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.