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'The reality is we have an excellent relationship with the UK’- Premier

-Premier & Deputy Premier says VI already has good relationship UK despite the rhetoric on campaign trail
Premier of the Virgin Islands (VI), Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) along with the Deputy Premier, Hon Kye M. Rymer says despite the chatter on the campaign trail about a strained relationship with the United Kingdom, the VI continues to have an excellent relationship with the UK. Photo: Facebook/File
Hon Kye M. Rymer said from his perspective, the VI has had good dialogue with the UK in the spirit of modern partnership where the VI has gone beyond the crossroads and have completed most of the CoI reforms. Photo: Facebook/File
Hon Kye M. Rymer said from his perspective, the VI has had good dialogue with the UK in the spirit of modern partnership where the VI has gone beyond the crossroads and have completed most of the CoI reforms. Photo: Facebook/File
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI – Premier of the Virgin Islands (VI), Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), along with the Deputy Premier and Minister for Communications and Work Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) says despite the chatter on the campaign trail about a strained relationship with the United Kingdom (UK), the VI continues to have an "excellent" relationship with the UK.

During a live broadcast of VIP’s Let Talk on March 28, 2023, on ZBVI 780 AM, Hon Rymner discredited talks that the VI's relationship with the UK is a strained one.

“We hear persons within our community speak about where are as a community right now, we hear the rhetoric, the conversations about the first things people will do once elected is going and have a dialogue with the UK.

“Since May 5th [2022], having this new government and you [Dr Wheatley] being on the helm, I know we have gone through quite a lot in terms of the reforms, the timelines, the discussions," Hon Rymer said, adding that he was in the UK some days ago and was able to have a conversation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) on the way the Territory is moving..

Hon Rymer said, from his perspective, the VI has had good dialogues with the UK in the spirit of a modern partnership. He said the VI has gone beyond the crossroads with the UK and continues to work on implementing the CoI reforms.

Premier Wheatley, adding his voice to the conversation, said the VI and the UK actually have a good relationship without a need for a ‘great negotiator’ to save the territory.

VI has excellent relations with UK - Premier 

“The reality is we have an excellent relationship with the UK right now, we have excellent relations with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office,” he added.

The Premier reminded that the UK wanted to suspend the VI constitution and it was through negotiations that the VI was able to prevent the suspension of the constitution.

“Of course, the Unity Government was able to come together, we were able to commit to the reforms,” he said with help from a number of persons.

The Premier also spoke about meetings with a number of UK and VI stakeholders where there was good dialogue.

“The level of comfort with the BVI government right now is at an all-time high…  It's almost like a 180-degree turn and the United Kingdom is happy to partner with us in our journey,” Dr Wheatley added.

17 Responses to “'The reality is we have an excellent relationship with the UK’- Premier”

  • Perline for the win (30/03/2023, 08:51) Like (21) Dislike (5) Reply
    I think we are going to do it without you this time
    • Accidental premier (30/03/2023, 14:48) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      Yes, based on your nasty attacks on the Governor, we can tell you have a close relationship with the UK.
  • We making a change (30/03/2023, 08:54) Like (16) Dislike (4) Reply
    Mehson we dont want to hear nothing from ayo.....Our minds done make up to get rid of the VIP.
  • asura (30/03/2023, 09:11) Like (6) Dislike (18) Reply
    we only can trust the VIP in these times
  • cap (30/03/2023, 09:14) Like (18) Dislike (4) Reply
    What are you smoking?! You bash the governor, you say the UK is corrupt, you demand independence, all while take take taking grants and subsidies from the UK taxpayer, and you say the relationship between our two countries is excellent? Mr Premier you’re delusional.
  • Roflmbo (30/03/2023, 09:18) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    ????????????????????????????????
  • vex (30/03/2023, 09:21) Like (7) Dislike (18) Reply
    The vip is the only group that can move the country forward
  • VI Gyal (30/03/2023, 09:45) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    what excellent relationship?
  • Ghost Anatomy (30/03/2023, 09:49) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    “The level of comfort with the BVI government right now is at an all-time high… It's almost like a 180-degree turn and the United Kingdom is happy to partner with us in our journey,” Dr Wheatley added.

    REALLY? JUST WHO ARE YOIU ALL TRYING TO FOOL ....AGAIN?
  • Josiahsbay (30/03/2023, 09:58) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Please stop with this modern partnership relationship. Two ships on different courses suppose to have a strained relationship. We should have respect for each other position. If we truly believe in self-determination we should be going down that road. We should be working on getting the UK out of our Constitution and our law-making. We say we need time to make the transition because we don't have proper leadership but we repeatedly elect the same type of leaders. Either we find a way to pursue our own path or we will be integrated into the UK by default. The UK is not waiting for us to make up our minds they are steadily making changes that fit their agenda through laws and directives.
  • my2cents (30/03/2023, 10:10) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    He's right. The we're having elections which means our constitution isn't suspended and the relationship between UK & BVI is good. They went to Caricom & have spoken with Millings. Myron has a corruption case and campaigning with NDP. The Premier is who was speaking with the UK for the last yr and they have a good working relationship. Trying to ignore BVI accomplishments will only result in defeat for the old heads that are acting like the last yr didnt happen. IMO they are campaigning like Fahie just got in trouble and not like there was a Unity gov working on reforms. That makes me doubt that they can manage the future BVI UK relationship since they are out of sync with reality.
  • tape (30/03/2023, 10:59) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    What we need to hear is ( Replaying of the tape's of how he use to carry on before he became the Premier!!
  • Retired and Owed (30/03/2023, 12:25) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Been Over a Decade Mr Premier since increments are being owed. When will the RETIRED and active civil servants receive their increments?

    How should we feel when a few men and women HAVE ENRICHED THEMSELVES FOR LIFE WITH LEGISLATION NAMED THE "GREEDY BILL," WHILE THE RETIRED AND CURRENT CIVIL SERVANTS WHO HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR OVER A DECADE TO BE PAID THEIR INCREMENTS ARE SCRUNTING AND SUFFERING UNDER THE EXORBITANT COST OF LIVING WITH MINIMAL FUNDS TO BARELY SURVIVE?

    WHERE IS THE CONSCIENCE OF OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS?

    IT IS HOPED THAT NO CIVIL SERVAN, ACTIVE AND RETIRED, WILL VOTE FOR NO ONE OR PARTY UNLESS INCREMENTS OWED ARE PAID.

    GIVING ELECTED OFFIFICALS THAT KIND OF MONEY FOR LIFE IS INSULTING, AND NOT GIVING CIVIL SERVANTS WHAT THEY HAVE EARNED IS CRUEL!

    IS THIS RIGHT AD GODLY?

  • WEW (30/03/2023, 13:02) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Better ask the UK their opinion.
  • ... (30/03/2023, 15:50) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    what the H are you talking about "you say the UK is corrupt, you demand independence, all while take take taking grants and subsidies from the UK taxpayer, "

    get out of here. The Vi has been financially independent for a what over 50 or 60 years. And correction the UK is corrupt that's why they have a royal family along with a set of nobles its literally legalized corruption.

    Also have you ever considered that after screwing our race for 400 years that US moving towards independence is a natural aspiration? To you it seems sinful?

    In fact its the only aspiration we should have as a territory of afro-Caribbean people. We will not be denied.

    Independence will happen especially as its independence from the very same country that enslaved our people & is bombarding us with propaganda and schemes, including suspending the "constitution" (as if it meant anything to them)

    All these tactics simply to have an excuse to the civilized world & United Nations as to why they want to continue their colonialization. Seeing as the nazi's would have wiped us out rather than enslaved us why are we carribbean people even posturing with people who "might" be nazis cmon.

    similar to Governor jaspert dropping the COI on Martin Luther King Jr day, these people are lost when it comes to our heritage & cultural sensitivities.

    Next we will be standing with the skin heads because they want us to. To think there's even a slight possibility we could be forced to stand in support of f-in Nazi ideas and ideals because the old slave master says so, is exactly why we need independence.
  • @… (30/03/2023, 16:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    As soon as you start talking about religion, slave ancestry etc all whilst missing the point of the comment. You yourself are just rambling angrily and your point becomes so distorted it’s laughable.
  • Native Senior Citizen of the British Virgin Islands (30/03/2023, 23:53) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good relationship with the UK you said, beginning when? Tell us when, Premier. Tell when this good relationship began with the UK.
    Hmmm, was it since the temperature rising against VIP mismanagement of a great potion of our finances?
    Still taking the majority of us for fools. Think again.


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