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What we are experiencing 'is called colonialism'- Premier Wheatley

- urges public to translate their discontent into 'support for Constitutional change’
Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) during a press conference on Friday, November 7, 2025. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands
Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has called on Virgin Islanders to use there current disapproval of Governor Daniel Pruce’s decision to remove Ms Jacqueline E. Vanterpool as Acting Commissioner of Police (CoP) into support for constitutional change. Photo: Internet Source
Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has called on Virgin Islanders to use there current disapproval of Governor Daniel Pruce’s decision to remove Ms Jacqueline E. Vanterpool as Acting Commissioner of Police (CoP) into support for constitutional change. Photo: Internet Source
Local Jacqueline E. Vanterpool, left, is to be replaced as Acting Commissioner of Police by UK national Richard Ullger. Photo: RVIPF/YouTube
Local Jacqueline E. Vanterpool, left, is to be replaced as Acting Commissioner of Police by UK national Richard Ullger. Photo: RVIPF/YouTube
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has called on Virgin Islanders to use their current disapproval of Governor Daniel Pruce’s decision to remove Ms Jacqueline E. Vanterpool as Acting Commissioner of Police (CoP) to support constitutional change.

A ‘Hand off our Commissioner’ protest is planned for later today, Monday, November 10, 2025, at the parking lot of the Governor’s Office from 3:30 PM. 

During a press conference on Friday, November 7, 2025, Premier Wheatley said while he would not refer to the planned gathering as a protest, he believes the people have a responsibility to assemble “peacefully and freely” as per the Constitution of the Virgin Islands (VI).

'Colonialism'

“What I would like for the public to be able to do is to take their discontent and translate it into meaningful support for constitutional change because what the Governor is doing is based on his constitutional powers, and over and over I have expressed to the people of the Virgin Islands that we have a right and it is a human right to determine our own destiny.”

Governor Pruce announced in a statement his decision to request Ms Vanterpool to revert to her position as Deputy CoP effective November 18, 2025. He also revealed that the nominee for CoP is Richard Ullger, a United Kingdom (UK) national. 

“What we experience now is called colonialism, and colonialism is something that the world, via the United Nations, says must come to an end. There is no democratic accountability by the Governor for the areas of the constitution that he controls,” Dr Wheatley said. 

He added that in other democracies, the public has the opportunity to vote for persons who have decision-making responsibility. 

“There’s no opportunity there for the Governor, so he can disregard the public’s views on any particular matter if he so wishes once he has the support of the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office, which typically they tend to have.”

Premier Wheatley continued that while protest is an important right Virgin Islanders have under the constitution, it is also necessary for organisation and expression of support to end colonialism. 

The Virgin Islands is set to negotiate its constitution with the United Kingdom soon, although a date has not been disclosed. 

See links to related stories 

https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/hands-off-our-commissioner-protest-planned-for-monday

https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/premier-wheatley-hon-rymer-support-protest-following-ag-cop-vanterpools-removal

22 Responses to “What we are experiencing 'is called colonialism'- Premier Wheatley”

  • Hum (10/11/2025, 12:13) Like (40) Dislike (4) Reply
    We should walk for fixing water,roads,and that stupid idea of getting a bigger airport
    • Hum reply (10/11/2025, 13:23) Like (16) Dislike (16) Reply
      Do the problem need to be fix the road water ect come on what the man seaying is true ....we been having the road and water problem from I know my self and that's over 50 years now so let's try and support and work with him and try understand what he saying
    • Indifference (10/11/2025, 15:21) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Yes, we should have, We messed up! We had the opportunity this very year
  • Tone deaf (10/11/2025, 12:27) Like (23) Dislike (1) Reply
    What you think is more important to households, being able to feed and keep a roof over their kids head or bolstering your personal agenda of self determination. Enrich the rest of us like the house so as to help us stop worrying about life and death situations and start worrying about what we now perceive as trivial.
  • What? (10/11/2025, 12:28) Like (24) Dislike (7) Reply
    With all due respect, sir, you should stop playing on people's ignorance. What is the BVI, if not a "colony"? A "territory" (if so, what's the difference)? Do you have a seat at the General Assembly of the UN, or does the "mother country" make representation on your behalf? DO you have diplomatic relations, established of your own volition on your own terms with any other sovereign countries in the world? Do you have your own Central Bank and currency? You are being very disingenuous with your pompous pronouncements.
    • ronnie (10/11/2025, 14:22) Like (0) Dislike (6) Reply
      We all know that the Brits love Brits only and do not believe anyone else is capable.
  • tell me (10/11/2025, 12:49) Like (27) Dislike (4) Reply
    what do we call $100,000 pay raise at once?
  • ? (10/11/2025, 12:50) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    Has anybody stopped to ask the question WHY the Governor did not approve Ms. Vanterpool to the position. Obviously, this is a very unpopular choice, but I doubt if it was made just to aggravate the people of the Virgin Islands. There is a reason for this. Why? (And no, it's not colonialism, racism, or any of the other ridiculous suggestions that have been made)
  • I am wondering (10/11/2025, 12:51) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    WILL HE COME OUT LATER ACTING LIKE NOEL LLOYD?
  • Rock and Hard Place (10/11/2025, 13:41) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    I don't know who is worse, the UK or our so called Leaders...
  • tola (10/11/2025, 13:43) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Them need look in that heavy pay , Road, water and tell his friend kye mother in law to move them big stupid Container up huntums ghut what causing problem for people driving not even mirror deh in ah corner
  • PT 109 (10/11/2025, 13:48) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    No one knows anything about what went on behind closed doors but Natalio D. Wheatley jumped at this to come again with his Colonialism BS most likely he knows what went down but it’s his chance to come again with his independence BS while everyone is up in arms about Acting Commissioner of Police.
    There is a reason for the sudden change even if you ask a question you won’t get an answer.
    What I would like for the public to be able to do is to take their discontent and translate it into meaningful support for constitutional change because what the Governor is doing is based on his constitutional powers, and over and over I have expressed to the people of the Virgin Islands that we have a right and it is a human right to determine our own destiny. This is what Natalio D. Wheatley had to say.
    This is all this clown is interested in if we were to go in depend we will be worse off than we are now especially under this government they are the worst thing that has happened to the BVI in many years.
    If you think we have crime now it will be ten times worse if we were to go in depend the BVI would be worse off in many ways, why don’t Natalio D. Wheatley call for a referendum



  • allah akbar (10/11/2025, 14:14) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    Allah Akbar If i get my hands on dat govdana Allah Akbar
  • Experiencing (10/11/2025, 14:20) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    What we are experiencing is not colonialism, it is an inept and corrupt government who need to deflect from their misdoings.
    • Josiahsbay (10/11/2025, 18:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Your assessment may have some merit. Here is a key aspect of colonialism: Political control: A foreign power establishes its government over a territory and its people, often imposing its own legal and political systems. It's staring you right in your face. You don't have to accept it, but please don't deny its existence.
  • bvi (10/11/2025, 14:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Any how you put it bvi can’t stand alone.

    ONE BOLD FACT: People all over the globe have been watching how bvislanders are treated. How the have been sidelined for jobs, contracts, opportunities. The JV saga is just a greater manifestation of what the government has allowed to happen in bvi.

    This is why it is so important for politicians to be version in law, political science. Economics and the like subject. Things do not happen in a vacuum.

    So the Governor isn’t listening- now, but what about all the cry’s of our people ignored over the years.

    Structure and integrity and policies and rules that everyone is subject to work. It is a thing that has been proven.
    BVI has become lawless and now see who is calling foul.

    THIS IS NOT COLONIALISM it is treating a people the way they have tolerated and supported being treated over the years. Why the governorsTurks Cayman and Bermuda don’t try that. Oh it’s because they have laid out what will be tolerated on the immigration front and they Stand by it for the most part.

    If the blind mice were wise at this point they would know to invoke international lobbyist. It is the only way to be heard and to put necessary pressure. And of course clean up your immigration crap.

    Politics is not book sense. It is strategy diplomacy looking ahead with eyes wide open and playing the game better.
  • Senior (indigenous) Native citizen of the British Virgin Islands (10/11/2025, 15:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I thought before now this disagreement would have already on its way of settling down. International laws shows the the British Virgin Islanders is one of a number of The UK'S owned Overseas Territory. The UK'S appointed governor, Daniel Pruce is the head of the defense force, charge with with making decisions. Itcis true that others under his headship can recommend to him their opinion, but he has the final say on defense matters, not the VI people, and certainly not our stubborn-head money-grabber Premier, Hon. Natalie Sajuande Wheatley. However, he and others have the contritutional right to protest peacefully, shy of physical disturbing whatsoever peace we have left among us.
    Our Premier is trying to keep this issue hot, when infact there are many more important issues like, for example, many millions of unaccounted $$$$$$$$$$$$$s still not accounted for yet, I heard, a number of contracts awarded to particular supporter of his liken, I was told, and too many others to me mentioned here in this comment at this time. But fir all his rambling about the governor, and his constritutional riights to, and done appointed a CoP having superior qualifications than our past acting-no-more, Jacklyn (Jakie) Vanterpool, a cop-pleaser, but not able to deal with the high rised in violent gun crimes, his mind is set on continuing to try to foster further divisions among the people of the B.V.I for political gains, more International recognition, and of course more dip of hands in our more than money jar, empty of mere cookies. All the while many urgent everyday needs of the B.V.I people are been overlooked, as seen by many, and I.

    Do your job, Premier. Governor Daniel Pruce is doing his better than you, in my honest opinion. Focus your attention squarely on yours, not his, yours.
    Humble yourself under God, and man (governor Daniel Pruce) whose authority is greater than yours.

  • BuzzBvi (10/11/2025, 15:51) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes VI NEW Colonial DICTATORSHIP.
  • Maria Louisa Varlack (10/11/2025, 16:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Don't you BVI Islanders feel protected by The Royal Navy and The Royal Air Force and The Royal Marine?
  • no no (10/11/2025, 16:07) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    What we are experiencing is a true Banana Republic. UK NOW


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