Premier calls for Cabinet Secretary to replace Deputy Governor
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has called for the Deputy Governor’s post to be scrapped in the next constitution and replaced with a Cabinet secretary who reports to the Premier, a move seen as part of a wider push to strengthen local control over government.
Speaking at the close of a House of Assembly debate on the Constitutional Review Commission’s report, Dr Wheatley argued that responsibilities currently assigned to the Deputy Governor should be transferred to a Cabinet secretary under the Premier’s office.
“That position of deputy governor, in the next constitution, it won’t be necessary. We should put those responsibilities given to the deputy governor to a cabinet secretary,” he stated.
Premier Wheatley added that the shift would create clearer accountability within government. “Responsibility for the civil service should come to the premier most likely and be under a cabinet secretary, most likely,” he explained.
The Premier also insisted that the governor’s role in Cabinet should be scaled back, saying, “And the police, internal security should come to an elected minister of national security. And the governor definitely shouldn’t be chairing cabinet or even a part of cabinet,” he argued.
Under the existing system, the Deputy Governor oversees the public service, while the Governor retains responsibility for internal security and chairs Cabinet meetings. These powers have long been a point of contention, with local leaders arguing they limit the territory’s ability to exercise full internal self-government.
Earlier this year, debate intensified about the Governor’s influence after reforms to the Public Service Management Act highlighted the Deputy Governor’s central role in public administration. Critics have argued that the arrangement leaves elected leaders unable to fully direct the civil service, while supporters contend that it preserves checks and balances.
The Premier’s call comes as the Virgin Islands prepares to enter negotiations with the United Kingdom on constitutional reform. The government has stated its intention to achieve greater autonomy by devolving more powers to local elected officials.
Dr Wheatley has described the review process as an opportunity to strengthen democracy and ensure ministers can hold the public service accountable. He stressed that the replacement of the Deputy Governor with a Cabinet secretary would align the Virgin Islands more closely with systems where the executive directly manages government administration.
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Is this the same, and current Deputy Governor that intends to run in District Two for VIP in the next election?
Things get more and more disgusting in this country. Set of two faced devils destroying our country from within.
Wha he trying to cover up now
wha he trying to cover up
Here he goes again….any and everything to make sure they have NO ACCOUNTABILITY AND CAN GET AWAY WITH ANYTHING LIKE THAT SECRET SALARY INCREASE MAKING $21K a month including allowances.
LOOKS LIKE ” HOLY MOSES ” STARTING FLEX OFF HIS MUSCLES / THATS WHEN YOU GOT ” POWER AND AUTHORITY ” . WELL LETS GET THE PARTY ‘ FREE JAMZ ETC STARTED , WE GAH MO MONEY TO PLAY WID NOW
We call for Champie to replace Natalio. He would do a better job.
NO!!!!
Deputy Governor position in the BVI government is too important to be demoted to a cabinet secretary. The current system in the Cabinet is operating just fine with the Governor in charge, Deputy Gov responsible for the civil service and legal system and the Premier responsible for the HOA.
A Dictator Wants To Hi-Jack This territory.
This Thing getting serious. Thank God I Have Somewhere else to go. This is worse than Donald Trump!!! Whose To Blame, Whose To Blame??
Remember when we were “Nature’s Little Secret”
Now we are.
NATURES SECRET SOCIETY
archer dont be doing jack despite the amount of corruption with politicians and toxic government seniors………. but this despite this i dont wanna give our local corrupt greedy politicians more power than they aldy have so please keep archer where he is thanks
A local who will never aspire to thoe governor’s seat is but a modern day house keeper often referred to as a house n+++er.
Why get rid of the entire westminister system?
Please also replace the DPP with an actual person who can get the job done. Because we are tired of this excuse of the constitution and her bragging saying she cannot be removed. Thanks
Study fascism , study dictatorships, study Nazism
This fellow will bring here to ruins . He and his cronies. Politicians feel we BVI are stupid and we forget
Where is your energy when the people was your focus as you stated on political platforms before you became premier?
It is all a game each one trying to outdo the other and destroy what the other help to build
You boasted the best of the islands now the BVI is left behind
Personal accumulation of wealth and power is the watch word
I call for all Public servants to abandon the upcoming Public service week, don’t participate let’s make a stand and stop accepting the crap we have been given.
Cabinet Secretary is the most senior position in the PS. The position sits in Cabinet and PSs report to her of Government initiatives. Meanwhile the Deputy Governor has no real role besides being the Governor’s lap dog. Too big a salary for customer service and transformation. Dont we have a ministry for that – give me a break!