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UK wants CoI reforms to ‘go further’ before lifting of Order in Council- Premier

February 12th, 2023 | Tags: UK CoI Reforms Lord Goldsmith Natalio D. Wheatley visit
Virgin Islanders had waited with bated breath to hear what the recent visit by UK Overseas Territories Minister Frank Zacharias Robin Goldsmith, left, would reveal regarding the Order in Council, since Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), right, had said the issue would be up for discussion. Photo: GIS/File
Lord Goldsmith, centre, embarking on one of his trips around the Virgin Islands during his recent visit. Photo: GIS
Lord Goldsmith, centre, embarking on one of his trips around the Virgin Islands during his recent visit. Photo: GIS
DUFF'S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI- Despite international and regional bodies condemning the imperialistic Order in Council to suspend the Virgin Islands constitution and impose direct rule, the Unity Government has so far been unsuccessful in getting the United Kingdom (UK) Government to remove the Order.

Virgin Islanders had waited with bated breath to hear what the recent visit by UK Overseas Territories Minister Frank Zacharias Robin Goldsmith would reveal regarding the Order in Council, since Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) had said the issue would be up for discussion.

Lord Goldsmith visited the Territory from January 31 to February 2, 2023, according to Government, to familiarise himself with the Virgin Islands and to have bilateral meetings with Government. 

The arrival of Lord Goldsmith was kept top secret from the local media and public until there was public backlash.

The Minister said; however, he was aware of the Premier’s feelings surrounding the Order in Council and that of the people.

"We too want to see these reforms seen through, such that the Order can be lifted."

‘Implementation of reforms should go further’

Premier Wheatley; however, said Lord Goldsmith wanted to see further progress before the Order can be lifted.

“In the area of reform, Madam Speaker, the Minister acknowledged the progress that has been made over the past nine months and the firm commitment of the Cabinet and wider Government to continue building the Virgin Islands into a model democracy. However, advised that implementation of reforms should go further before the lifting of the Order in Council can proceed.

“Toward this end, he committed to additional UK technical assistance to support reform efforts,” Dr Wheatley said in a statement at the Third Sitting of the Fifth Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) at the Save the Seed Centre, in Duffs Bottom, Tortola on February 10, 2023.

According to Dr Wheatley, the Minister's visit marked the culmination of the efforts of this administration to restore stability to the Virgin Islands relationship with the UK that has created more favourable conditions in which to discuss difficult issues such as the Order in Council, while engaging on how to build a new modern partnership that supports the Territory's aspirations for greater self-determination.

13 Responses to “UK wants CoI reforms to ‘go further’ before lifting of Order in Council- Premier”

  • The Game. (12/02/2023, 13:22) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    This Premier and unity Govt playing a game, they are wilfully and deliberately acting the fool , showing little interest in carrying out the reforms just to stay in Power hoping the election will not call and they will be given an extension to see the reforms completed. Keep them in Power....
  • herbs power (12/02/2023, 14:04) Like (4) Dislike (11) Reply

    These wh**e people ain't build nothing here so they should cart their thiefing r@$% and keep out of the bvi business.

    • @herbs power (13/02/2023, 17:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Well said! What is worse is the UK Officials are ignoring our democracy and democratic rights as a people of the BVI because they have deadline in their recommendations on legislation and policies to be passed which means they do not care if they are the best thing for the people or not. Just get it done when and how they say. This means that the House of Assembly and the public service is now a rubber stamp for the Governor and his UK bosses. This is a slap in the face of democracy and certainly does not reflect a true modern partnership.
  • Native Senior Citizen of the British Virgin Islands (12/02/2023, 14:38) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Reformation is a necessary tool that must be accepted prior to better governance in the BVI, in my honest opinion.

    Currently being an Overseas Territory of the UK, the UK has the political right to lead on this matter, not the UN, not the OECS or Countries opinion, not even natives nor others that reside, or are living on its International recognized territories, the BVI not included.

    Note: 1. Humble seek partnership in good in good faith for peace sake, not slick confrontation for selfish ambitions, that Will hinder our journey to better governance, hopefully self determination in the future.

    Note: 2. Remember, if forgotten, "If the blind lead the blind, all will fall in the ditch" hopefully not over Beef Island cliff.
  • 2023 (12/02/2023, 15:50) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    try grow a spine and stop allowing Great Britain to mess with your Mind: Political Strategy should not cause our people to lose any sleep: We need to be watchful and focus on the future: Get a broom sweep place and put proper political and social strategies in place for guidance

  • HMMM (12/02/2023, 18:17) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    This prearranged and questionable COI will be exposed with time for what it really was...a modern day lynching by the colonial masters.
  • Josiahsbay (12/02/2023, 18:52) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    UK's greatest asset is a colonized mind.
    • Read (13/02/2023, 08:46) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
      Yes, and Black people who do not understand that they are not Gods. We played right into their hands with our arrogance and lawlessness.
  • facts (13/02/2023, 16:16) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    You will never satisfy the UK even if you implement every recommendation, they pre-arranged to be in the report. They have a history of deception and dishonesty for centuries.
  • be for real (13/02/2023, 17:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The time frame given to comply with the COI recommendations are totally unrealistic and a set up to ensure failure.
  • Please wake up BVI (13/02/2023, 17:09) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The COI processes and recommendations needs to be legally challenged as they not only violate our rights but also a few of our laws. It is a modern form of slavery.
  • when? (13/02/2023, 17:17) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    When will the people of the BVI wake up and recognize that this whole process is a modernized version of ensuring that they enslave us. The time frame to get these recommendations done is absurd and unattainable and the UK knows this fact but could care less as failing to meet their unattainable deadlines is success for them.
  • The real aim (13/02/2023, 17:31) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Governor and his UK Heads have a multiprong approach in trying to take us over.. First force the BVI to implement all the pre-authored COI recommendations which they know a good bit of them is not in the best interest of the people of the BVI and its economy but if they stay from behind and force the had of the elected officials and public officers to implement them then they can say to the BVI people the UK did not do it but your own people implemented them. By then we will be drowning and begging the UK to save us when in fact they organized our death. Second is they know the country cannot afford all the recommendations once implemented all at the same time so to please the UK once again by keeping the recommendations then major budget cuts must be done with one being the majority of the public servants and other programmes that benefit the needy in the BVI. Third is they want to get at the financial services so the first two methods are the first step in that process because it is about the money and not the people nor good governance like they are trying to fool us on. Fourth is they full well know it is an election year and it will be almost impossible for the House of Assembly to pass all their recommended legislation in the unreasonable and unattainable time frame they have mandated. LAST is they want legislations passed that is not in the best interest of the people of the BVI so they expect that the democratic process of discussing and deliberating proposed legislation be done away with or speed up and passed whether the House of Assembly wants to pass them or not given that they are not in the best interest of the people of the BVI. NOW TELL ME IF THIS ISN'T MODERN DAY SLAVERY!


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