Rename colonial institutions to build BVI pride
At-Large Representative Ronnie Skelton has called on legislators to play their part in dismantling colonial structures, suggesting that one way forward is by changing the names of public institutions that still carry colonial references.
“We still believe names don’t mean anything. His Majesty’s Customs – when they call it that, they believe it belongs to the king. Crown lands – it belongs to the king, so you shouldn’t have any rights to it,” Skelton said during a recent sitting of the House of Assembly.
The veteran legislator argued that these labels carry historical weight and reinforce outdated notions of ownership.
“It is true that it was taken from people for not paying taxes when the king used to collect taxes. So, some of those things need to be changed,” he added.
Skelton noted that during his time as Minister of Finance, he oversaw the removal of one colonial title. “If you notice, you don’t have ‘Her Majesty’s Post Office’ anymore, right? You guys didn’t notice? It’s called BVI Post, right? I was heading for Customs, but I got fired,” he said, drawing chuckles from fellow House members.
While insisting that most colonial-era names should go, Skelton joked that “His Majesty’s Prison” might remain since, as he put it, “they gave us the money to build it.”
His comments come as the BVI undergoes a constitutional review process amid growing calls for the United Kingdom to grant the elected government greater autonomy in managing the territory’s affairs.
Skelton said renaming institutions would not only help build national identity but also serve as a tangible step toward progress.
“We got to get rid of some of this colonial stuff, and then we’re gonna feel lighter and able to move forward,” he said.
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Building BVI pride should start with loving and caring about our country and each other not with words but with our actions. The jealousy, envy and hatred that is so common place among us is our biggest barrier. We do every and anything to keep each other from progressing. Building Pride is much more than just renaming a building. That building will be renamed and we would still be the same people we are now- very little real pride. We only speak about BVI pride and pretend that we have it when we want to exclude others and make them feel as though they don’t belong.
THAT MR ALOOF CAN COME UP WITH ? , IS THAT WHY THE COUNTRY’S INFRASTRUCTURE ETC IS IN SHAMBLES ? ITS NO WONDER THEY COULDN’T COME TOGETHER IN ( UNITY AND FORM THE GOVERNMENT MOSES HAS A RIGHT TO FLEX OFF HIMSELF ON THE POOR PEOPLE , THE GREED FOR POWER IS REALLY
EXPOSING THESE SET OF WANNABE
POLITICAL ARISTOCRATS INCOMPETENCE
That’s what he spoke about in the moment. He has much more to say.
Stop stealing, lying. and cheating.
Stop being a NARCO COUNTRY
Start cleaning up the place
Start doing audited accounts.
What’s in a NAME? FIRST START CHANGING YOUR DISGUSTING BEHAVIOURS
Ronnie you start with building bvi pride by talking to your nephew CSC about the divisive and xenophobic statements that he continues to make to sow division between the people who live here. He is doing the bidding of you and his uncle John. You all want power at any cost but he is destroying the country. Leave the buildings alone and go talk to your nephew because he is more destructive than the colonial signs.
I agree with the head lines 100000O%.
That is a great place to begin despite nay sayings, usually the same culpriots from.
IOndeed, such a practice in reality will generate national pride in our people ad create moore love and respect between us.
Ronnie, poor you!!
Ronnie you refused to support the vote of no confidence to show concern for the deplorable state of our country and now talking about BVI pride? Ronnie you did not debate the motion because you were in your feelings. You put your personal feelings above the interest of the people who have been complaining about the bad conditions that we are living under. Miss me with your BS please.
It’s really funny how senior politicians can concern themselves with things like this; then be missing in action after IRMA and have to get bailed out by the UK to stop the looting and gather in the escaped prisoners.
Then we can see what a great job they did with the re-build. Was it 6 years or 7 years we had no high school? A whole generation without proper education.
Then we get the scandals revealed by the CoI then the Fahie and Maynard arrests and convictions.
Let’s get the name of customs changed!! That’s the main thing to focus on.
Ronnie Skelton etal… Time exposes, karma corrects and God humbles.
There go the English folk again shpwing their hatred and disdain fpr the lpcal peple.
I see we are once again focusing on the important stuff that makes a big difference in every day lives …..
I agree with him. And we Need to stop saying “British”. We are not British.
Says British on a lot of peoples passports. You must be one of those not from heres that don’t get to vote and are under immigration control.
pride in my corrupt leaders! yes masa! just for this idea alone plz give yourself another bonus and increase taxes on his to support it. thanks masa
If the Virgin Islands were to abolish customs duties (tariffs) and enforce price gouging legislation we would see an era of unparalleled prosperity but the politicians are handsomely paid to enforce the system of the oppressors while using every vile tactic to disguise their actions.
The Mama Skelton wholesale Market.Her legacy will surely teach you something about the one of the most powerful black women to grace Gods earth,but it ain’t pretty.
Here we go, trying to get their sticky hands on HM buildings & services now.
I think they’ve messed up enough already.
Change whatever name they want but still proud of carrying the last names that identify their slave masters. Something isn’t clocking here. At all! Getting paid to talk more crap. What a career.
You people are really confused. Let’s change the colonial names but still saying BVI where the B stands for British….SMH
what bvi pride, this place is a sinking ship and everyone with sense is looking for the exit
The society including the churches drummed into their offsprings that foreign people come here to robbed them of their heritage.
So instead of building pride some of the sow divisions of them aganist us
Begin in Kindergarten to instill.
pride iin the society
Let them clean up around their homes, throw their garbage in bins instead of throwing it down for the janitors
Didpose of garbage properly
Do not throw thing into the side of the road
All of them do community services and do knot even know why it is necessary
Clean up their own mess
Changing names from colonial masters to local names will be more meaningful to the society.
We as local talking this and talking that but real talk this man Hon.skelton needs to be the leader of both parties..Premier he has what it takes and ah lot of you don’t know it was this man that give you people the tax break.he started with $5000.and move it to $10,000.00 and was about to put it to $15,000.00 bvi people wake up and see who is representing your best interests
Ronnie, I have to agree with you on this!
It is time, for these names to change!
Now, now, let’s change the names into words that are meaningful, and not just for show-and-tell!
Leaders who ensure the fimiancial security of each other ans pressure the society by raising prices on goods and service
WILL
Breed a country of discontented citizens who have no yrust, faith or confidence in lradership
The white man Governor did not do this
Changing names do not mean a darn thing
We cannot
Shop
Goods and service with names
All
Of you have your knees on the necks of the entire country
The man does not realise that its only because the British Virgin Islands are part of the UK that foreign businesses want to be registered here. If the UK cedes the Virgin Islands the businesses will leave – no more huge fees for the FSC or the Labour and Immigration departments – millions lost just because a few call for independence. The BVI would become Jamaica No.2 and the drug smuggling will become the man source of income.