'We have choices' for self-determination- Premier Wheatley reminds
Premier Wheatley outlined the three choices for self-determination, which are Independence, Integration, or Free Association, during his contribution to the debate of the 2022-2023 Constitution Reform Commission (CRC) Report at the Ninth Sitting of the Second Session of the Fifth House of Assembly on Thursday, September 18, 2025.
"Now, we have choices. We have choices. The three choices are either independence, which is the one people speak about a lot, but it's not the only option. And we know all the independent countries in the world. We have integration. An example of integration would be those French territories. They are not listed on the Special Committee's list. That's because they are part of France. So Martinique, Guadalupe, French Saint Martin, they are a part of France. They have representation in the French parliament. So that's integration. Then you have a free association, where both parties can agree to cooperate on terms beneficial for both. One does not have the ability to dictate to the other. It is a partnership," Dr Wheatley stated.
'UN hasn't given up on this idea of colonialism being eradicated'
The Premier also said that the Government of the Virgin Islands engaged with the Special Committee on Decolonisation, noting that, through the engagement, the government was successful in having a visiting mission to the Virgin Islands.
He also commended the Chair of the Special Committee and all the other members of the C24 committee for their assistance with the visiting mission.
"I’m grateful to the chair of the Special Committee, Menissa Rambally, Permanent Representative to the UN, of StLucia, for the assistance and all the other members of the C 24 committee, including those who belong to the OECS."
The Premier added that the visiting mission came to some conclusions after having a series of missions with various entities here in the Virgin Islands.
He further encouraged Virgin Islanders to read the mission’s report.
Dr Wheatley also referred to the conclusion of the report, which highlighted the Fourth International Decade for the eradication of colonialism, stating that "Every decade the UN declares a decade for the eradication of colonialism. So at the beginning of this decade, in 2020, the UN declared it the 4th International Decade for the eradication of colonialism.
"So, the UN hasn't given up on this idea of colonialism being eradicated, and neither should we."
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4 Responses to “'We have choices' for self-determination- Premier Wheatley reminds”
if them doing this now them man going go wild with independence lol
we might end up beating haiti and trinidad in levels or corruption
It is not the people who talk Independence. It is you, Claude all the other 12 and lots of family and friends. When we think or hear you talk independence all we see and think is Corruption. That is what you need it for.
When we think of Self Determination we think of what it could mean if we do not chose CORRUTPTION = INDEPENDENCE and we will not.
There are more than 3 choices but you don't want us to know that. You still want to push the lie that it is the people who are bringing up and wanting INDEPENDENCE (CORRPUTION). But that is not the truth.
We can stay as we are if we chose. We can agree to a different model like the French. Have Direct rule from the UK as we could have had for the last 2 years to our benefit, we could ask to partner with the US. We could become part of the US. We could seek other partnerships to combine with. Fraser recently wanted to be a Dependency of the UK. The problem is you P487 are not telling it truthfully as the UN has laid out. You and your brother and T Christopher and the others you bring on board want to stop us having a choice at all. You want to avoid a referendum or the people deciding because you say and think we are too dumb to think your way. Because of that we won't vote your way and you are desperately trying to find a way to deny the people their right to chose.
Their right to choose.
It seems P487 is very good at making sure the only people that don't get to talk to the UN are the people of the VI.
The only people that the UN should actually be listening to. The VI people.
Not the INDEPENDENCE = CORRUPTION Gang the UN keep being invited to talk with.
I am not seeing the voice of the people of the VI being mentioned in any of this.
"The Premier also said that the Government of the Virgin Islands engaged with the Special Committee on Decolonisation, noting that, through the engagement, the government was successful in having a visiting mission to the Virgin Islands.
He also commended the Chair of the Special Committee and all the other members of the C24 committee for their assistance with the visiting mission.
"I’m grateful to the chair of the Special Committee, Menissa Rambally, Permanent Representative to the UN, of StLucia, for the assistance and all the other members of the C 24 committee, including those who belong to the OECS."
The Premier added that the visiting mission came to some conclusions after having a series of missions with various entities here in the Virgin Islands"
Conclusions guided by out politicians not by the people.
Virgin Islanders need to be briefed through a public education and outreach programme on the pros and cons of the self-determination options..Briefings completed , referendum scheduled..