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), left, who advised His Excellency, Governor John J. Rankin CMG, right, to prorogued the HoA was in keeping with Section 84 (1) of the Virgin Islands Constitution. Photo: VINO/File

The Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) who advised His Excellency, Governor John J. Rankin CMG, to prorogued the HoA was in keeping with Section 84 (1) of the Virgin Islands Constitution.

With the prorogation, it gives way, according to the Premier in recent statements, for the Governor to deliver the Speech from the Throne written by the Government of the day.

The Speech from the Throne will set out the Fahie-Administration’s legislative priorities.

Speaker Willock: What it means for HoA to be prorogued

Speaker of the HoA Hon Julian Willock, in an invited comment, said the issue of proroguing the HoA is a matter between the Premier, who is Leader of Government business in the HoA, and the Governor. “There is no need to consult the Speaker, as the Constitution gives the Premier the power in 84 (1) to advise the Governor to prorogue.”

Honourable Willock explained that to prorogue the House is like “taking a break, when one session comes to end before the start of a new one”. 

The HoA was in its third session before being prorogued and “when we return on January 18, 2022, we will be in the fourth session,” Hon Willock explained.

Bills to come…

Meanwhile, Premier Fahie had said in a statement on December 29, 2021, that the Speech from the Throne will reveal that a number of bills, including to further strengthen Good Governance in the Virgin Islands, will be brought to the HoA in the new year.

Bills will include The Human Rights Commission Act; The Freedom of Information Act; and Amendments to the Registrar of Interests Act.