Premier of the Virgin Islands, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), has called on Virgin Islanders to reject doubt, embrace unity and trust in their own ability to govern, as the Territory moves deeper into constitutional negotiations with the United Kingdom. Photo: Facebook

Speaking at the Virgin Islands Heritage Committee’s 2026 Sunday Morning Well Emancipation Service on Sunday, August 2, 2026, the Premier of the Virgin Islands, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), said the moment represented an important step in the Territory’s continuing struggle for full self-determination. Photo: Facebook

Some of the attendees of the Virgin Islands Heritage Committee’s 2026 Sunday Morning Well Emancipation Service on Sunday, August 2, 2026. Photo: Facebook

Speaking at the Virgin Islands Heritage Committee’s 2026 Sunday Morning Well Emancipation Service on Sunday, August 2, 2026, he said the moment represented an important step in the Territory’s continuing struggle for full self-determination.

'We are not fully free' 

“Just a few weeks ago, we commenced negotiations on a new constitution,” the Premier said, adding, “This is because we are not fully free. We do not have full democracy.” 

Honourable Wheatley argued that there are still areas of our governance which are controlled by those we did not elect, and said the United Nations has made clear that “the colonial system of government must come to an end.” 

He added that it was unfortunate that some people within the Territory still resist progress. 

“There are those among us who would not like to see that type of progress,” he said, adding, “Unfortunately, some of our very own.” 

'Expressing self-hatred'

He said those who believe “the 13, who were elected by the people of the Virgin Islands, cannot be trusted to govern outside the watchful eye of those who enslaved us are expressing nothing more than self-hatred, along with a lack of self-esteem and a lack of belief in our own abilities".

The Premier added that Virgin Islanders have already proven themselves capable of success. 

Self-governance is achievable 

“We have every reason to have confidence in our abilities,” he declared, pointing to the fact that the Territory has built “2 global world-class industries in tourism and financial services.” 

Turning to the future, Wheatley framed self-government as both achievable and necessary. “So, as a former president of the United States said, yes, we can,” he said. “Yes, we can manage our civil service. Yes, we can manage our own security. Yes, we can chair our own cabinet. Yes, you can manage our affairs successfully.” 

He said the Virgin Islands can reach that goal, “just like so many of our brothers and sisters, former crown colonies have done.”  

But he cautioned that progress will require collective effort. “It requires a few things. We must all take responsibility for unifying our divided community.”