(L-R) Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D, Wheatley (R7), Head of the Virgin Islands’ Constitution Negotiating Team and Mr Nicholas Wareham MVO, of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Head of the United Kingdom delegation. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

Formal discussions between the Virgin Islands and the United Kingdom began on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at the Premier’s Office Conference Room and will continue today, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

First round of constitutiional negotiations between the Virgin Islands and the United Kingdoom are taking place at the Premier's Office Conference Room on July 14 and 15, 2026. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

Formal discussions began on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at the Premier’s Office Conference Room and will continue today, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. 

Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D, Wheatley (R7), is leading the VI’s team which is made up of Deputy Premier and Minister for Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, Hon. Julian Fraser RA (R3); Minister for Communications and Works, Hon. Kye M. Rymer (R5); Minister for Education, Youth Affairs, and Sports, Hon. Sharie B. de Castro (AL); Attorney General, Hon. Dawn J. Smith; Chair of the 2005 Constitutional Review Commission, Mr. Gerard St. C. Farara, KC; Hon. Ronnie W. Skelton (AL); Opposition Leader Hon. Marlon A. Penn (R8); Chair of the 2023 Constitutional Review Commission, Mrs. Lisa E. Penn Lettsome; and member of the 2023 Constitutional Review Commission, Mrs. Maya Barry.

The team will also be supported by Sir Jeffrey Jowell KC.

It is right to look at the constitution now- Nicholas Wareham MVO

Meanwhile, Mr Nicholas Wareham MVO, of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Head of the UK delegation, said a constitution is the foundation, the basis on which a community is run with rights and responsibilities for individuals and institutions, and principles for fairly representing everyone’s interests. 

He added that for the last few years, the Virgin Islands has been looking again at its constitution, implementing the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) recommendations, reviewing the various texts and debating it in the House of Assembly. 

“I recognise how much your community has been through this past decade,” he said, referring to the devastation caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, the COVID-19 pandemic, the steady impact of climate change, political upheaval, governance reform, and the complex international environment. 

“After such a turbulent period, it is right to look again at a constitution last updated in 2007 and decide how to shore up the foundation.” 

UK gov’t respects right of self-determination

Wareham reiterated that the UK government respects the right of self-determination. “We want a constitution that fairly reflects your views.”

He added that he and his team are here to listen, ask, understand, and work out what changes are needed so that “we and the BVI government can effectively serve all the people of these beautiful islands today and in the years to come”. 

Mr Wareham is accompanied by Ms Susan Dickson, Constitutional Adviser from the Overseas Territories Directorate; Ms Sarah Baddeley, Legal Adviser from the Overseas Territories Directorate; and Ms Vaishali Patel, the British Virgin Islands Desk Officer.