Premier clarifies ’rise up’ call against governor’s powers

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has clarified his controversial call for Virgin Islanders to “rise up” against proposals to give the governor more powers over local law enforcement agencies, saying it was a call to defend the territory’s democratic rights, not an invitation to violence.

The clarification came during the inaugural airing of Virgin Islands Voice, a government-led live broadcast that allows residents to speak directly with ministers. Dr Wheatley addressed public concerns over his recent remarks in the House of Assembly that urged people to “rise up” against certain recommendations in a UK-backed law enforcement review.

“The people must rise up, but they must basically stand up for the principles that we all believe in, which is our own self-determination,” Dr Wheatley explained. “I’m not speaking about violence. I’m not speaking about anything like that. Please don’t get that type of thing confused.”

The Premier said the report—part of a review process launched after the 2022 Commission of Inquiry—contains both positive and concerning recommendations. While the government supports improvements to the justice system, it opposes proposals that would centralise power under the governor by removing key responsibilities from elected officials.

“There are recommendations in the law enforcement review that we don’t agree with,” he said. “And I made this very clear to the Governor.”  He added, “I’ll make it very clear to the Minister for the Overseas Territories, or the Foreign Secretary or any representative of the UK government.”

He stressed that the National Security Council, which includes elected members and the governor, is already reviewing many of the recommendations.

“We support most of the recommendations,” the Premier said. “There are a few that are regressive, which would actually be taking powers from elected representatives and placing them in the hands of the governor. We don’t agree with those.”

Dr Wheatley encouraged residents to make their views known through democratic means. “This is something that we have to assert ourselves in speaking up about and making it very clear,” he said. “We want to continue on the path of self-determination, and we don’t want our rights to be taken away.”

The law enforcement review proposes placing the Customs, Immigration, and the Financial Investigation Agency under the Governor’s control—a move the Premier believes undermines the territory’s progress toward greater self-governance.