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Premier ‘optimistic’ VI will be able to ‘transition past Order in Council’

The United Kingdom (UK) continues to shift the goalpost regarding the criteria for the removal of the Order in Council, which threatens to suspend the Virgin Islands (VI) constitution; however, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) continues to be optimistic. Photo: GIS
The ‘Sword of Damocles’ Order in Council continues to hang over the head of the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
The ‘Sword of Damocles’ Order in Council continues to hang over the head of the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The United Kingdom (UK) continues to shift the goalpost regarding the criteria for the removal of the Order in Council, which threatens to suspend the Virgin Islands (VI) constitution; however, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) continues to be optimistic.

Initially, the UK had said the Order in Council, which is seen as a colonial act, would be lifted once the reforms recommended by the one-man Commission of Inquiry (CoI) were completed.

This has been done; however, the UK continues to drag its feet while putting forward new criteria.

Four reviews/assessments to be done

According to Premier Wheatley, speaking at a press conference on November 26, 2024, there will now be a self-assessment by the Government of the Virgin Islands, which it is preparing to execute.

Additionally, the Governor will be doing his final review after which the public will be given an opportunity to make its input.
According to Dr Wheatley, Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) officials, including “perhaps” government officials from the United Kingdom, will visit the territory and conduct an assessment.

“We are confident that we have done the work that will be able to justify at that point, transitioning from this previous phase, which is the Order in Council that continues to hang over our heads, to a new phase where we are transitioning, where we are educating the public, where we are ensuring that the reforms are properly implemented, properly understood, and properly mainstreamed into our government processes and procedures and really to internalise this government reform in our everyday culture…in delivering public services,” Dr Wheatley commented.

The Premier added that he is “optimistic” that the VI and its government will be able to transition past the Order in Council and “move on to building a model democracy in partnership with the United Kingdom.”

According to the Premier, the four reviews are expected to be done in the first quarter of 2025.

Until then, the ‘Sword of Damocles’ Order in Council continues to hang over the head of the Virgin Islands.

7 Responses to “Premier ‘optimistic’ VI will be able to ‘transition past Order in Council’”

  • Sowande again (29/11/2024, 12:01) Like (9) Dislike (22) Reply
    This Premier is a good man with a steady hand. The BVI in good shape for next 10 yrs with this Premier. The BVI would be world class top natch again.
  • BuzzBvi (29/11/2024, 13:11) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    "colonial act one-man Commission of Inquiry Sword of Damocles"
    We still getting balance repoting here then. What does Claude have to say about it?
  • UK Please (29/11/2024, 13:44) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    Please take over and get rid of the ineptitude we have in power here. Please bring engineers who can design proper roads and water delivery infrastructure for all of our residents. Please help us to stop pumping raw sewage into our beautiful waters and destroying our reefs. Please bring the rule of law to this crazy place so we can live in the peaceful paradise that should be these Virgin Islands.
  • Josiahsbay (29/11/2024, 13:58) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    If the UN supports self-determination, it can not, without contradiction, support the "Order in Council." If the "order" is enforceable, it renders a referendum useless. If the UK goes against the self-determination mandate, it can ignore a pro-referendum self-determination result.
  • Right tone (29/11/2024, 14:09) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
    Whether you like the Premier or not he must be given credit for setting the right tone in this situation and I imagine that a more diplomatic tone is probably 75% of the battle .His path of collaboration rather than confrontation saved the BVI from going over the precipice.
  • Delulu.... (29/11/2024, 15:52) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    is NOT the Solulu!


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