Gov’t members say history will be kind to Premier
Some members of the government have rejected the “power-hungry” label placed on Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley, arguing that history will ultimately be kind to him for his leadership and courage when the territory’s sovereignty was under threat in 2022.
Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn recently accused the Premier of being “power-hungry,” alleging that Dr. Wheatley swiftly accepted the Commission of Inquiry (COI) report to fulfil his ambition of becoming Premier. According to Walwyn, that decision contributed to the ongoing negative perceptions the United Kingdom holds about the territory.
Premier Wheatley has continued to defend the decisions made during that period, maintaining that he and other elected leaders acted in the territory’s best interest amid significant political upheaval.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Virgin Islands Voice programme, Health Minister Vincent Wheatley said the Premier showed strong leadership during a time of great uncertainty.
“I want to commend the Premier for his leadership during that time. I think when we look back, history will judge him very favourably. It was a very challenging time, and the House often met a lot. Our families were at home and we were meeting morning, noon and night just to ensure the ship stayed floating,” Minister Wheatley said.
Similarly, Works Minister Kye Rymer offered praise for the Premier, acknowledging his role in preserving the territory’s autonomy.
“We’re here today and persons can now say what we could have done differently. But during that time, we were focused on maintaining our autonomy and our constitution. Premier, I must acknowledge you publicly for steering the ship and getting us through those trying times,” Rymer said.
The BVI’s acceptance of the 2022 COI report triggered sweeping changes in governance and resulted in a series of UK-commissioned reports, many of which highlighted widespread mismanagement and corruption across government institutions.
While some residents believe Premier Wheatley should have more strongly contested elements of the COI recommendations, others support the approach taken by the government during what was widely regarded as a politically volatile and uncertain period.
In the meantime, the Premier also picked up commendations from Minister of Financial Services, Lorna Smith, who urged current civil servants and elected leaders to use the new systems that have been put in place as a result of the COI reform era.
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No, history will more likely show just how ineffective he was in advancing the Territory. It will show that he made very bad economic decisions and sold the territory out to the UK, likely capitulating to the Governor’s demand for extended power over “security” for the sake of trying to remain in power.
That The Premier has developed his Leadership skills and understand that Loyalty is a significant part of Lerdership competency and is as Loyal and magnanimous to both of you in the future as you both are to him ….To be continued
History will only record him as the cl**less last Premier before the UK Governor took control of the entire BVI government.
Must be a nightmare to hear Myron of all people call anyone power hungry
He loves power but no island man will be our premier
Has always been compromised by the fact the media / historian can be bought ,influenced or pressured into an either flattering or derogatory view of whom or what events are being recorded at a later date. With no financial accounts being produced each year in a timely fashion the public and most of Government including the governments own audit department in reality has no idea as to what has occurred. legislation’s drafted and put on the statute great, but pointless if not enforced. You can’t shine the light on historical events if government deliberately refuses to replace the blown light bulb.
I agree with the Premier. Do not like all his decisions but he has tried! Especially considering the cards dealt to him.
Many may judge very harshly when the UK grab take over is complete and their lives turn to second class existence,as they are now dong at the airport.
The territory has been sold to the UK and it appears you are part of the plan.
History will be kind to Natalio who was the lap dog and cheer leader of Andrew who caused our relationship with the UK to deteriorate and cause a commission of inquiry. Do we forget the behavior of Natalio cussing out the governor much to the delight of his boss Andrew. But when Andrew got locked up Natalio then started to sing hail to the queen etc ? How quickly we forget. The behavior of Andrew, Natalio, Claude, Willock, Bevis and the others caused the governor to call for a COI.
The British administration, in the past few years and coninue to escalate to present, a full-blown attack on Black VIs futures, Black VIs prosperity, and Black VIs freedoms, coupled with Black VIs jealousies.
We must and will resist. We must and will organize.
Elected officials, stop the march forward before it is to late.