VI has nothing to lose @ next ‘Constitution negotiations’ with UK- Hon Fraser
Hon Fraser, who has said in the past that discussions on independence must be opened up in the Virgin Islands, was speaking at the Territory Day celebrations on the compound of Central Administration Complex on July 1, 2016.
“The Virgin Islands has nothing to lose and everything to gain in our next round of Constitution negotiations with the U.K. Government, if only our team is properly instructed. And those instructions must come from you the people, Hon Fraser said.
The long serving legislator said in the territory no one hesitates to say they love the Virgin Islands, and that is consistent across all demographics but, unfortunately, love alone is not enough for where this territory is at this point and time relative to the rest of the world.
“Is patriotism in your DNA, or it's just a fad! Is patriotism enough? People need to demonstrate their feelings in a way that is clear and unambiguous. Yes you say you like, but you not saying what it is you like. Maybe the question was never asked, and maybe it needs to be asked. But who among us will be the one to ask it? The time has passed when I am prepared to accept the status quo as being ok,” Hon Fraser stated.
Turning to those in the audience, Hon Fraser said he was under no illusions as to why they were there. “Some of you are here because it's a holiday, some are here to learn, some are here just for so, and some are here for a cause. But what is that cause? Is this a feel good moment, or is it momentous? I've said repeatedly, and I'll say again, these Virgin Islands were not discovered, they were built. And let that be a lesson to those who are quick to criticise and look to make change.”
Time for reawakening of VI independent spirit
Meanwhile, Minister for Education and Culture, Hon Myron V. Walwyn also sounded the call for an independent Virgin Islands in speaking about Brexit, saying UK voters made a decision out of emotion and fears of migration issues but never did consider how the vote to leave the European Union would have affected the Overseas Territories, including the Virgin Islands.
“Do you think that while they voted in that referendum they thought about us here in the Virgin Islands? Do you think they thought about how it would affect us here in the Virgin Islands? Do you think they thought about how being in the EU benefitted our economy? I say again it is time for the reawakening of the independent spirit of the Virgin Islander,” Hon Walwyn said.
It is not clear whether there is an imbalance on the scale as to whether the Virgin Islands wants to go independent or remain as a British Overseas Territory. For those who believe it is time for the VI to go out on its own, the fear is whether the territory has the kind of leadership that will be needed to take it in that direction.
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