Historic! UK Speaker addresses BVI’s House of Assembly
Speaker of the United Kingdom’s House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle.
The Speaker of the United Kingdom’s House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, addressed the Virgin Islands House of Assembly yesterday, February 17, in what local leaders described as an unprecedented visit by a sitting UK Speaker.
House Speaker Corine George-Massicotte said the occasion was “historic” and noted that Sir Lindsay was “the first sitting speaker of the UK House of Commons to visit and address the legislature of the Virgin Islands”. She described his presence as “not merely ceremonial” but “profoundly symbolic” of the constitutional relationship between the territory and the United Kingdom.
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley welcomed Sir Lindsay on behalf of the government and people of the Virgin Islands, calling it “a proud and historic day for our territory”. He referenced the coming into force of the House of Assembly Management Act 2025 and the recent approval in the UK House of Lords of the Virgin Islands Constitution Interim Amendment Revocation Order 2026, describing the latter as “a powerful statement about the progress we have made”.
Opposition member Myron Walwyn seconded the motion inviting the UK Speaker to address the House and used the opportunity to raise constitutional and economic concerns. Referring to past discussions about suspending parts of the Constitution, Walwyn said such action “should not be entertained in the 21st century”.
In his address, Sir Lindsay reflected on the territory’s 75 years of restored legislative governance and developments from the 1949 Great March to governance reforms following the Commission of Inquiry. He welcomed the passage of the House of Assembly Management Act 2025, saying it “marks a proud defining moment in your parliamentary history” and “represents a significant step forward”.
Addressing constitutional matters, Sir Lindsay said, “In the end, it is for the people of the Virgin Islands to decide their own destiny; whatever that destiny may be, it will be their decision”. He also urged cooperation, stating, “Work together, not against each other”, and affirmed, “I will always stand up for the rights of the OTs”.
The House later adjourned following the special sitting convened for the address.
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Whose portrait is that in the background?
When will the Virgin Islander grow up, get from under the colonial flag, grow a spine and set out to determine his own path onwards.
It looks so bad seeing Virgin Islanders bowing down to another human being who happens to be a UK national.
Are the Virgin Islander not capable of running his own country, life, business and future?
The face of colonialism is ugly and has not the interest of the Virgin Islands people at heart.
It is trime for the pewoplw to stop believing that they can’t progress without the UK.
Look around and answer your own question!
What no wig? Clearly not a real speaker like we used to have. Ha ha.