BVI News

Premier shares discontent with UK, other OTS

Premier Andrew Fahie (BVI News photo)

Premier Andrew Fahie yesterday told the Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) that the BVI is not pleased with a section of the statement that is published yearly at the end of the JMC meetings.

The JMC is a political forum which brings together UK ministers as well as elected leaders and representatives of the Overseas Territories to provide leadership and shared vision for the territories.

It was held virtually this year from November 23 to 26 and concluded yesterday.

At the end of the annual meeting, a communique is published which outlines all the areas that the leaders agree on during the forum.

But at yesterday’s meeting, Premier Fahie expressed that the BVI isn’t pleased with the language used in a section of the communique titled “Constitutional Relationship”.

Premier Fahie said his government has called for this section to be amended to reflect the UN Charter, specifically article 73, which in essence “commits the UK to help territories whose people have not yet attained a full measure of self-government; to work with us to develop the political aspirations of the people of the territory. ”

However, despite his government’s suggestions for amendment, Premier Fahie said that section of the communique has not been changed. He therefore openly declared that he will not give a vote in agreement with that section.

“The BVI’s position remains unchanged, we cannot agree with the current language of the communique relating to the Constitutional Relationship. BVI would like to openly declare a reserved position regarding the Constitutional Relationship language,” Premier Fahie explained.

He continued: “My government is of the view that the constitutional relationship between the OTs and the UK must be allowed to evolve as the territories mature. Each OT has changed their constitutional relationship with the UK based on their needs and circumstances over the past decades. Thus, illustrating that each territory’s constitution as a living document.”

Premier Fahie also said he is aware that the OTs (Overseas Territories) and Foreign and Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) officials have been working tirelessly to reach joint agreement on this year’s communiqué.

“Yet, despite the hard work of officials on all sides, we have been unable to reach agreement,” Premier Fahie said.

Premier Fahie has been vocal about the UK’s relationship with the BVI as he continues to call for the territory to become less reliant on the UK as it relates to the handling of local affairs. Local politicians have long expressed that there is often pushback from the UK government whenever local leaders try to gain authority within the territory.

However, not all local residents are in favour of giving increased political control to local representatives

Shares

Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

13 Comments

Disclaimer: BVI News and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the comments below or other interaction among the users.

  1. Lol says:

    Andrew Fahie is a special kind of i**** y’all leave him alone
    His own words coming back to haunt him

    Like 34
    Dislike 45
  2. Maturity? says:

    The situation should indeed evolve once territories reach maturity. But you Andrew are leading like a five year old.

    So no, you can’t claim maturity.

    Like 43
    Dislike 49
    • @ Maturity says:

      You really need to mature and study the history of the UK and how they deserted these Islands. Their only interest in us now is because they are leaving the EU and need to seek more financial means while trying to look like a world power but we know better.

      Like 1
      Dislike 3
  3. Father Time says:

    This is very ghetto, Andy. You are embarrassing us in front of visitors.

    Like 39
    Dislike 52
  4. Rubber Duck says:

    I wonder what Andy wants us to call him in his brave new Haiti.

    Big Brother?

    Like 10
    Dislike 8
  5. anonymous says:

    we support you fahie the same blogger will not fool we

    Like 30
    Dislike 24
  6. Oh says:

    So you want them to send the money, just not to place any strings on it. Or, you want to be the boss, but let someone else cover the bills. Got it.

    Like 15
    Dislike 21
  7. BuzzBvi says:

    Andrew, C O. S-C, Speaker.
    The UN states according to you that they “work with us to develop the political aspirations of the people of the territory.”
    That means the people of the Territory not just Andrew, C O. S-C, and the Speaker.
    Look at the blogs – the comments. You are pushing an agenda of your own and not the peoples and so you have no more weight in the UN than a school child. You are looking childish and dragging the the BVI down with you back to Kindergarten. No reflection on our children, as they are full of potential but they, like you are not yet ready to lead and they, unlike you already understand the difference between what they think and what people collectively think.

    Like 8
    Dislike 7
  8. Heckler says:

    So how can we really rid ourselves of this internationally em*******ing man?

  9. lol says:

    Bully the BVI but can’t bully the UK. That is why we need to stay under the crown to make sure we are safe from political bullies and don’t end up like Zimbabwe under Mugabe

    Like 9
    Dislike 6
  10. SON says:

    Ungrateful. Lack of perspective. Keep bitching and be careful, you might get what you want.

    Like 4
    Dislike 2

Leave a Comment

Shares