Mather to confront Premier over self-determination push

Territorial At-Large Representative Stacey Mather is set to challenge Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley on his government’s strong push for self-determination during today’s House of Assembly sitting.

Mather intends to question the Premier on the lack of widespread public consensus on the issue, arguing that the United Nations (UN) visiting mission to the BVI in August 2024 gathered input from only a limited segment of the population.

“Given these factors, how does your government plan to ensure that the pursuit of self-determination reflects the collective will of all Virgin Islanders?” Mather is expected to ask.

Premier Wheatley is also likely to face questions about the UN mission’s report and its role in shaping his administration’s stance on self-determination.

‘Model’ democracy in the making

In a recent press release, Premier Wheatley expressed confidence that the BVI will emerge as a “model democracy” following the implementation of reforms stemming from the UK-mandated Commission of Inquiry (COI) process.

The COI, led by Commissioner Sir Gary Hickinbottom, released a damning report in April 2022, citing widespread governance issues. The report recommended major reforms, including criminal investigations and a temporary suspension of the constitution to improve transparency and accountability.

Over the past two years, the government has made significant progress in addressing these concerns. Officials report that ten policies and fifteen pieces of legislation have been enacted, covering areas such as discretionary powers, grants, Crown lands, and residency and belonger status. Notable legislation includes the Public Assistance Act, Integrity in Public Life Act, and the Audit Act.

Premier Wheatley stressed that these reforms have been carried out under democratically elected leadership. “We’ve done a lot of work, and we are proud of what we have achieved,” he said. “Our ultimate goal is to build a model democracy.” He added that he envisions the Virgin Islands developing a governance system that could serve as a model for the region and beyond.

To engage residents in this transformative process, the government launched the Governance Reform Education and Awareness Transformation (GREAT VI) campaign. Public meetings have been held across the territory, including in Anegada, Tortola, and Virgin Gorda, with government ministers and department heads leading discussions.

The debate over self-determination continues to spark discussion among policymakers and the public, with today’s House of Assembly sitting expected to shed further light on the government’s direction.