Honestly Speaking radio moderator, Claude O. Skelton-Cline has called ‘outdated’ the Westminster System of Governance for a modern and growing democracy like the Virgin Islands (VI). Photo: VINO/File

The model also called the Westminster system is a parliamentary system that was first developed in England and incorporates a series of procedures for operating a legislature. Photo: Internet Source

According to House Speaker, Hon Julian Willock in the opening announcements of the May 28, 2020, sitting of the House, the embattled ex-Governor Augustus J.U Jaspert had written Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) to get the House to meet so that the report can be tabled. Photo: GIS/HoA

“One of the things that we must examine is the whole Westminster System of Governance, which is grossly flawed and difficult for a modern developing democracy,” Skelton-Cline said on the June 15, 2021, edition of his radio show on ZBVI 780AM.

System no longer fits – Skelton-Cline

“That Westminster system no longer fits, we are trying to put something square in a round hole,” Skelton-Cline further went on to say.

The model also called the Westminster system is a parliamentary system that was first developed in England and incorporates a series of procedures for operating a legislature.

It comprises of a Head of State - the Sovereign or their representative, an elected Parliament, made up of one or two houses and a government formed by the political party or coalition that has majority support in the Parliament.

There is a Prime Minister or Premier, who heads the Government and there are Ministries drawn from members of Parliament, usually members of the Government, who exercise executive authority and are accountable to the Parliament.

Three Branches of Government

The system also incorporates an independent judiciary and an apolitical professional public sector that provides the Government with impartial advice and implements the Government's policies and programmes.

A key element of the system is the Separation of Powers between the branches that make up the Government.

These branches are the Legislature, which is the Parliament, which makes the laws; The Executive such as the Governor, Prime Minister, Premier, Ministers, Departments and agencies which are responsible for implementing laws and finally, there is The Judiciary, which is the courts, that interpret and apply the law.

However, while Skelton-Cline did not detail what aspects of the model he disagrees with, in the VI there has been accusations of interference by one arm into the next, such as the constant interference of the Governor into the business of the Legislature and the affairs of democratically elected Government.

Interference by Governor

In one instance, embattled Ex-Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert in efforts to meet the statutory deadline for the laying of the Auditor General prepared report to the House of Assembly (HoA), was accused of interfering with the legislative branch.

According to House Speaker, Hon Julian Willock in the opening announcements during the May 28, 2020, Sitting of the House, the Governor had written Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) to get the House to meet so that the report can be tabled.

"In correspondence to the Premier dated 24th April 2020, the Governor sort to 'strongly urge' the House of Assembly to meet on 7th May 2020, in order for the statutory time period of three months is complied with," the Speaker said. 

The Speaker had called it an overreach and interference in the legislative branch by the then Governor. 

Referendum on next election ballot – Skelton-Cline

While the criticisms of the system are many, one key criticism is that the system of paying checks on those in power only works as well as the institutions enforcing them.

Skelton-Cline also reiterated his calls for a referendum on the future of VI to be on the ballot of the next election in the Virgin Islands, so that Virgin Islanders can make a decision on how they want to be ruled.