Walwyn to UK House Speaker: BVI’s autonomy must be respected
Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn has warned that recent signals from the United Kingdom about possible constitutional intervention were “deeply troubling” to the people of the BVI, using a rare opportunity in the House of Assembly to speak directly to a senior UK official.
Walwyn was addressing a special sitting of the House of Assembly, convened to welcome Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, on his first official visit to the territory, as the territory marks 75 years of parliamentary democracy. He told the House of Assembly that he had to deliver his sentiments to Sir Lindsay as the Opposition rarely gets to interface with UK officials.
While acknowledging the historic relationship with the UK, Walwyn said expectations had changed. “After 75 years of democratic governance, there lies a broad expectation of greater autonomy,” he told the House, adding that true partnership is strengthened — not weakened — when local institutions are trusted and respected.
The Opposition Leader said recent threats by the UK to suspend portions of BVI’s constitution had unsettled residents. “The recent consideration of suspending portions of the Virgin Islands Constitution was deeply troubling towards citizens. A constitution is not merely a legal document. It is the foundation of our democracy — the embodiment of the people’s will,” he said. “To suggest that parts of it could be suspended, even temporarily, raises fundamental questions about the limits of local self-governance.”
Walwyn argued that such action would be among the most drastic steps that could be taken against a democratic society. “To suspend the constitution is to interrupt the democratic compact between citizens and those elected to represent them,” he said, adding that reform, partnership and capacity-building — not displacement of representative authority — should be the response to institutional weaknesses.
A word on financial services
The Sixth District representative also used his address to focus sharply on financial services, telling Sir Lindsay that the sector is inseparable from discussions on governance and autonomy. “Constitutional partnership and self-determination cannot be discussed in isolation from the economic foundations that sustain our territory,” Walwyn said. “Central to that foundation is the financial services sector — the lifeblood of our economy, the engine that funds public services, supports families, and underwrites development.”
Walwyn expressed concern about the UK’s push for a fully public register of beneficial ownership for BVI-registered companies, warning that the move represents a significant shift. “The Virgin Islands has already implemented robust systems for the verification and exchange of beneficial ownership information with competent authorities, in keeping with international standards,” he said. “But moving from regulated access to a fully open public register represents a fundamental change — one that affects privacy, commercial confidence, and our competitive standing.”
He cautioned that while transparency is important, reforms must be proportionate. “The financial services industry underpins our economy and supports the livelihoods of our people,” Walwyn said. “Any reform in this area must carefully balance global transparency objectives with economic sustainability, and ensure that small jurisdictions are not disproportionately burdened.”
Despite the firm tone, Walwyn struck a respectful and at times light-hearted note toward Hoyle, whom he described as someone capable of advocating for the territory “in the corridors of power” in the UK.
In the meantime, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley used his own statement to thank Hoyle for what he described as his longstanding advocacy for the overseas territories. Dr Wheatley credited the UK Speaker with helping to create friendly fences for the BVI and other Overseas Territories within the UK parliamentary system and for being receptive to the concerns of small territories navigating complex constitutional and economic challenges.
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This speech by Hon. Walwyn was well reasoned and well executed. Kudos to him on this. This is the level of debates we should be having in the House of Assembly.
I couldn’t tell who was the Premier yesterday. It is supposed to be Natalio but Myron sounded more like that person than him to me. Natalio’s speech was one of paying complete homage to the UK and the speaker of the UK. He had an opportunity to show his advocacy for important issues affecting the BVI but he did not. I wonder how he squares that with his tough talk about independence and the behaviour of the UK when they are not present. Myron on the other hand was firm on issues while remaining respectful and humorous at times. Two different approaches but Myron stood head and shoulders above Natalio.
Myron said opposition hardly gets to interact with UK officials so this was his time. However, our premier been interacting with them. Traveling and attending meetings concerning such… this for the premier was not the time to attack but to welcome. Since the invitation was extended by the premier why would he use this time to talk about our problems when he’s been doing such all along. Perhaps this for the premier is a time for the Hon. judge to see first hand the problems which he spoke about in previous meetings. The premier acted right within the agenda. You must learn to read , comprehend and reason. This is a major flaw here in the BVI. Hon. Myron also acted well within his delivery. For this for him was his time to voice his concerns. They both had two different agendas and they both executed their agendas very well. Kudos to both !
While I agree with your reasoning in a perfect situation we know that Natalio is a sleeper. His performance at home is horrible so no one can convince that his performance abroad is any better. I am prepared to bet my last penny that Natalio does more smooching and eating during those meeting than what advocating he does for the BVI people. You can’t blame me for that view. I could only speak from what I see before me.
This is the main reason why we can not take the risk and send Myron anywhere to speak on the behalf of the people of the BVI. He is arrogant and will cause more tension and separation between the BVI and the UK. He need to simmer down a bit.
Are you really serious with those comments? Somebody standing up for BVI now all of a sudden because it’s Myron is something bad? Myron being assertive is now being coined as arrogant? Wow!
Myron delivered one hell of a speech in the House that I hope is the Premier’s stance on the same matters. The Premier was full of pleasantries and a&& licking. You could then seek to condemn the person who spoke up for the BVI? You are a hater because nothing else make sense.
Myron said “There lies a broad expectation of greater autonomy … strengthened — not weakened — when local institutions are trusted and respected. BUT the institutions are NOT trusted NOR respected. They are NOT!! There is no confidence!!
YOU DON’T GET IT!! We BVIslanders, PUBLIC SERVANTS, were the ones that pushed for the COI. We saw leaders deliberating undermining processes intended to protect us and WE went to the then Governor. We are STILL not comfortable with greater autonomy because our leaders have NO trust and respect for the people they serve. NONE!! They obviously still don’t (EVEN after the COI) if Myron still ignoring this fact.
Myron walwyn was quite diplomatic and fought for the BVI agenda in the HOA in the presence of a UK senior parliamentary official, well conveyed I say Myron, well done son of the soil.
Hon. Myron’s proxy, Cindy R. told Dame Hodge during her visit to the BVI that residents did not want the order in council removed.
So Cindy speaks for Myron now? Some of us a really special in this place. So I guess Wiggy speaks for Natalio. Claude Cline speaks for Ronnie. Picko moff speak for Marlon. Heritage speak for Sharie. Dean speak for Kye. And we just make these up in our heads and decide who can speak for whom without the permission of the person. Tell me that we ain’t one set of crazy people.
You sound really dumb. If Cindy said that and you think she was speaking for Myron well here you see Myron talking for himself.
Show me how the 100 million dollar loan to fix our roads and we will receive real value for our money was spent. I do not seen 100 million dollars worth of smooth roads with good drainage and no pot holes.
Until we can have some kind of trust in our elected government I believe the British are the only thing holding these guys back from open corruption.
All indicators point to them being one of the most corrupt governments in our life time.
Kick backs appear a standard mode of operation since election.
They went to do what they said they do. It is all clear.
The country needs new leadership. All of them need to go.
These Last Seven years Politics in the BVI have been at its Lowest Grade with a Bunch of Spoiled Brats, A Convicted Premier and a Party Mare. Wastage of Tax Payers Money, Corruption of Missing Millions, Corruption of Politicians enrichening themselves, Cost of Living Skyrocketing, Healthcare, Education, Infrastructure Deteriorating, Little to No improvements to Key Building Structures, Little to No Accountability to the Citizens of the Territory, Little to No Improvement in Services offered at Government Entities, Little to No Improvement to Human Resources in some areas, among Many More. All in All This has been Seven years of Poorest Performance in the History of the Virgin Islands. We can do Much Better if We resolve to make the Right Decision at Election Time. We MUST Think Country and NOT Party. The Party System has failed these Virgin Islands and any Honest Person can attest to that. People MUST Vote responsively when choosing their Next set of Leaders. Think Country, Think Future, Think All Not ME, ME, ME. Honest People Will always Look Beyond Themselves and Think about others. Again I say , 98% of our Current HOA Members need to be GONE!!!!
Only judge wiggie would be conceited enough to write something ” sh*tty like that , his EGO will soon implode from the kind of hatred that he has against walwyn , regardless of what, he should should give respect where its due / it’s n about or walwyn private WAR it’s what walwyn brings to the table or his intentions that is in the BEST INTEREST OF THE P & TERRITORY / “nat ah we hero” looks b4tter in that orange jump suit @ @ interesting to watch , this was the time for nat-al- heO,to show the people how he was representing THEM live and directly IN FRONT OF THEM , because we don’t know what he DID when he went up to ENGLAND AND WHAT HE ACCOMPLISHED/ on the street, it is said that He just went gir yhe ride ■
You start to think he makes more sense than the rest and then he talks about the VI and autonomy!
VI is a Territory of the UK!!!
All 13 clearly must go.
Fo a moment it looked like there was a chance this one could be saved.
“To suggest that parts of it could be suspended, even temporarily, raises fundamental questions about the limits of local self-governance.”
Myron is correct. Bi**h now.