Constitutional negotiating team to UK ‘must sing from the same song sheet’- Hon Fraser
Hon Fraser’s statement comes as there have been calls for Hon Walwyn not to be included in the team due to his public disagreement on several key issues, including on who should be allowed to vote in an independence referendum and the definition of an indigenous Virgin Islander, and his lack of respect for the work of the Constitutional Reform Commission and its Report.
Team must ‘sing from the same song sheet’- Hon Fraser
“I want to convince the Premier that whatever you do, Premier, make sure that when you go to the UK, make sure that when you pick your negotiating team, that [it] is a team that is singing from the same song sheet,” Hon Fraser stated on November 4, 2025, during the Special Sitting of the Eleventh Sitting of the Second Session of the Fifth House of Assembly to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the restoration of the Virgin Islands’ legislature.
A date for negotiations with the UK for a new constitution has not yet been disclosed; however, it is believed this may be possible in 2026.
“If the team is not singing from the same song sheet, Premier, what we are doing here can go down as a waste. I’m saying it again, speaking from experience, when you leave here and you go to negotiate, make sure that every last member on your team is singing from the same song sheet,” Hon Fraser emphasised.
One talk show host, Claude O. Skelton-Cline, has already said publicly that Hon Walwyn should not accompany the Premier to the UK on the review exercise.
Opposition Member Hon Marlon A Penn (R8) also sounded the alarm during his debate on the Constitutional Reform Commission’s Report in October.
Hon Penn said it is important to go to London “united as a negotiation team speaking with one voice".
‘Nonsense’- Hon Walwyn
Hon Walwyn has been making light of the concerns.
While stating that there has been no discussion about how the delegation will be made up, Hon Walwyn pointed out that the Opposition Leader was part of the last negotiating team [for the Constitution Order 2007], and believes his views should not cause him to be omitted from the team to negotiate a new constitution with the UK.
“I hear people say that we all can’t go together if we don’t agree, and I’ve not heard such nonsense in a long time.
“The whole issue is that all of us must go with one intention, to properly represent the interests of the people of the Virgin Islands. You’re going to have divergent views on certain matters,” Hon Walwyn stated during an Opposition press conference on October 23, 2025.
See related articles below:
New Opposition Leader needed ahead of constitutional talks with UK- Pastor Skelton-Cline
Hon Walwyn & Alliance blasted for more divisive politics over constitutional report
Hon Walwyn should not accompany Premier for constitutional talks with UK- Skelton-Cline
Hon Walwyn accused of divisive politics over ‘indigenous’ label
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Government Cabinet leaders are the Premier, and other members of the Cabinet. Government Cabinet leaders are the Opposition leader, and all other Opposition members, including Hon. Ronnie Skelton and Hon. Marlon Penn.
Why fake it, if you can't make it work for the best interest of all the people of the British Virgin Islands, and their children and grand children's present and future best interest?