Leader of the Opposition Hon Myron V. Walwyn (R6) has expressed his satsifaction of the lifting of the order in council. He, however, believes that the Order in Council should never have been contemplated in the first place. Photo: Youtube

The Virgin Islands Constitution Interim Amendment Order 2022, which was laid in the United Kingdom (UK) parilament has officially been lifted on Friday, March 13, 2026. Photo: VINO/ FILE

His remarks came during a special sitting of the Fourth Sitting of the Third Session of the Fifth House of Assembly on Thursday, March 19, 2026.

'Should never have been contemplated in 1st place'

"Even though, yes, we are here now speaking about the removal of this Order In Council, it is something that should never have been contemplated in the first place. It is antiquated. It is a retrograde step for any country," he added.

The Virgin Islands Constitution Interim Amendment Order 2022, which was laid in the United Kingdom (UK) parilament was officially lifted on Friday, March 13, 2026.

Uk should resist exercising colonial muscles on OTs 

Hon Walwyn stated that the United Kingdom should resist excerising their colonial muscles on its overseas, dependent territories. 

"I hope in this part of the world, where they are still overseas, dependent territories of the UK, that the United Kingdom would resist the compulsion to exercise and flex their colonial muscles in this way. It is just not acceptable in the 21st century."

The opposition leader stated that he is pleased that the order was removed from the mind, democracy.

'Should be a modern partnership between VI and UK'

"It was an overreach in many respects, and it was somewhat of a colonial rollback, something that is just not acceptable, proper, and decent in the 21st century, and in our constitution, it speaks about a modern partnership," he exclaimed.

He added that, based on the constitution, there should be a modern partnership between the United Kingdom and the Virgin Islands.