'It's time for VI to seek its freedom'- Julian Willock
During an interview with Tahira Burke of Caribupdate News Service on October 25, 2022, Mr Willock was asked whether he believes it is time for the VI to consider becoming an independent state?
“Yes, it is time for the BVI to seek its freedom. It is time for the BVI to seek its self-determination,” Mr Willock responded in the interview published on YouTube.
‘A real challenge’
According to the former Speaker; however, the push for self-determination “is a real challenge right now” because Britain, via its controversial CoI, has “brilliantly painted the local political class as corrupt” and not acting in the best interest of the people.
“It will be very hard now to raise those issues of freedom and self-determination,” Mr Willock opined.
He added that the average person in the Virgin Islands is scared of the prospect of self-determination.
“You know why? Because, in their mind, if we move to our freedom, if we move to self-determination, then those politicians that were named in the Commission of Inquiry will be more corrupt or more bad for us. And that is the narrative.”
Task not ‘insurmountable’
He said while not insurmountable, the advocates of self-determination and independence will have a hard time convincing the average person on the street that independence is the way to go.”
Asked what can be done to convince the people that self-determination is something that must be pursued, Mr Willock said five to eight months of sustained campaigning on educating the masses about independence could be effective.
“Because, you will have to convince the people of this country that we will be better off under independence.”
He asserted that education the people will bring a balance to the narrative since the public has only been fed with the scathing CoI Report that was done by a one-man Commissioner from the United Kingdom.
Boris Johnson CoI
CoI Commissioner Gary R. Hickinbottom was handpicked by former Governor and close ally of controversial former UK Prime Minister Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson, Mr Augustus J. U. Jaspert.
It was under the leadership of Boris Johnson, who is a known strong believer in colonialism, that the CoI was called.
Mr Johnson, who avoided a CoI into his then government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and funds, found it convenient to sponsor a CoI in the VI during the height of the pandemic.
It remains to be seen how the Rishi Sunak-led UK Government will respond to the current ‘Sword of Damocles’ Order in Council to suspend the Virgin Islands Constitution and impose direct rule on the VI.
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33 Responses to “'It's time for VI to seek its freedom'- Julian Willock”
Arrogance is a poor tool for humble times.
Stop reducing it to a battle of skin color, make it a battle of right vs wrong.
That is where our collective energy should be focused, on betterment.
THEN the bvi will be ready to seek a more independent status, with pride rather than fear.
Fist step in healing is to recognize the ills.
about 20 years of uk commissioners of police and we now faced with major crimes and no questions
about 50 years of uk governors and border security is shambles and no questions
when it comes to local systems, my goodness look pun hard talk NOT one word towards mr white from the UK
INTEGRITY ??? , THAT IS LACKING , ALL WE ARE SEEING IS PEOPLE LIKE TRUMP WITH THE THE MENTALITY OF A PREDATOR LIKE JAWS / SO WHICH OF THESE MINISTERS THAT ANY YOUTH WOULD WANT TO EMULATE ???? ( SERIOUSLY SPEAKING
Because of this continuing accountability of our finances over many years, even though some of our finance as spent by mistakes made, the CoI probed was necessary. I do admited of this facts that the greater part of our finances was usefully spent by all previously administrations, in mine opinion.
Yes, it is time to seek our freedom from the UK, but first we need to get our house in order, only then will we be prepared to managed our own political affears properly without outside intervention, or being subjected to other countries political will in my clear, and honest opinion.
Thanks you very much for your courageous views on this critical issue of national self determination for the people of the British Virgin Islands. Much respect to you, Sir.
Independence of this Lands can not be a political party thing. Independence must be the voice of the people
Stay humble once you make it!!
Political accountability our top issue on the table now, not independence, nor self determination.