Meeting with OTs Minister resulted in 'some good outcomes' for VI- Premier Wheatley
Premier Wheatley spoke with Communications Director Karia J. Christopher following his bilateral meeting with the UK government in London on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.
"It’s been a great day thus far, Karia. We started the day with our bilateral meeting with the United Kingdom government Stephen Doughty, discussing things which are very important to the BVI, such as the airport, such as our constitutional reforms, such as law enforcement and security, and the Protocols for Effective Financial Management, and that meeting resulted in some good outcomes for the BVI," Premier Wheatley said, without going into specifics.
The Premier added that the Virgin Islands is having a challenge with "fiscal space" because of the Protocols for Effective Financial Management, and it hopes to have the protocols relaxed so funding can be sourced to "invest in more youth programmes to deter them from criminal activity" as well as strengthening the law enforcement capability.
"I believe that Minister Doughty will be very supportive in helping us, assisting us, in getting the fiscal space necessary to invest in these important areas."
Dr Wheatley also shared that he felt the discussion on the airport development in the Virgin Islands was a positive one, "and we know that they’re very supportive of the airport development, and we expect for that project to be kicking off in 2026."
Protocols for Effective Financial Management
Premier Wheatly noted that the restrictions of the Protocols for Effective Financial Management are also experienced by the other Overseas Territories (OTs), "and we have to make sure we follow those protocols, especially financial protocols."
He said the relaxing of the protocols would also assist the VI to "move faster and lessen the frustrations of the vendors at home."
The Virgin Islands Premier said his government understands; however, that the United Kingdom is very much concerned about contingent liability.
"Because anything that goes wrong, it’s a contingent liability on the BVI government and therefore a contingent liability on the UK Treasury, and we understand that the UK is going through a difficult time...it’s a difficult time for them, and they don’t want to take on any extra burden, but our goal is to strengthen our economy and that’s what the airport will do for us, so that we become less of a contingent liability, more financially robust. We’re investing in economic growth, and that’s ultimately a great thing for the United Kingdom."
The Protocols for Effective Financial Management was signed between the governments of the UK and VI on April 23, 2012.
See related article below:
VI to discuss borrowing protocols with UK to come out of 'fiscal straitjacket'
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6 Responses to “Meeting with OTs Minister resulted in 'some good outcomes' for VI- Premier Wheatley”
How is it that they know about the airport in the UK (your sworn enemies) and the people of the VI do not?
While the BVI is struggling with crumbling roads, blocked drains, landslides left half-fixed, unreliable utilities, a soaring cost of living, and ongoing concerns about crime and governance, he’s busy flying around the world “fighting” for “our” independence.
All year long, millions of dollars are being burned through on travel while the basics at home are ignored.
Maybe our leaders should fix what’s in front of us before chasing headlines abroad.
For years, the BVI central government and most statutory bodies have not produced up-to-date audited accounts. That means no clear, independent picture of how public money is managed, and no reliable view of our real fiscal position or contingent liabilities.
In that context, it’s hard to complain about “restrictions” or ask for relaxed controls. The Protocols for Effective Financial Management exist precisely because the fundamentals are not being met:
Audited accounts are late or missing;
Financial reporting lacks transparency; and
Oversight is weakened as a result.
If we want more flexibility and fewer conditions from the UK, the starting point is simple: prove that we can manage our own finances responsibly by getting the audits done, publishing them, and restoring confidence in our financial governance.