ROAD TOWN, Virgin Islands — Prospective political candidate Sandra Phillip Hodge has outlined a series of commitments she says will guide her service if given the opportunity to serve as an elected member of Parliament, pledging to reject political favoritism, discrimination, the exploitation of foreign workers and silence on key national issues.
In what she has titled a “Declaration of Service,” Hodge said her approach to public service would be guided by the principles of her faith and respect for public policy.
“I do not make any wild promises to impress or deceive anyone,” Hodge stated, instead setting out what she described as a declaration of the things she “will not do” if elected.
Among her strongest commitments was a rejection of the spoils system, with Hodge saying she supports equal opportunity and a level playing field for all Virgin Islanders.
“I believe in equal opportunity for each and every Virgin Islander, according to their capacity and aspiration to follow the normal course of action within constitutional rights and privileges to achieve the success in life that they so desire,” she said.
Hodge also pledged not to support discriminatory practices, cliques or groups that show bias against other Virgin Islanders. She argued that all citizens should be treated equally under the law, warning that tribalism and favoritism create civic tension, division and stagnation.
According to Hodge, such practices can undermine national unity and hinder social and economic development and security.
Foreign Workers, Labour and Immigration
Addressing labour and immigration, Hodge said she would not support a system that exploits foreign workers, while acknowledging that the Virgin Islands economy continues to depend on foreign nationals across various sectors.
She said the Territory’s Labour Code should be reviewed, properly implemented and enforced, while greater emphasis should be placed on education and training to prepare Virgin Islanders for employment opportunities.
In particular, Hodge highlighted the importance of strengthening technical and vocational education and training (TVET) as a means of reducing unemployment and developing local capacity in the vocations and trades.
On immigration policy, Hodge said foreign workers should be properly screened and clearly informed of the conditions and limitations of their stay in the Territory. She proposed a temporary guest worker visa programme sponsored by employers, with workers expected to repatriate when their authorised period expires.
She said effective enforcement would require the full commitment of government and the wider community, along with ongoing public education about the consequences of failing to comply with immigration rules.
Call for Action on National Youth Policy
Hodge also turned her attention to the long-discussed National Youth Policy, which she said she has been advocating for since the 1990s.
She said she would not “sit quietly” while the policy remains unratified and unused, arguing that it should form the foundation for the development of young people throughout the Territory.
According to Hodge, the policy should provide clear guidelines for preparing young people to become future leaders and should extend across every sector of society, including education, sports, culture, entrepreneurship, trades, professions, civic engagement, politics and faith-based organisations.
“This is a synopsis of where I stand on the above issues,” Hodge said, adding that she intends to present her full platform in greater detail at a later date.
The declaration comes as political discussions continue to intensify ahead of the 2027 General Election, with Hodge promoting her message under the themes #FocusForward and #LeadershipMatters.