In the face of accusations that he is tampering with democracy in the Virgin Islands, Governor John Rankin has suggested that his hand was forced in seeking additional powers for his office from the United Kingdom (UK) to help implement the Commission of Inquiry (COI) good governance recommendations.
The governor said his request was necessary because there has not been sufficient drive and determination across the various ministries and departments to deliver on the agreed-upon COI deadlines.
However, the government pushed back on this assertion and accused the governor of overreaching and encroaching on the powers that have traditionally been held by elected officials in the territory.
One lawmaker even suggested that the governor may force same-sex marriage laws on the territory with the new powers that he is seeking.
“I’m aware that the additional powers proposal is a strong proposal to make, but I think there’s been some, perhaps incorrect representation of precisely what it is I have suggested,” Governor Rankin told ZBVI.
Rankin also suggested that some of the concerns shared by lawmakers were ridiculous.
“Some people have suggested that the proposed additional powers are, somehow or another, a takeover of the democratic system. That’s not true. I’ve even seen a suggestion that the additional powers are designed to force through same-sex marriage in the territory,” Governor Rankin said.
He continued: “Well, actually, what I proposed additional powers for is for Commission of Inquiry implementation. And whatever your views on same-sex marriage may be, that’s not one of the Commission of Inquiry recommendations. So those people that have suggested that are way off beat in terms of what’s being proposed.”
Rankin said the proposal to seek additional powers was not made to accomplish anything that the government has not already promised, yet failed to deliver.
Concerning additional powers for the introduction of legislation, the governor said he did not suggest that the House of Assembly should not pass legislation into law and argued that his move would help overcome blockages in getting legislation to the House where bills can then be debated and considered by lawmakers.
He reminded persons that the COI found evidence of poor governance, misuse of public funds, assistance grants being misused in their distribution, lawmakers not registering their interests, and over two-thirds of all major contracts not being openly tendered.
