Negotiate Constitution with Conviction, Justice Says
Justice Gerard St. C. Farara KC urged the Virgin Islands negotiating team to approach upcoming constitutional talks with conviction, confidence and strategic planning during a public engagement in Virgin Gorda on May 26. He reminded the team that the territory may not secure every request but must aim to influence the agenda and build on the 2023 Constitutional Review Commission’s work.
Farara KC told members of the Virgin Islands’ new constitutional negotiating team to enter forthcoming talks with “a measure of conviction and confidence,” during the second public engagement session held at the Catholic Community Centre in Virgin Gorda on Tuesday, May 26. Farara, who is part of the negotiating team, urged colleagues to develop clear positions on the direction they want the territory’s constitutional evolution to take and to think strategically about how best to advance along that path. “We have to, in any negotiations, try to influence, if not set the agenda; this is very important,” he said.
Acknowledging the realities of negotiations, Justice Farara reminded the team that the Virgin Islands may not obtain everything it requests. He cited the 2007 constitutional talks as an example, saying some hopes and recommendations made at that time were not fully reflected in the final document. “Indeed, during the negotiations leading to the 2007 Constitution, we didn’t get everything that was recommended,” he noted.
The justice stressed that the upcoming talks — which will take place both in the Virgin Islands and in the United Kingdom — require commitment, confidence and a firm belief in the territory’s capacity to govern. “We have at this stage in our development, the education and the ability to govern ourselves at a higher and a more deeper level,” he said, urging the team to pursue greater devolution of authority where appropriate.
Farara also highlighted the importance of public consultations. He praised the 2023 Constitutional Review Commission’s report for its thorough research and comprehensive consideration of constitutional issues, saying the work provides a strong foundation for negotiations. He encouraged residents to engage with the process and contribute views during the consultation phase.
Public consultations in the current engagement programme were scheduled to continue on Thursday, May 28 at the Jost van Dyke Methodist Church from 10:30 AM. Residents are being reminded that these sessions are a key opportunity to influence the negotiating team’s priorities and to ensure local perspectives are clearly represented when talks move to the UK.
As the Virgin Islands prepares for a critical round of constitutional discussions, Justice Farara’s message was clear: be strategic, remain resolute, and match local confidence with careful preparation to maximise the territory’s influence in negotiations.
Primary source: VINO