Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

HoA prorogued! Why not dissolved? Some asked!

January 4th, 2023 | Tags: HOA dissolved prorogued general election legal session
The first Sitting of the HoA took place on March 12, 2019. Therefore, the HoA must be dissolved by March 12, 2023, for the end of a four-year term. Photo: VINO/File
Opposition Member Hon Carvin Malone (AL), right, has questioned the legitimacy of the Unity Government led by Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), left,. Photo: VINO/Dame Peters Photography/Facebook
Opposition Member Hon Carvin Malone (AL), right, has questioned the legitimacy of the Unity Government led by Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), left,. Photo: VINO/Dame Peters Photography/Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- His Excellency, the Governor, John J. Rankin CMG, acting in accordance with the advice of the Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), has prorogued the House of Assembly (HoA), effective Friday, December 30, 2022, until such a time a new session is appointed.

Many residents; however, including two current legislators speaking to our news centre over the past few days on condition of anonymity, claimed to be disappointed that the HoA will continue and not be dissolved.

'We want a general election'- Voice of the people

If the HoA was dissolved it would have led to general elections. To prorogue a legislative body is to discontinue the meetings without dissolving the House. While the House is prorogued, the legislature is still constituted.

Last year, one Member- Hon Carvin Malone (AL)- questioned the legitimacy of the Unity Government, after Premier Wheatley brought a successful motion against the Virgin Islands Party Government of the day, which was at the time led by the former Premier Andrew A. Fahie.

Honourable Malone called it a coup d’etat and said the people should have gone back to the polls after the motion was passed, since they did not vote for a coalition government.

Can we go to a fifth session of the HoA?

Others are now questioning if the HoA, which has now completed its fourth session, will have a fifth session and whether that would be legal. However, Section 84 (1) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007 states that the Governor may, acting in accordance with the advice of the Premier, prorogue the HoA at any time, but he shall prorogue the House at least once every calendar year, except in any year when the House is dissolved.

The first Sitting of the HoA took place on March 12, 2019, therefore, the HoA must be dissolved by March 12, 2023, for the end of a four-year term.

Then a general election must be held, according to Section 86 of the constitution, within two months of the HoA being dissolved, but not earlier than twenty-one days after the same dissolution.

18 Responses to “HoA prorogued! Why not dissolved? Some asked!”

  • Citizen (04/01/2023, 11:31) Like (8) Dislike (17) Reply
    Foreigners banned from buying homes in Canada. when are we going to see headlines like this. We are so small and every minute you are seeing approval of non Belonger land holders' licence been given out by the Governor.
    • Yes (04/01/2023, 12:25) Like (19) Dislike (3) Reply
      but its citizens BVIslanders that are selling their lands , no one is forcing them except keeping up with the Joneses, NO CROWN LAND is sold to non belongers
      • Citizen (04/01/2023, 15:48) Like (3) Dislike (10) Reply
        Thats why it's the responsibility of our government to put those measures in place so all the greedy ones cannot buy up all our lands.
    • Who will buy them (04/01/2023, 13:53) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply

      So, who do you think will buy these expensive @$$ houses in Tortola. There are few local that can afford to pay $10,000 monthly for mortgage. only those who already have many houses can afford them. Check the real estate market.

      • Citizen (04/01/2023, 15:50) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
        Every time there is a discussion for BVI to protect what belongs to them, it always a problem to you all.
    • Rubber Duck (04/01/2023, 17:15) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
      For two years and in the big cities only. We could solve the problem in BVI if non belongers were only allowed to buy in certain areas and/ or in certain developments. It would leave the majority of the country to belongers but not kill of investments like Oil Nut or Mosquito that bring wealth to the country.
    • Outside (05/01/2023, 09:43) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      It's persons like you who try to drive home your hatred of Non-belongers with partial information but forget that not only you have the ability to source information and derive the true essence of articles of which you have negatively used to support your bias.

      Here is the article you got your partial info
      "In a statement, federal housing minister Ahmed Hussen said the ban is meant to discourage buyers from looking at homes as commodities instead of a place to live and grow a family"
  • not nice (04/01/2023, 11:41) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Ví islanders the UK coming
  • Just saying (04/01/2023, 11:41) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    I agree with the people we need an election
  • Trying (04/01/2023, 11:57) Like (18) Dislike (25) Reply
    I want Mr. Wheatley to get another chance to lead this country. He mean well and he's trying.
    • @ trying (04/01/2023, 12:39) Like (17) Dislike (5) Reply
      Hell no he is a waste of time he lies too much
      • Ease up. (04/01/2023, 15:47) Like (18) Dislike (2) Reply
        Ease up off the Governor back. Thank God for him. These politicians were robbing us blind..Imaging a politician becomes a millionare in just one 4yr term. Yet we see nothing wrong with that..Wonder why they afraid to reveal all their income.
    • nope (04/01/2023, 13:16) Like (3) Dislike (16) Reply
      I prefer vote in Cindy!! All the Way!!!
  • Another year (04/01/2023, 17:15) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The UK is giving the Unity party a bit more time to fulfill all the recommendations of the CoI so no election until that goal is achieved. Otherwise direct rule under the Order in Council if the Unity party fails.
  • @ EASE UP (04/01/2023, 20:23) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    WAIT A MINUTE , SOMEONE IS MISSING , / WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE HOLY CON ~ PASTOR ~ TUN ~ POLITICIAN ???? WELL AH GUESS HE MUST BE CHILLING OUT WITH SOME GUAVABERRY WITH THAT CHARMING ☺ OF HIS AS HE COUNTS ALL THE EASY MONEY HE MADE OFF OUR STUPID ARZEZ
  • Josiahsbay (05/01/2023, 08:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Buying and selling real estate is a necessary function of the economy but to whom and for what purpose is the question?
    Government can play a part in its regulation. I think that keeping the sales mostly between Belongers and citizens of the territory is crucial to future ownership of real estate of these islands.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.