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UK's Jeremy B. Corbyn's call for direct rule a serious one – Hon Fraser

- Premier Smith hopes that the UK Parliamentary parties will remain consistent in their support of OTS right to self determination
Leader of the Opposition Hon Julian Fraser RA and Premier Dr The Hon Dr. Orlando Smith both reacted to the call for direct rule to the imposed by the UK on Overseas Territories such as the VI. Photo: VINO/File
According to a BBC article, UK Labour Party Leader Jeremy B. Corbyn said the UK government should consider imposing direct rule on territories such as the Virgin Islands. Photo: Internet Source
According to a BBC article, UK Labour Party Leader Jeremy B. Corbyn said the UK government should consider imposing direct rule on territories such as the Virgin Islands. Photo: Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Leader of the Opposition Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3) said the call by the Opposition Leader in the UK Parliament, Labour Party leader Jeremy B. Corbyn to impose direct rule over British Overseas Territories such as the Virgin Islands is a serious one and one that persons should pay attention to.

"I have read Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn's call 'for the UK government to consider imposing "direct rule" on British overseas territories and dependencies if they do not comply with UK tax law', and I note that he is not just another Parliamentarian," said Honourable Fraser in a comment to this news site last evening April 6, 2016.

According to Honourable Fraser, the call is a serious one, and is not to be taken lightly.

“I would refer only to the words of Deputy Premier Dr The Hon. Kedrick D. Pickering in his contribution to the 2016 Budget Debate just last Wednesday, which is a matter of public record, where he said, 'we might wake up one morning and the Minister of Finance is not the Premier'. He went on to cite the unilateral decision by the UK Government to amendment our/the Constitution in order to make possible the appointment of two Junior Ministers. His point was, for us to always remain mindful of the powers of the UK Government. As to my opinion on the matter, I consider it highly inappropriate at this time from where I sit to comment any further,” said Honourable Fraser.

Hope consistency remains - Premier Smith

Speaking to this news site today April 7, 2016, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith said, "In January 2016, we were pleased that the Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Fabian Hamilton MP, reaffirmed the Labour Party’s official policy of supporting the UK Overseas Territories’ right to self-governance, self-determination, and commitment to defending the wishes of the people of the Overseas Territories.

“I hope that the Labour Party and other parties in the UK Parliament will remain consistent with this message and in their support for the territories' self determination and the continued growth and development as was enunciated earlier,” he said.

Direct rule if OTs non-compliant with tax laws

According to a BBC article, Corbyn said that the UK government should consider imposing "direct rule" on British overseas territories and dependencies if they do not comply with UK tax law.

This call came following a huge data leak from Panama-based Mossack Fonseca which showed the law firm registered more than 100,000 secret firms to the Virgin Islands.

Mr Corbyn said their governments must understand the "anger" of Britons. The article said too that Downing Street said the UK was "ahead of the pack" on tax transparency.

Eleven million leaked documents showed how Mossack Fonseca clients were able to launder money, dodge sanctions and avoid tax - the law firm says it has operated beyond reproach for 40 years, according to the article.

There are links to 12 current or former heads of state in the data, including dictators accused of looting their own countries, the article said.

Reaction around the world includes crowds gathering outside Iceland's parliament demanding Prime Minister Sigmundur Gunnlaugsson step down over allegations he concealed investments in an offshore company; close relatives of seven current or former Chinese leaders have been found to have links to offshore firms, the Australian Tax Office (ATO) is investigating more than 800 individual taxpayers, all residents of Australia, the US Department of Justice is reviewing the leaked documents to look for evidence of corruption that could be prosecuted in the US, the Wall Street Journal reports, France and Spain are investigating money laundering exposed by the leaks among their resident taxpayers.

Leaked files also mention UK Prime Minister David Cameron's late father, Ian, who used one of the most secretive tools of the offshore trade after he helped set up a fund for investors.

However, the article said that Downing Street sources told the BBC Mr Cameron did not have any shares in Blairmore Holdings, the Panama-based company Ian Cameron helped set up in 1982.

The sources are not saying that other members of the Cameron family do not own shares in the offshore firm, however.

'Honey pots of corruption'

A number of British overseas territories and Crown dependencies are named in the files raising the question of what the UK can do about them.

These are self-governing territories which rely on the UK for international relations and defence, but their autonomy can be removed, as in the case of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The UK government imposed direct rule on the Caribbean islands for three years after evidence was found of widespread corruption among the ruling elite.

It was only after the Turks and Caicos government implemented rules around sharing tax information that home rule was restored in 2012.

11 Responses to “UK's Jeremy B. Corbyn's call for direct rule a serious one – Hon Fraser”

  • chad (07/04/2016, 10:20) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is indeed serious my boy
  • openyoureyes (07/04/2016, 10:21) Like (11) Dislike (7) Reply
    Our Constitution does not give us the path to self determination in this modern era. This is the first amendment we should seek to determining the path of our country. We appear prosperous and too good, the Africans they thought would die. As a country we seriously need to start thinking and charting our future. Unpopular as the topic always appears to be, we came this far without their help. We can go farther without their help and a positive vision. We will not be directly ruled by the slave masters again. Our bloods are boiling, and the nature that they thought died in us is awakening. People of these islands, do not be afraid. Take a bold step and chart our own destiny for our grandchildren. We will not live under a white-man's direct rule again. Spirit of the Nottingham people, arise!
    • @openyoureyes (07/04/2016, 20:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You don't need it to be in your constitution. If the people of the BVI want independence they just need to hold a vote on it. The principles of the right to self-determination established post-2nd world war will do the rest.

      Of course, there may be a transition and as good parents the Brits would probably want to ensure that the BVI has the structure in place to work as an independent nation (after all, the UK is not Belgium), but if that is the people's real desire then it could happen. Just don't underestimate the impact on financial services if you lose the prized perception of being backed by English law and judicial system but without suffering an additional layer of tax.
  • Xxx (07/04/2016, 12:12) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Frazer be carefull be seen as being suportive
  • about time (07/04/2016, 12:20) Like (14) Dislike (4) Reply
    That is exactly what we need to stop this corrupt government from running us into the ground.
    I say bring it on, finally!!!
  • Prevention (07/04/2016, 13:22) Like (9) Dislike (8) Reply
    The UK needs to take over the BVI but not because of the Financial Services sector because of NDP corruption and mismanagement
    • Ignorance (07/04/2016, 17:01) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      You are so out of touch, it's not even funny to make such a comment. If you don't know or consider what is involved in direct rule, you should take a minute and educate yourself before making such comments.
    • Our people (07/04/2016, 21:44) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Why would anyone want he UK to take over the BVI? It says that you cannot govern yourselves, and that I find hard to believe. Who governed us up to 1995? For the UK to take over BVI is a step backward. People, if you knew your blasted history, those words would never utter from your lips. The people of the UK enslaved our people in these islands -- yes, they facilitated the moving of millions of Africans from the Continent of Africa and the Monarchy was directly involved and profited heavily from the slave trade. They need to ask them to open the company that they laundered the money through. Where they got all those Crown Jewels? Where did they get all those artifacts in their Museums? They paid a penny for them? Look nuh, we suck yard fowl and eat hog guts first before we return to Colonial Rule. Did you understand South Africa's Apartheid? That is what a return of British Rule would do to us. People, start preparing yourselves.
  • slimey limey (07/04/2016, 15:46) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Merry olde England hasn't changed a bit in a thousand years, has it? Still clanking swords and laying claims to the
    people and property of the world, just like their bastard child the United States. So uncivilized. Perhaps this would
    be a good time for extraterrestrials to 'drop in' so to speak.
  • yeah (07/04/2016, 21:51) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Perhaps this would be a time for them to answer the questions:

    1. From where did the British get the Bible they first printed in 1611?
    2. From where did the Queen get all those Crown Jewels?
    3. What did the U.K. pay the people of Africa for the artifacts they house in their museums?
    4. Why did King James have to sanction a Bible borrowed from the Ancient Egyptians history?
    5. Why did the U.K. preach brotherhood and yet enslaved our African Brothers?
    6. Why is the U.K. holding on to these islands? Enjoyed King sugar days?

    We got the real sugar for you now. Come nuh! People who couldn't make it in their country trying to come here to rule us? Haul tail back to those 300-year old flats. We will survive.
  • ta ta (10/04/2016, 11:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is unacceptable. It is also alarming how useless some of you commentors are on this issue!


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