Speaker of the House of Assembly Corine George-Massicote has criticised a decision not to display the Virgin Islands flag at the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Cape Town, South Africa.
Instead of displaying the flags of the respective territories, organisers reportedly used the flag of the country with which each territory is constitutionally associated.
The House of Assembly posted a clip of George-Massicote raising the matter during the conference on its Facebook page today.
“I hoped that this was an oversight by the host branch, but apparently it is not,” the Speaker told delegates.
George-Massicote said she was speaking not only for the Virgin Islands, but also for other affected Overseas Territories, including the Cayman Islands, Bermuda, the Turks and Caicos Islands and Montserrat.
She said the territories were not given an opportunity to make representations before the decision was taken.
“This is an association that prides itself on inclusivity and parity, and we do not feel included, and that’s a shame,” she stated.
George-Massicote stressed that the Virgin Islands participates in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) in its own right, with its own Legislature and delegation. She called for territories to be consulted about decisions concerning their representation at future conferences and other official CPA events.
“The United Kingdom does not pay our fees, and we do not pay our fees through the United Kingdom,” the Speaker told the conference.
According to a House of Assembly press release, the intervention received support from representatives of Botswana, British Columbia and Scotland, along with other affected territories, including Gibraltar and St Helena.
The conference, held from September 13 to 19, brought together more than 500 voting delegates from across the Commonwealth under the theme, “Strengthening International Law and Parliamentary Democracy in a Changing World Order: Commonwealth Leadership.”
Discussions covered parliamentary democracy, artificial intelligence, climate resilience, human rights, disability inclusion, youth participation and challenges confronting smaller jurisdictions.
George-Massicote led the Virgin Islands delegation, which included Opposition Leader Marlon Penn, Ronnie Skelton, Melvin Turnbull and Clerk of the House of Assembly Bethsaida Smith-Hanley.
Instead of displaying the flags of the respective territories, organisers reportedly used the flag of the country with which each territory is constitutionally associated.
The House of Assembly posted a clip of George-Massicote raising the matter during the conference on its Facebook page today.
“I hoped that this was an oversight by the host branch, but apparently it is not,” the Speaker told delegates.
George-Massicote said she was speaking not only for the Virgin Islands, but also for other affected Overseas Territories, including the Cayman Islands, Bermuda, the Turks and Caicos Islands and Montserrat.
She said the territories were not given an opportunity to make representations before the decision was taken.
“This is an association that prides itself on inclusivity and parity, and we do not feel included, and that’s a shame,” she stated.
George-Massicote stressed that the Virgin Islands participates in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) in its own right, with its own Legislature and delegation. She called for territories to be consulted about decisions concerning their representation at future conferences and other official CPA events.
“The United Kingdom does not pay our fees, and we do not pay our fees through the United Kingdom,” the Speaker told the conference.
According to a House of Assembly press release, the intervention received support from representatives of Botswana, British Columbia and Scotland, along with other affected territories, including Gibraltar and St Helena.
The conference, held from September 13 to 19, brought together more than 500 voting delegates from across the Commonwealth under the theme, “Strengthening International Law and Parliamentary Democracy in a Changing World Order: Commonwealth Leadership.”
Discussions covered parliamentary democracy, artificial intelligence, climate resilience, human rights, disability inclusion, youth participation and challenges confronting smaller jurisdictions.
George-Massicote led the Virgin Islands delegation, which included Opposition Leader Marlon Penn, Ronnie Skelton, Melvin Turnbull and Clerk of the House of Assembly Bethsaida Smith-Hanley.
© 2026 BVI Platinum News. This article is original BVI Platinum content. Reproduction or republication without written permission is prohibited.
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