'Self-definition is an act of self-determination'- Premier Wheatley
Dr Wheatley, who was one of the panellists during the Diplomatic Week Panel Discussion on October 22, 2025 on the topic: Our Place in the World: The Evolving Diplomacy of Overseas Territories.
The ability to be able to define the VI’s place in the world did not just happen overnight, the Premier said.
Many people fought for this right
“We had many individuals who fought for the right to define ourselves in the international space, because the act of defining ourselves is an act of self-determination.”
The Premier said the VI remains a territory of the United Kingdom (UK) and there was a time when the VI had “no international identity or personality, we were simply a part of someone else’s empire”.
He said it was through the acts of having its own legislators, the act of being able to have a ministerial form of government, where ministers who have a particular responsibility were elected, the act of having a Chief Minister, and now a Premier, that the territory was able to define itself.
“That’s through negotiation, through sacrifice, through struggle, [we] are able to define the functions and responsibilities of a Chief Minister or a Premier to have responsibilities which were formally had by the Governor or the United Kingdom.”
An act of survival
Dr Wheatley said as progress continues, one day, the Virgin Islands will be able to have a leader of government who can appoint a Foreign Minister.
“By the time you get to that point, of course, you’d be much far advanced, but the act of defining yourself as well is an act of survival as well.”
He credited the individuals who travel across the world advocating on behalf of and representing the territory at the United Nations, in Asia, Europe, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) for being a part of that act of survival.
If it were not for them, he said, “We would not be where we are today as a very successful Small Island Developing State, with a very good income per capita and well respected in many quarters in the world.”
Premier Wheatley reiterated, “The act of self-definition for me is an act of self-determination, and it gives me a great sense of pride the way that we have been able to represent ourselves.”
Premier of Anguilla Hon Cora Richardson-Hodge joined Premier Wheatley on the panel.
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15 Responses to “'Self-definition is an act of self-determination'- Premier Wheatley”
Pier park scheme
Bvi airways
Eshs wall
COVID grants
Scholarships to fake students
Bi water
Government complex mash up since 2017
Local companies owned by elites that import expats and pay them below minimum wage while price gouging
Ex premier and few other elites trying to sell the country to enrich them self
3rd world Infrastructure
3rd world internet service for 1st world prices
Greedy bill
Politicians doubling their pay raise saying they work hard and deserve it despite our country looking like a 3rd world country despite having access to USD. Despite our economy being so expensive and not decreasing anytime soon. Despite company's making record break 500% profits on goods while giving us 60c discounts............
13 year olds with guns
Corrupted customs and immigration workers/officials
Coi findings
USA Andrew fahie case hinting at Syrians importing gun parts via clothing containers but ntn has been done so about it publicly
Electricity cutting off for every little thing in big 2025 instead of running lines underground despite knowing we a tropical storm prone country
Young "businessmen," with big financial assets despite lack of job history, lack of education, and dressed like thugs whole promoting gang violence in songs and advertisements in there businesses
Denouncing crime publicly but still promoting artist and songs that glorify crime,gangs, violence,sex, drugs, degeneracy
DMV giving licence plates to underage scooter riders with no license or insurance
NHI
Ssb loan to homes that no one can afford except the elites
Barges to patrol boarder's despite knowing that traffickers uses fast boats
“Denouncing crime publicly but still promoting artist and songs that glorify crime,gangs, violence,sex, drugs, degeneracy“
He is A HYPOCRITE with NO FEAR OF GOD!!!
He forgot where Andrew end up!!
- Implement COI recommendations
- Fix roads
- Fix the police force
- Build good schools,
- Reduce crime and fraud
- Start doing audited accounts (missing for 10 years)
- Stop grabbing money from the treasury and paying yourself bonuses and salary increases'
UNTIL THEN, SHUT UP!
Some of our main problems are a great lack of moderm infrastructural development, some overpaid, empty political promises made government leaders, poor water shortages, intolerable serious crimes rates, and fastly rising, electrical power outage, indecipling youth rampage, high house rental, high food prices, even though some foods items are dutyfree, rerely foot patrol by the RVIPF, not complete regular traffic roads, no new public roads, low minimum wages, no price control, too much money being spent for frolicking entertaining activities, too many demolition government buildings promised to be completed, but not as yet being working on, not enough local being employed, much too mush unprofitable expensive overseas traveling, rerely any accountability reports, to may lies being told to us about how good things are, but rerely proof given of same, and the negative list continuing. But in spite of all that are happening, there are some positive happenings in a number of areas daily, but not close to enough. In other words, much better need to be done beginning now, and steadily continuing one stop.