Opposition Leader wants to topple gov’t and take over — Premier
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley. (GIS Photo)
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has accused Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn of approaching national issues with a singular political objective — removing the current administration and positioning himself to take power — rather than working constructively in the interests of the territory.
Dr Wheatley made the comments during the debate on the Virgin Islands Energy and Water Corporation Bill, 2026, arguing that while government and opposition share a responsibility to pass legislation that advances the territory, that obligation is often overshadowed by political ambition.
“I believe this is one of the challenges that the Leader of the Opposition has,” the Premier said. “He views everything through the prism of politics — and what he believes helps the advancement of ambition, to be able to topple the government and to take the government’s place.”
According to Premier Wheatley, that mindset leads to opposition for opposition’s sake, even when proposals are designed to address longstanding national problems such as water access and sewage management. He said meaningful debate should allow room for agreement where policies are sound, while offering practical suggestions where improvements are needed.
“If something is good, say it’s good,” Dr Wheatley said, adding that there is nothing wrong with supporting legislation in principle while proposing adjustments to specific provisions. However, he criticised what he described as a tendency to frame every government initiative as unethical or harmful, even when evidence suggests otherwise.
“Making something out of nothing”
Premier Wheatley cautioned against “making something out of nothing” to satisfy political agendas, warning that such an approach distracts from solving real issues facing residents. He said issues like the territory’s water and sewage challenges demand cooperation, not constant political conflict.
The Premier’s comments reflect a broader political narrative that has followed Walwyn throughout his career, with supporters viewing him as a sharp and aggressive debater. At the same time, critics have often portrayed his style as confrontational and overly combative. Those perceptions have resurfaced as infrastructure reform — particularly water, sewage and roads — becomes a defining issue ahead of the next general election.
Dr Wheatley insisted that while robust debate is healthy for democracy, it must be grounded in good faith. “As a House, government and opposition, it is our responsibility to pass legislation that will advance us,” he said. “We should not allow politics alone to stand in the way of progress.”
Copyright 2026 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
anyone would be better than what we have now
Exactly! I despised hearing or seeing this immature boy Premier. It only became Premier because AF decided to confirm him as DP. He just like a pecking fowl responding to anything or anyone disapproving of his theatrics. Like the VI in lieu of the POS in WH.
Something is really wrong with Natalio Wheatley. The whole BVI want to topple this useless, incompetent and lackluster government. It is the worst set of elected officials we have ever had and you sir have the honour of being the worst premier we have ever had.
Everything that Myron said about that bill was true. I took the opportunity to glance through the bill and was appalled to see some of the things I saw in it. Kye Rymer could not have gone through this bill properly before he brought it.
I just read that this article and I also was able to listen to parts of Hon Walwyn’s debate and the Premier’s debate. Hon. Walwyn was reading from the bill and then explained what it meant. The Premier in response said all manner of irrelevant things and didn’t read out the sections of the bill that he claimed Hon. Walwyn was misstating.
How narcissisistic does one have to be to believe that anybody can topple anything that ALREADY FALL OVER…what we need now is a clean up of this mess..this modeling-in-prison-looking-outfit, photo-op, travel-alot, party-till-yuh-drop joke of a primer cannot seriously believe he is doing a quarter of a decent job. Mehson, look herre….choops!
I am not a fan of tall boy but he is doing exactly what he is supposed to do from the Opposition! Don’t nobody go into politics trying to lose. All of them want to win so that they can try to put their visions for the territory in play to move the country forward in their view. If Natalio was Opposition, he would be doing the exact same thing as tall boy. The hypocrisy of these people are astounding!
Natalio surrounded himself with yes men and his * and so he is blind to reality. He is out of touch and really thinks that he is doing a great job and that his administration well built and solid. this is why he is using the word topple. Only something that is built up can be toppled. His immaturity is showing in his posturing. Absolute power corrupts absolutely and because he has been in the seat across 2 terms, he now thinks he is invincible.
Could the Premier tell us which Opposition in the Caribbean region that don’t have a desire to topple the sitting government.
Yes indeed, attack the strongest and try to convince the people, through vicious untruthdul properganda, that one of the best servants of the people is some how worst than the rest, even though he remains shut mouth on the Greedy Bill and the 250% salary increases and other perks.
He believes that the Premier position belong him? He thinks because his grandfather was a chief minister and he is an accidental Premier that the country belongs to them ? …. The government needs toppling. A bunch of imbeciles leading us to no where.
Getting nervous. He’ll fold soon
All 13 must go especially that rude and bullying woman
You cannot wake up a person who is pretending to be sleep. I’ll just rest this here.