Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), at the first public engagement session on the upcoming constitutional negotiations at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College Campus, on May 5, 2026. Photo: Office of the Premier

Seated from left: Some members of the Virgin Islands Constitutional Negotiating Team: Attorney General, Hon Dawn J. Smith; Deputy Premier and Minister for Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3); Leader of His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8); and Chair of the 2023 Constitutional Review Commission, Mrs Lisa E. Penn Lettsome. Photo: Office of the Premier

Premier Wheatley said this while addressing the first public engagement session on the upcoming constitutional negotiations at Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium, H. Lavity Stoutt Community College Campus, on May 5, 2026. 

“The current constitution has served its purpose for the time in which it was written, but the Virgin Islands has evolved. Our society has grown more complex, our economy more dynamic, and our people more empowered,” Dr Wheatley said, addressing attendees of the public meeting. 

He added that the global landscape evolved as well, and therefore the VI is now in need of a “modern constitution”. 

The new constitution, Premier Wheatley explained, should be “one that enables us to respond efficiently and effectively to domestic needs and opportunities abroad”. 

The VI, he said, needs a constitution that is roadworthy and capable of carrying the VI to the next stage of development. “A constitution that will enable us to realise our aspirations without undue impediment. A constitution which is fit for purpose. What should be our next step in our development journey? And what timetable should guide us?”

HoA positions not taken lightly

Members of the House of Assembly reviewed the Constitutional Review Commission’s report and set out its deliberations on the CRC’s report in a document titled ‘A Report of the Committee of the Whole House’. 

The report highlights the recommendations accepted by the HoA and those that were rejected. 

“We have conducted this process of constitutional reform responsibly,” Premier Wheatley said, “We did not come to these positions lightly. There were a number of factors taken into consideration in arriving at a final position.”

According to the Premier, who will lead the 10-member negotiating team from the VI in the negotiations with the United Kingdom, their negotiation position reflects a desire for stronger checks and balances, for strengthened democracy, for stronger accountability, for greater efficiency in delivering public services, for more scrutiny in the legislative process, for systems that work, and for protecting VI culture and heritage.

The constitutional negotiating team which Premier Wheatley will lead includes 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); Leader of His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, 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.