Independence a dangerous thing; VI seeking more autonomy - Hon Wheatley
Hon Wheatley was speaking at Monday's July 27, 2020, 13th Sitting of the Second session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) during the debate of the motion for VI's overdue constitutional reform.
"We shouldn't confuse self-government with independence, there are two very different things," he told the House.
"Because Independence is a very dangerous thing... if you look at independent countries or the countries that were colonised at first, but became independent afterwards, they found it wasn't what they had bargained for," he said.
Freedom comes at a cost
Referencing Haiti, Hon Wheatley underscored that although they were the first black colony in the western hemisphere to be free, that freedom came at a cost which was some $21B indebted to France.
'So it's very important that persons listen and understand, we're not talking here about independence," he said.
However, at least one outspoken Pastor and 'Honestly Speaking' social commentator, Claude O. Skelton-Cline had said that by 2027, the Virgin Islands should be out of the cusps of the United Kingdom (UK) and on its path towards independence.
"By August 1st of 2027, I believe and I am working towards us becoming an independent country," Skelton-Cline declared.
Hon Wheatley said Independence for the Territory would be a 'different kettle of fish,' and nothing that what the VI is trying to achieve is more autonomy and internal self-governance.
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14 Responses to “Independence a dangerous thing; VI seeking more autonomy - Hon Wheatley”
Bvi Government want to go independence to be in charge and thief all the money?
Ah Mr. Minister can you please tell us the difference? It is like saying I live under my parents roof. I am grown but I don't want them to tell me what to do.
Additionally Skeleton Cline is saying independence and you are actually saying don't listen to Cline we want self governance. Who is really speaking on the behalf of the government. I was under the impression the Skeleton had the ear of the Hon Premier. Can some says who is it that have the Hon Premier's ear.
Cline is saying independence by a given date. The Hon Minister is saying independence is dangerous who should we believe. I responded to the article by Mr Cline and vino refuse to publish it. Don't know if it is because I asked who elected Skeleton to speak on the behalf of the people or maybe because i called him an attention seeking ****.
Is there a divide In this promising government. Still think someone needs to tell the man of the cloth, don't know which cloth, to go sit down.
I can not say that i am not in agreement with the Hon Premier that BVI don't have someone who possess the intelligence to be Governor. But who is capable of being an independent thinker to hold the high office. Beside the immediate past premier i honestly can not think of another person.
"Opposition circles insist on distinguishing between independence and self-determination. This was provoked by recent remarks made by Basic Law Committee chairman Li Fei who said that both amounted to the same thing and breached the Basic Law."
Currently, the VI is partially internal self-governing, sharing governing responsibilities with the Crown. The Crown is responsible for external affairs, defense, internal security, RVIPF, judicial, civil service, and jail (partial); local government, remainder. Of course, the Crown has significant reserved powers. The VI must pursue more autonomy.
Moreover, still trying to process independence being dangerous. The Hon V. Wheatley has to expand more on this.
The BVI have lots of intelligent people but in order to enhance into the future properly, you'll need stronger ties to the mainland.It will strengthen your economy much more and also remaining with Britain will protect you from the likes of foreign world powers that will exploit the territory in negative ways.
Independence was a topic of the 1960s and 1970s.In the way the world is today and will be in the future, it's way more complex to deal with. Doesn't make sense putting our investments within the terrtory at risk of going alone after leaving the backing and security of being apart of Britain.It's way to risky. It will shake the core of the economy even if you don't wish to believe.
You can't look at Independence from a sentimental point of view only.There isn't any proberble cause to want to leave the safety and security of one of the largest powers in the world to jump head first into all the uncertainty that being an independent country will bring.
I'm a proud VIslander but I'm not for leaving the security of being British and going it alone.
As difficult as it may seem at times getting valid points across with certain members of the UKG, the Overseas Territories and the rest of this country is secured by the mechanisms that's in place already. There won't be no secure mechanisms in place to secure any territory that sever ties with this country. The same thing will be for the Defense Force that wouldn't be in place to safeguard the residents,visitors or the economy of any territory that choose to go swimming into the unknown.
Territories need to be within the nation fully,elect and send MPs to sit in the UK Government Parliament to put forward their cases on a daily basis and also be treated as equal constituiencies as the rest of the UK.
Apply for more Autonomy but also seek closer links to London so you can continue to have secure economies and a more safe way of life in your hometowns.
You can look into how (Madeira) is governed while being an overseas region of Portugal and also the (Azores) and (Canary Islands) regions of Spain in the Atlantic Ocean.Those three island regions are isolated and are all islanders while having lots of the same issues are any OT of Britain. They overall governing structure are great examples for offshore territories to use as examples on how to go while creating any new relationship with the mainland.