Unity Gov’t will consult with VI on implementing CoI recommendations– Premier Wheatley
“We believe very firmly that the people of the VI, and they have been speaking very loudly and we have been listening to them, they want good governance, they want the reforms,” he said.
Hon Wheatley was at the time speaking during an update on current matters on May 13, 2022, where he urged the public to go through the report and see what the Unity Government has committed to outside of the suspension of the constitution.
“And we will be coming to the people, we are going to be sharing with them in detail the changes that we have to make to show our commitment to good governance,” he said.
Suspension of Constitution not an option for VI- Dr Wheatley
Hon Wheatley reminded that the suspension of the local constitution is not an option, as it will take the VI back 100 to 200 years, which is before the territory had a cabinet or legislative council and the governor had full executive authority.
“We don’t want to go back to that and the people of the VI I believe do not want us to go back to that and, in order for us to not go back to that, we have to have a firm commitment to implementing those recommendations,” Dr Wheatley added.
He said some of the recommendations are reasonable and make sense, based on what was happening in the CoI hearings.
“Those recommendations are intended to avoid those challenges and those problems,” he added.
Meanwhile, Dr the Hon Wheatley said the suspension of the constitution would also mean that there would be no elections in 2023.
“This Government of National Unity would like the opportunity to implement the reform. We have made a firm commitment to do so [and] we are hopeful that the United Kingdom accepts our proposal to implement the reforms,” he added.
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43 Responses to “Unity Gov’t will consult with VI on implementing CoI recommendations– Premier Wheatley”
Nothing has changed. Nothing will change.
It sure as hell won’t be the ordinary people of the BVI.
BVI netflix
Mr. Wheatley can you please tell us.
unless the UK's theory is to let police investigate themselves.
Don't fool yourself in thinking that the UK's trusted us.
In addition to that, neither to many that have supported the VIP, Feb.2019.
We need good governance, not meaningless political speeches, and brain tickling, random political rambling at this time.
As far as I am concern, all that were taken from us unjustly, both money and property, need to be taken from those that took from us unjustly, and returned to our posession, rightfully, as soon as possible. Millions still unaccounted for. Enough is enough. To much is more than enough. I have no confidence in your Illformed unison government, too little too late, Premier.
I grew up hearing my father improvise on his musical instruments, and this song has never left my head: “Come Back To The Virgin Islands", he said he had played it with Bill La Motta back in the day on St. Croix; everybody recall musical artist like “The Gun” with his Scratch/Fungi Bank, fanatically going at it. Some people are hard to forget, some places are harder to leave, and the hardest thing to do is give up roots. Once you put roots down in the VI, “yah done”. I say that to say, even the dialect is unique. Offer your guest a glass of water and if they decline escort them out.
As I was saying, there is a level of “infatuation” that becomes devotion; one senses a loyalty that is a keen to a once admired relationship and you wondered how the hell the lovely couple could still dance with such sultry, soulful, organic, exotic, moves; that’s what the BVI does with its intoxicating ambiance. But don’t let the atmosphere like, BVILOVE, fool you. Is all I am saying. But that was earlier and this is now. Does the BVI need Intentional Attention, right now? Maybe, but I am leaning towards a cultural, NO. The BVI is having social and political growing pains.
As well as, this “news-obsession” is here - ain’t nothing we can do about it. But before y’all blabber and sell out or selloff the place lets first be proud that the BVI have long been a place that people choose.
It’s been the Rusty love of the lovers who chose to fall for it. It’s been the soft, slow, steady love song that first loves never forget; It’s the gift that keeps on giving in its undulating rise and fall of a “province” that keeps having to prove itself to the rest of the Caribbean, the World, and to its peers and parents- the UK that it can either stand on its own two feet or be forced to grow up; and hopefully one day soon accept that when earthquakes come even where there should be none that shakeups ensue. BVI people will find a way to survive; that’s inherently the thing BVI is made of.
Like Summer, the transnational migration trend is coming: Fresh and clear as the song, suggests, "they come not to America, but to the Virgin Isles. This BVILOVE - a vibe, a mindset, no doubt may or may not meet a visitor's expectation - but one day we will be that painted province that is as picturesque a place set beneath the rolling green hills nested into the landscape of “treasured “islands where the skirts are white and the frills are blue; as in my own retrospection. Yes, and You too see it , don’t you?
Lawd some Journalists, are “mettae”, but the heart of the people beat with every story after story - nothing new here. What’s new is BVI not washing their dirty clothes. Please, At least, drop your clothes off to the laundromat. Quizas, Quizas, Quizas! Air out your houses: In any order, put out your trash out, Sweep your floors, Shine your cutlery. Only After that can you consider inviting anyone to break bread with you.
So what will the table talk be like? Really! Segue, we not going to get pass airing out our dirty laundry? We just going act like the laundry not piling up, the washer not broken, and the power not off! BVILOVE should start with cleaning up home, and after home is good, then we invite guests for Fish and Johnny Cake, Coconut Water and Cane Rum; some Fungi Music, Peas and Rice, Whelks, and remembering to send them home packing fast with Tart and Guava Berry, okay!
The BVI I LOVE- let's say I'm having a difficult time with the integrity model that only suggests romanticism of an idyllic place but falling short of a paradise; particulary when I'm hearing the cries from the bellies of babes (loyalists of District One) I get the discomfort of this bellyache that's overbearing; this harrowing enigma of loathing associated, for me, with a "controversial" BVI's tourism slogan; albeit, aggregated by the newly ousted premier whose initials are synonymous with Affectionate Fiasco not limited to contradiction, conspiracy, corruption, crime, and culture. Wait a minute, Neither is AF the first politician to face investigation nor will he be the last. But love your politician or not, the people need their province, the Queen's men have to deliver: Good Exposure For The Territory Is Good; but it’s not a good time; So, What!
So, What? BVI reeks and spews of rancor, is rancid, and the territory has no other choice but to play this game of chess with the UK to get around or out of the mess. It's a game of chess where the autonomy is left in check by the Sovereign of State, love don't hate. because the only game in town is to be checked by the United Kingdom. Adding insult to injury, an alleged stalemate remains restricted, removed, whilst renamed into US custody, withal, one illustrious, district and neighborhood leaders, are allegedly, unbecoming, lack-lustrous, and loosing face. Elected official with images settled in stained-mirrored frames as if poorly photoshopped. Still flooding the airwaves are countless reports of legacies and retirements rescinded; reputations reduced amidst rescissions; and redundancies reaching displeasing regret.
Will journalists conflate those apologies into a Shakespearean tragedy. Just Be careful who you let in your house, unless you are apologies and remorse, offering up compassion for the common people and the constituents . Please be intentional and give the people some real attention, not the journalists, although I would give anything to be the fly on the wall. Keep Your Head Up because Ain’t No Mountain High Enough To Keep the media Away From You.
Journalists, et al., Welcome to the BVI! Enjoy Your Stay!
Copyright. Tafari Zharr. May 16,2022 All rights reserved.
Moreover, many in the VI community seems to be of the opinion that only the UK can fix the VI governing issues. To me, that sounds defeatist and may reek of self-reinforcing discrimination and a parasitic slavery/colonialism mentality. The I Alone Can Fix strategy is a failed strategy.
In peeking at the UK’s Inquiry Act, one of the main focus of the Act is ‘preventing reoccurrence.’ Consequently, ‘preventing reoccurrence’ can be accomplished without suspending the constitution and substituting UK direct rule. The UK as the Administering Power for the VI with responsibility under UN charter on decolonization for preparing and guiding the VI towards a full measure of self-government can work close up with the locally elected government, providing administrative, financial, technical, etc, support and help. Some management science purists, locals, etc may debate that the person, agency, etc, that created the problem cannot fix the problem. I don’t totally buy into that school of thought. There may be some truth to that if the person, agency, etc don’t want to change. But it seems as if the new Unity Government is on board with implementing the recommendations of the CoI.
Further, from the 30,000’ level and peeking at the UK Inquiry Act, I have a few thoughts on the Commission of Inquiry (CoI). The Act permits a chair/lone commissioner to conduct a CoI. In this instance, Sir Gary Hickinbottom was the lone member, so the CoI lacked diversity in membership, thoughts, opinions, etc. Further, it seems like a hard pill to swallow if the weighty and grave action of suspending the constitution and substituting UK direct rule and suspending the democratic rights, freedoms, etc, of approx 30,000 people were based on the opinion of a sole commissioner. Is the severe action consistent with human rights? Was the CoI independently adjudicated/conducted? Will the constitution suspension be an order in council or will the decision be laid before parliament? And consistent with the rule of law, fairness, equity, etc will the local government representatives be given the opportunity to present their case before the Privy Council or Parliament? Admittedly, I know nought about UK governing procedures.
E. Leonard, my brother, good read. The Unity Government is promising to consult with the people and that is a good thing. But the people cannot wait on the government; it must demand; it must demand accountability and regular updates from the government. We trusted the government and now we are in deep sh**. We cannot afford that mistake again. "To me, that sounds defeatist and may reek of self-reinforcing discrimination and a parasitic slavery/colonialism mentality." That is deep, profound, and much to meditate on. And I will leave that there. Harry say you will hear
Already this man cannot be trusted