St Helena : Constitutional Reform
Submitted by Saint Helena Herald (Nathan Prince) 03.02.2003 (Article Archived on 17.02.2003)
British Citizenship Has its advantages.
CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM
You will have seen Baroness Amos’ letter in last weeks Herald.
Baroness Amos is keeping in close touch with developments concerning St Helena’s move towards constitutional reform. When reading her letter it is important to understand the reasoning behind it. St Helena is a British Overseas Territory and therefore its citizens enjoy certain benefits such as security, justice and, since May last year, all the benefits of British Citizenship. It also receives more aid from Britain than any other overseas territory.
The relationship between St Helena and Britain places obligations on both countries. The partnership approach is a fundamental requirement if these obligations are to be met.
Baroness Amos indicates that the British Government would not have objections to a shift towards a Ministerial system of government if this has local support. This statement is to be welcomed as it shows, beyond doubt, Britain’s commitment to the Island’s continued development towards greater local autonomy and decision making.
As said previously, in any partnership there are obligations on both sides. The British Government, through its representative, HE the Governor, has a responsibility to ensure good governance on the Island. It also has a responsibility to ensure that numerous international obligations are met, including human rights. That is why Baroness Amos, the British Government and I, as the Acting Governor, have reservations about a Cabinet, which is separate from Executive Council under which Ministers would use Executive Council meetings merely to inform the Governor of the decisions made by them in Cabinet and to advise him on the exercise of his reserved responsibilities. We are concerned that the Governor will not be able to discharge the British Government’s responsibilities if these arrangements were implemented.
Baroness Amos also draws attention to the proposal to have a separate election for a Chief Minister. There is a need for Ministers, including the Chief Minister, to be able to work together as a government and take the Island forward and it may be more sensible for a Chief Minister to be elected by his/her elected colleagues. In that way the Chief Minister would be likely to command the respect of his/her colleagues and vice versa, and this would lead to a more stable form of government.
The British Government are focused on giving support to the Constitutional Development process on St Helena. As part of this we should welcome the visit by a high level delegation from the FCO to the island in late April/early May. We hope that out of this a new constitution can be drafted for further public consultation and endorsement by LegCo.
The potential future introduction of a Ministerial form of government on St Helena is another major step in St Helena’s democratic and socio economic development. It is as the letter says another step in the "long-term reform process". It is a major step, but more can follow as the Island continues to develop.
This is a very considered and positive response from Baroness Amos and is to be welcomed.
John Styles
Acting Governor
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