‘I will lead resistance’ against UK threats, coercion of direct rule- Premier Wheatley
In a press conference today, October 7, 2022, the Premier lashed out against the concept of direct rule in the 21st century as the need to lead a resistance against forcing reform without the people of the VI and taking power and putting in the hands of those who are not elected.
Suspension of VI Constitution
“Everybody should be worried about the concept of our constitution being suspended because, of course, it's a reality… The Order in Council is there. There was a recommendation from Sir Gary Hickinbottom that our constitution be suspended. The concept has not been completely abandoned, everybody should be concerned about it,” he said.
Dr Wheatley added, “but what we cannot do… we cannot be implementing reforms based on coercion or force, that's something I reject completely. So when I go through this reform process, I'm being true to the process,” he said.
The Premier added that he wants to dialogue with the people of the Virgin Islands, as they see areas that need to be reformed for a long time.
Governor John J. Rankin, CMG on October 4, 2022, raised concerns over slow progress in some areas of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) reforms in the Virgin Islands (VI) under the “Framework for Implementation of the Recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry Report and Other Reforms” (“the Framework document”), being led by the Government of National Unity.
VI people must be involved in the process
Premier Wheatley’s contention; however, is that the people of the VI must also be involved in the reform process and be informed of changes.
“Going through reform for me is not a challenge, is not a problem. I think it's the appropriate thing to do to reform, but we must reform based on what the people want to see, and of course, we have to educate people, we have to allow persons the opportunity to have a dialogue, we have to give them the information and trust them to make the right choice and to communicate that to their representatives,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Premier has spoken out that he remains completely against the concept of direct rule and suspension of the constitution in the VI as a flawed concept; however, he said he doesn’t believe the governor's concerns will lead to suspension of the constitution.
“I don't suspect that anything that has taken place thus far will lead to the suspension of the constitution if I had to give my opinion… but I'm saying even the concept of seeking to suspend our constitution is something I don't agree with and I think that we the people need to stand up and send a message,” Dr Wheatley added.
Resistance against Direct Rule
Dr Wheatley assured that without a doubt he will lead and continue leading the resistance against the flawed concept of suspending the constitution.
"And that's been happening already… there was a recommendation to suspend the Constitution and then we went into action and as you can see, it's not suspended, but that's not enough."
The Premier added, “to be coerced or forced into any type of action is unacceptable and that's something that I also will lead the resistance on,” he added while calling for the voice of the people in the process.
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34 Responses to “‘I will lead resistance’ against UK threats, coercion of direct rule- Premier Wheatley ”
If you don't, the UK will as it chooses. The issues at hand is far bigger than than you, and the Unity Government that you lead. It is centered on mismanagement of our finances.
No sensible unqualified leader, as you are, will encourage that greater harm comes against the British Virgin Island people because of a stubborn mindset. You need to re-sign. You are "kicking against the prick" with you outburst of hard headedness to UK apointed of the Governor warning with vail pretence. You have failed us, in my genuine, and honest opinion. Better governance is better for the people of the British Viirgin Islands, now.
We knew the UK has plans for this country, their plans would have been implemented already so there had to be some compromise. But we are not for sale neither are we gifting our heritage to the UK again they had enough from the time of slavery, let us come together and show solidarity for our country our children born and unborn and our ancestors WE MUST STAND UP PEOPLE OR WE ALL WILL FALL DOWN
those from other destinations will or can simply book a flights or take the ferry out of the territory
2022 and our people are looking down the same fate as Rhodesia/south africa back them
once london shows up a substantial amount of the local people will be laid off especially those working in government departments
some of us have no were to run virgin islands is home not were we reside while seeking to give to family a better life across the seas
Let’s not forget that this Order in Council is the “sword of damocles” that the current Premier & Unity Government AGREED to have placed over our heads; hanging by a thread as fine as if it were spun by a spider! From that initial misguided move, it was painfully obvious that there was no strategy in place to effect the fundamental changes needed at a cultural & systemic level so that good governance & rule of law could be strengthened and properly put in place in the Virgin Islands. This is essentially the overriding objective of the COI recommendations (irrespective of the tainted messengers).
Today’s clap ???????? back by our "fearless leader" should come as no surprise. What happens now? Statements made at this eleventh hour to condemn and object to agreed upon conditions only serve to weaken the fragile horsehair/ thread holding this arrangement in place. Once again leaving the Virgin Islands’ people to face the adverse consequences and pick up the pieces of the fallout.
????Oh what a tangled web we weave…..
All is not gravy because people set boundaries & humans fall out. Even the best of friends must have boundaries and lines not to cross wife/property or they become the worst enemies.
Everyone should learn to respect each other including the will of the voters and their representation.
U promised for September?
During the 14th and 15th centuries, England, like the rest of Europe, especially western Europe, struggled through an economic depression, i.e., poverty, famine, diseases, feudalism, etc. England struggled with the Black Death, War of Roses, Hundred Year Wars, etc. The Age of Exploration and Discovery changed England's fortune.
The unilateral behavior, attitude, and actions of colonial powers towards colonies, protectorates, dominions, etc., and now overseas territories are dated. Before European countries' Age of Discovery and Exploration, Millions of people outside of Europe lived their lives promoting their cultures and traditions. Led by Portugal and Spain in the 15th Century, the Age of Discovery resulted in a furious unprecedented land grab in the Americas, West Indies, and beyond. The land grab battle between Portugal and Spain was fierce and combative. Consequently, Pope Alexander VI was summoned for a resolution of the fight. Pope Alexander VI issued a papal bull (inter caetera) in 1493, dividing the globe into two spheres (non-Christian areas) between Portugal and Spain with a dividing line running north to south from the Arctic to the Antarctic, some 100 leagues west of the Cape Verde Islands. Despite Pope Alexander VI's papal bull, discontent between Portugal and Spain persisted. As a result, the Treaties of Tordesillas (1494) and Zaragoza (1529) made some adjustments to the papal bull. Moreover, it is important to note that the papal bull and the treaties applied only to Spain and Portugal; England, France, Holland, etc., were also greatly interested in the land grab. In 1884-85, in a scramble for Africa, the 14 participants(no African countries were at the table) to the Berlin Conference divided Africa among the UK, France, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Italy, and Belgium.
Moreover, the Age of Discovery gave birth to imperialism, colonialism, slavery (the greatest forced migration of a people in human history from one continent to another), and empire-building in the New World. The colonial powers intended to conquer and colonize. With the greater force with weapons and other assets, the European powers overpowered the weaker party in the colonies. England emerged as the dominant empire, encompassing approx. 25% of the globe (the current count is that there are only 22 countries over which the UK has not had influence) and over 400 million people. The British Empire expanded its influence, power, and control well beyond its borders.
Along with other countries/empires, it committed genocide, violence, and murder against indigenous and enslaved people, exploiting and expropriating the labor of indigenous and enslaved people and their natural resources. The UK deprived its subjects in the colonies of their rights and freedoms, and many still do. They didn't enjoy the same rights and liberties as people in the UK. The VI came under complete UK control in 1672 and still has its thumb on the scales regarding VI governance, despite being a supposed self-governing territory. Colonialism is marketed as a 'civilizing mission.' British Stateman Lord Palmerton stated that colonialism's mission was to set free, not enslave.
Further, Rudyard Kipling, in a poem called 'The White Man's Burden '(1899), advocated for his readers to accept their God-given imperial vocation dutifully. However, colonialism aim was to conquer, colonize, control, influence and exert power over weaker territories. It was an extractive, patronizing institution. It was a vicious circle. It was about might is right. The heart of its power was unequal power that created the opportunity for exploitation and expropriation. It was a vicious circle.
The exploited labor and natural resources of the colonies, along with the fruits of the slave trade, slavery, and empire, made the UK and other colonizers incredibly wealthy. However, that wealth came at a high cost to the indigenous and enslaved people. In addition to having their labor and resources exploited, their cultural traditions were shattered, among other atrocities. Colonizers had all the power; the colonized had naught.
Moreover, after WWI, the League of Nations was formed to harmonize peaceful relations among nations. Then WWII happened. Post-WWII, the UN was formed. In 1946, the UN, under Chapter XI of the Charter, developed a list of 72 Non-Self-Governing Territories (NSGT) with a member country assigned as an 'Adminstering Power' for each territory(s). The Administering Power's role and responsibility are to assist and guide assigned territory(s) toward a full measure of self-governance. 17 NSGTs remain, including the VI and USVI. Self-governing for the VI is a work in progress.