Independence talks: ‘We have to move to something’
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has insisted that the territory must move in the direction of self-government.
Premier Wheatley was questioned on the Talking Points radio show recently over whether the BVI should have an independence referendum
“Yes. I think ultimately that’s something that we have to do. I think we perhaps need a little bit more education for persons as well,” he responded. “Based on the UN Charter, we have to be moving towards something. The status that we’re in right now is not a permanent status.”
The Premier said this is a decade to end colonialism and noted that by 2030, it is hoped that the remaining 17 countries on the list of non-self-governing territories should be removed.
Premier Wheatley has been a strong advocate for independence for the territory and has received support from Opposition Leader Ronnie Skelton and other lawmakers in this area.
Late last year, Third District Representative Julian Fraser argued that the BVI can forge its own destiny and should be allowed to do so by the United Kingdom (UK).
“We’re human beings. We don’t need anyone to colonise us — intelligent human beings, I may add. We can paddle our own canoes,” Fraser told the House of Assembly back then.
Meanwhile, the Premier said the BVI would be making retrograde steps if additional powers being sought by the governor were granted to him.
He said the BVI should be moving either towards independence, free association with an independent state, or integration into an independent state, and argued that a situation where one group of people has dominance and control over another is unacceptable.
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No problem with moving towards self-government…
Can we first ensure that that government is honest and transparent?
I’d rather be colonised by the English
than by our crooked politicians.
Facts we done been getting kick by we own local government for years for the UK even step. Only now yuh seeing a lil improvements. smh
So true.
He and the rest of them who pledge allegiance to Uncle Sam with their blue passport need to give that up before they take away our UK passports and US Dollar.
His bread buttered on 2 sides so he could talk that. And who moving forward with a police force we don’t totally trust.? You are crazy for true.
We cannot even build our roads correctly and now you want full independence?? Gotta be joking!
Nonesense talk about independence.our politicians are corrupt,if we go down that road.things are just gonna get worst.
LoL Mr primier I had to laugh this is a good laugh ,go independence on What ??? Tourist and selling drugs eh , primier go sit down ain’t nobody ready for independence round here ayo can’t be trusted
I don’t actually believe in this administration ability to do anything. He say to watch him work but we just watching him travel and complain.
Talks of Independence for this Territory must begin now as the process does take some years BUT am hoping by the time we are able to become Independent, for sure the VIP should NOT be our Government.
This and past governments have proven to be not honest or transparent enough for self-governance.
Please tell us how much was spent last year on travel and expenses for this government.
Until you can answer that question we are not fit for self-government, and it would be a dis-service to the taxpayers and islanders to proceed with self-government until we can correct this greedy nepotism led bunch that are in office.
What does this man really take us for? If BVI separates from UK then the financial market leaves. Financial market leaves, real estate crashes. I infrastructures become even worse than they are. They think we aren’t intelligent enough to know what this would mean. All these cruise ships clogging up the islands and our beaches with people who barely spend money won’t make up for it. All these cruise passengers driving away the tourists who really spend money. When another Irma comes there will be no help. Could even lose the US dollar. The list goes on and on. Stop making our affiliation with the UK a bad thing. These jokers have to go and we need to find an educated leader who knows how to work in partnership and allow us to benefit from what that offers. Don’t fall for these types who take a page out of Trump’s book to cause divisiveness to weaken us.
ok thats it! you need to go now.
need to move on, without Sowande
Don’t embarrass yourself. Do what the CoI said to do. In fact bring your referendum about independence let’s get this over with. Fix the place.
We have to move to a situation where S!0w W@nde and the A$$ C!0wn Brigade are out of politics. Stop giving us a reason to have to read what BVI News thinks we want to hear about Cindy Rosan, since allegedly taking money from Luarna in the Corna, Rosan is a hack with two skinny legs
Haiti shows us our future 5 years after independence.
We would be run by drug gangs; and because of that we would lose financial services and most tourism.
The Fish Bay shooting in broad daylight on a main road was a warning. Head Coach is a warning.
Would we be able to keep the US dollar?
All this fuss has arisen because we have been unable to do what our Government signed upto. What the CoI revealed was terrible. There will be more horrors to come. You watch. We need serious help from outside.
Sure, after 40+ years, we’ve gotten use to a government system of cronyism, back room deals and general corruption. Why do we need the UK? We can do it on our own but we’ll have to give up access to UK passports. No biggie. Going independent shouldn’t affect the offshore financial services too much, and if we run short, we can just keep jacking up arrival, departure and cruisng taxes, and get more cruise ships in
This boy is a big joke
This accidental premier and his special envoy brother (nepotism?) always running off to OECS, UN, CARICOM etc complaining. They have no mandate and probably only making matters worse for us on the international stage. Like they deaf and blind. No more stupid concerts, no more ridiculous constant travel. Fix the issues that are changing the BVI into a fourth world country.
What has this government done to make the people feel safe, secure and ready to move to independence? Surely this has to be the first step before you pull the rug out from below everyone? I have no doubts that the UK government wouldn’t love to let BVI free as they’re not an asset to the UK and just a debt but I am not sure the UK Government would be happy to just hand the country over when there hasn’t been a clear, precise, planned agenda. Your brother in USA may have some good ideas but surely there need to be goals, plans and negotiations that include the majority of BV Islanders? You seem like a “nice man” at the one meeting I attended but you didn’t act or say anything that was outstanding and you made no impact on me or the rest of the audience. Surely the BVI needs a “state person” of huge character with grace, understanding and a clear plan before you start making paths into such a huge change?
You want independence? You cant even clean up this island. It breaks my heart to see the old cars and trash everywhere. I know its all of our responsibility to pick up and keep our land clean but it starts at the top and the top does not care. A little bit of $$ and a whole lot of initiative form our gov and we would have a pretty island. Good luck being independent….
We don’t want to go to independence on this useless government who has s**t for brains
The Premier is soliciting the help and opinion of everybody including (overseas leaders) but that of the people who this affects; the people of the Virgin Islands. This is not a dictatorship sir. The people should vote on whether they want to pursue this. We need a referendum.