Many benefits to be accrued from positive UK relationship – Premier
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has argued that there are benefits to be accrued from a positive relationship between the BVI and the United Kingdom (UK).
In his recent trip to the UK, Premier Wheatley said he met with the Deputy Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Shafique Shah, with whom he discussed issues such as benefits between the BVI and UK that can benefit Virgin Islanders currently living and studying both in the UK and the BVI.
“We’d love to be able to get financial grants and things like that, we’re happy with that. But there are also other areas where we can benefit from our relationship with the United Kingdom,” Premier Wheatley said.
Among those areas mentioned by the Premier, were technical support, education, sports and being able to have access to the policies that the UK government has.
He also spoke on the importance of maximising the benefits of the relationship between the two countries, especially given the BVI’s dependency status.
“I think it’s important for us as an overseas territory to seek to maximize the benefits of the relationships we have with the United Kingdom,” the Premier said. “Some persons want to see a confrontational relationship with the United Kingdom where we’re at each other’s throats and we’re fighting.”
The Premier further noted that while it was important to ensure that the interests of the BVI are represented very strongly, his focus was centred on a collaborative and positive relationship with the United Kingdom which he felt would be in the BVI’s best interest.
While speaking with a group of persons from the BVI diaspora during a previous engagement, Dr Wheatley argued that the more persons the BVI has that can adopt positions that favour the territory’s interests, the more powerful the territory can become in influencing UK government policy towards the BVI.
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What a 2 face guy after putting down the UK for 3 years now he wants to benefit from them, after turning down the loan now he wants to benefit from them, anything to be Premier.
He aint tired kissing up?
Hear this confused, two faced opportunist. So what happen to all those things you were saying about the UK before Andrew got arrested? I do not trust you with the future of my country. You have no guts. No inside. You are like a piece of stick that blows in the wind and goes whichever direction. We need more assertive and determined leadership and you do not provide that. You would sell us out just to remain in power. You are an illegitimate Premier. No one would have voted for the VIP is you were the leader of it.
““We’d love to be able to get financial grants and things like that, we’re happy with that”.
“I think it’s important for us as an overseas territory to seek to maximize the benefits of the relationships we have with the United Kingdom,”
What you are saying is “Please give us as much money as possible, and forget about transparency”
What a poor attitude for a self elected goverment.
You a little late to the party. They did not forget your stance for the last few years. Its the right move anyway, good luck.
THIS IS ONE OF THE SAME PERSONS WHO DISSED HON JULIAN FRASER WHEN HE SAID THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD HAVE TAKEN THE LOAN GAURANTEE FROM THE UK
They say hind sight is 20/20… set of f**ls all of them.