UK to lift Order in Council in March 2026
The United Kingdom’s Order in Council held in reserve for the BVI is set to be revoked in March 2026, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley announced during a press conference last Friday, describing the move as a major outcome of recent talks with the UK.
Premier Wheatley said the decision followed sustained engagement between the Virgin Islands Government and UK officials, particularly at the recent Joint Ministerial Council meeting held in London.
“Yesterday, Minister of the Overseas Territory, Stephen Doughty, announced that the Order in Council be revoked in March,” Dr Wheatley told residents.
The Order in Council was drafted in the aftermath of the UK Commission of Inquiry into governance in the territory and has remained in reserve as a safeguard measure. Its proposed revocation signals the UK’s assessment that governance reforms undertaken in the territory have met agreed benchmarks.
Dr Wheatley credited collective efforts across government and the legislature for the development. “I pay tribute to the Cabinet and the Cabinet Office, the Speaker and the members of the House of Assembly, my Special Envoy, my Chief Advisor, our dedicated public officers in this effort,” he said. “Your work to ensure that the draft Order in Council is lifted has been outstanding,” Dr Wheatley added.
The Premier framed the announcement as part of his government’s push to strengthen democratic accountability and modernise the territory’s relationship with the UK. He told the press conference that discussions at the Joint Ministerial Council also secured agreement to begin formal constitutional negotiations in early 2026.
“These talks will allow us to advance the recommendations of our own House of Assembly and continue the work of building a stronger, more self-reliant territory,” Dr Wheatley said.
Constitutional advancement
According to the Premier, a report from the Committee of the House on constitutional advancement will be laid before the House of Assembly and submitted to the UK, followed by the appointment of a negotiating team. He said a new constitution would later be complemented by a bilateral compact to guide cooperation between the Virgin Islands and the UK.
The UK government implemented the Order in Council as a last-resort mechanism following governance concerns identified in the Commission of Inquiry, with then-Governor John Rankin stressing the need for change at the time. “Everybody I’ve spoken to recognises that things need to change quite fundamentally, and almost everyone I’ve spoken to said they want the UK to help,” Rankin stated.
Premier Wheatley has consistently argued that the Order in Council’s existence undermines local democratic authority.
Dr Wheatley said the revocation reflected confidence in the territory’s reforms and its commitment to good governance. He described the recent period as one in which the Virgin Islands’ priorities were clearly advanced, adding that the government would continue focusing on governance reform, economic growth and long-term stability.
“We left London with momentum, clarity, and stronger relationships to support our strategic goals,” Dr Wheatley said.
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“crickets” in the comment section.
Sing to the tune of green Christmas by John L the Great
Santa Nat came riding by,
Smiling sweet with pure joy in his eye.
Santa Nat came riding by,
Happy he helped guide us through the COI.
Santa Nat, you lookin’ bold,
“Ragga man, I got things in control.
Tell me what you want this year,
Ah bringin’ blessings from anywhere.”
I don’t want no blight Christmas with Walwyn trio,
Just give me the right Christmas with Premier Na-tal-lio.
Because a blight Christmas does only bring stress,
I want nothing but success,
The BVI blessed,
And steady VI progress.
Santa Nat clear his throat to speak
Saying my request was truly unique.
Opportunity floating everywhere,
From RT to VG improvements in the air.
Development rising for all to see,
Vision, Integrity, Progress from VIP.
Runway opening doors across the sea,
New markets boosting the economy.
Santa Nat say he had one more ting,
And this one go’ surely make opposition sting.
With a hundred mil ready to share,
This go’ be a very green VIP year.
I don’t want no blight Christmas with Skelton duo,
Just give me the right Christmas with Premier Na-tal-lio.
Because a blight Christmas does bring misery,
I want to honor history, sustain the remedy,
And move with VIP prosperity
Dumbest poem ever.
with $100 million to share , it goin be more than a green year , VIP goin be taking BVI to the top
So the order in council is lifted. Some claim this is a victory; something to be celebrated. On the other hand what if anything did we learn from this that is of significance and paradigm shifting? I reserve comments. Daily we can see more legislation, less enforcement, less accountability, more blame shifting, greater spending, and lesser overall progressive impact on the lives of the people of the territory.
An exercise in futility? Perhaps. Eye opening for some, cementing the long held view of others. As one done, a next one comes. Stay tuned for COI 2.0
Congrats Premier! They will be silent on this one.
the UK never intended on taking over the BVI. All the Premier had to do was fulfill the requirements given down by the UK. It would have hold for any other Government that would have been in place. Honestly, It is nothing to brag about. this was destined to happen.
Kudos to the Premier
And the CoI achieved what exactly???
it exposed all the damn corruption in this place…. Just go check the Auditors reports. You know them….
Back to all those hands in the cookie jar
Is now the loan will spend with no accountability
Didn’t matter if it was there or not in the first place cuz no one was held accountable for any of the found corruption that was in black and white…..
Even if they did our justice system is a comedic joke to criminals with wealth and support……smh
Ask why the UK policemen left without apparently achieving anything. They built cases against certain corrupt officials but were prevented from putting them forward for prosecution by a certain official, because they were too near home.