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We’ll take it from here! Premier says VIP seeking clear mandate

Seventh District Representative Dr Natalio Wheatley.

While acknowledging the work of other coalition members within the Government of National Unity (GNU), Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley suggested that it was his incumbent Virgin Islands Party (VIP) that largely contributed to staving off a suspension of the territory’s constitution and ultimately, direct rule by the United Kingdom (UK).

It is this feat that allowed the Premier to confidently state that his government has shown that it could handle the relationship with the UK well enough to simultaneously strengthen the territory’s institutions and protect the rights of its residents and therefore deserved another stint at leading the territory.

“The Virgin Islands Party is presenting a whole team of persons who can be relied on to do what has to be done to protect the interests of the people of the Virgin Islands – including ensuring that our constitution is not suspended,” Premier Wheatley expressed. 

Dr Wheatley assured residents that his party will continue to respect the rule of law and demonstrate accountability, transparency and good governance as it delivers progress for the people. 

A damning Commission of Inquiry (COI) report issued at the end of April last year pushed for the controversial UK takeover as its first and overarching recommendation for facilitating badly needed governance reforms in the territory. 

However, Premier Wheatley’s VIP joined forces with two other parties — the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) and the National Democratic Party (NDP) — to form the coalition GNU and agreed to a timetable to implement those reforms.

The UK signed up to the framework agreement for the reforms with the caveat that the COI’s first recommendation could still be enforced quickly through a UK parliamentary Order in Council if these reforms were found to be deliberately delayed or obstructed in any way.

Clear mandate

Premier Wheatley, in the meantime, explained that although the territory weathered the storm of direct UK rule with assistance from two other parties, the VIP is now seeking specific conditions from the electorate on the way forward.

“Now we’re seeking a clear mandate from the people of the Virgin Islands [on] what administration they want to take, not only the reforms forward, but the governance of the territory as we chart a course for the next 15, 20 years. That’s what we’re asking for the people of the Virgin Islands,” Dr Wheatley said.

He expressed that the coalition government has served its purpose in taking the territory towards elections and said some level of stability was also established in the process.

Premier Wheatley indicated that a date for the upcoming elections has not yet been decided but will be shared with the public once this has been done.

General Elections are constitutionally due by May 2023.

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9 Comments

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  1. Amnesia? says:

    The COI was one challenge, but no mention of the Head Coach? Has he forgotten that?

  2. LOL says:

    Did he say weathered the storm? So the storm is over?

    Get ready to taste defeat, the feet of Ronnie on your neck! LoL

    Like 4
    Dislike 2
  3. all ah we says:

    We are not that stupid to put the VIP back in power

    Like 11
  4. Rubber Duck says:

    The clear instruction from the whole country is already given.

    Resign and never try to run the country again.

    Like 6
    Dislike 1
  5. Mr Governor.. says:

    Cancel election until this government fulfil their promise and obligation of seeing the recommendations completed in a satisfactory way.

    Like 4
    Dislike 1
  6. Licher and Sticher Good says:

    This is sad. Sl** Wande would like to create an argument for a mandate i.e. an authoritarian government. A few old ppl in a party should not be allowed to set the tone of the territory for the rest of us. This is pathetic

  7. @Mr. Governor says:

    I cannot believe that we still have people in this country as foolish as you. Do you have any idea at all what you are suggesting should happen to the country? Are you good in your head?

    Like 2
    Dislike 1
  8. BVI LOVE NOTES says:

    If a Coalition Unity Government was good enough to maintain stability and stave off “UK takeover” then it should be good enough to chart the way forward in a Democratic manner, where all the people has equal say in the national development plan.
    It is also a bit hypocritical to say it was the VIP legislators who should get the credit for saving the BVI from suspension of the Constitution. The people who marched to Governor’s Office and sat in the road don’t count, I guess. And all the CARICOM (and carry-go) voices that had their say in the matter don’t count neither. Next time tell them to stay out of your business.

  9. @ BVI Love Notes says:

    You hear the ungratefully of someone who call themself Premier? He said a few weeks ago that he wish the Unity Government could continue and now he is saying something different. Typical VIP!!!
    But what the Opposition didn’t know is that once the UK had taken over, they would have been on the Governor’s Advice Committee. Right now the Premier has no use for Marlon and Mitch. That is why Marlon was not appointed deputy. But wait, there is a lot more to be unearth. Time will tell. This selected Premier is playing his same old games. Ungrateful is his name…He cannot be trusted…

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