No middle ground! BVI must choose colonialism or self government
Junior Minister for Financial Services, Lorna Smith, says the BVI can no longer straddle the line between self-rule and colonial control — the territory must either “shake off colonialism or keep it.”
Speaking on the findings of the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) report, Smith said she noticed that residents don’t want to rush toward independence. While she agrees that care should be taken, she cautions that the current political climate leaves the territory with only two choices — remain a colony or take bold steps toward full self-government.
“We have to be very careful. We have to take our time,” Smith said. “But I’m not sure that a ‘less colonial’ constitution is achievable. You’re either shaking off colonialism, or you keep it. Sadly, in today’s world, in the BVI’s world, I don’t see a middle ground.”
Smith said she supports a gradual but deliberate move toward full internal self-government in the next constitution, which she described as a necessary stepping stone toward full independence.
“At page 101 of the report, it notes that the last three constitutional reviews saw advances toward self-determination with the devolution of more internal self-government,” she said.
“This fourth iteration should take us right up to full internal self-government. We should not stop short of that.”
Education, she stressed, must be at the heart of the process. Smith said she was heartened that the CRC highlighted public education on self-determination as a top priority.
She also stated that the education process should commence immediately and called for a new, comprehensive study on the cost of independence, including diplomatic representation and international participation.
A growing number of elected leaders have also voiced support for full internal self-government in the next iteration of the Virgin Islands Constitution. This shift would ultimately mean transferring key areas — such as security, civil service management, and certain external affairs — from the control of the Governor to elected Virgin Islanders, marking a significant step toward greater autonomy and eventual independence.
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So you really want a piece of that pie.you want to push your hand in that cookie jar.wow.we locals need to be cautious and not let our leaders to force us into independence.they want to get away with corruption.it better to be safe than sorry latter.the premier come with a speed,I guess he want his name to down in history.hmmmmmmm.
In a previous post, I asked for some scholarship on the pros and cons of independence, and for insight into the sentiments of the other Overseas Territories. My intention was to gain a better understanding of why there now seems to be this sudden sense of urgency for the BVI.
The other Overseas Territories offer a useful comparison because some of them actually have stronger economies than the BVI, and one would therefore expect a greater desire for independence among them. However, it appears that none of the others have any real appetite for it. Most view independence as a long-term goal — something to be achieved when conditions are right — but not as an immediate priority.
So, it bears the question: why the urgency here? I believe the Honourable Smith is attempting to thread the needle on this issue. All of the Ministers are publicly supporting the sentiment because the Premier desires it, and they are well aware of his tendency toward disloyalty. They know that if they do not openly support him, they risk losing their positions.
Do I believe they should publicly oppose him? No. An administration must present alignment. However, there is always the option of exercising discretion — of simply saying “no comment.”
In truth, I believe the Premier’s motivation is deeply personal. He wants to go down in history as the one who achieved this milestone. But independence should never be pursued for legacy or ego. Give the people the full picture — the pros and the cons — and let them decide for themselves.
The BVI has been politically independent since 1967.
The BVI politicians since then have mismanagement, BUDGET, DEVELOPMENT, CRIME and FRAUD as a bunch of 5 year olds running a country.
They have misplaced funding as early as the BEEF ISLAND BRIDGE, BVI AIRLINES and most recently BVI BANK OF ASIA.
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS have been waisted since independence in 1960.
NOW THEY ARE SAYING we are a COLONY! I call this PROPAGANDA in order to STEAL AND MISMANAGE further.
Guys you want to get your hands on that money huh.the comission of iquire should have open our eyes.let’s not let this dictator trick us.
you people think you are smart eh.caring for pocket,not the people.
With the way this administration is going, God help us in terms of self sufficiency. Independence is not viable now or in near future. Changes and development are a must, but there is no evidence of such.
I am really confused by this article. It says to enthrust self-governance to virgin islanders. i don’t understand. there are less virgin islanders living here than belongers. i don’t want to be abused anymore. i do not want self governance or independence. i am ok with being a part of the uk. i do no want to be lead by virgin islanders. when they change the constitution to recognize all persons born or naturalised as VIrgin Islands citizen then I can listen. for now i dont want self governance and i dont want independence and i dont want to be abused anymore.
Amen.to that.
Ha ha ha.
Still trying to fool the people.
Self Deternmination does not mean choosing.
CORRUPTION = INDEPENDENCE
There are other choices.
Only DICTATORS and the Greedy self serving HOA13
want Independence and keep driving it and trying to find ways so only they get to decide.
They want to keep people out of the choice in the same way they keeping the people out of the choice about the airport.
Don’t be fooled. Airport going ahead without us even seeing the reports we paid for.
They doing to do the same with so called SELF determination. P487 going to SELf decide for us.
These people want to take us to independence so they don’t have accountability. She want to give another 5M to bank of Asia without any consequences
In all our talk about self governance, please offer concrete evidence of the benefits for us the people. If it is to simply say I am independent but yet I have to bow to other super powers then I do not want it. Look around at our other “independent” Caribbean countries, they were suffering and sold passports, are heavily in debt and hence still ruled by the ones holding the note. We are in a different era now and the concept of going “independent” in this Global world does not exist for a small island state like the BVI. I am sorry but I do not support this. I see no evidence of it advancing us beyond where we are. We often like to reference Cayman and Bermuda when it suits us. They are light years ahead of the BVI in many ways (infrastructure for e.g.) yet they are not rushing to independence.
. There has been no compelling case presented to justify the immediate pursuit of independence. Moreover, the absence of clear and concrete examples of oppression undermines the strength and validity of the current debate . The matter of independence should be approached as a measured, well-considered process — one grounded in evidence, national readiness, and a long-term strategic vision.
Nooooooooooooooooooooope!! Not with Lorna and the VIP. Sorry. I don’t trust them. Btw where is the 5 million dollars? Why haven’t we gotten an explanation of what happened yet?
That woman is a power hungry person. She ran the government when her husband was the Premier. Now she is doing the same thing again. I do not trust her with power. She made a mess with BVI Airways and she did it here again with the Bank of Asia.
Whom ever gets it done, the evil and hideous coloiialism must go.
People are tired of seeing some people owning and thriving oon thngs they stole and murdered for.
A bunch of foreigners backed by the British Government with an agenda to take control of these islands. We can see through your scaremongering and political tactics. Lorna is absolutely right its colonial domination or independence. How would these foreigners react if a bunch of Virgin Islanders had gone into their country and tried to obstruct their journey to independence. What we have here is another Palestine situation with a bunch of black people proving themselves to be a total disgrace.The majority are scared of loosing easy access to the US dollar and Virgin Islanders birthright.
stuuuuuups.we do not need independence right now.
Mrs. Junior Minister, it’s ironic that you’re trying to convince us why we should pursue independence, when the reality shows that the government already has its foot on the necks of the people—while enriching themselves with funds from the treasury. When struggling citizens or business owners seek assistance, we’re told there’s no money. Yet somehow, there’s always enough to give yourselves double pay, ignore our calls, and look down on us when we face hardship.
Let’s not forget—your family came here from Anguilla seeking opportunity, and BVIslanders welcomed and supported you. Now, those same people are being held down while you and others in power accumulate wealth. It’s clear where your loyalty lies…. Perhaps you should focus on advocating for Anguilla’s independence from the UK instead of trying to mislead the people of the BVI.
And please, stop telling Myron he isn’t a BVIslander—he was born here. Under the current eligibility criteria, neither you nor your brother would even qualify to run for political office. If you do decide to return to Anguilla, please take Nathalio with you, since he wasn’t born here either, has no real connection to Long Look, and has shown no respect for the people of this territory.
When you lie about something so simple and obvious as this, how can you be entrusted with independence?
What does independence mean to the BVI. What really would in bring besides a self governance but would reducing money within the economy. You think people are going to want to travel to the BVI under independence. Does it mean more taxes does it mean stricter laws. What exactly does independence do for the people of BVI?
i choose the u.k over aya cr oo ks
The saddest part is that we black people have no love or respect for each other. We tear each other down every opportunity we get rather than building each other up while others sit on the side and laugh at us. Why not support and uplift each other. Everyone one fighting for self rather than for us as a whole. All over the Caribbean and further afield is the same thing. Blacks fighting each other, stepping on each other to climbing on one another. So so sad. When are we going to unite with one voice and move forward with a single purpose? We are our greatest enemy, not the white man.
Until we speak clearly and articulately with one voice, we will never ever agree on what a future Virgin Islands should look like without other controlling our destiny and that of the next generation of Virgin Islanders.
Security and law enforcement.,,one if not the biggest and urgent,
Who will pay for an additional prisonlng overdue and urgent,who will pay the salaries of the police and the cost of the prisoners room and board
Above all security has fast become a top task for BVIslanders bt dem others the architect of thus ongoing conundrumnot satisfied, They want our inheritance..that is our BVIslander title resulting from our previous generatonssss who suck salt to create these coveted few acres to which thy endowed for us their descendants,the fabric of these CI.
THE USUAL COLONIALIST WLLL BUILD YOU PRISONS, JUST ASK.
AND WE GOING AND LEAVE IT / EVERYTHING IS THEY WANT ” OUR ” LAND ” OUR ” ANCESTORS CAME AND MET IT TOO AND WHERE ARE THEY ❓️ THIS DUDE WHO LOVE TO PLAY WITH WIGS KEEPS PUSHING HIS RACIST LYRICS ON A DAILY BASIS , CALLING DOWN PEOPLE FROM OVER SEAS TERITORIES ” ISLAND PEOPLE ” AND WE LIVE ON AN ISLAND / HIS DAD WAS AN ANTIGUAN YET HE FIGHTING DOWN WALWYN , HE CRITICIZES THIS NEWS SITE , BUT BLOGGING MORE THAN ANYBODY ELSE USING ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT NAMES , TRUMP AIN’T GOT NOTHING ON THIS ESTEEMED JOKER
Respectfully and regretfully; please exercise the will of the majority of the people of the BVI and step down. Do not bother run again to embarrass yourself. We have heard from, and seen enough of you. Such a disappointment.
If the BVI do choose self government, remember, do not forget, do not destroy the BVI. Do not be destructive.