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'Reserved' Order to suspend VI Constitution laid before UK parliament

-Order will not come into effect unless executed by VI Governor should Unity Government fail to reform governance in territory
A instrument entitled ‘The Virgin Islands constitution (Interim amendment) order 2022” has been laid before the UK parliament yesterday, June 9, 2022, to effectively reserve the right for the Governor John J. Rankin CMG to partially suspend the local constitution should the need arise. Photo: Internet Source
The Order when executed, will create a Governor-led administration and give the Governor the power to oversee most of the functions of the offices suspended. Photo: Internet Source
The Order when executed, will create a Governor-led administration and give the Governor the power to oversee most of the functions of the offices suspended. Photo: Internet Source
The Virgin Islands Constitution (Interim Amendment) Order 2022
The Virgin Islands Constitution (Interim Amendment) Order 2022
WESTMINSTER, London, UK - An instrument entitled ‘The Virgin Islands Constitution (Interim Amendment) Order 2022' was laid before the United Kingdom (UK) parliament yesterday, June 9, 2022, to effectively reserve the right for the Virgin Islands Governor John J. Rankin, CMG to partially suspend the local constitution should the need arise.

This Order will allow for the suspension of certain provisions of the Constitution of the Virgin Islands, Order 2007, in particular those relating to ministerial Government and the House of Assembly, for a period of 2 years from the date the Order comes into force.

Several offices to become vacant 

If enforced, the Order vacates certain offices, including that of the Premier, and dissolves the House of Assembly. Other offices to become vacant will include that of the Deputy Premier, all other Ministers, Leader of the Opposition, Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Cabinet Secretary.

This will create a Governor-led administration and give the Governor the power to oversee most of the functions of the offices suspended. 

The instrument also makes temporary provisions for the Government of the Virgin Islands, led by the Governor, to consult (except in prescribed circumstances) an Advisory Council and establish a consultative forum.

This Advisory Council will be made up of the Governor, Deputy Governor, Attorney General, Permanent Secretary of Finance, and several other nominated members subject to other requirements.

The Governor will also maintain the power to terminate a member of the Advisory Council at any time.

Two years of rule unless terminated

The Order is to expire two years after commencement unless it is continued in force or is sooner revoked by a further Order in Council.

When laid before the Parliament, the order accompanied a note that an impact assessment has not been produced for the instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the United Kingdom private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen.

On June 8, 2022, the Governor announced that while the UK will not suspend the VI’s constitution, to implement CoI recommendations, it has put in place the option of temporary suspension of the House of Assembly and Cabinet. 

This option he said will also facilitate a temporary governor-led interim administration, assisted by an Advisory Council to drive forward the implementation of any outstanding recommendations as insurance should the Government of Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) fail to bring reform and implement the CoI recommendations. 

It was revealed that the plan was agreed to in a proposal by the Unity Government without the input of the people of the VI and without the public even seeing the final proposal.

Dr Wheatley has said it was done with good intentions and "in the best interest of the VI."

Click link to download 'The Virgin Islands Constitution (Interim Amendment) Order 2022: 

Download 3250_001.pdf

14 Responses to “'Reserved' Order to suspend VI Constitution laid before UK parliament”

  • Native Senior Citizen of the British Virgin Islands (10/06/2022, 16:26) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    Most people, I included, hope for the best outcome.
    Please my people, stop All unhelpful ,and unnecessary provocation against the UK,and the CoI. If we don't quickly, our previledge of internal self governance will be taken away from us swiftly. My dear people, be wise. Forsake ignorance, and embraced sound knowledge, and faultless wisdom.




  • My Goodness (10/06/2022, 16:26) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree with this. You have a chance, dont make them win. but they have to secure their end. The ball is in our court. Dont mess up.
  • True (10/06/2022, 17:01) Like (5) Dislike (8) Reply
    He have no integrity or care for us. Why should he anyways. Wake up and tell this man stop his nonsense talk but BVI people deserve better. What we deserve is for he to stop lying and leave us alone. Need to know what he know about us. Liar john rankin.
  • 284 (10/06/2022, 17:11) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    fahie boy voodoo at work. If not me no body

    Ku Klux Klan back agin
  • Agreeable One (10/06/2022, 17:36) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    In some respect I like the threat that is in place. Unfortunately there are some of us among us that will resort to the old way because they benefitted from the “system”. Having said that, when these two years are up, we the BVI better be crystal clear on the what we we want for ourselves, independence, free association, or integration. This current relationship between us and the uk is way outdated. The United Nations Charter said so in 1945. It is our fundamental human right to determine our future as a people. AND with the reforms now taking place in our government the stage is being set for us to have those discussions. Mr. Premier let us begin to educate the people on all options on the table. Time for us to reset!!!!!
  • Agreeable One (10/06/2022, 18:28) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    In one sense I am glad that that order is in place. Unfortunately there are some of us who have benefited from our past governments and will continue if given the chance. Having said that, when these two years are up let we the people have a very good idea if we want independence, free association, or integration. This was mandated by the United Nations charter in 1945. Our current relationship with the UK is way outdated. Colonialism is an inhumane thing of the past. With the reforms taking place in government now is the time to have these discussions. Mr. Premier place self determination high on your list of priorities for the people. Let’s have that dialogue asap please.
  • Rubber Duck (10/06/2022, 18:40) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    One word white supremacy and blackmail
  • Xxx (10/06/2022, 19:21) Like (6) Dislike (7) Reply
    We need our independence bottom line
  • Kimba (10/06/2022, 21:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Local businessman in the past with BS and AW, the crying businessman was helped out of his situation by AF via RTO, they remember the corruption that began publicly with the construction of the bridge in Beef ISLAND budgeted at 3.5 million and ended in 6 million Mr RTO went to the Dominican Republic personally to receive him because he did not trust his buitree his bribery under the table
  • WHAT TOOK U (10/06/2022, 22:00) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    SO LONG ? SO U WALKED IN BUCKINGHAM PALACE / WHO CARES , DID YOU STRAIGHTEN OUT BORIS ???? LIKE ( AAY BOI STAY OUTA OUR BVI BIZNESS
  • Native Senior Citizen of the British Virgin Islands (10/06/2022, 22:33) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The people that voted the political leaders should have been informed by the Premier what was about to, and has happened. We are their boss, not they our bosses.
    Any Government that truly representative a people must first consulted them to properly represent their views
    Only a dictatorship government behave that way in my honest opinion. Is there such a thing as unity government that the boss (the people) has no say?

    (Like or dislike)

  • pat (10/06/2022, 23:25) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Only crazy Cindy supporting this crap
  • Motion (11/06/2022, 11:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    question it says unless unity government fail to reform governance, UNITY PARTY. so is there a election or no. and if it has and UNITY do not get in. do it means the hammer will fall or the other party given same chance. that heading tricky
  • grandfather did well grandsons send us to hell (11/06/2022, 12:51) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    The late Willard Wheatley took us out of the UK hands and now almost a century after, his two grandsons put us back in UK hands


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