Premier heaps praise on Caribbean leaders for saving VI
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley
The COI report triggered an Order in Council in the United Kingdom (UK) Parliament, which threatened to strip power from the elected government if governance reforms were not implemented within two years.
He said CARICOM leaders went to great lengths to advocate for the BVI, arranging calls with top UK officials, including the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary. The Premier joked that some “nearly called King Charles as well.”
“On the CARICOM level as well, we had some heads of government who went as far as calling the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. We had heads of government who called the Foreign Secretary; they nearly called King Charles as well,” he said. “So when you have persons like that who are willing to step out on your behalf and engage for you, you know, that’s what you call true solidarity.”
Premier Wheatley said the events surrounding the COI demonstrated “the value of the relationships that we have,” and he praised the OECS for issuing a “very strong statement” in the BVI’s defence, adding that “it went out internationally and it did make some waves.”
Dr Wheatley said this level of regional support underscores why it is critical for the BVI to remain active within regional bodies such as the OECS and CARICOM, instead of engaging only when facing challenges.
“Some persons sometimes [say we’re] travelling too much or something like that. But if you only show up at the meetings when you need something, persons are not going to take you seriously,” he said. “You have to show up consistently. You have to show that you’re committed to the cause and then when persons recognise that you’re serious and you’re committed, they will stand by your side when needed.
Dr Wheatley has repeatedly credited regional solidarity as a key factor in the UK’s eventual decision to allow the BVI to retain its democratic government following the COI report and political turbulence that followed.
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Wow! This man does just talk as he goes and think people stupid. I remember when asked a question by Myron he said that it was because of his leadership that the UK didn’t take over. Myron called him ungrateful and said that it was because of our Caribbean leaders who stood up for us. Now he mouth change to what Myron said. This man does just talk because he got a mouth.
Myron told you that and even said that ungratefulness is worse than obeah. He told you that because you said it was because of the leadership of you and the unity government. In your answer to Myron’s question you did not once acknowledge the assistance of the CARICOM countries. Now all of a sudden you using what Myron said. You think we forget?
Need to find out what this dude and his brother really up to.
Wah yo saying , DEM ” ISLAND PEOPLE ” SAVE US ??? ●¿● you are going to cause the wigged dude on his yello to IMPLODE / because even though he is a half breed he still acting like he owns the country , / and keep hollering out ” GO BAK WAY AR-YO COM FRON ” / so he and the other XENOPHOBIC IDIOTS MIGHT HAVE TO STAY CLOSE TO THE TOILET, / MEANWHILE WE ARE GOING TO GET A TASTE OF THEIR ANGER IN THEIR RESPONCE ,( RACIST ) ASUSUAL , hey * HYPOCRITES * bring it on , it’s time to FLEX OFF WHATS WITHIN YA’AL SO THE WORLD CAN SEE HOW WISE YOU ALL ARE •
Something he looking for. The leader of the Xenophobic culture in the BVI is not singing praises without a price. Something he looking for. Issue an open apology to Myron for supporting references to his mother’s country if yuh serious! Joker.
How about thinking of others? What help are we giving Jamaica?
Nathalio — please stop. The Commission of Inquiry was necessary to expose the corruption that’s been happening in this country. The inquiry completed its work and made recommendations. You responded on paper — but how have those recommendations actually helped the people of the BVI?
Remember how you came to Long Look: you portrayed yourself as a poor young man in a tattered suit and slippers and begged for a chance. Once in office you allegedly threatened your constituents and told them they “beg too much.” You rarely visit the village to hear their needs…
Your so-called “bush-cutting” program — which you tout as community assistance — is nothing more than a degrading, twice-a-year handout that treats voters like charity cases. You’ve even made it mandatory to tender simple bush-cutting contracts. You talk about becoming a leading tourist destination and building a blue economy while sewage runs in the streets of your district.
Now you’re pushing a sewage program that sounds “free” to sign up for, but the fine print will cost residents more money and add needless red tape — the very people you claim to serve will pay the price. Your district is the poorest and dirtiest, and yet you focus on foreign affairs and jet-setting abroad — which does not put food on our tables, create jobs, support struggling businesses, or fund scholarships for our children. You went to Caribbean leaders portraying the UK as the abuser, but it is your government that is overtaxing citizens, failing families and businesses, and allegedly lining its pockets while foreign investment never reaches our shores. You and your allies rewarded yourselves with double pay, and now you’re courting CARICOM and the OECS to push for independence — a move that feels like an attempt to consolidate power and shield your co***ption.
Long Look does not want you. Pickering did more for this district — he sat with residents and even performed surgery for free. Terrance ensured people had jobs, provided land, and cut roads to their properties. What have you done as the representative for the 7th District? You belittle the people.
CarICOM may have supported you, but in the next election the people of this district will not. You can fly in as many overseas voters as you like, but we will not back you. We want you and your brothers gone…
It is a shame those leaders only talked with our Dictator and not the people of the VI to get the real picture of what is happening here in the VI.
They would have been able to advise the UK Government better.
Our Premier has the right idea to like Caricom. Caricom is implementing full Free Movement of their nationals amongst Caricom countries.
This is now happening for Barbados, Belize, Dominica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
This means that nationals of these four countries will be able to travel to any of these four countries to reside, work and remain indefinitely, with the right to access emergency and primary health care as well as public primary and secondary education for their children and was approved by CARICOM Heads of Government.
We are an associate member.
Our Premier likes so much what Caricom is doing for us.
He must be leading us towards an Independent VI without work permits and Free movement for all the brothers and sisters in the Caribbean. Anyone in the Caricom countries can easily come and work and live here at last. No more work permits and immigration control and down island talk.
Those said “helpers”are now unwilling guests of the World’s Super Powers with wartime weapons at the ready based on your “helpers” major contribution to drugs exportation to their countries with the assist of the BVI.
No helpers available.. They are “independent” and fly their own flags. Not a whisper from the United Nations. When these same super powers flex their super powers in the BVI waters,as is inevitable,in retalliation for aiding with open borders and refusal to do otherwise,escaped drug runners and murderers with free and immediate access to ocean transport, pity the BVI..which of these CARICOM can help ? Their help lies in their ability to be like them. “Independent”,poverty stricken,illegal drugs transporters,high crime rate, poor education wanderes to countries and reluctant welcomes.
The BVI has been accepting persons when neccessary or not for many years to work in the Territory and many were able to benefit tremendously throughout the years.
Its best for Barbados, Belize Dominica, & SVG to engage to elope in the Free Movement regime, not the BVI.We good.This is not best for everyone, besides how will the BVI benefit from this? Some Locals may go to school in these Islands but not to live.
No hard feelings just saying facts.
So it looks like @Dopplegangerbvu is a no to Independence and stick with UK rather than be with Caricom then.
This Independence thing does seem to bring along with it a few unwelcome issues.
Why persons are hoping that BVI partake in the “FREE MOVEMENT”? Why not nention other islands like Haiti, DR, T&T, Grenada just to name a few?
If I were those leaders, I would advocate on BVI’s behalf too! We provide a lot of US currency for those countries and their citizens here invest heavily back home. A UK takeover could have impacted the flow of US dollars/investments back to those countries. The Premier is so gullible that he only looks at one side and honestly believes they did this without looking out for themselves!
Such buffoonery!