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Hon Walwyn falsely accuses Premier Wheatley of only pushing independence option

- asks Premier Wheatley who gave him the authority to seek self-determination; Premier Wheatley claps back wisely
Opposition Member and alleged ringleader of the political Alliance Hon Myron V. Walwyn (R6), left, was again up to his usual tactic of trying to show up Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Wheatley (R7), right, who continues to show he has wit and wisdom despite his youthfulness. Photo: YouTube
It was in March 2022 that International Advisor on Governance and United Nations expert, Dr Carlyle Corbin visited the Virgin Islands and pointed out that while the VI has more preparations to make as it relates to seeking independence from the UK, the territory is already systematically prepared for self-governance. Photo: Internet Source
It was in March 2022 that International Advisor on Governance and United Nations expert, Dr Carlyle Corbin visited the Virgin Islands and pointed out that while the VI has more preparations to make as it relates to seeking independence from the UK, the territory is already systematically prepared for self-governance. Photo: Internet Source
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), right, addressed the matter of independence while on Honestly Speaking with Claude O. Skelton-Cline, left, on ZBVI 780 AM on October 15, 2024. Dr Wheatley had said the Virgin Islands would have to decide collectively on its options going forward. Photo: Facebook
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), right, addressed the matter of independence while on Honestly Speaking with Claude O. Skelton-Cline, left, on ZBVI 780 AM on October 15, 2024. Dr Wheatley had said the Virgin Islands would have to decide collectively on its options going forward. Photo: Facebook
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) is the grandson of the late Chief Minister Dr Willard Wheatley, MBE, LLD, who famously led the Virgin Islands off of grant-in-aid from the United Kingdom. Photo: GIS/File
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) is the grandson of the late Chief Minister Dr Willard Wheatley, MBE, LLD, who famously led the Virgin Islands off of grant-in-aid from the United Kingdom. Photo: GIS/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI— Opposition Member and alleged ringleader of the political Alliance Hon Myron V. Walwyn (R6) has again up to his usual tactic of trying to show up Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Wheatley (R7), who continues to demonstrate he has wit and wisdom despite his youthfulness.

It was during the continuation of the Second Sitting of the Second Session of the Fifth House of Assembly (HoA) on February 13, 2025, that Hon Walwyn, who appears to be continuing his mission to become Premier of the Virgin Islands despite being rejected by the people when he attempted to do so in 2019, asked the Premier who gave him the “authority” to move forward on his mission of self-determination.

Hon Walwyn also falsely accused the Premier of only pushing the option of independence. The Premier has repeatedly stated in many forums that the decision, whether independence or the other available options, will be up to the people to decide.

It was Deputy Speaker, Honourable Stacy R. Mather (AL), who had initially grilled the Premier on the extent of public consultation in the push for self-determination.

The Alliance has been trying to show the public that they are united by using the tactic of frequently yielding for fellow Alliance members to ask supplementary questions.

Walwyn Challenges Premier’s Authority

The exchange quickly intensified when Hon Mather yielded to Hon Walwyn, who then openly challenged the Premier’s authority on the issue, outright accusing him of unilaterally advancing independence as the only option, despite self-determination encompassing various forms, including free association or integration.

"Madam Speaker, when the Premier speaks of self-determination, he speaks specifically of independence, which is one of the tenets of self-determination," Hon Walwyn said, as he demanded to know under what authority the Premier was pursuing a specific form of self-determination without first consulting the public.

"Can the Premier tell me, where did he get the authority to move forward on this mission that he's on, and he has not consulted with the people of the Virgin Islands to find out their wishes and what form of self-determination they prefer?”

Premier exposes Hon Walwyn’s untruths

Premier Wheatley immediately clapped back, refuting claims that he was steering the country towards a predetermined outcome and was vehement, "Let me correct the member; I have expressed on many occasions in public forums that the people of the Virgin Islands have a choice as it pertains to what option they choose.”

Reiterating for members—and the general public at large— again arguing that the Virgin Islands’ current political status was not a legitimate option but rather a colonial arrangement, Dr Wheatley was adamant, "Our present arrangement is not an option, our present arrangement is colonialism.”

Citing historical struggles for self-governance, he contended that decolonisation was an international obligation under the United Nations (UN) Charter, to which the United Kingdom was a signatory.

"The United Kingdom themselves have signed on to that obligation, and all nations around the world have stated clearly that colonisation must be a thing of the past.”

He further pointed to a report by the International Advisor on Governance and United Nations expert, Dr Carlyle Corbin, which speaks about “the democratic deficit that exists here because we have an unelected governor assuming the authority that he does in the Virgin Islands.”

'I also get authority from my foreparents'- Premier

The Premier also invoked the legacy of his Virgin Islands lineage who had fought against colonial rule, telling the House, "I also get authority by my foreparents who have been fighting here since slavery to advance the people of the Virgin Islands in their interest of becoming full human beings with dignity and not subject to colonialism.

“Anybody who disagrees with us having our full human dignity can express that but I will also express my views, on behalf of myself and my ancestors who are buried here, and who sweated and died here and who were enslaved here.”

Hon Wheatley’s response drew ‘applause and pounds’ from other Members of the House.

Hon Walwyn had no response.

See related article below:

‘I am not leading the country to independence’- Premier Wheatley

16 Responses to “Hon Walwyn falsely accuses Premier Wheatley of only pushing independence option”

  • YES! (14/02/2025, 10:19) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    He shut up realllll quick! ????????
    • Trump over Sowande. (14/02/2025, 11:24) Like (4) Dislike (9) Reply
      If Sowande could just take one thing from Trump and do what he says. He be great. Sowande only promising. He already figure out that we are fools and promises comfort fools..
  • pat (14/02/2025, 10:27) Like (14) Dislike (11) Reply
    Myron is no match for Showda facts
  • Indigenous VIslander (14/02/2025, 10:56) Like (11) Dislike (5) Reply
    The granting of Belonger Status and persons born in the Virgin Islands to non Virgin Islands parents represents a serious threat to the movement of the Virgin Islands toward independence. There is a big difference between those who have a heartbeat for the Virgin Islands and those who are mainly concerned with the benefits while they hold citizenship in other independent countries. Virgin Islanders need to get serious about this sell out situation.
    • @ Indigenous VIslander (14/02/2025, 13:19) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
      Rabsatt-Smith Leonard Lettspme- Im very much concern about this .
  • BuzzBvi (14/02/2025, 11:40) Like (15) Dislike (8) Reply
    Natalio does not speak for the people of the VI. He speaks for 487 people who must now be ashamed of their vote. He pushing only his own agenda. He wants to be known as the premier that took VI independent regardless of what the peiple want. It is clear nothing else matters to him.
  • For Real (14/02/2025, 12:27) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let me make it clear again to you people who still can't get use to God's world , it doesn't matter if you're parents are not Tortolians, if you were born on The island of Tortola, you were born on Mars?, who are you people?
    • The Reality (14/02/2025, 13:40) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      The people born here start out loving here. Over the years, they are constantly told by the so call indigenous that they not from here because they mudda not from here. They are treated as outcasts. So what the hell do you think would happen over time? They will rightfully claim their mother's land. Everyone has a story. Before some people open their mouth and judge, they should shut up their unwanted opinions and ask a question. Ignorance is bliss in this land.
  • bird watch (14/02/2025, 13:03) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Come next election I pray that either Walwyn or Showda are chief for the sake of the country
  • Interesting (14/02/2025, 14:36) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Any politician who does not support this colonial island nation becoming self-autonomous one day is one that I will never support. Continuing with this colonial arrangement is not acceptable to me. We should be on the path to self-determination one day. It should be our vision for the future.

    Now, I acknowledge everything boils down to timing, and we have a lot of work to do to get ourselves in a position for self-determination such as shoring up our economy, and getting our infrastructure up to par, but our goal be it intermediate, or long should be to one day free ourselves from the tentacles of the colonialism.

    This will not be easy as there will be naysayers and detractors amongst us who are comfortable with the status quo. Nevertheless, it should be in our national interest to walk in the path of self-determination one day.
  • WE VOME AND MEET THIS LAND (14/02/2025, 15:19) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    AND CWE ALL ARE GOING BONE YARD AND LEAVE IT ,, SO THOSE WHO THINK THEY CAN TAKE IT WITH THEM WHEN THEY GOI ( 6 FEET UNDER ) MORE POWER TO YA'LL
  • @ for real (14/02/2025, 19:31) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply

    Go to any other country and preach that sh*t...see how long you will be alive. What we have here is a bunch of $%##@$%! artists taking advantage of a naive population.

  • please (14/02/2025, 20:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Walwyn are you serious! In this hard time you really talking about independence? I beg that you get over yourself. Please and thanks.
  • Dry cry (15/02/2025, 07:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mitch and Myron are vex because they're not going on that Asia trip. Boo hooo!! ???? ????
  • Eldread (15/02/2025, 09:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I understand what Myron and the alliance is saying about self appointed sowandie perusing independence, Myron mean that there should be public forums and the people could a cause independence to accede than all them money sowandie spending on this doctor this and his brother, to insult Myron commitment to where his navel string bury in the BVI is hard, when you get independence it's going to be under neocolonialism, so there will be a governor general and a prime minister with the power the governor once had and the pice commissioner power and the judiciary, one man will be that powerful, that's how the independent countries so corrupt, even the affair of the church will be control by a prime minister, the auditor general will be ignored, opposition will not have this synergy of going Asia on a trip with the premier anymore or Marlon go see any kangaroos in Australia, it's a complete change, natalio could then just instruct the police to lock up Cyndi or anyone he please, all those people on zbvi radio having programs will end and the station carries the premier propaganda, total dictatorship, if we want independence we have to write our own constitution, and sowandie will still be attending commonwealth heads meeting which is an instrument of colonialism, the UK has never allowed any of these independent country to leave 100% the onliest Caribbean countries of real independence is Haiti and Cuba, and you see how you can be treated for demanding full self determination from the white man? If the BVI people get up and burn down government house and chase out the governor and say we ruling our selves it's done, but a house nigger wants assurance from the slave master that he get the remaining leftovers from his plate, they not focusing on the mental capacity to create their own plate of food, we will still have the judiciary and police as royal subjects , the prison etc colonialism never leave it just gives latitude to our black leader to enjoy shiny things and mirrors of colonial power and their heads go wild, sowandie gets a hard on for been chauffeur driven, sowandie may not know some of his ancestors died on other Caribbean islands, since the slave master wake up our grand parents in the middle of the night to go mate with other slave of physical stature to get good strong laborers, so Myron may be your ancestor too, you can't account for what you believe is Wheatley lineage which is the name of the planters who own those people who were things and not human being, all Caribbean black people are cross breathe by the planters who ship them to different plantation and island overnight, sowandie and Myron could be relatives.
  • Really? (15/02/2025, 16:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Natalio is NOT the face of the BVI, he is the face of Long Look, Fat Hog’s Bay, etc. He is only Premier because Andrew knew he could control him, and he would not ask questions. Natalio has no idea what the BVI needs are, and he is too arrogant to go and find out. He has no leadership skills, no money management skills, no loyalty, he cannot handle heat from the press without getting personal and nasty…..I could go on. Natalio was NOT to be Premier after Andrew. And it should NOT be Ronnie, Marlon, Mitch, Myron or Fraser. The kind of leader we need is NOT in government right now. GOD help us, because we need whoever this leader is to come from between us to the front of the line before we continue to destroy ourselves and our country more.


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