Premier: UK must not force law enforcement changes on BVI
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has warned against any attempt by the United Kingdom to impose sweeping law enforcement reforms on the Virgin Islands through an Order in Council, calling such action a form of modern-day colonialism.
Dr Wheatley raised the alarm in the House of Assembly last week after tabling the second volume of the law enforcement review by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS). He said a recommendation in the review mirrored earlier proposals in the Commission of Inquiry to strip the territory of democratic control.
“We have a similar recommendation here with the law enforcement review,” he stated. “This suggests that all of these areas should be moved under the ambit of the governor, the unelected governor… That is taking us in the opposite direction.”
The Premier said any attempt to act on the report’s recommendation using an Order in Council from the UK would amount to undoing decades of progress in self-governance.
“Even the recommendation itself is a shame and should be a shame,” Dr Wheatley declared. “Even anyone who even considered that for a moment should be ashamed.”
He strongly rejected any centralisation of control under the governor, especially over key agencies such as Customs, Immigration, the Financial Investigation Agency, and the prison service. “We will not give more responsibility to the governor,” he asserted. “That’s taking us backwards and we should not allow a COI or law enforcement review to take us backwards.”
Dr Wheatley framed the matter as one of human rights and democratic dignity. “We should remove any bastions of colonialism,” he argued. “These section 60 responsibilities for the governor should be devolved to a local elected government.”
He called the United Kingdom’s historical oversight of the Virgin Islands a failure. “Colonialism doesn’t lead to greater security. Colonialism leads to an inferior state of security,” he said. “Our history with the United Kingdom has been one of neglect.”
While reaffirming his desire to work constructively with Britain, Dr Wheatley said he would not remain silent on what he called outdated systems of power. “I’m not anti-UK… but I’m anti-colonialism,” he said. “The answer is not dictatorship or colonialism. The answer is to develop your institutions and make them fit for purpose.”
As constitutional negotiations loom, the Premier urged fellow legislators and the public to resist any externally imposed restructuring. “Now is the time to move forward,” he stated.
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On how self government has led to financial corruption ( certain families helping themselves)
can enforce ALL the latest law enforcement recommendations on the BVI or alternatively the Order in Council. Leader’s choice!
Comply or suffer the consequences!
You must think you see slaves here
Yuh right mehson we not slaves
we a bunch of corrupted people well except for those who not involved and making an honest living…
and we going be the same people crying out when police can’t get them job done or when another businessman gets gunned down for his business life just another day it seems.
bvi luvvvvv
Your mentality is lacking
Put it to the people to decide!
Don’t let the politicians decide this, ask the people what they want.
We want the UK to come and CLEAN UP!
The UK took over Turks & Caicos over 10 years ago. $100million dollars spent and 10 years later, how many ‘corrupt’ people have been arrested/charged/convicted? Please do some research and come back and post them. The UK have sent commissioners, prison superintendents and others here and the records would show that they’re no better off than the locals or Caribbean nationals doing the same jobs. It is always easier for us to make excuses for them, label ourselves as criminals and give them a pass. For example when they are out drinking all night, it’s networking, socializing, getting a load off. When we do it, it’s called being lazy, drunk, irresponsible and careless. Go figure….
The BVI can fix its own problems if the people really want to. Most people are just interested in money and make the most noise when they are left out of the loop. They are not speaking out for the benefit of the BVI, they are speaking out because they were left out. Look around, listen around and put the dots together.
Amen a million times. FACTS.
“The Premier said any attempt to act on the report’s recommendation using an Order in Council from the UK would amount to undoing decades of progress in self-governance.”
The Premier sometimes come up with a poitical gem that he must be given credit for, and this is one of them.
Indeed, the rattle, black mamba and cobra srtikes until mission successful.
Any observant political novice can read the leaves relative to the UK’s political agenda.
Indeed, they are exclusive examples of neocolonialism at its best, very similar the old attack, destroy, claim for self and loot the resources. Today, is a different day with the same minds sets and same outcomes are to be expected.
The Virgin Islands Black people are going to lose this current war and end as subservient meaningless servants without human, poltical an economic rights, if they do not immediately shift their political allegiances, political alignments and economic safe gaurds.
Many still prefer saftey over the unknown, yet the future will be kind to those who prepare for it and not remain dependent upon the grace of a former ruler of a space and time.
We are and must be wiser, smarter and change where change is needed to protect us, our future and their generations. So saith history.
We must no. more be cowards or afraid to stepinto the future, even . if we only posses in hand a cutlass while they possess atomin bomsbs.We must fight any way.
Wait not until the chains are repositioned upon the body to realize what blind fools we were
The only time I see politicians make noise especially as one team putting aside differencees is when their corrupted practices are being threatened….
I guess them or there friends/ family really don’t like this change…
The community will be dumb to support them and then cry when the politicians are being deceptive and corrupted.
“If the people really want to” yes but the people aren’t given the option as long as only belongers get their extra benefits along with their vote,go figure!
in other words, we do not need them disrupt the gold pot flow…. stay we out business lolol , we need to control things lol. yuh cant save family and friends with their criminal activities if the UK control that area .yall think yall smart. the people see through you.
When the UK deport the KNOWN Terrorist in their country then I might have a little respect for them. Other than that this is LE CJ farce is a stretch
NOPE / THEY ARE ONLY SEEING A HIPPO WITH A WIG ON THE LOOSE HERE
David Arch have to sign off after the Governor
BVI government can’t clean up their house, and it it filthy. This is needed.
The UK, in all fairness, should remove any and all financial support and responsibility that it contributes/assumes for law enforcementand the prison. Most especially if the BVI is uncooperative in assuming the changes proposed by the UK.
The system as it is currently is flawed as corruption and illegal activities are in continuity with no relief.
Paying the cost for the comfort of the duly elected hoodlums and cohorts is ridiculous…it would, instead, indicate support.
No not at all should the UK force law enforcement changes.
They should simply remove the financial support it extends for the current faiked law enforcement which the hoo_]- elect supports .