Doughty recommends lifting Order in Council
The United Kingdom has agreed to lift the Order in Council that had been held in reserve over the British Virgin Islands (BVI), after confirming that the territory has made progress in delivering reforms from the Commission of Inquiry (COI).
In a letter to Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley dated 22 September, Minister for the Overseas Territories Stephen Doughty stated, “It is clear to me that your government, working closely with the Governor and the public service, has made important and significant progress and that some of my earlier concerns have been addressed.”
The Order in Council, introduced after the 2022 COI report revealed widespread failings in governance, gave the UK authority to impose direct rule if reforms were not implemented. Doughty confirmed that “the Foreign Secretary, on my advice, has concluded that an Interim Administration will however not be required and has therefore issued instruction to ‘lift’ the draft Order in Council (through revocation) that would have provided for an Interim Administration.”
He acknowledged that progress had been slower than expected but noted that “many significant pieces of legislation have been passed, and the agreed Framework actioned.”
He added that while concerns remain about the implementation of certain measures, the level of reform achieved means the UK no longer considers direct intervention necessary.
The minister cautioned that “fundamental and sustained change in the spirit and practice of governance, public and political life and administration in the Virgin Islands, will be the only true safeguard against backsliding.”
He stressed that continued implementation was essential to rebuild trust and repair the territory’s international reputation.
Doughty said the Governor would publish six-monthly reviews of good governance to ensure transparency and that “we agree to conduct a joint annual survey on implementation, and wider good governance to be made public.”
The COI report, published in April 2022, had recommended sweeping reforms after uncovering concerns in areas including public contracts, land distribution, and governance practices. In response, the BVI government committed to an implementation framework monitored by the UK.
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The Minister of State recommends lifting the Order in Council but states that it will practically take months to take effect and his officials will discuss the details further with the Premier. What are these details about? It seems to me that we are not in the all clear. It is left to be seen. And why was the letter publish on the same date it was sent to the Premier?
The Premier deserves commendation for this achievement. To those who have long argued that the United Kingdom should have a firmer hand in running our affairs, this moment ought to provide reassurance. The very institution they trust has essentially validated our progress — and that should build confidence that the Territory is moving in the right direction.
At the start of this journey, I too questioned whether the Premier had the necessary C-suite experience. He had management skills, yes, but his leadership needed maturing, and there were concerns about loyalty and consistency. To his credit, he has proven to be a quick learner — and that is good for the Territory.
He still has some distance to travel, particularly in the art of delegation. True leadership at this level is about empowering others, releasing some of the portfolios, and realizing that oversight and follow-up often deliver better results than trying to do it all yourself. This is where seasoned executive experience makes the difference — but the trajectory is promising.
All in all, this is good news for the Territory. And for those who were uneasy and calling for direct UK intervention, this validation should bring a sense of security and peace of mind.
If the UK decided to extend the Order, this story would have been a headline in big, bold RED. But it’s good news so it’s hidden under the radar as a regular news story.
This is progress — undeniable progress — and it leaves the detractors not only proven wrong but without excuse. The United Kingdom, whose judgment they held up as the ultimate standard, has now given its seal of approval to the very government they claimed was unfit to govern. The last fig leaf for their calls for intervention has been stripped away.
So we must now ask: was their campaign ever truly about good governance, or was it about seizing the levers of power for themselves — about shaping the Territory to serve their own economic interests? If they continue their chorus of complaint after this clear validation, they will not be speaking for the people or for democracy. They will be speaking for their own ambitions — and we will all be able to see it plainly.
Actually it is not all that good of news. Remember the order is not quite lifted because it will take months before it happens; hence it can be placed again. Knees still on the neck but that is not UK fault. These greedy politicians.
Justifying they are the lesser paid in Caribben do not justofy what they did
All the islands have all kind of international flights going in ant out of the island
Water shortage is not frequent on the islands
Electricity do not cut off so often
Tourism is thriving on the islands
They plant and farm
They treat outsiders with empathy and respect
Should i go on
They mental institution not tact on the hospital
They take care of their elderly not hiding them
Away when they get old
That is not the nowm