Premier: UK ‘not interested’ in Free Association arrangement with BVI
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has said the United Kingdom has indicated it is not interested in entering into a free association arrangement with the Virgin Islands, leaving independence as the primary option should the territory seek a future change in its political status.
Under the United Nations framework, free association is a recognised form of decolonisation in which a territory becomes self-governing through a freely negotiated agreement with another country. While the associated state manages its own domestic affairs, it may choose to delegate responsibilities such as defence and foreign relations to its larger partner.
Dr Wheatley made the remarks during the Virgin Gorda leg of public engagement sessions on constitutional negotiations. Residents were invited to discuss proposals being advanced as part of ongoing efforts to secure a new constitution for the territory.
Responding to a question about the extent to which the government intended to advance the territory’s political development, Dr Wheatley said the current constitutional negotiations were aimed at achieving greater internal self-government rather than changing the territory’s political status.
“What I described thus far really represents an internally self-governing territory,” Dr Wheatley said. “Any other further advancement beyond that — like if we get what we ask for in this constitution — any other advancement, we would have to consider what type of relationship we want to have with the United Kingdom moving forward.”
The Premier said possible future options would include independence, full integration with the United Kingdom, or free association. However, he indicated that one of those options had already received a negative response from British officials.
“The United Kingdom government has made it somewhat plain to us that they’re not interested in a free association with us,” Dr Wheatley stated.
He added that any move towards a change in political status would have to reflect the people’s wishes.
“Really, I think the question for us is independence. And a change in political status must be as a result of the wishes of the majority of the population,” Dr Wheatley said. “Traditionally, there are two ways where that’s expressed — whether through referendum or through a party running on that platform and winning.”
Earlier in the meeting, Dr Wheatley said the government’s immediate focus is on securing additional powers through constitutional reform, including responsibility for the public service, chairing Cabinet meetings and greater local control over governance matters. He argued that the Virgin Islands has matured politically and economically and should be afforded powers already exercised by several other British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies.
The current constitutional review process follows recommendations from the Constitutional Review Commission, which submitted its report in late 2023 after conducting more than 45 public consultations and reviewing hundreds of submissions from residents across the territory. The House of Assembly subsequently debated the recommendations and adopted a negotiating position that has now been submitted to the UK government ahead of formal constitutional talks.
Negotiations are expected to begin later this year, with initial meetings scheduled in the Virgin Islands before discussions continue in the United Kingdom.
Copyright 2026 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
This man is lying,he is very eager for independence.therefore is using psychology to brainwash us the people.let’s not fall for his lies.
This man is really ambitious concerning independence,he is doing everything to force everyone in supporting him in his corrupt plans.
We do not need independence.
true
Keep being a smart dictator.
Good, stop any independence talks until the people’s opinion is known.
is the negotiating position available for public viewing or is it a state secret . Since many of the commissions reported recommendations were contradictory to the present system of governing , example Premier elected at large , has that been included in the negotiating position or has it been discarded.
He want to ruin the BVI just because he’s mad about the COI
UK only interested in Colonial Bondage.
Believe nothing this man says.
Independence you say mr premier, you cant even pay the people them out their money until now and the country going down the drain with high prices here and there and dont talk about the minimum wage that you fool everyone about, NO to INDEPENDENCE SIR we dont even have food security to start with bout Independence
The UK’s lack of interest in a Compact of Free Association (COFA) is not a surprise. The British Empire was the largest empire in history with colonies on every continent, comprising approximately 25% of the globe and with over 450,000 people. Its spread of imperialism resulted in huge changes to societies/communities, industries, history, heritage, culture,languages, beliefs, religions, traditions, identities, lives of people, especially indigenous people, across the globe.
Moreover, it exploited and expropriated the labour and land of indigenous people in far away lands. It employed the commodities, precious metals, etc,from its colonies to build the UK’s economy, personal wealth.etc.After WWII,,having been devasted by the war, the UK tried to offload its once profitable West Indian colonies,for they were getting to costly to maintain.
They tried the short-lived West Indies Federation ( 1958-1962); then through the independence route, starting with Jamaica on 06 August 1962. Jamaica’s independence started the independence parade. The only remaining colonies of the West Indies make up of the British Empire, ie, Overseas Territories ,include Anguilla, Bermuda, Cayman Islands , Montserrat, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the Virgin Islands.
Nevertheless, in spite of being the largest empire,ie, Brittania ruled the waves, the sun never set over the Commonwealth, not a square inch has been integrated into the UK and neither has a COFA been established. By contrast, the US has COFAs with the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau. New Zealand has a COFA with the Cook Island. The British Empire suffered the fate of all empires; it rise and fall.
After WWIi, there was a labor shortage in the UK. To tell help address the labor shortage, the UK requested colonies in the West Indies provide workers, eg, Windrush Generation. Today though, White Britons are growing uneasy, concerned,etc, about the “ darkening” of the UK, demanding immigration restrictions, pursuing deportations. You made an eye opening quote that inspite of the British Empire being the largest of history, not even a “square inch” has been integrated. You made a comparison to the US’ COFA agreements. We can also take a peek of France’s action with its colonies. For example, Guadeloupe and Martinique are overseas departments of France. Both Guadeloupe and Martinique have representatives in France’s Parliament. Citizens of Guadeloupe and Martinique can vote in France’s elections. In comparison, the UK used and exploited its colonies. And now telling them to take a hike.
@ E. Leonard, I differ that not even a square inch was integrated into the UK. I think the crown dependencies are integrated into the UK. Anyone think that many Britons worried about citizens from the crown dependencies coming into the UK proper. Crown dependencies are threated differently than some Overseas Territories, do they not?
Is the negotiating position available for public viewing or is it a state secret. Who was sent from the BVI and on whose authority tried to negotiate a free association arrangement. Why weren’t we citizens asked whether or not we wanted such a position to be even considered. Does anyone in their right mind expect to be given this kind of autonomy, it’s an insult. Why are the very few trying to take us back to the dark ages when we had to beg to obtain a VISA to certain jurisdictions. Look around the Caribbean and see that independent countries have to bend out of shape to please the puppeteer, moreover the OT’s cannot just be run over with a heavy roller. Though suggested, the USVI citizens will never give up their alliance to suffer like dogs despite Border Protection being out of their hands