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by pltm
(PLTM) - Premier and Minister for Finance, Dr. the Hon. D. Orlando Smith announced that efforts to review the BVI’s 2007 Constitution have already begun, and that discussions will soon be held with the United Kingdom government on the recommended changes and amendments.
The Constitution, which is a little over 10 years-old, was scheduled for review last year, but Hon. Smith said that the disasters interrupted the process.
“We started that discussion from early last year, but that was interrupted by the hurricanes; and so that discussion would continue and we will work here in the BVI putting together our thoughts and we will engage the UK on the Constitutional change.”
The constitutional changes are coming against a backdrop of the United Kingdom’s threat to implement public registers of beneficial owners by an Order in Council if the Overseas Territories do not comply by 2020.
In this light, Hon. Smith said that the BVI will take a different approach to the previously started constitutional review process. However, he did not disclose what consideration will be taken in mitigating against what was described recently as ‘constitutional overreach’ by the UK.
Further, the Premier said that other Overseas Territories will be consulted on the Constitutional review initiative.
“What we will be doing also is having discussions with the other OTs because we see this matter of constitutional advancement as affecting all the overseas territories, so we will be working together on this matter,” Hon. Smith explained.
In March 2017, Premier Smith promised that the public would be consulted during the review process of the 2007 Constitution. He announced, “During that process there will be discussions with the public. That is an integral part of the process, the last time we did it that took several months to do and that process will inform the government of the desire of the people.”
Hon. Smith also announced that the review was expected to commence before the end of that year.
“That (constitutional review) will be started perhaps in the few months or so.)”
The Premier also said that previously discussed matters such as the scaling back of the powers of the Governor will be considered for the constitutional review.
“Of course that (scaling of Governor’s powers) would be one of the things that would be discussed…There will be suggestions from among the community various groups individuals there will also be suggestions from the members of the House of Assembly and all of these would be taken into consideration as we make the final decision,” the Premier added.
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