“As long as you're not a member of the government, per se, which is the executive being a minister, you have to find ways to get things done,” Fraser said.
Deputy Premier Hon. Julian Fraser says the Virgin Islands still has not fully figured out how the At-Large system should function.
His comments come as the territory prepares for constitutional negotiations with the United Kingdom that could increase the number of At-Large representatives from four to six.
Speaking during a recent Public Engagement on the proposed amendments to the Constitution, Fraser said the system remains a work in progress more than 30 years after it was introduced.
“When the At-Large system came about in 1995, I don't think anyone knew how to handle it and even to this day, it hasn't been figured out completely yet,” the Minister for Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change stated.
The constitutional negotiations, which are expected to begin in July, will include a proposal to add two At-Large seats in the House of Assembly.
Fraser argued that the proposal itself reflects growing support for the system.
“The proof is positive that the At-Large system is becoming more and more popular because if this constitutional review process turns out to be in our favour, you would have more At-Large Representatives in the next House (of Assembly) than you do now,” he said.
The Third District Representative also addressed concerns about At-Large members not being respected.
Following the Commission of Inquiry (CoI), elected representatives no longer have access to funds.
He argued that the challenge affects all legislators who are not ministers.
“As long as you're not a member of the government, per se, which is the executive being a minister, you have to find ways to get things done,” Fraser said. “And finding ways to get things done is sometimes a little creative.”
Fraser noted that spending decisions are largely controlled by ministers through their portfolios.
“Right now, it doesn't work that way. It all depends on the minister and how he wants to spend the money in his portfolio,” he said.
He mentioned that Premier Hon. Dr Natalio Wheatley supports the call for District Councils.
"The Premier wanted to have something called District Councils established going forward in this (New) Constitution, which would give a budget to each district for work to be done in that particular district," he noted.
The Deputy Premier added that constitutional reform could provide greater authority and flexibility for elected leaders while reducing some of the restrictions imposed on the territory's decision-making.
His comments come as the territory prepares for constitutional negotiations with the United Kingdom that could increase the number of At-Large representatives from four to six.
Speaking during a recent Public Engagement on the proposed amendments to the Constitution, Fraser said the system remains a work in progress more than 30 years after it was introduced.
“When the At-Large system came about in 1995, I don't think anyone knew how to handle it and even to this day, it hasn't been figured out completely yet,” the Minister for Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change stated.
The constitutional negotiations, which are expected to begin in July, will include a proposal to add two At-Large seats in the House of Assembly.
Fraser argued that the proposal itself reflects growing support for the system.
“The proof is positive that the At-Large system is becoming more and more popular because if this constitutional review process turns out to be in our favour, you would have more At-Large Representatives in the next House (of Assembly) than you do now,” he said.
The Third District Representative also addressed concerns about At-Large members not being respected.
Following the Commission of Inquiry (CoI), elected representatives no longer have access to funds.
He argued that the challenge affects all legislators who are not ministers.
“As long as you're not a member of the government, per se, which is the executive being a minister, you have to find ways to get things done,” Fraser said. “And finding ways to get things done is sometimes a little creative.”
Fraser noted that spending decisions are largely controlled by ministers through their portfolios.
“Right now, it doesn't work that way. It all depends on the minister and how he wants to spend the money in his portfolio,” he said.
He mentioned that Premier Hon. Dr Natalio Wheatley supports the call for District Councils.
"The Premier wanted to have something called District Councils established going forward in this (New) Constitution, which would give a budget to each district for work to be done in that particular district," he noted.
The Deputy Premier added that constitutional reform could provide greater authority and flexibility for elected leaders while reducing some of the restrictions imposed on the territory's decision-making.
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