The House of Assembly in the Virgin Islands has been prorogued from December 27, 2024. Photo: HoA

Acting Governor Mr David D. Archer Jr (left) has prorogued the HoA on advice from Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (right). Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

The First Sitting of the Second Session of the Fifth HoA will be held on Tuesday 7, January 2025 where United Kingdom appointed Governor Daniel Pruce will deliver the Speech from the Throne. Photo: UK Government

To prorogue the HoA means that a session of the Legislature is discontinued without dissolving the body.

They will now move to the Second Session of the Fifth House of Assembly according to former Speaker of the HoA Mr Julian Willock in an invited comment.

Mr. Willock noted, “Each HoA has at least four Sessions. Therefore, each calendar year, except during when the HoA is dissolved, the Governor acting on the advice of the Leader of Government business, who in our case is the Premier, must prorogue the House.”

The HoA being prorogued means that any Bill or Motion not approved in the First Session must all be brought back to be considered anew in the Second Session, according to Mr Willock. 

According to the Official Gazette the HoA was prorogued on December 27, 2024, under the hands of the Acting Governor Mr. Archer.

The Throne speech

Usually when the HoA is prorogued in the Westminster System of Government, the new Session starts with the Speech from the Throne where the Monarch or their representatives (Governor Generals, Governors) will read the Legislative Agenda of the Government of the day which is prepared by that same Government.

A spokesman for the HoA, Mr. Linton V. Leonard announced earlier this week that the First Sitting of the Second Session of the Fifth HoA will be held on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, where United Kingdom appointed Governor Daniel Pruce will deliver the Speech from the Throne.