Social commentator Sandra Phillip Hodge has announced her intention to seek elected office in the upcoming general election as an independent at-large representative, outlining a number of principles she says would guide her service if elected to the Virgin Islands House of Assembly.
Hodge made the announcement in a Facebook post titled “Declaration of Service,” in which she said she would serve based on her faith and respect for public policy if given the opportunity to represent Virgin Islanders as an elected member of Parliament.
Rather than making what she described as “wild promises,” Hodge used the declaration to outline positions on several issues she considers important to the Territory.
Among her commitments, Hodge said she would not support the “spoils system” and would advocate for equal opportunity for Virgin Islanders based on their abilities and aspirations.
She also pledged not to participate in discriminatory practices or support groups that demonstrate bias against other Virgin Islanders. Hodge said all citizens should be treated equally under the law, arguing that tribalism and favoritism can create division and hinder social and economic development.
Immigration and the employment of foreign workers also featured prominently in her declaration.
Hodge acknowledged the Territory’s continued reliance on foreign workers across business, trade and commerce, but said greater attention should be placed on education and training, particularly through technical and vocational education and training (TVET), to reduce unemployment among Virgin Islanders.
She also called for greater attention to immigration and labour concerns, proposing a temporary guest-worker system sponsored by employers. Under such a system, she said foreign workers should be properly screened, informed of the conditions of their permits and expected to return to their home countries when their authorised period expires.
Hodge said effective enforcement would require a strong commitment from both government and residents, along with continued public education about immigration and labour requirements.
Another major focus of her declaration was the Territory’s youth.
Hodge said she has been involved since the 1990s in efforts to establish a national youth policy and expressed concern that such a policy has still not been formally ratified and effectively implemented.
She said a national youth policy should serve as the foundation for developing young people and preparing them for leadership across the Territory.
According to Hodge, the policy should include clear succession and development pathways in areas including education, sports, culture, entrepreneurship, trades, professions, civic engagement, business, politics and faith-based organisations.
Hodge said the positions outlined in her declaration represent a synopsis of where she stands on the issues and indicated that she plans to release further details of her political platform at a later date.
Her announcement adds another potential candidate to the political landscape ahead of the upcoming general election.