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'I look forward to working with Mr Pruce’ in modern partnership – Premier Wheatley

-vows to work with outgoing Governor Rankin in remainder months to advance growth of VI
With news of a new Governor Mr Daniel Pruce set to take up office in the Virgin Islands (VI) effective January 2024, VI Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has already committed to working with Mr Pruce to advance the VI/UK partnership. Photo: GIS/Internet Source
Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley said during the tenure of Lord Goldsmith, they developed a working relationship in which there was open dialogue and the challenges affecting the Virgin Islands/UK relationship and also the opportunities for collaboration in areas of mutual interest and concern. Photo: Internet Source
Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley said during the tenure of Lord Goldsmith, they developed a working relationship in which there was open dialogue and the challenges affecting the Virgin Islands/UK relationship and also the opportunities for collaboration in areas of mutual interest and concern. Photo: Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – With news of a new Governor Mr Daniel Pruce set to take up office in the Virgin Islands (VI) effective January 2024, VI Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has already committed to working with Mr Purce to advance the VI/UK modern partnership.

Dr the Hon Wheatley in a statement on June 30, 2023, said earlier in the week he was officially notified by Governor John J. Rankin, CMG that his successor has been appointed, “I look forward to working with Mr. Pruce and together taking further steps to help move the Virgin Islands and the UK to a new modern partnership.”

With the new Governor set to take office at the start of the new year, the Premier said for the remaining months of Governor Ranking’s tenure in office, they will also continue to work towards advancing the growth and development of the VI in their respective constitutional roles. 

Premier vows to working with new Governor & new OT minister

Meanwhile, the Premier commenting on the resignation UK Minister for Overseas Territories, Lord Frank Zacharias Robin Goldsmith said while a New OT Minister has not yet been announced, he is certain Governor Rankin, CMG will provide an update in due course. 

Dr Whealtley said during the tenure of Lord Goldsmith, they developed a working relationship in which there was open dialogue and the challenges affecting the Virgin Islands/UK relationship and also the opportunities for collaboration in areas of mutual interest and concern.

He added that Lord Goldmsith’s visit to the territory in January and February demonstrated his interest in these islands and desire to protect marine biodiversity and the wider environment.

“I wish Lord Goldsmith well in his future endeavors and look forward to engaging the next appointed OT minister.,” he said.

14 Responses to “'I look forward to working with Mr Pruce’ in modern partnership – Premier Wheatley ”

  • Fed Up (01/07/2023, 12:43) Like (9) Dislike (20) Reply
    Why them white man don't stay where they are. They not needed here unless they visiting.
  • Oh boy. (01/07/2023, 13:25) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    No more games, no more tricks. Come clean and honest, get the recommendations done..You don't have Ranking to Joke with you and cover for you anymore..It get serious now..
    • Arrion (01/07/2023, 19:32) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      Mr. Premier, there is no partnership when it comes to the U.K. Partners are joint owners, but the BVI is an overseas territory belonging to the U.K. NO PARTNERSHIP EVER! You do what they say and that is it. They can change the laws here without you.
  • 95% black bvi (01/07/2023, 16:11) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    We need a black governor?
    • Josiahsbay (01/07/2023, 22:35) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Should we get one he'll be a Brit (in mindset) in black skin.
    • Quiet Warrior (03/07/2023, 11:20) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      If we had a Black Governor, it would only be symbolic, for he will behave the same as the white governors, carrying the mission of the crown. Black or white he works for the same Colonialists and if he ( I say he for we had only white men appointed as governor, administrator or commissioner) and if he were a young black, not yet retirement eligible look out. He will go overboard and bend over backwards to show how tough he can be against the N....s. He would probably be aConservative and will overboard for sure. Black British conservatives and Black US Republicans are expected to behave the same to be accepted by their white counterparts, going way overboard to prove his/ her self. So don’t get your hopes up wishing. Nevertheless, a black Governor should be appointed because he deserve it.
  • WRITING ON THE WALL (01/07/2023, 16:18) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    So disappointing to see how this premier already acting like a typical third world independent country leader that don't care about the masses.
  • Me (01/07/2023, 17:52) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    This boi is jumping off the suicide bridge once again.You just reported Rankin to the union now your want modern communication .Boi you does think before opening your trap.I always say your not a leader to be spewing such bullshit
  • ?? (01/07/2023, 18:24) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply

    Already sucking up 

  • Yo Done Know (01/07/2023, 22:07) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    We committing to a new modern form of slavery. All I need is some more frequent flyer miles and more photo opps.
  • lol (01/07/2023, 22:08) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Year after year the Government spends around 400 million dollars and there is no real improvement…just talk of independence and decolonialization. The country is in tatters and slipping further down into the abyss. Corruption and waste at an all time high, crime is at an all time high, education at an all time low, health at an all time low, infrastructure at an all time low. When will it end Nate and the VI turn around? Sick of it now.
  • GORANK (02/07/2023, 06:59) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    1, 2, 3, 4, LET RANKIN GO.
    5, 6,7,8. KICK HIM OUT OUR GATE
    9, 10,11,12, HERE HE MUST NOT DWELL
    NEO COLONIZER, HE OLE SELF!!
  • Why (02/07/2023, 07:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why does he think this one is any different? They all serve the same master! And quite frankly this one actually looks r4c1$t.’
  • Manjack (02/07/2023, 12:04) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I don’t always agree with Dr. Hon Premier Wheatley’s (D-7) and MoF, etc, on issues, eg, $250,000 expenditure for the concert. To me, it is not demonstrating maximum budget efficiency. Nevertheless, he did the right thing in offering to work in a modern partnership with Governor designee Daniel Pruce. Some think he is selling out offering to work in partnership with the incoming governor. Seriously, what should he have said as Premier of the VI, OT of the UK? Should he have said he was not going to work with the Guv? Let’s not forget that the VI is an OT of the UK and has been under the UK’s control since 1672 transitioning from colony to dependent territory to OT. Further, under UN decolonization initiative, the UK is the ‘Administering Power’ responsible for helping and guiding the VI towards a full measure of self-governance. Moreover, as the Administering Power, the UK through its appointed governor has unilateral power/ control over the VI through a) retained powers, b) reserved powers, c) assent power, etc. Some VI residents are advocating for independence but it is not there yet, so as an OT, it is smart, sensible, practical, etc, to work close up with the governor. Yes, colonialism is a monopoly game where the VI has no cash nor assets but it still has to partake in the game as it works to exercise its self determination options.

    Moreover, the VI must work with deliberate speed to hold a referendum on its next political status; the options should be not only independence but also integration (Is not interesting that the UK has had a vast empire yet not one of the colonies has been integrated into the UK?), free association, etc. The issue needs to be settled soonest so that the VI can move on to more urgent and important issues. Bermuda, the oldest OT, held a referendum on 16 August 1995 on either independence or remaining a Dependent Territory; the independence measure failed. A majority of Bermudians who voted had a say, a voice, choosing to remain a Dependent Territory. The Vi people needs that same opportunity to decide on their political status.


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