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.