Fraser champions BVI’s self-determination
Third District Representative Julian Fraser has stressed the need for the BVI to urgently pursue self-determination if the territory is ever to break free from the grip of the United Kingdom (UK).
The United Nations Charter’s definition of self-determination describes the right of a jurisdiction (like the BVI) to choose their political, economic, social, and cultural systems and to determine their association with an existing state (like the UK).
“We suffered a whole lot during that period when they (the UK) were over us completely. Like going to school barefoot,” Fraser said while speaking in the House of Assembly yesterday. “Now, now that we can buy Jordans, they want to tighten the screws on us again.”
Fraser emphasised that the BVI must now take control of its own governance and reduce British oversight. “As long as you’re going to be a colony, as long as you’re going to be owned by those people, they will continue to treat us like this,” he said.
Fraser has long advocated for the BVI to remove itself from the clutches of the UK, arguing previously that the Commission of Inquiry (COI) was a demeaning and degrading exercise and a regrettable passage in the BVI’s history.
This was particularly true for lawmakers, who had to endure hours of intense questioning by UK officials over some of the decisions made on governance during their time in office. The COI ultimately recommended governance reforms to address corruption and inefficiency seen as rampant in the BVI.
However, Fraser suggested an alternative path by highlighting the importance of educating the public about the territory’s government system to encourage informed participation in its future. “You could start, Premier, by having the curriculum of your schools. Educate our people as to our system of government,” he urged.
Mondernised COI bill should never have made it out of Cabinet
Meanwhile, Fraser pointed out inefficiencies in current governance structures and criticised the introduction of legislative measures he felt should not have reached the House Assembly. This included the Virgin Islands Inquiries Bill, 2024, which lawmakers are now debating before the HOA.
“This thing should never have made it out of Cabinet… The decisions in Cabinet are made by the five of you [government ministers],” he stressed while slamming the government.
“The appearance of this bill before this honourable House is a testament to a simple fact,” he added. “This bill coming out of the Cabinet suggests to me that the ministers of Cabinet are not doing their job. They don’t know what their jobs are.”
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Good and corrupt!
Yes. Our Legislators don’t like to be asked difficult questions about how they Govern or where our money disappears to. We and the UK do. They also seem to like to have photos of convicted criminals on their walls presumably to bless and guide them. The disgracful show by our elites in the COI, who found even the simplest questions difficult to answer. Most don’t seem to know our own constitution and that the VI are a Territory of the UK!! Thank goodness Fraser never got his hands on the money, except for the roundalight or lightabout that is. Oh yes and his very own million dollar wall.
STOP HATING ON THE MESSENGER
Don’t forget the inner harbor marina and money to his brother who allegedly produced nothing.
Nah I dont want my country end up like venezuela, trinidad, santo domingo, haiti etc
I good with UK keeping yall in check cuz clearly the people can’t.
If them man get away with so much that was shown in the COI imagine if they had no one looking over there shoulder?
we alrdy look like a 3rd world country we’ll look even worst if we independent.
and if you support independence despite seeing our government wrong doings for years then you are either ignorant or in them pocket!
do you guys realized that our politicians gave naturalization to a pedo/rapist?? craziness man
If you really want self-determination you can start today by no longer referring to the “British” Virgin Islands. It is not the territory’s official name and needs no permission and no change in law.
Likes to continue the raping & pillaging of the BVIs coffers..
Reduce UK oversight so we can have another Head Coach incident? WTF
that was brilliantly put it is live and direct , and it’s go to touch those with unclean hands , maybe even an implosion / black Hitler thinks he is an emperor for the 3rd district , but even the wigged one has risen to challenge his self claimed authority / ( so it’s going to be WAR UP EAST – WAR DOWN WEST , somebody is gonna get hurt
Julian Fraser when you co**upt little boys can’t have your way you want self-determination most of the people of the BVI don’t want it because we know what will happen to us, without someone watching over us the government will be out of control. Please go back in hiding.
All talks, because you can negotiate with your abuser(UK) you heard how Haiti become independent and america fought the British to become independent, to much church food in our head the colonize church system and god teach us, so we love whites so much that they are chopping off your hand and you negotiate to do it tenderly, stop that, all British facility would have to go up in flames, chase the governor where he has to seek asylum somewhere, only ashes would have to remain of governors place, rename the park, and create your constitution, you see what am saying you already objecting saying you want peace, white people don’t allow no black skin people in this world to have peace, you can enjoy being a subject, I doubt old Frazer up to the task because their brain is colonized, you see how he part hos hear in the center to imitate blond hair? A fashion of the 40’s how our people had to look as the white master. You won’t get independence without a fight, and they realize something is brewing so the British is staffing key security areas with white police etc. that show other governors were fearful.
All talks, because you can’t negotiate with your abuser(UK) you heard how Haiti become independent and america fought the British to become independent, to much church food in our head the colonize church system and god teach us, so we love whites so much that they are chopping off your hand and you negotiate to do it tenderly, stop that, all British facility would have to go up in flames, chase the governor where he has to seek asylum somewhere, only ashes would have to remain of governors place, rename the park, and create your constitution, you see what am saying you already objecting saying you want peace, white people don’t allow no black skin people in this world to have peace, you can enjoy being a subject, I doubt old Frazer up to the task because their brain is colonized, you see how he part hos hear in the center to imitate blond hair? A fashion of the 40’s how our people had to look as the white master. You won’t get independence without a fight, and they realize something is brewing so the British is staffing key security areas with white police etc. that show other governors were fearful.
Yes, cry self determination and independence because all of you wish your wrongs would automatically be forgotten and forgiven. Not one of you want to be held to account for the corrupt management of tax payers money.
Go right ahead until you reach to the barber
Self Determination ,the speedy path of guaranteed quick self destruction for the BVI,in keeping with the trend of the other self determinants in the island chain.
Long story short is we don’t trust ayo either and for good reason.
Self Determination???
BVI have the highest GDP out of all the Caribbean countries and look at how we look?
look at our minimum wage
look at our rent prices
look at our grocery store prices
look at our services offered
bush over growing everywhere
pot holes like a flea market.
3rd worldddd
road town the capital! look like a village during the work week cars parked all ova Stink Stink mehson
place flood out after rain
power turning off when the wind get a lil high
none of this reflect our high GDP where the money going???
While the desire for self-determination and greater autonomy is understandable, Third District Representative Julian Fraser’s arguments for the BVI to urgently pursue self-determination from the United Kingdom (UK) warrant a more nuanced consideration of the potential consequences and benefits of such a significant political move.
Fraser references a period of hardship when the BVI was under direct UK oversight, implying that the current relationship with the UK is similarly oppressive. However, it is important to recognize the economic and infrastructural support the BVI has received from the UK over the years. This relationship has helped the BVI to develop a robust financial services industry, which is a cornerstone of its economy. Severing ties with the UK without a concrete plan for economic self-sufficiency could jeopardize this stability and lead to economic downturns.
The Commission of Inquiry (COI) highlighted significant governance issues, including corruption and inefficiency, which undermine Fraser’s call for immediate self-determination. The intense scrutiny by UK officials during the COI was not merely an exercise in colonial dominance but a necessary step to address these serious issues. The BVI’s ability to govern itself effectively and transparently is crucial before considering full autonomy. The COI’s recommendations for governance reforms are aimed at ensuring that the BVI can manage its affairs competently, which is a prerequisite for successful self-determination.
Fraser rightly emphasizes the importance of educating the public about the territory’s government system. However, this step should precede any moves toward self-determination. A well-informed populace is essential for making such a critical decision. Rushing into self-determination without a thorough public understanding and support could lead to instability and poor governance outcomes.
Fraser’s criticism of the Virgin Islands Inquiries Bill, 2024, and the perceived inefficiencies within the Cabinet highlights another critical issue. Effective self-governance requires a competent and cohesive government capable of making sound decisions. If current legislative processes are flawed, as Fraser suggests, it raises concerns about the readiness of the BVI to handle complete autonomy. Strengthening internal governance structures and ensuring that ministers and legislators are fully equipped to manage the territory’s affairs should be a priority before seeking to remove UK oversight.
A move towards greater autonomy does not necessarily require a complete break from the UK. There are models of greater self-governance within a framework that still allows for UK support and oversight, particularly in areas like defense, international diplomacy, and financial regulation. Such a balanced approach could provide the BVI with more control over its internal affairs while still benefiting from the stability and support the UK can offer.
The aspiration for self-determination is a legitimate and commendable goal, but it must be pursued with caution.
If the voting for self-determination ever happens, I hope yall don’t invite yah big friends and family abroad to try sway that in yall favor like yall did with election
Most of us dont want self-determination but as usual yall not listening to public only those in your pockets.
Virgin Islanders as other people have the right to voluntarily pursue their own political status, ie, Independence, free association, integration, etc. The people must be educated on the pros and cons of self/determination political status and must be given the opportunity through a referendum for a majority of citizens to decide a status. The status can be a) status quo , b) integration ,c) independence,d) integration, etc. However, the territory must be prepared and ready economically, socially, politically, etc , for such a major change. Moreover, VI sister OT Bermuda held a referendum in August 1995 with the choices being status quo or independence. Status quo won out.
Moreover, the VI westerly neighbor Puerto Rico has been a territory since 1898 with the Treaty of Paris which ended the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans attained American citizenship in 1917 and are still fighting for a change in political status. They are US citizens but don’t enjoy the full rights , privileges, etc as enjoyed as other US citizens on the Mainland. Per the Insular Cases, a series of SCOTUS, all rights and privileges don’t apply to all territories, and all rights, privileges don’t follow the flag, territories are owned by colonialists but they are not part of imperial/colonial Countries, ie, US, UK, etc. This November Puerto Ricans will have another opportunity for a longshot political status change, ie, statehood, independence, independence with free association. Interestingly, status quo as a territory is not on the ballot. Further, Puerto Rico, USVI and VI are three of 17 remaining Non-Self Governing Territories (NSGT).
Imperialism/Colonialism institutions are not egalitarian, for they are exploitive, expropriating, exclusionary, racial, etc.
E. Leonard. And we have a new style of black VIslander run Imperialism/Colonialism institutions that are not egalitarian, but they are exploitive, expropriating, exclusionary, racial. the COI pointed that out and we need to fix it. The old colonialists currently are not are problem. Our very own new style neoColonialists controlling their subjects are.
@BuzzBVI, true, the CoI found some poor governing practices , which needs to be righted. Nevertheless, a leopard is a leopard and cannot change its spots; a snake is a snake no matter how it is treated and cared for. Similarly, colonialism/imperialism is colonialism and imperialism, for it can pretend but it cannot changed its DNA. It will remain exploitive, exclusionary, racist, etc. colonialism has not gone anywhere, so there we should not deceive ourselves. Some appeasers, Neville Chamberlains,; Benedict Arnold’s, and those afflicted with the Stockholm Syndrome may think it is history but it is alive and well.,E. Leonard is not off key with his insight.
“Now, now that we can buy Jordans, they want to tighten the screws on us again.”
Hon. Mr. Fraser, by “us” do you mean members of the House of Assembly? Because that’s the only group chafing here. It’s only the elected officials that take issue with oversight as they are busily spending all that rate-payer money.
you need to keep your racially motivated rhetoric to yourself or on your yello site , everybody is fed up with your negative narratives yhat you bsre trying to force down our throats , we would love to breathe clean fresh air , please
To@Eldred, sounds as if you don’t favor others having an opinion; and only your opinion matters. Are you that weak that you are so easily influenced by what others write?? You don’t trust yourself, running with what others say?? Everyone is entitled to his/her opinion. Opinions are like @$$ h. ..s everybody has one.
why cant we comment on the boat accident trial?
We must prepare but the reason why independence wouldnt work right now is because the world is not fair.
We have to prepare if that system fails we can survive on our own again, that is all.
With 4th world greedy & corrupt politicians
We are truly hated, inthe cross – hairs and under attack.
If our people remaim sleeping and naive we will pay a very serios price.
For example, looat tthe comments and analyze them thoroughly, then look at the thumbs up. Need any clearer indications elected officials and local people?
Until it gets it’s own house in order, BVI independence is like asking your 10 year old to quit school, move out, get a proper job that pays at least $ 50K per year to secure and pay for housing, electric, health insurance, water, phone etc..Seems to me that politician’s cry of independence is a lament for having to end the decades long practices of corruption, cronyism and helping themselves to the public purse without any accountability.
IMHO any call for independence needs to be accompanied by a full explanation of how the proposed newly independent state would function in terms of meeting the needs of the population better than under the present system. Ask yourself if cronyism and corruption happened under the UK’s nose, what is the basis for thinking this will change if the BVIs goes independent?
The great white hope.
Dee