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Governor & Deputy should be elected by VI residents—Rajah A. Smith

…says UK can have an embassy/consulate
Virgin Islander Rajah A. Smith, in a public statement on August 16, 2018, has proposed that in future, “the Governor and Deputy Governor should be elected by the people, while the UK can have an embassy/ consulate..." Photo: VINO/File
Mr Rajah A. Smith says he is neither in support of independence nor a path to self determination and in fact, “welcome(s) the inquiry with the UK on future relationship with our territory and so should many others within our territory.” Photo: Internet Source
Mr Rajah A. Smith says he is neither in support of independence nor a path to self determination and in fact, “welcome(s) the inquiry with the UK on future relationship with our territory and so should many others within our territory.” Photo: Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Prominent Virgin Islander Rajah A. Smith, is the latest to lend his voice to the growing debate in the Virgin Islands (VI) with regards, ‘Independence, Self-Determination’ and the general management of the affairs of the Territory by the United Kingdom (UK).

Mr Smith in a public statement on August 16, 2018, has since proposed that in future, “the Governor and Deputy Governor should be elected by the people, while the UK can have an embassy/ consulate and continue to remain Head of State with their appointed Crown Representative.”

The former Candidate in the Virgin Islands elections scene, weighed in on the debate, in light of the announcement by the UK that it has formally opened a review into its future relationships with its Overseas Territories (OTs).

Racism & Slavery

Mr Smith says he is neither in support of independence nor a path to self determination and in fact, “welcome(s) the inquiry with the UK on future relationship with our Territory and so should many others within our Territory.”

He in fact suggests, strengthening ties with the UK, since it poses no real risk to “our Territory and neither to its people.”

According to Mr Smith it is, “our elected officials (who) continue to sow discord with the UK with baseless allegations racism and references of slavery.”

He said, “…no elected official have told the people how are we going to be better off independent as an independent Territory.”

Lambasting the administration, he said the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) has not addressed the, “areas of concern such as national security, citizenship, currency or how does independence advance the lives of our people.”

13 Responses to “Governor & Deputy should be elected by VI residents—Rajah A. Smith”

  • 911 (16/08/2018, 13:47) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    live free or die
  • Jaigon (16/08/2018, 13:56) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Who does really loose them. You want that to happen, then push your leaders for constitutional change
  • True (16/08/2018, 14:11) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    so he wants stronger ties with the UK but wants the UK to have an Embassy in the country. He wants the Governor to be elected as well as the deputy. FACT if there is an embassy then that makes the BVI a foreign country to the UK and no Embassy would be needed as the country is too small (think USA) 2: There would be no reason for a Governor or deputy even though he says he wants closer ties his statement is at odds with each side of his story, I'm surprised he didn't get elected talks just like a politician
  • Wee Wee (16/08/2018, 16:13) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    LORD HAVE MERCY ON US HERE IN THE BVI.
  • student (16/08/2018, 17:27) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Can a dependent territory elect its own governor? I thought you have to be independent to do so. Please correct me if my thought is wrong
    • Teacher (16/08/2018, 19:09) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      The United States Virgin Islands elect there own governor and they are part of the United States.
      • Political Observer (PO) (17/08/2018, 03:23) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
        @Teacher, VI Gov represents Her Majesty QEII; whereas the USVI Gov does not represent either the Executive Branch (President) or the Judicial Branch or the Legislative Branch. The USVI Governor represents the territory and people of the USVI. Technically, the USVI is not an integral part of the US; it is an unincorporated (constitution not fully applied; cannot vote for president) and organized (govern by an Organic Act) territory of the US. Other US territories include Puerto Rico, Guam, American Somoa and Northern Marianas.

        Moreover, the VI Governor represents Her Majesty QE II and do not see the UK farming that out to the VI people; it permits the VI to select the deputy governor. Typically, ambassadors are assigned to sovereign countries; VI is an OT of the UK. The UK has a represensitive, the Governor, assigned to the VI so why would it need an ambassador? The UK is responsible for BVI external affairs and defence so it will ascertain if the environment needs a full time military unit station in the BVI. The BVI is not ready for independence and should work cooperatively and collaboratively with the UK for more autonomy.
  • dude (16/08/2018, 20:19) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Partner u need to do a lot of listening and understanding before u start letting your views known publicly ya check
  • oh boy (16/08/2018, 20:52) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    Some ppl think wearing glasses makes them intelligent .
  • Ajic (16/08/2018, 21:37) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    SHUT UP! GO SIT YOUR IGNORANT SELF DOWN. I am sick of hearing you all senseless rubbish.
  • E. Leonard (17/08/2018, 04:16) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    The VI is currently a non-self governing OT of the UK that shares governance with the UK; local government is responsible for internal affairs and finance; UK, defence and internal security, external affairs, civil service, and courts. The VI at this juncture is not ready for independence; self determination is a right that should be discussed among citizens with the path forward resolved through a referendum. The path forward should be determined by a significant majority of citizens. For the near term, the VI should start discussion with the UK for more automony, more internal self governance. It should seize the current inquiry on UK-VI relationship opportunity to start the process. The UK-VI relationship inquiry must be a multilateral process, not unilateral.

    Moreover, economic independence is needed for successful political independence. Consequently, an aggressive effort must be launched to deepen, strengthen, improve, sustain and diversify the BVI economy to pursue economic independence.
  • Lb (17/08/2018, 13:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Prominent? Lmao


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