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D6 people never said they wanted independence — Walwyn

Sixth District Representative Myron Walwyn has criticised Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley’s push for independence, stressing that his constituents do not desire such a move.

Walwyn suggested the government should focus on the people’s needs rather than pushing for independence without thorough public consultation.

Speaking at a recent Opposition-held forum, Walwyn addressed the Premier’s engagement with the United Nations (UN) on decolonisation without first consulting with the public. He expressed concerns about the lack of a national conversation to understand what the people of the BVI genuinely want.

“This country does not belong to Natalio Wheatley. It belongs to all of us,” Walwyn stated. “You cannot have us dragging down the road, say you’re going to independence without having a conversation with the people of this country.”

He also criticised the government for its handling of public funds, stating that the Premier lacks the respect to consult even his own ministers on important decisions. He accused the Premier of exhibiting similar behaviour in the “arbitrary, giving away of our money”, arguing that, in the process, the Premier was spending the political capital of those elected alongside him.

Walwyn stressed that discussions around independence should not be rushed. He outlined that any move towards severing ties with the United Kingdom should be grounded in political and economic maturity. According to him, the country must demonstrate the capacity to manage its affairs successfully before even considering such a significant shift.

“The reason cannot simply be, ‘We want to get rid of the UK’. That cannot be the reason. The reason has got to be that we are at the point of political and economic maturity,” he argued. He further questioned the Premier’s rationale, asking, “What’s the reason for speeding to independence?”

Walwyn made it clear that his stance is not necessarily against independence but rather the way it is being approached. He indicated that fundamental issues, such as infrastructure and water supply, should be priorities before venturing into independence talks. “You can’t lead me to independence when you can’t put some asphalt in a pothole,” Walwyn remarked.

Walwyn asserted that the people’s confidence is vital in making such decisions, yet he believes that confidence is currently lacking. “If you have a referendum right now, you would not get 5% of this population saying they want to become independent,” he stated. For him, the underlying issue is that the people’s confidence in the leadership must be restored.

Walwyn shared that his constituents in the Sixth District had not asked for independence, and until they did, he would not support the push. “The people of District 6 did not tell me they want no independence. Until they tell me that, I ain’t going to no meeting. Don’t invite me to no more. I’m not coming,” he added.

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17 Comments

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  1. LOL says:

    JUST ABOUT ALL WHO LIVES IN D6 FROM INDEPENDENT COUNTRIES INCLUDING HE

    Like 4
    Dislike 19
  2. @LOL says:

    Myron born right here. Natalio on the other hand navel string cut some place else.

    Like 19
    Dislike 4
  3. Patriotic bvi says:

    Amen.

    Like 10
    Dislike 1
  4. Eldread says:

    A real intellectual political reasoning by Myron walwyn, and I took back other bloggers that natalio Wheatley is a born USA citizen. Myron born BVI and concern for his country.

    Like 15
    Dislike 6
  5. Patriotic bvi says:

    Amen sir.

  6. Tax paying citizen says:

    Well said!

  7. Well!well! says:

    Myron keep fighting for the country . Do not let them wicked , jealous people say otherwise.
    Look at the instability of this government
    Look how leaders is a dictator
    Lying on Lorna although i did not like how she jump
    Millions of outmr tax money either spending foollishly or going back to thr treasury

    This is the leadership to get us independent
    Noooooo Sah! Forward thinkinh people

    Like 4
    Dislike 1
  8. Spirt Lead says:

    I’m surprise this article didn’t have more comments.
    Hon. Walwyn, I commend you for your confidence and outlook on the matter.
    Matters should indeed be carefully assessed else time can be wasted dealing with negative consequences. Seems like our dearest Premier suffers from impatience. I will continue praying for his improvement.

    Like 3
    Dislike 1
  9. Quiet Storm says:

    Walwyn stop the damn silly rasishness nonsense. You are behaving like an educated fool. You know or should know that Dr. Hon Premier Natalio Wheatley, D-3, MoF, cannot unilaterally declare the Virgin Islands (VI) (British) an independent country. For starters, a referendum would have to put before the voters for a majority vote. Assuming, just assuming so don’t get your drawers tie into knots, that the bite is in favor of independence, what will District 6 secede from the VI? Stop the f’king nonsense, simpleton policies. You don’t think of your constituents? Are you just using them for your own selfish purposes, are you not? It is Alvera less a$$ why you even have platform to chat $hit.

    Like 5
    Dislike 5
    • @Quiet Storm says:

      You seem to have really missed the point big time. The point is that there should have been a national discussion on this already. Natalio has brought in the UN to hold these discussions without getting the views of the public. The manner in which he is going about this is completely wrong.

      • Quiet Storm says:

        @@Quiet Storm, ok, this your opinion that I missed the point. Nonetheless, it is still my view that Walwyn is a 3-term legislator so he knows or should know there is a process for self-determination. But he is deliberate with his white-noise rashness , for he is an attorney and a bright fellow. But he is media wh**e who seems to like the sound of his voice. He like the microphone and likes the camera on him. Walwyn stop it. I’’m dropping the Mike on this, so I’m out. .

        • That's says:

          one reasons why we can’t are falling.Whether he is a 3rd timer or not is relevant The question is whether is doing hid job in the interest for uc, the Black people.

          Let us begin lifting up and fighting for each other.Then and only then will we see progress being laid before our eyes.

  10. Nonsense says:

    Independence, the BVI can not stand on its own and that’s the Fact. After Irma, we said the UK didn’t come fast enough hmmm you want independence, why do you need the UK’s help. A bunch of conceited individuals who think they can sustain the territories.

    Like 3
    Dislike 1
  11. MW says:

    We don’t want him in D6 either.

    Like 1
    Dislike 2
  12. Anonymous says:

    The more we hate each other the more they are made powerful.

    Was born in VG.,and has seen a lot of Black v Black hate.

    Growing up, i was never taught to hate, but soon realized and then learned that i was hated from day one of the powerful man on earth..

    This brother is a fighter for us.

    Hence, we must keep on fighting, and when we fight,we win. we will win.

    Do not care what. Put him back in education and watch the system and us work and win again!!

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