Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

UK opens inquiry to review relations with VI, other OTs

The United Kingdom’s House of Commons’ Select Committee on Foreign Affairs has announced a formal inquiry on future of UK Overseas Territories (OTs) after the protestations that erupted following a decision to have territories such as the Virgin Islands, establish public registers for companies with beneficial ownership. Photo: Internet Source
It was noted that in recent years, the OTs have been exposed to shocks, from the Panama Papers in 2015, to the Brexit vote in 2016, and Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, hurricanes that decimated the VI as evidenced in the above photo of Road Town following the devastation. Photo: VINO/File
It was noted that in recent years, the OTs have been exposed to shocks, from the Panama Papers in 2015, to the Brexit vote in 2016, and Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, hurricanes that decimated the VI as evidenced in the above photo of Road Town following the devastation. Photo: VINO/File
To date, there has been no information forthcoming from the normally secretive National Democratic Party, alerting VI residents of the inquiry. Photo: VINO/File
To date, there has been no information forthcoming from the normally secretive National Democratic Party, alerting VI residents of the inquiry. Photo: VINO/File
WESTMINSTER, London, UK - The United Kingdom’s (UK) House of Commons’ Select Committee on Foreign Affairs has announced a formal inquiry on future of UK Overseas Territories (OTs) after the protestations that erupted following a decision to have territories such as the Virgin Islands (VI), establish public registers for companies with beneficial ownership.

According to a notice posted on the UK’s House of Commons official website, “this inquiry will consider the resilience of the Overseas Territories (OTs), how effectively the FCO manages its responsibilities towards them, and how it envisages their future.”

The notice indicated that the inquiry is likely to be structured around overarching themes but may look at individual OTs, as and when appropriate.

Shocks

Chairman of the Committee, Tom G. Tugendhat MP, in the notice posted on July 20, 2018, said, "the OTs have a special place in our constitution…They are self-governing but part of the UK…As our place in the world changes, we need to think about the effect on them and whether the structure of our relationships still work.”

He said the Committee will “look at these distant parts of our community and look at how we work to support all our communities."

It was noted that in recent years, the OTs have been exposed to shocks, from the Panama Papers in 2015, to the Brexit vote in 2016, and Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.

This, he conceded “led some OTs to question the Government’s willingness to support them.”

He observes too that “relations have been put under further strain due to high-profile instances of divergence between the UK and some of the OTs on issues such as civil rights and financial transparency.”

OTs Resilience

The notice said that in light of these concerns, “this inquiry will consider the resilience of the OTs, how effectively the FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) manages its responsibilities towards them, and how it envisages their future.”

The inquiry is likely to be structured around overarching themes but may look at individual OTs, as and when appropriate, according to the notice.

The Committee is currently accepting written submissions from the public and other stakeholders groups on: the governance of the OTs, including their adherence to human rights frameworks; the benefits to the UK and the OTs of the relationship between them; the financing of the OTs; representation of the OTs in the UK and in the Commonwealth and other international fora; Assets and liabilities (including but not limited to ecological richness and the effects of extreme weather, and natural resources such as minerals and fish).

Deadline for submissions, for consideration by the UK House of Commons Committee is September 3, 2018.

Secretive NDP  

To date, there has been no information forthcoming from the normally secretive National Democratic Party (NDP), alerting VI residents of the inquiry.

Over the past two years several members of the ruling NDP have been calling for Independence.

These include, the Minister for Education and Culture, Honourable Myron V. Walwyn (AL), Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool (R4), Minister for Communications and Works and Deputy Premier, Dr the Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7).

Residents have proclaimed however, that they refuse to go into Independence, under the current NDP administration and will instead await the outcome of the next General Elections.

4 Responses to “UK opens inquiry to review relations with VI, other OTs”

  • just asking... (08/08/2018, 13:25) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    what they want to know that they do not?
    • pete (09/08/2018, 10:25) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
      I said the same thing. They know good and well that they are 1000 times worse. This was their plan all along, to give an excuse to come here and take over completely. They don’t want us to be in charge of our own land, even though we are under the UK, and as proven now, they can do what they want to us. The bigger picture here is, they were just waiting for a reason, and here we are. These tourist islands under them has shown to be a money maker, so they are taking it all while we are at our weakest, they will rebuild and conquer. Just look how our politicians are at each other’s throats. Case closed.
  • Maria Louisa Varlack (09/08/2018, 09:20) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    British Virgin Islanders. Take my advice stay with the United Kingdom. Establish a friendly relationship with the United Kingdom. Do not break away from the United Kingdom, because of what is happening around the globe, the British Virgin Islands is going to need the United Kingdom government to protect the territory and the British Dependent Territories/British Overseas Territories Citizens. It is best to remain with the United Kingdom. It is best to have a friendly and diplomatic relationship with the United Kingdom. Do not blame the United Kingdom. They are not doing British Virgin Islanders any harm or danger. Be grateful to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Second. She is peaceful. Thank God for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Second. I truly appreciate and admire her.
  • potty (13/08/2018, 11:14) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Pete has got it wrong. The British don't want to take over - they want to get rid of us and this enquiry is a way to start that process. The average British person has no idea where we are or what we do, or why the British should be involved any more. They are not prepared to spend any money on the BVI and would be happy if we disappeared. If we are not careful, independence will not be an option. but a requirement!


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.