Cromwell Smith, the host of the Umoja radio program, known as 'Edju En Ka', expressed his concern that the rights of Virgin Islanders have been eroded because the governor of the Virgin Islands holds the final authority. Photo: Facebook

Cromwell Smith, the host of the Umoja radio program, known as 'Edju En Ka', has explained that while the governor must assent to laws, if he disagrees with them, he can simply withhold his approval, preventing the law from passing. Photo: VINO/file

Mr Smith made this statement during an edition of Umoja on ZBVI 780 AM on May 21, 2026, when he discussed the Virgin Islands Constitution, as well as issues related to rights, advancement, and violations.

Governor has final say

He pointed out that the governor's final say undermines the impact of any laws that are passed. 

He explained that while the governor must assent to laws, if he disagrees with them, he can simply withhold his approval, preventing the law from passing.“Whatever he wants to have happen, happen, regardless of what we do. So, in the sense, he's a unitary, a single person, dictatorship,” Smith further stated.

Smith added, “To say that we have rights to me is increasingly becoming a sham, because the final say, the final approval, the final authority, is the Governor of the Virgin Islands.”

Governor of the Virgin Islands Daniel Pruce is the representative of the British monarch and acts as the de facto head of state. 

Appointed by the UK government, the Governor holds specific "reserve responsibilities," while the democratically elected local government manages domestic and internal affairs.