VI seeking maximum authority in constitutional talks with UK- Premier Wheatley
This is according to Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), who, in response to a member of the public during the Virgin Islands Voice broadcast on April 30, 2025, was adamant, “We are going to be seeking the maximum amount of authority possible.”
According to Dr Wheatley, this is since “We (already) do basically everything for ourselves now.”
Qualifying this position further, he said: “I've heard persons say, no, we're not ready for more autonomy. But I'm not quite sure what they're speaking about because the United Kingdom, of course, I think they have the potential to be a very good partner for us. But we do everything ourselves, and the United Kingdom does not do much for us.”
He was, as such, confident, “We (already) have the ability; We should have the confidence.”
To this end, he reiterated, “Of course, we're going to negotiate very hard to advance our self-determination in the next constitutional negotiations.”
UK has other plans?
The UK has already been accused of trying to take the Virgin Islands back into colonialism, since it was serious about going along with the controversial recommendation in the Commission of Inquiry Report to suspend the VI’s constitution and impose direct rule.
The imperialist nation held off on its moves when the territory, its elected leaders, regional and international bodies- including the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, CARICOM, the University of the West Indies, and the United Nations- spoke out against the UK implementing the recommendation made by the hand-picked one-man commissioner and UK national Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom.
The UN has legal obligations under the UN Charter and other UN conventions and resolutions to the VI, and these obligations are in relation to supporting local development and achieving a full measure of self-government in the process of decolonisation.
The UK’s obligation under Article 73 of the UN Charter is to help the people of the Territory develop their free political institutions.
The UK, however, has been accused of neglecting that responsibility while seeking to take away powers already devolved to the elected government.
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6 Responses to “VI seeking maximum authority in constitutional talks with UK- Premier Wheatley”
Everything P487 do right now is hidden, is for self, is &drew thinking, is progress nothing, finish nothing. We going backwards now.
Why we want to go backwards faster.
We want autonomy.
We not ready for you running our autonomy.
You do not speak with the voice of the VI people.
This dude is so lost, it is not funny.
This BVI that I was born in and used to love, used to fight for, used to defend, has called me all sorts of names from time i was born because of its xenophobia to the point where I rather take my non patriotic behind to the UK to pay my fair share of taxes without anybody asking me stupid questions like wey my mudda barhhn. Long live the king! I will be happy to pay my taxes because I will have access to good roads, affordable and quality food, super fast and super affordable internet, civilized neighbours (don't mind the bad apples that you find everywhere), access to excellent Healthcare and on a rainy day, I can still get help. And these are the everyday basics standards that this backward and corrupt xenophobic BVI cannot attain in 2025. Shameful. At the end of the tax year, UK HMRC will refund me if I have paid too much taxes. The police force is so competent, trained, and emotionally intelligent. I have not met one "dumb" police officer in the UK. Most of all, I look forward to reading my UK news browser without seeing the face of CSC and company. Oh, what joy awaits me there.
Talking about powers in constitution. Dude do not even have a clue what a constitution is. Outta here.