Premier rejects ‘power-hungry’ label
Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley has firmly denied claims that he was driven by a desire for power when he accepted the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) in 2022. He insists that his actions were taken to protect the people of the Virgin Islands during a time of national crisis.
Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn recently accused the Premier of being “power-hungry,” alleging that Dr. Wheatley swiftly accepted the COI report solely to fulfill his aspiration of becoming Premier. According to Walwyn, that decision paved the way for the negative perceptions the United Kingdom continues to hold about the territory.
However, speaking on the Virgin Islands Voice programme on April 30, Premier Wheatley pushed back against the accusation, citing the critical circumstances the BVI faced at the time the COI report was released.
He argued that the territory was on the brink of direct rule, which would have stripped elected officials of their democratic authority and placed all legislative and executive power under the control of the Governor. In response, Wheatley said he and fellow legislators quickly formed the Government of National Unity to avert that outcome.
“Some have said this was done for power but it was actually done to empower the people of the Virgin Islands. What was on the table was an order in Council that would give the Governor all legislative and executive authority. He would be advised by a council of his choosing and that is what you call direct colonialism,” the Premier emphasized.
He continued: “It wasn’t a matter of persons wanting power it was a matter of us coming together to ensure power remained with the people and that is something I am extremely proud of and it is a proud legacy for all of us — even those who were in the Unity Government — all 13 members of the House of Assembly because indeed, it involved all of us.”
This is not the first time Dr. Wheatley has rejected claims of personal ambition during the COI fallout. Still, Opposition Leader Walwyn maintains that the Premier bears primary responsibility, given his central role in the critical decision-making process.
Public opinion remains divided. Some residents believe Premier Wheatley should have more strongly contested elements of the COI recommendations, while others support the approach taken by the government during what was widely regarded as a politically volatile and uncertain period.
Copyright 2025 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
P487.
But the power does not now rest with the people. It is with you and you keep ignoring the people.
Concerts we don’t want.
Independence we don’t yet want.
Aiport we don’t want until we get to see the reports and decide. Unlike you who are going ahead anyway and with no reason.
We dont have the power to see our finances as you wont produce legally required reports.
So that and much more shows that we do not have the power and you do and we would have been much baetter under the direct rule you “saved” us from.
Looks like you are Power Hungry and made a Power Grab.
The premier is no different than any politican here or in yours beloved UK , they ALL have ambition so lets be real . What this situation revealed is the lack of loyalty the this premier displays that can be possible troubling .There is some truth to what Walwyn states , as a casual observer we dont have all the fact but as a legislator and attorney Walwyn would be equipped to decipher the recommendations and nagivate them more in the interest of the Territory. The Premier has demonstrated that he does not have a core conviction when it comes to people. In the past because he had never been responsibilie for leading a high level group of people he did not understad that you manage process /business but you Leade people. Part of that leadership is stading by your people. T
Let’s not forget, the greedy bill that only pays them with no return for the people. S!0wW@nde, the A$$C!0wn Brigade and Members of the Opposition (more like a Road Trip with friends to no where) are all screwing us.
You are indeed power hungry, your actions speaks very highly of such.
Where is the letter critiquing the governor’s review and setting out our position that you promised, S!0wW@nde! The longer you take the more incompetent you and the A$$C!0wn Brigade look
this must be a April fool joke! Can Myron call anyone power hungry he is messy everywhere he goes with one aim POWER POWER POWER
THEY DONT CARE ONCE THE LITTLE GREEN BILL THEY GETTING WAY MORE THAN YOURS TIME GOING TELL
Nats a narci**istic so***path, power is his main goal for his ego
I don’t believe he was “driven” by power, but the power he now holds has certainly affected his judgement and subsequent actions though. He’s unable to manage it.
do
Which human would not be power hungry in a position similar/like this? I mean to be the leader of any country is a big deal that could leave any average human being with a cloudy judgement and indecisive thinking especially in the 1st year of Premiership. We stand with Natalio Wheatley 100%.