Fraser blasts expats for opposing BVI independence
Veteran legislator Julian Fraser has accused residents from other nations of preventing Virgin Islanders from deciding their own political future, saying the right to self-determination is being denied in their own homeland.
Speaking in the House of Assembly during debate on the Constitutional Review Commission report, Fraser said he had lived long enough to see neighbouring territories achieve independence while Virgin Islanders remain constrained.
“I have earned the rights, being an individual who came this close to being a slave, to come here today and advocate for what I, in my humble opinion, believe is best for the people of the Virgin Islands,” he stated.
Fraser argued that the principle of self-determination, enshrined in United Nations resolutions, is being undermined locally. He warned that people who had already secured independence in their own countries were now resisting similar progress in the Virgin Islands. “They got their independence, but they’re denying ours,” he insisted.
The long-serving Third District representative described the constitutional review process as flawed, noting that public meetings could be influenced by individuals without deep ties to the territory. He pointed out that visitors could attend community sessions and shape the record of submissions, raising concerns about whose voices were truly represented.
Fraser also echoed calls for education so residents better understand what self-determination and independence mean. He noted that many misconceptions persist, such as the belief that a country must be self-sufficient in food production before pursuing independence. “The need for much more education was the most repeated comment under this term of reference,” he said.
The debate comes as the Virgin Islands prepares for negotiations with the United Kingdom ahead of the 2027 elections. The Constitutional Review Commission and a recent United Nations visiting mission both recommended that the territory establish a timetable for independence or other forms of self-government, alongside a robust education campaign.
Fraser maintained that Virgin Islanders must have the final say on their future. “If we really believe in self-determination, it must be accompanied by greater reduction in the power of the governor,” he urged
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Farser you need to resign from politics.you are to cortu**ed.
The man has a right to his opinion, just like everyone else. It’s called freedom of expression. Virgin Islanders should be the first to determine the future of the Virgin Islands and I stand by that as a Virgin Islander. I don’t mind belongers and those living amongst us saying how they feel but what pisses me off is when I hear people calling for the Virgin Islands Constitution to be suspended. It’s bad enough for Virgin Islanders to advocate for suspension of our Constitution but it down right disrespectful for anyone else advocate for the Virgin Islands Constitution to be suspended for them to have the loudest voice.
Try go put to guiney in your hair and have several seats.
BVIslanders DO NOT want Independence for a set of corrupt politicians to run this country in the ground even further.
For God sick fraser go easy your mind
With All Due Respect Hon. Fraser, You need to retire from Politics. You have Played your Part and you need to give way to a Younger Mind. That’s what This Territory is Lacking. You and others cannot continue to hold Our territory Hostage Just for the Sake of Greed. Do the most Honorable Thing Hon. Fraser By setting the Example for the Others. GO HOME!!! Spend your Retirement days Travelling around the World, Staying Healthy and Teaching Your Grand Children How to become successful Men and Women in our Society. Mentor other Young People in your Community on Things they should expect to encounter along their Journey into becoming Successful Members of Their Homeland. This should be enough Reward for You NOT How Much Money You and the Greedy others can fleece from our Treasury. Be The Leader You Want Others To BE!!! To Make The Change, YOU Must Be The Change!!!
Mr Wiskers.. sir as an outsider living the here for so long and following politics a lot. Your mindset to most of your time in office were very bad. I love how you all like to say our people our country. Yet still it’s mostly policies that support one self.. if politicians are doing lots of stuff without the input of its citizens and your action makes them don’t not trust you guys. Do you not understand most time the ex pats are saying what they are hearing on the street about you guys.. am sure most BV Islanders are not in favors of the directions you politicians are making for them.#deaf
It is time for these old timers with their 1960 mentality to just leave politics and let the country move on. This disdain for other Caribbean people that they carry will keep back this country. This man left here and went to the US where he spent most of his adult life. Our Caribbean neighbours came here to help us build this country while he was away living it up because the BVI was too small and not up to his standards. Now he came back after the place build up and telling people who helped to build it that don’t belong and their voices don’t matter? Time to get rid of these kind of people from representing the country.
Pack your bag sir, GO HOME. We had enough of you Ronnie, and L.Smith. It’s time for new leadership.
In the playbook. Sow insecurities. Always US against The Melting Pot/Expats. Generations that are just as much a part of the community, pay their taxes, and follow the laws.
I am trying to determine if Mr Frazer did a survey before coming to this conclusion. Guys like you cannot be trusted,hypocrite…..
sadly, alot of us Locals arent sure of this country’s direction to be convinced upon independence. these guys running rogue already
How accurate is this public statement. Did he do a veracity check on this before uttering ignorance? I think that statement is very inaccurate. He needs to revisit this opinion.
This sounds like the statement “the Haitians are eating the pets”. I don’t think this gentleman wants to acknowledge the fact that many born and bred BVIslanders don’t trust him or most of his compatriots in the House. We don’t trust them when we are looking in their face and hearing the words coming out of their mouths. We know they will say the same things 3 different ways and back peddle on every one. Independence? If they want to convince us that they are the ones to lead us into self determination then how about fix the health care system NOW, which is a disgrace. How about fix the freaking infrastructure. Another disgrace when people tell you that you can’t get water you can count on, even when you pay monthly for the meter, in the middle of the Capital. There is more water running in the streets than in the pipes. And that’s just the tip of the ice berg. Water is a human right. Oh and by the way, when we go independent what will our currency be pray tell. What banks will deal with us. They think it hard to deal with us now, much less when the inmates take over the crazy house.
Gwhat Fn Independence? How? What? There is NO STABILITY under present territorial status,so exactly how will going Indepent thrive?
“I have earned the rights, being an individual who came this close to being a slave”
What a joke, and an insult to the memories of people that actually were.
Fraser and Lorna is the two biggest sna*** crawling around. Stop them before they start breeding ana****as.
FRASER AND LORNA SAVED THIS COUNTRY WHEN THEY CROSSED THE FLOOR
With these guys Independence = Corruption.
They talk Self determination but they don’t mean that they mean getting their Independence.
Self determination means the people decide who and how they want to be Governed. Not Fraser.
We have seen what these 13 think Governing means. They think it means meeting in secret and voting favours for themselves while the country struggles.
We want something else and it is not Independence so they can go wild with their corrupt ways.
This is we say, not ayo own.
He tells it like it is as always without sugarcoating
Blaming expats oversimplifies the issue. Long-term residents contribute to the territory and don’t control the constitutional process; Virgin Islanders still hold the political power and must use it rather than scapegoating others.
Are you asking expats to join you in your independence campaign when they’ll be the first to be attacked if you ever got your Independence. look at the recent immigration fees increase. an inhumane price increase targeting expats who have already contributed thousand buying time and workpermits over the years.
His point is its not yall decision to make, but you’re bawling on these blogs every damn day for UK
We in the 3rd voting for him again because he could represent. 2 + 4 MORE YEARS
After the high noon stick up and robbery of the treasury and purse, there should not be an ounce of confidence left to share with those v++++++s.
Hon. Fraser is entitled to his opinion, and I respect his right to advocate. But when opinion is presented as fact, especially on a matter as consequential as self-determination we must demand more than conviction. We must demand evidence.
Where is the empirical proof that expatriates are actively opposed to independence? And just as crucially, where is the data showing that Virgin Islanders themselves are broadly supportive of it? Without these, the claim becomes conjecture dressed as certainty.
Bold declarations may stir emotion, but they must not substitute for democratic clarity. If we are to chart a credible path forward, let it be grounded in verified sentiment, not assumed allegiance.
Them man so delulu
I from here and don’t want independence
Them like they believe all bvilanders want independence even tho y’all treat us like poop and run schemes with our tax money every chance you get
Only people benefit is the elite family and friends.
What “ freedoms “ would we have if independent that we dont have now?
I agree with Brad Boynes but this will be another ten day talk.
Honorable Fraser like how you feel that way about expats. What about stop drawing tax from them.its over 20 years now you always showing your dislike for expat. We have feelings too.
Real Expat go sit your silly ass down. Everyone pay tax at some dam point.
The Fraser’s came from Antigua. He should check his ancestral lineage.
I have earned the rights, being an individual who came this close to being a slave, to come here today and advocate for what I, in my humble opinion, believe is best for the people of the Virgin Islands,” he stated.
perhaps born around 1935 he would be some where between the 80’s and 90 years old. Even then slavery was over long, long , long time ago. So, I believe its best to advocate for, consistent clean and healthy water in Seacow bay, clean up of the harbour, fix the roads properly, establish a community empowernment center for they youth Ensuring there is a business program to teach them to manage and invest their finance, How to stand for Political pressure from outside and within this country.
Fraser argued that the principle of self-determination, enshrined in United Nations resolutions, is being undermined locally. He warned that people who had already secured independence in their own countries were now resisting similar progress in the Virgin Islands. “They got their independence, but they’re denying ours,” he insisted.
I don’t know what the big who ha about. Those expat simple is trying to say, if they do vote in general election, they should be able to vote for an determined way of independence. Then if they don’t need the expat in this vote for independence tell them so, and they will determined if they should vote at the general election, so they can get back at you. This is how people throughout the world operated and yet still, we cannot see how it affect those expat & locals alike. It is best to be wise and keep silent about your personal feeling,
I reflect on the fifty some teachers that went back to their home country when ask why the reply was simple “just can’t take it anymore” the constant usage for what they need from us, We will continue to contribute with no asset to show for it, and when we get old the Social money won’t help us”.
I have to work with a few who I simple cannot face them when these comments about giving away countries, and go back to where you come from” emerge from comments of feelings and emotions. I cannot imagine if one day we all wake up to find the expat has found another way to migrate. The bank and AIG will close all asset in BVI , because we won’t be able to pay for those apartments and Villas. So let us keep our feelings to ourselves.