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Politicians 'too cowardly' when it comes to self-determination- E. Benito Wheatley

Virgin Islands Special Envoy Mr E. Benito Wheatley has said politicians have been too cowardly in guiding the people towards self-determination. Photo: VINO/File
The Virgin Islands is an United Kingdom Overseas Territories and 1 of 17 remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories falling under the remit of the UN's C-24. Photo: Internet Source
The Virgin Islands is an United Kingdom Overseas Territories and 1 of 17 remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories falling under the remit of the UN's C-24. Photo: Internet Source
According to the UN's C-24 when it comes to the Virgin Islands there is no alternative to the principle of self-determination. Photo: Internet Source
According to the UN's C-24 when it comes to the Virgin Islands there is no alternative to the principle of self-determination. Photo: Internet Source
SIMPSON BAY, Sint Maarten, NA- Virgin Islands Special Envoy Mr E. Benito Wheatley has challenged politicians, calling them cowardly in the movement for self-determination.

As the Virgin Islands (VI) recognises its annual Emancipation Festival, Mr Wheatley has been releasing segments of his contributions at the Caribbean Studies Association’s 49th Annual Conference in June 2025. 

The conference, held under the theme 'Reparations, Resistance, Resilience, Reproduction and Rehabilitation’, took place in Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten, in June 2025.

People must be led toward self-determination

“This business of decolonisation is not benign. What I mean by that is, it is not without human agency,” Mr Wheatley said during the session he spoke at 'Towards The Eradication of The Caribbean Colonial Condition'. 

He added that if people are going to move to independence or some form of self-determination, they must be led to it. 

“There is no independence movement that has ever happened without leadership taking the lead to educate people and bring them along. There is no way it can happen otherwise.”

Mr Wheatley said the issue of just having a referendum to see what the people say in the absence of leadership towards self-determination will not work. 

“No, you have to lead them.”

Politicians have been too cowardly 

In the VI, the narrative has been the same for a while: that self-determination is the way forward. However, the Territory has not taken any solid, decisive steps towards it. 

The United Nations (UN) has a Special Committee on Decolonisation (C-24). That mission visited the VI in 2024 and released a report stating that “there is no alternative to the principle of self-determination” for the United Kingdom Overseas Territory. 

The C-24 also recommended the implementation of a UN-backed educational programme focused on the political status options endorsed by the UN. 

The VI is one of 17 remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories falling under the remit of the C-24.

Mr Wheatley also faulted politicians for the slow pace when it comes to educating people of former colonies that have not received complete independence. 

“The problem we’ve had,” Mr Wheatley stated, “Is that the politicians have been too cowardly to step forward and say let’s make this an issue where we educate people and put it on a campaign platform.”

He sought to explain this cowardice as politicians being afraid of not getting re-elected if they were to do so.

The VI is currently engaged in celebrating the 71st Emancipation Festival under the theme ‘Embrace the Past, Let Unity Thrive, as we Celebrate Emancipation Festival 2025’. 

See link to related story below 

https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/independence-referendum-wont-be-valuable-now-e-benito-wheatley-

17 Responses to “Politicians 'too cowardly' when it comes to self-determination- E. Benito Wheatley”

  • Cindy (07/08/2025, 07:40) Like (11) Dislike (7) Reply
    at least some one has the balls to call it out!
    • State of affairs in the BVI (07/08/2025, 13:43) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2024/08/06/former-bvi-premier-sentenced-prison-conspiring-import-cocaine-us
      https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61266526
      https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/former-british-virgin-islands-premier-sentenced-prison-conspiring-import-cocaine
  • Funny (07/08/2025, 07:44) Like (21) Dislike (5) Reply
    now he is calling people stupid who do not agree with him...
  • BuzzBvi (07/08/2025, 07:46) Like (39) Dislike (8) Reply
    The Wheatley Boys "We will have to make the people bend to our will."

    If that is not Coloniialism in new clothes.

    These guys are desperate keep control of the VI people.

    We need a new envoy that's special.
  • Deluded (07/08/2025, 07:54) Like (32) Dislike (4) Reply
    The politician must represent the views of those who voted for them, and we do not want independence!!!
  • Senior native citizen of the British Virgin Islands (07/08/2025, 09:52) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    How about a more balance nationality integrated determination. Would this not be be much better for us all, rather than continious selfish ambitions seekers, that you, and the minority of people in the B.V.I seek as so-called elites?
  • WHAT!!! (07/08/2025, 10:02) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    The politicians need to listen to the will of the people who employ them
  • facts (07/08/2025, 10:39) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let’s wait and see what Dame Hodge has to say first shall we!!
  • bvi (07/08/2025, 10:43) Like (22) Dislike (6) Reply
    Benito Wheatley why dont you shut TFU
  • resident (07/08/2025, 11:25) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    There was a "solid, decisive step": the COI, which showed there is a lot of crookedness among the current politicians. After that Fat Albert was arrested and convicted. Most recently came the Bank of Asia debacle. We're still waiting to see the numbers on the non-stop party, not to mention audited accounts for nearly a decade!

    People have seen and heard what the current crop of politicians is up to, which is why they don't want independence now. No amount of education will change the underlying facts.
  • grace (07/08/2025, 11:54) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    The MONACO Model is fitting for these VI,
    CARICOM,not so at all.
  • okay bro (07/08/2025, 14:04) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    politicians? lol the same ones screaming it on the news everytime the uk blinks lmfao

    wa about the people? everything is politicians and other carribean countries and EU speaking for us... people got no voice?

    if them afraid fr them know y cuz we the people dont trust them and dont want that! and we the people can see the current state of the bvi and its no where close to be a self determined country
  • trevor (07/08/2025, 15:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    who is funding this mans career?
    Confused as to his purpose, other than pomp at every possible social event.
    Surely there is some actual value?
    Asking for the taxpayers.
  • FACIAL EXPRESSION (07/08/2025, 15:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    His EXELENCY , IS SAYING )> YES I SAID IT - YOU ALL ARE NOTHING BUT A DAMN SET OF COWARDS , WHO'S ALSO AFRAID TO GET RID OF THE ( CORRUPTION ) IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE AND THE COUNTRY , IT CANNOT WORK BOTH WAYS , " GOD DAMN IT " , LETS GET THIS PARTY STARTED
  • Just like (07/08/2025, 18:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    These individuals behaving just like their president. Check it!


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