London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, Jun 21, 2025

A New Year's Resolution

A New Year's Resolution

25 years of lack of vision and planning demands that residents hold their governments accountable in the coming years, through an independent investigative Agency with teeth.
Now, accountability is not driven by the accountable. That is not how accountability works. Accountability is forced on institutions by the Rule of Law.

History, whether in the Virgin Islands, the wider Caribbean, the USA, Europe, and elsewhere, has revealed that men of power are rarely accountable to anyone. Power only responds to power, not gentle persuasion.

And that is why any talk of self-policing and self-management by politicians is simply a fairy tale.

Politicians sing a great love song before a General Election. However, when power is realized, Julius Caesar frequently heads in a disastrous direction. Caesar frequently becomes a tyrant. Caesar ignores the people and rules with his clique of friends and cronies. That is the experience here, and elsewhere.

Then, a simple amble through the Festival Grounds and Road Town will reveal that the national physical infrastructure remains dilapidated, and far below par for a country with an income per capita of over $40K. So, where did all those billions disappear to? This Old Boy leaves Jack Public to answer that.

And frequently projects are started with goodwill in mind, and somewhere along the road, there is a diversion away from the original plan towards some other scheme. That is a recipe for eternal underdevelopment.

Thank goodness the housing project above Hunthum’s Ghut, and the Pier Park never followed that sad narrative and today we see the "grand finale" of those projects, and the good they do, and will do.

However, water, drainage, and sewage woes remain; pavements require construction for pedestrians to traverse safely especially in the countryside; educational and sports facilities lack essentials; safety on the roads demands greater investment in policing; and resilience in the national infrastructure post-IRMA is simply non-existent in this Old Boy’s view.

So what three resolutions must the people commit to towards a better future, than what the last 25 years have offered?

First, executive impunity must end and no government should ever again believe it can trample upon the Rule of Law. The people should look at executive actions in the light of the law first and foremost.

Second, post the Commission of Inquiry Report, and assuming new and effective oversight of the executive branch is brought into place, citizens must resolve to ensure that all investigations are swiftly, judiciously, and thoroughly conducted. This can only happen with citizen participation in how investigations are managed and ensuring that those who break the law through criminal misconduct are quickly brought to justice.

Three, the constitution should be updated to take into account the national agreed vision of the country. Deviating from that national vision in any form should become a matter for the law, and citizens through a new agency should be able to take out an injunction on any activity that widely deviates from the national vision.

The preceding will hold the feet of government to the fire, and ensure accountability.

Without the preceding, the British Virgin Islands will continue to be a seafaring vessel adrift, without any destination, and headed for the rocks.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests Challenge Trump's Leadership
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Germany Holds First Veterans Celebration Since WWII
U.S. Health Secretary Dismisses CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed in Targeted Attack; Senator John Hoffman and Wife Injured
×