Gov’t is ‘working in the background’- Hon Kye M. Rymer
In a surprise twist, Hon Rymer hosted Honestly Speaking on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, sitting in for host Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline. During the show, the minister sought to answer Skelton-Cline’s weekly round of questioning for the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government; most importantly among them, ‘What plan does the government have for the Virgin Islands with the current global situation?’
Hon Rymer said Skelton-Cline has a right to ask these questions.
“I might as well come on this show and speak honestly about what is happening in these Virgin Islands… tonight I might as well address these concerns…not to make excuses but to show you exactly what we are doing and what we’ve done and why some things take a bit longer than you deserve.”
Technical Working Group convened
The minister said that what is happening in the world, the US, Israel and Iran conflict affects what is happening in the VI.
“We import everything, so we will definitely feel what is happening…so there’s very little we could do when it comes to the global price of oil, that is the reality, but that does not mean we are sitting by idly.”
He admitted that the government must be a “little bit more vocal” in terms of keeping the public informed.
“What I can announce is that we have a technical working group that has been established. I know that they’ve already produced a report on the conflict and the potential impacts. The report they are going through it now.”
Premier met with merchants & commercial industry leaders
Premier Wheatley, supported by Junior Minister for Economic Development, Hon Lorna G. Smith, OBE, (AL), Deputy Financial Secretary Mr Jeremy E. Vanterpool and Premier for a Week Hon Roman Nibbs Alberto, met with merchants and leaders in the commercial industry on Thursday, April 8, 2026.
Discussions focused on the effects of the U.S. /Israeli war against Iran on the Virgin Islands community and economy.
“Right after that, I know the premier intends to update the public on relief measures to address, as I mentioned, the rising cost of living that we are facing here in the Virgin Islands, and I must say that this is something that you would hear persons throughout the rest of the world speaking about,” Hon Rymer assured about the meeting during the show.
The Premier, he said, will reveal some of the incentives the government intends to give to the public to “make life a little easier”.
Consumer Protection Act amended
Hon Rymer added that the Cabinet passed some amendments to the Consumer Protection Act.
“That would be brought to the House of Assembly soon and will address some of the concerns in terms of making sure that whatever is done from the government, it would trickle down to the people.”
He stated that these are some of the things the government is working on, and when comments are made that the government is not doing anything, it is not accurate.
“We are definitely working in the background.”
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9 Responses to “Gov’t is ‘working in the background’- Hon Kye M. Rymer ”
No disclosure of the vaunted "business case" for the proposed airport expansion. No explanation for the hideous $20M error in salary increases (brought to you by some of the same people who are now in charge of the airport expansion and the Bank of Asia debacle, an explanation for which is inexcusably overdue).
It is instructive to note the level of institutional endorsement this represents. The sitting government continues to lend legitimacy to a platform with a long and well documented history of broadcasting some of the most divisive, racially charged and inflammatory rhetoric in the territory. The Premier is a regular guest and now a senior minister is effectively co hosting. Yet when the host makes his more outlandish or harmful claims, there is a conspicuous silence from those very officials who appear on the programme. The pattern is unmistakable. The platform is embraced by the sitting government, and its excesses are never challenged.
What does that tells you and I? I am not sure of you, but it tells me that there is too much secrecy in background working. It is time for a change of political leaders, evens now. But be very careful. Choose wisely next general elections to come, eligible voters of the British Virgin Islands. Vote wisely for the betterment of the people of the British Virgin Islands and others that living among us, and visitors, too, Seven hundred and twenty-five coppers = $7.25 minimum wage per hour can't make ends meet.