London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 10, 2025

Checks, balances & the abuse of power

Checks, balances & the abuse of power

The greatest benefit of the Virgin Islands Commission of Inquiry is, it’s check on the abuse of power
Now, make no mistake: power corrupts. And absolute power corrupts absolutely. And the one language power respects and understands is greater power.

It is rare indeed to discover a politician or man of power with humility. This type of politician is a rare commodity. Presently in the BVI, this Old Boy knows just one such individual who appears to meet this high mark of integrity and virtue: it would be unwise to state who that is.

Once upon a time in the BVI there was a well-known man who became a leader. This man was the nicest of men, and appeared to be truly humble. Then he won an election.

On the very night of celebration, the smile on his bronzed face turned into a smirk. Even his ardent supporters noticed this ominous change.

The very next day there was a swagger in his step. He became arrogant, and he went on to do the very opposite of what he had promised in his manifesto.

After a number of years, the people were joyful when he finally left office. It was like there was a foot chain on the people that was unlocked, and the people released from bondage.

Then came his predecessors with the usual promises and guarantees. To cut a long story short, the behavior of his predecessor was even worse.

The simple fact is this: by nature, man is power-hungry.

Give a manpower and all of a sudden he becomes "the Incredible Hulk." Some sage mind stated once that if you want to test a man’s character, then ‘’give him power.’’ Very few men or women can handle power with patience, honesty, and humility.

Hence the framers of the US Constitution were exceptionally wise men who even in the 1700s understood the need to build checks and balances into the governance system to stop a rogue leader or government from usurping all power and going in a disastrous direction.

It took the election of Donald Trump hundreds of years later, and his four years in office, to show how correct the framers of the world’s most famous political document were.

Power respects power alone. That has been the story of history, peace, and war. Even in high school, the bully only ever becomes fearful when a tougher kid comes along with equal ferocity and aggressiveness

And that is why an effective and permanent check on the executive branch is critical for these Virgin Islands.

Oversight is a great thing no matter the form it takes.

Oversight of the governance infrastructure in the Overseas Territories rests in the Reserve Powers of the Governor, that reside in the Crown.

And truth be told, the British Virgin Islands have gone decades without the Reserve Powers being used to any significant extent, as that appears to go against the idea of greater autonomy, and self-determination.

However, there comes a time when impunity and abuse of power threaten the very order and stability of a jurisdiction.

Whether that time is now, is for the legitimately appointed Commission of Inquiry to determine.

So as the cliché goes, ‘’ let the chips fall’’ and see where they land.

Connect with Dickson Igwe on Facebook and Twitter
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
×