Go independent! We have to stop being cowards — Wheatley
Health Minister Vincent Wheatley has called on the people of the Virgin Islands to shed their fears and start serious discussions on independence.
Speaking in the House of Assembly yesterday, Wheatley argued that the territory must stop doubting itself and begin planning for self‑determination.
Wheatley drew comparisons to neighbouring Caribbean nations that achieved independence despite starting with fewer resources.
“If you want what they have, then go there. They’re not Overseas Territories that you compare us to. They’re independent countries,” he argued. “We like comparing ourselves to this person eating our food, that person eating our lunch, but they’re independent countries.”
According to the Health Minister, the conversation on independence needs to be happening right now among residents, with a determination of where they want to be in nine years.
“We should be educating our people so they could understand the need for independence,” Wheatley stated. He added, “We gotta stop being cowards and afraid of our own shadows and do what we’re supposed to do.”
Wheatley said that waiting for perfection before taking the step to independence would mean never achieving it. “Some people say we should not go independent unless everything is perfect. There’s no perfection on this side. If any country took that attitude, no country in the Caribbean today would be independent,” he explained.
He tied his call to the territory’s 191st year of emancipation from slavery, noting that the upcoming 200th anniversary in nine years should be a milestone marked by greater autonomy. “We should be trying right now, having a dialogue about where we should be 200 years after the emancipation of slavery,” he argued.
The debate over independence has been a hot topic in the territory in recent years. The constitutional review process, launched after the 2021 Commission of Inquiry, has kept the subject in the spotlight. The inquiry, which described the governance system as seriously flawed, led to reforms that local leaders argue must be strengthened if the territory is to pursue independence. While some residents fear the challenges, others see independence as a natural next step in the BVI’s political journey.
Wheatley warned that running to the governor instead of trusting local leadership weakens the territory’s resolve. “People want everything, but don’t want give up nothing for it,” he said, urging unity and courage.
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Independent under the VIP with Natalio and the rest of gang? None of you could even run a candy store let alone a country. No thanks.
The minute the BVI goes independent, all dirty little hands go straight into the cookie jar..
Let’s stop this nonsense talk and get some trusted politicians elected !
The reverse isn’t stopping them either. They’re blatant with their way of doing things and don’t care because they know they will walk free
FACTS
yes, but we cannot trust our government.look at our present situation right now,we are still struggling corruption despite not being independent, should we make the same mistake like our Caribbean neighbors.despite having more recourses compare to us,they are still selling passports another to attract foreign investment.our passports are not for sale please.
The Territory does not doubt itself; the Territory doubts YOU and the current elected ‘leadership’!
You have shown us nothing more than incompetence, narcissism, indifference, and recklessness, all while benefitting a select few. The Territory is in a disgusting state, all while revenues have poured in over the decades that should have had our home as a shining example of what can be in the Caribbean. The mere idea of handing the reigns of our Territory to your kind is more terrifying than any other option.
So no, until we have integrity, accountability, transparency, and a ‘country first’ mentality to our leadership, you all can keep your poison words behind your forked tongues!
You forgot to mention Racecissm…
It’s clear that recent governments in the BVI have not been efficient or effective administrations – witness the huge waste and lack of transparency in many ways. There is clear evidence of corruption, nepotism and inadequate skills. So why give the people who presently wield the power in the territory and benefit from the corruption even more power? Whilst independence must be the ultimate goal, until there are adequate controls in place to make the administrations efficient and corruption free, I’m happy to have the UK have some power over us.
We do not fear going independent. What we fear is the calibre of legislators that we have at present to lead us into independence. Leaders with NO MORALS, NO INTEGRITY, NO ACCOUNTABILITY, DISHONEST, THIEVES, and the list goes on. Until we see leaders who put country above self then you can talk to us about independence.
Nope! Not with you tools running the show. The debate on the No Confidence Vote showed how party politics has corrupted the entire government side as well as the two members on the opposition side. No big surprises here.
The lackluster performances of the two opposition members – Skelton & Penn should be enough for voters to decide whether these two should be re-elected. The tone and intensity that have he ministers have defended their failures is a downright dirty SHAME to the public! The POWER has gone to their heads and the DP is the e strategist now for the other Leprechauns.
Why hasn’t there been ANY polling of the people on the critical issues? Water, Healthcare, Education, Energy, Environment, Infrastructure, Economy and many more neglected and underfunded sectors by this administration!!!
Yet everything is ROSY and good for them!
The so called Mother Country has long been tired of her wayward child, the BVI, and badly wants her delinquent brothers and sisters to be free and independent, but needs to first stop their greedy hands being stuck in the cookie jar !
Hon.V. Wheatley , be smart let others fight this foolish battle . The time will come when it is feasible by right now a solid case has not been put forth for this rushed need to be independent right this min. Its something that needs balanced debate .
Are these people delusional? Independence should be the goal, but we are no where near as ready to be as these corrupt politicians think we are.
He is saying we need to shed our fear but in reality what we truly fear is having to rely on them for the betterment of this country.
Privileges will be lost once the world realizes who we have leading this country after independence.
As of right now we stand much more to loose if we decide to go independent at this moment or anytime soon.
TO all the people who was vex over the what was displayed at mali don festival night….. go independent and that will be the norm all ova
lmfao
with you c r * * k s in charge, we would end up worse than haiti
Yes go independent so 4 to 5 families can treat these islands like their own property where they are judge, jury and executioner………smdh
“Wheatley warned that running to the governor instead of trusting local leadership weakens the territory’s resolve”.
WOW. This man have convenient Amnesia and is very dangerous. Did he not allegedly run to Governor Rankin telling lies on the then local Superintendent of prison, then talk s**t after being confronted about it. This man is a De**l De**n forked tongue de***tful l**r
Says the one with two pensions and dependent on the Treasury of the BVI monthly and a soon to be senior citizen.
Wow! One from education department
One from Political service.
One from the Greedy self enriching Bill and,
one from from Social security.
Few turn out to be truly blessed.
While they help some for a service and ignore others.
Thanks, but no thanks. We don’t trust the government enough for that.
Why don’t you all stop wasting your breath talking about independence until you have asked the people what they want, until you do this you are all a waste of time with your independence talk.
We are not ready for independence because we cannot feed ourselves. The people needs to decide this for ourselves not you. I vote not be go independent in the interest of my children. Go sit down!!
Will make people bold enough to say anything!! Happy hour was lit for Vinny LOL
Now isn’t the time for that. I think we are 2 generations away.
Best joke of the day. You guys couldnt organise a piss up in a brewery
You are one of the a** kissing cowards. Unqualified person as Health Minister. Don’t know your a** from your elbow as how a Health system should be running.
You don’t have to know how the system works but you need the know-how of managing qualified people who know their jobs, and let them do their jobs, and he has completely failed.
As a 5th generation Virgin Islander I smile every time the issue of independence is mentioned in the news. It’s shameful that many, most of whom who probably have no real ties to these islands bash independence as though it’s a curse word or we as generational Virgin Islanders should never aspire to be independent. Imagine if America had decided to stay under British Colonial colonial rule or any other nations, including African nations.
My advice, all true Virgin Islanders should aspire to be independent.
BVIslanders are not the majority in their home land.
The majority are from CARICOM and or children of CARICOM .
The zBVI has experienced and has seen and suffered the effect opand continues to suffer the morbid effect of the human by product of CARICOM..labeled
Independent self governing Black Isksnd Nati I b s.
Why in Hades would any BVIslander want to be in that company of failed rubbish. Simple comparison
JEEZ,,look left right front and center the CARICOmers are here and every where else on Mother Earth risking their lives to escape their CARICOM umbrella and has done their share of damage to the US and the USVI..never could they or their countries gain respect..we do not belong in that Company..anything otherwise to maintain our self respect add character for which we are known.MONACO would be ideal. and which better reflects who we are..MONACO!!!!!Be Somebody… Be different,,Be a positive example.,Be positively different..Sameness of failure is not our Birthright,not then not now.
Hey Sam…. The bvi is tooo small for independence. Hey why don’t you tell the usvi to go independent go inspire them and she what they say? They will never want independence. So why must we for what? We need to strengthen our ties with the uk .
Let’s discuss the relevance of your post intelligently. Could you please clarify what you mean by “5th generation Virgin Islander”?In doing so, please share the origins of your ancestors back to the first generation and explain its significance in the context of this conversation. Once you’ve done that, I’d like you to consider the current demographic composition of the Virgin Islands and its “generational” populace. How does your perspective as a “generational Virgin Islander” support the independence movement, and what do you believe are its potential benefits for the Virgin Islands community?
Clearly you are not looking at the big picture! Independence with corrupt polititions would not be the best choice for the BVI now or in the near future. Look at the state America is in now! Prime example of corruption!
Fix all the problems first then talk of independence.
the list is long : Education , hospitals , NHI, infrastructure. Drug Trade, Crime, tourism. have less Government employees i could go on.
None of the governments have been able to even make a dent in ANY of this.
LARRY THE LOBSTER HAS STRUCK AGAIN WITH THE FANTASY AND THE PIPE DREAMS AGAIN. Go work on getting the roads that is messing up people vehicles and backs from the pot holes. Go work on figuring out a way to get a proper water system. That is much better and important than happy hour.
Independence you say? The ruiling side of the HOA couldn’t support the vote of no confidence although they knew that what was said by the leader of the opposition was factual. Instead, you all chose to kill the motion, protecting your individual positions while the majority of the population is suffering. At the end of the day the politicians don’t have to worry about where their next meal is coming from. Independence at this point would probably make life for the ordinary citizen harder. Politicians don’t care about the welfare of the regular man. You all are guaranteed Hefty Pensions.
Go independent so you can continue the corruption, talk piddle, dont care about the health system and fatten your bank account
THE CHICKENHAWK IS FLEXING OFF HIMSELF, SEEMS TO BE UNDER THE … , SO HE’S
LOOKING FOR LOST SOULS TO FEED ON / BY THE WAY EHAT HAS HE ACCOMPLISHED SINCE HE IN OFFICE , BESIDES YAPPING YAPPING YAPPING AND AIN’T SAYING ANYTHING CONSTRUCTIVE OR POSITIVE / OH ‘SCOOPING THEM PEOPLE FROM OTHER CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES TO SEE WHAT THE DO WITH THEIR OWN MONEY THAT THEY WORKED HONESTLY FOR
The question isn’t does BVI deserve independence but rather what would happen after independence. Once a country becomes independent it is much easier to control. Looking at African nation that have recently receive independence from France. Independence is only the first step.
People that have good sense knows a vote of no confidence don’t need to be won,the emphasis is mainly to put on record the failing conditions of the existing government. It’s very difficult for a minority opposition to unseat an existing government holding the majority, hence the vote have served its purpose.
Yes your family wound love independence. The rest of us? Just become a slave of the system, like now
I’m having wideawaje nightmares just thinking about the possibility. Land Father..
First and foremost,,If tis truvthat the police and prison is funded by the UK..what happens when we no longer have that ???Law and order bad enough as is…what then?
We need an additional prison,long time now no room for prisoners nor illegal immigrants mist especially those c we have been forced to acknowledge when the USVI catch them,it becomes public info and we are given the credit.
With the nassivexamount of deported immigrants courtesy of Trump..6,000 plus Jamaicsns,alone,and predominantly hard criminals,they will be camping here on our livin is easy shores…what is being done about this reality and possibility…Jamaicans,Dingos and the rest of the I sland chain and portions of South America,
We have zero effective border patrol…what are we going to do..what steps are being taken to handle or to offset this reality ????
These BVI are not in a good place atall A tall as is,and without the shadow of the UK and any sincere power within as it is now…lawd have mercy! Really ,the future not looking good for these BVI.
Who is doing anything visible including the UK or US to address the issues of keeping populations you so graciously mentioned away from our shores?
Your coment is representative of some UK official seat warmer just coming into contact with local Black people and their culture for the first time.
So conveniently you pretend ignorance. The UK has offered and pleaded that these VI accept border abd sea patrol using sophisticated equipment such as submarines…repeatedly the VI has declined offers and declared the preference for patrol by local non equipped barfes…hahah. the Illegals fished abd chased at sea are overwhelmingly done by the USVI and handed to us where the culprits are placed in locations and subsequently become a silent secretive issue courtesy of these VI.
as they are prepared to purchase their go free card from local authorities.
Any and all assist offered most especially by the UK has been rejected on favor of local barges..ha ha hs..for real..don’t pretend you don’t know.Documented evidence.
What everybody else said.
Wheatley said we should our fears and consider Independence. Food for thought. Well I have thought about it and this is my thoughts.
I get a small pension and social security. After paying my mortgage, electricity (black outs more often than what light I get), water bill (water that is almost non existance) I have a phone that I top up when I can afford, and what is left I go to the supermarket. Sometimes I have to put back half of what I pick up. This government is incapable of adequately taking care of 30,000 residents now with UK over sight, what will they do when that guard rail is no more? We will be worse than Haiti. They have been fixing the roads for over 30 years, same for the sewage system, sufficient water supply, efficient health care and education. They have failed us on all the above mentioned, and they want to push indepenfence down our throats. What an evil bunch of magotts. God help us.
From the comments and negative feedback it’s obvious that come a referendum, the BVI population as a whole would vote against independence. It’s perhaps about time for the government to decide who needs to serve who.
I am shocked at the negativity of nearly all these comments. Not at the issue of independence itself, but the depressing lack of self confidence in nearly every commenter. Baseless accusations of people you elected who try to do an impossible job – trying to fit 10 pounds of services into a 5 pound budget.
UK does not care about us any more than their other colonies.
You whine and baselessly accuse your own countrymen, while being dominated by total strangers from across the sea. These accusations are negative and unproven, aimed at people you know — your friends who stood up the VI after Irma while UK sat on their asses offering nothing. US gave $billions to USVI after Irma, UK offered us peanuts and called us “spoiled.”
Stop your complaining and whining. Disagree all you like but stop making ugly comments. These comments is beneath us. Get involved. But don’t just sit in the bushes taking pot shots. Where are your ideas? What have you contributed?
A positive proposal deserves at the least positive ideas in return. We are all better than this. Get on your soapbox but do so with ideas and vision, not just griping. Your griping helps no one. Until BVI islanders start to work together for common goals we look silly and powerless.
Above I read 9 years as a goal. Alot can be done in 9 years but we have to start now.
Shut your mouth your sound stupid
Very Intelligent Reply
Youall just do not want to be held to account for your wrong doings. It is not gonna happen
The minister and others must petition the US Federal and State government for some sort of combined federation between the VI and the USVI.
Though such will an impossible mission, a viable alternative to independence seem far fetched.
Meanhwile, a fedration between the Caricom and South American nations might be a plausible adventure.
Can’t get NHI fixed. That’s being coward. So, look in the mirror.
Independence will breed more unchecked corruption. Most of our independent Caribbean neighbors are struggling; in fact, they live and work in the BVI. We want accountability, and that’s not going to happen if we have independence. Self-determination is just a fancy word for independence! Politicians stop pushing for independence, instead try for accountability!
We need to push for accountability, not independence or that fancy term the politicians use, self-determination! Independence will only benefit the politicians!
Hear this sorry excuse for a government minister. I can’t with these fools. They have produced no plan or argument for this but we must just go independent cause they say so.
until our leaders on Miisters wages stop affording multi million dollar houses and boats then the referendum will vote YES but until then its a solid NO
Festival in full swing, so spirits are high.