Majority of the VI population 'cherish democracy'- Special Envoy Wheatley tells UN
This was revealed by Special Envoy to the Premier, Mr E. Benito Wheatley at the United Nations Pacific Regional Seminar on Decolonisation in Saint Lucia held on May 11, 2022, where he highlighted that the majority of the [British] Virgin Islands (VI) cherish democracy.
Mr Wheatley told the gathering that the National Unity Government has committed to undertaking reforms, including implementation of the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry report, under continued democratic governance, and in partnership with the UK and in close cooperation with Governor John J. Rankin.
“The Government believes this is the most desirable approach, especially since the Governor is constitutionally responsible for the Public Service, security, and administration of the courts, while the elected Government is constitutionally responsible for managing the rest of Government."
Mr Wheatley said the proposal was submitted on May 10, 2022, and that the Unity Government sincerely hopes that the UK Government will accept the proposal and will be willing to partner with the VI Government to help the [British] Virgin Islands become the model democracy that its people desires.
“It is also the UK’s obligation under Article 73 of the UN Charter to help the people of the Territory develop their free political institutions,” he reminded.
Population cherishes democracy - Special Envoy Wheatley
My Wheatley said the position to reform the Government under a democratic system is not only that of the political directorate, it is also the sentiment of the majority of the population who cherish democracy and do not want to see the constitutional progress made over the past 70 years reversed.
“Not only is the sentiment against direct rule strong in the British Virgin Islands, but the strength of feeling is across the Caribbean where Governments and their people genuinely want to see the UK break with its past and to stand up as a champion of freedom and democracy in the Commonwealth and around the world, including places such as Ukraine. The British Virgin Islands should be no exception.”
Mr Wheatley thanked the UN Special Committee on Decolonisation for their interests in the current circumstances as well as CARICOM, OECS, the Caribbean Territories, the University of the West Indies, the Government of Saint Lucia, and Governments across the region for their expressions of support and offers of assistance.
Wheatley added, “The British Virgin Islands will remain engaged with the committee on the available options sanctioned by the UN. I ask that a recent self-governance assessment of the Territory completed by independent governance expert Dr Carlyle Corbin is placed on the record of this regional seminar.”
Dr Corbin has said the VI is systematically prepared for independence.
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47 Responses to “Majority of the VI population 'cherish democracy'- Special Envoy Wheatley tells UN”
Against direct rule?
Who this man speaks for?
And just so you know ,I do have a vote , but I can still recognize injustice when I see it.
Any sins I may have committed my child/children my siblings and or parents my Aunty’s and or uncles have nothing to do with what I’ve done
Plz take a seat.
There is no democracy for most people here. Just the few original local population, mostly relatives or friends, who divide everything up between them for their own benefit with no care for other people.
You think your legacy gives you the right to act wickedness to other people who also call this place home.
You are using the language of the Nazi and the KKK because your hold over our lives is threatened. Stop. Think about what the Bible taught you. It was not this.
The UK as the Administering Power for the VI under UN initiative on decolonization and self-governing is responsible for preparing and guiding the VI towards a full measure of self-government. It can do this by assisting, supporting, and partnering with the local government by providing administrative, technical and financial support .
Moreover, not too long ago in 1688-89, the Glorious Revolution changed how the UK is governed and ushered in the ‘The Bill of Right.’ Well, similarly, 2022, can be a rebirth, a turning point, in how the VI is governed. The VI is supposedly a representative democracy of, by and for the people, so the people must be engaged in solving its problems.
As for Dr. Carlyle Corbin, when he has written a proposal for the independence of the United States Virgin Islands from the United States of America, then and only then, he can cross the border!
In other words, he, our present Premier, even though he has said that he is willing to comply in order for good governance leadership for our good (we the people, his employer), he is not ready to accept, willingly, the better judgement of our Governor's rights of leadership, to have the final say tryin regards to better governance practices for our good under the UK leadership.
In other words, he is in love with his position of running
telling others what to do, and how to do, but is unwilling to humbly himself and accept what will better work for our country's people best interest in line with the CoI reasonable recommendations.
Hon. Premier, in my judgement, (opinion) you are wrong.
British Nationality and Staus of Aliens Act 1914=[Natural born British subjects]
British Nationality Act 1948=[Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies]
British Nationality Act 1981=[British Dependent Territories Citizens]
British Overseas Territories Act 2002,an amended section of British Nationality Act 1981=[British Overseas Territories Citizens.
The Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007=[Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the Individual].
So here we are, moving closer to Independence; but our elected official talking about decolonization.
The BVI is not a Colony!
The BVI is a [British Overseas Territory]
Cmon we need balance many of these outside opinions are unhinged and short sighted. The only reason we have this many migrant workers in the first place is due to corruption, a lack of investment in local tertiary education, and abuse of the work permit system.
Being outnumbered by migrants bless their souls is a direct result of bad policy decisions.
Clean the corruption yes but we cant disadvantage the VI people, and children while doing it.