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VI Premier takes offense to 'proposal' for VI to be incorporated into UK

- Premier Wheatley said it is the people of the VI who should ‘determine their future'
The people of the Virgin Islands (VI) have the final say on their future, Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R9) has said. Photo: VINO
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) during a press conference on March 6, 2026. Photo: YouTube
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) during a press conference on March 6, 2026. Photo: YouTube
Ben Judah, a former Special Adviser to the British Foreign Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Photo: Provided/Royal Gazette
Ben Judah, a former Special Adviser to the British Foreign Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Photo: Provided/Royal Gazette
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The people of the Virgin Islands (VI) have the final say on their future, Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R9) has said.

His comments came during a press conference on Friday, March 6, 2026, when he was asked his thoughts on former Special Adviser to the British Foreign Secretary, Ben W. Judas’ proposal that British Overseas Territories (OTs) should be incorporated into the United Kingdom (UK) as Overseas Kingdoms.

According to Judas, under this new structure, OTs will have representation in the House of Lords, the formation of an Overseas Territories volunteer corps and an education campaign in the UK.

Judas made these comments recently on the Winston Marshall Show, a British podcast, where he shared his vision for the OTs, which he began developing while at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) for then Foreign Secretary David L. Lammy, who is now Deputy Prime Minister, Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor of the UK. 

People of the VI to determine their future- Premier 

“I found it quite offensive that he was actually moving forward with a proposal for what he believes is best for the OTs,” Premier Wheatley said, adding, “It’s the people of the Virgin Islands that have to determine what is best for them, not some Special Advisor in the United Kingdom government.”

The Premier said it is his personal preference that the VI become a sovereign nation, able to engage in relationships, whether through free association or other multilateral engagements with those who have shared interests. 

“That’s my view, and I will defend that view, but it is ultimately the people of the Virgin Islands who will have to determine their future,” he added. 

Judas has a vision for what he terms a “global Britain” and plans to publish a policy paper that would allow OTs to elect Members of Parliament (MPs) to sit in the House of Commons. 

See link to related articles 

https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/former-fcdo-special-adviser-envisions-a-global-britain-including-ots-

13 Responses to “VI Premier takes offense to 'proposal' for VI to be incorporated into UK”

  • hmm (10/03/2026, 10:08) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    Judas? No thank you.
  • NOOO (10/03/2026, 10:55) Like (16) Dislike (4) Reply
    We must not, it would destroy the VI , the UK is a weak, woke, corrupt failed state. They do not care about their OWN people let alone us islanders. Tell this Ben guy to sit down and go get a hair cut.
  • Reply (10/03/2026, 12:28) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    This boy out of order we with you on this premier
  • hold up (10/03/2026, 13:53) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    If we didn't had the UK banner USA would of come and mess with us long time.

    Them can easily set up shop usvi and start bomb our "business men" runnings lol

    Especially how we get grey list so often. Only reason we not black listed cuz UK.

    We will come to harsh reality but by then it will be too late

    But politicians don't mind cuz them corrupt so them and them friends and family will greatly benefit with no UK oversight while the common man suffer
  • Blame us. (10/03/2026, 15:24) Like (16) Dislike (4) Reply
    We for 30 yrs refused to police ourselves and be responsible for good governance, So maybe it's time for us to be policed.
  • Rubber Duck (10/03/2026, 18:39) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    As of last count, we get zero from the UK while we subsidized the government house and the many parties
  • joe (10/03/2026, 18:57) Like (1) Dislike (7) Reply
    The BVI and USVI should combine and form a single nation.
  • Josiahsbay (10/03/2026, 19:07) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    The UK, under the UN mandate to allow us to govern ourselves, never took this responsibility seriously. Now, they are suggesting that they may have changed their position, and we still have not taken any steps toward self-determination. Currently, they are developing a strategy to incorporate us, and once they finalize it, it will be implemented. At that point, we will likely complain and murmur without acknowledging that we had the opportunity to take action.
  • Dove and Pigeon (10/03/2026, 19:09) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why didn't they incorporate it when they called it a bird sanctuary?
  • Senior native citizen of the British Virgin Islands (10/03/2026, 21:23) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    It's a trick proposals. I have disagreed with the Premier many times, but not on this one. As I see it when things were not prosperous as now, the UK was not interested. Why is the UK now?, simply because of financial interest, in my opinion.
    On this one all citizens of the B.V.I should oppose what I am seeing is a crawling subtle plot to swallow the B.V.I, and control it destiny in almost all important sphere. If this plot is allowed, the future of the British Virgin Islands people, especially natives B.V.I people, will forever be lost without retrieval. Democracy is a crooked man-made political system, Dictatorship is distinctive against all people worldwide, even to those that use it for selfish ambitious reasons.
  • james (10/03/2026, 22:08) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Dont understand….the people had no say about joining CARICOM or its intent to, but you want a say about being more involved in the United Kingdom of which we have been part of for almost 100 yrs. Please relax Sowande.
  • tola (11/03/2026, 06:36) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    With this proposal they will be able to get their gands on and control our financial services of which they are after for years.
  • Common Sense (12/03/2026, 08:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This writer would suggest that we should perhaps think through what the proposal really involves, we are only one of the OT’s so let’s not get too focused on it being just about us. However, it is a novel idea perhaps with some potential, if the OT’s sat in UK parliament we might have far more control over our destiny than we currently have. But, as the honorable Premier points out, it should be up to the people in the final analysis.


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