Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has reassured the people of the Virgin Islands (VI) of his government’s commitment to good governance. Photo: Facebook

The lifting of the Order in Council comes after Minister for the United Kingdom Overseas Territories the Right Honourable Stephen J Doughty MP, 3rd from left, met with Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio D Wheatley (R7), then Leader of the Opposition Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL), other members of government, and senior public officials in the VI in November 2024. Photo: GIS

The Premier’s statement comes following the announcement that the draft Order in Council by the United Kingdom (UK) to suspend the Virgin Islands (VI) Constitution is to be lifted.

A letter from the Minister of State for Europe, North America and UK Overseas Territories, Stephen J. Doughty, dated September 22, 2025, conveyed the message to Premier Wheatley. 

In a video posted to the government’s Facebook page following the announcement, Premier Wheatley said, “As Premier, I assure the public that my government and I remain committed to good governance and leading this territory with honesty, integrity and democratic accountability.”

Confidence in current administration

He said from the beginning, Virgin Islanders were adamant about “protecting democratic governance and the hard-earned constitutional gains of our ancestors who built this territory with courage, vision and fortitude”. 

Premier Wheatley also said there are some procedural matters that will have to be completed for the Order in Council to be lifted, which will take a bit more time. 

He noted that the decision to lift the Order in Council, “reflects the completion of the Governance Reform Program agreed in May 2022 and confidence in my administration’s firm commitment to good governance”. 

Dr Wheatley said the government is committed to a long-term transition plan to continue governance reform and mainstream it into the daily working of the government. 

“We will continue to build on the progress achieved for the benefit of the people of the Virgin Islands.” 

Thanks all around

Premier Wheatley thanked God for granting them the strength and resilience to forge ahead under challenging circumstances, requiring the implementation of the 48 recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI), while at the same time delivering public services to the people. 

He also thanked his Cabinet and House of Assembly colleagues and Governor Pruce and his team for the tireless work in implementing the CoI recommendations, as well as his internal team.

Premier Wheatley also expressed gratitude to CARICOM, OECS, the United Nations, the Caribbean Overseas Territories Caucus, the United States Virgin Islands, and all the VI’s international partners “who have stood by our side these past three years”. 

“I thank the Foreign Secretary for accepting the recommendation to lift the order. I also thank the OT Minister Stephen Doughty, as well as the previous OT ministers involved, for embracing a collective approach, which allows us to implement the reforms under continued democratic governance, as we strive to build a model democracy.”