Donald E. de Castro. Photo: VINO/File

Some of these same people are now talking about going independent. Then there is the other argument that says that the UK stepping in and having a greater say in our recovery and development would be best for this territory.

The major problem with this issue is the manner in which it was done and that this deal was agreed between the UK and the Premier [Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL)], and then the people being asked to “rubber stamp” it. However, when public meetings were held the comments and inputs were not what they were expecting.

I am not a lawyer, but I would like to draw your attention to two things: We do not have a Constitution as we are not a country, we are a territory. What we have is a Constitutional Order passed by the UK Parliament which can be revoked at any time they wish: I believe that more than fifty percent (I am not included) of the of Belongers in this Territory are now holders of UK Passports which make them UK Citizens. So, the UK has the right to protect its citizens anywhere they are.

I was always concerned from the day that the UK agreed to allow us to obtain their passport while their resident citizens of the UK were required to go through our immigration and work permit procedure here.

Now we have a second issue that will seriously affect the economy of this territory, and that is the matter of the financial services. When I said on my radio show, “Straight Talk” about three or four years ago that the Financial Services was going to devastate this territory, but no one paid attention. In 1987 when I started the organisation, Virgin Islanders for a Better Virgin Islands only a few people saw it as necessary, and today we are paying the price for lack of foresight. 

Let me leave you with these questions. With all the money that came from financial services, why are our Schools, our Roads, our Sewage system and the old Administration (a Historic) Building, on Main Street, are in the conditions that they are in? Why was a second Office building not built next to the present Administration Building?

Now there are some who are talking about independence. Go to my Facebook page, The Virgin Islands, A British Overseas Territory; and read my article, “Let’s Talk Independence” written June 29, 2012, and published on VINO, July 12 almost six years ago.

Note, my articles are usually published several weeks after they are written.