Referendum Could Boost Voter Turnout
Territorial At-Large Representative Stacy “Budda” Mather told the House of Assembly that holding referendums would reconnect the public with major national decisions and likely increase voter turnout in general elections. He urged that issues such as term limits for the Premier and constitutional questions be put to the people, noting the territory’s long-unused referendum law.
Territorial At-Large Representative Stacy “Budda” Mather has again pushed for the use of referendums in the British Virgin Islands, saying direct votes on major issues would help raise voter participation and re-engage the public in democracy. Speaking during the recent constitutional review debate in the House of Assembly, Mather pointed to recommendations in the review team’s report that advocate for referendums.
He criticised the territory’s existing referendum law, passed in 2002, which he said has never been used despite repeated promises by successive administrations. “Referendums increase voter turnout in most countries. There’s one thing to ask the population to vote for, and another thing to ask them to cast a vote about that issue,” Mather said, arguing that directly asking citizens to decide on specific matters would boost engagement and turnout.
Mather also urged that constitutional and political questions — including proposals to impose term limits on the office of Premier — should be put to a popular vote rather than decided solely through political negotiation or committee recommendations. “Put it to a referendum. Put it in 2027 — ask the population what they think.
They want to be engaged, put it as one,” he said. He added that a referendum should be straightforward to organise because, in his view, the territory does not need permission from the United Kingdom to ask questions of its people. That assertion underscores long-standing local debates about the scope of the BVI’s authority to conduct consultative votes on constitutional matters.
The question of referendums has surfaced repeatedly in local politics. In 2023, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley announced plans for a self-determination referendum that has not yet taken place. Previous governments have also suggested using referendums to measure public sentiment on major constitutional or political reforms, but no formal referendum has been held since the law was enacted more than two decades ago.
While supporters argue referendums can deepen democracy and clarify public will on contentious issues, practical obstacles remain: preparing clear questions, funding and logistics, legal reviews, and public education campaigns to ensure voters understand what they are being asked to decide.
As the constitutional review process continues, Mather’s call raises fresh questions about how the BVI will balance representative government with direct public consultation on the territory’s future.
Primary source: BVI News