What will Natalio Wheatley’s legacy be?
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley.
Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley says his legacy is still being written, adding that he will have time to reflect on his leadership when he retires.
He made the statement on a recent episode of the Virgin Islands Voice programme after being asked what he wants his legacy to be, given that his name is already etched in the territory’s history as the Premier who led the BVI through the COI period — one of the most turbulent in its modern history.
In response, Premier Wheatley said the legacy of staving off direct rule by the United Kingdom is not his alone but one shared with the entire Virgin Islands community. He noted that regional and international partners stood with the BVI during that time, including the USVI, CARICOM, the OECS, and fellow Overseas Territories such as Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos.
“The legacy is still being written, and it’s not just my legacy — it’s what we’ve been able to accomplish together. Down the road, there’ll be an opportunity to reflect when I retire, and when it’s all said and done, I’ll have the opportunity to reflect on all that we’ve been able to accomplish,” the territory’s leader said.
The Premier said the next chapter of that legacy must now focus on the BVI’s continued push for self-government.
“Now that we’ve gone through these governance reforms, the next step of the journey is to get constitutional advancement. Sir Gary Hickinbottom himself said in the COI report that remedying the governance challenges is a precursor to our aspirations for greater self-government. We’ve been able to remedy those, and now it’s time for us to look for further advancement.”
Dr. Wheatley, who assumed leadership in 2022 following the Commission of Inquiry’s damning report into poor governance and alleged corruption, has been widely credited with helping the BVI avoid direct rule from the UK. His willingness to accept and implement reform recommendations, while rallying local and regional support, allowed the territory to maintain control under an elected government instead of being placed under UK administration.
Still, while that achievement has become a defining part of his record, many critics argue that Dr. Wheatley’s administration has failed to adequately tackle pressing local issues, including high living costs and dilapidated infrastructure.
They contend that these shortcomings could leave lasting blemishes on his political record, even as his role in protecting the territory’s self-governance remains one of the most significant chapters in modern Virgin Islands history.
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Greedy untruthful etc
Head Cl**n In Charge
Your legacy will be that of the worst leader the VI has had in its 75 years, where the cost of living has gone through the roof and you refuse to increase the minimum wage to a living wage, while you hide the affairs of the territory from the criticizes and issuing in a new level of victimization never seen before while forcing self-determination on the people. That sir will be your legacy one of FAILURE!
Jaspert, you still blogging?
His legacy will be one of nothing. He is undoubtedly the worst minister of education and the worst Premier that this country has ever had. We never had it this bad in the BVI since perhaps the 1950’s.
Selfishness, turmoil and greed.
Making the road to east narrower and killing agriculture
Pure bzz Shiz! Nothing to publish for heroes day!!!!
Failure
lots of talk but no deeds
Greed
His Legacy will be “Piece of Cake” Easily written.
So many Adjectives. Lengthy Legacy. I have already started to Craft one about Him. My Free Gift to BVI.
Partying! Thats his legacy.
What exactly is Nathalio’s legacy?
• A fa**ed part-time teacher who allegedly often had his own students teach the class for him.
• A leader with multiple portfolios and numerous advisors, yet nothing ever gets accomplished.
• A showman who travels the world at every opportunity but fails to attract foreign investment because he lacks credibility and respect abroad.
• An overpaid and co***pt politician who allegedly had to settled for a PhD in African Studies after being unable to earn one in Education.
• A man who takes pleasure in victimizing qualified professionals in the BVI.
• A politician who tries to present himself as a modern-day Noel Lloyd but behaves more like a slave driver.
A district representative who never visits his constituency, doesn’t know the people he’s meant to serve, yet has the audacity to claim that they “like to beg.”
A politician who constantly takes credit for the hard work and achievements of others in the BVI.
For example, he boasted about securing eggs from Santo Domingo at $5 a crate — but if he had any real vision, he would have supported local farmers by providing subsidies for egg-laying hens and granting them land at Paraquita Bay. They could then produce enough eggs locally to sell at around $3 per crate.
He even takes credit for the community pantry — one he allegedly doesn’t personally contribute a single dollar to.
A politician who entered office as a poor man, paid himself for work never done, and will retire wealthy — with no real accomplishments that have benefited the people of the Virgin Islands.
He has crippled the BVI’s economy and become an indirect cause of people suffering — even dying from stress — because he shows no concern for how families feed themselves, pay their bills, or keep their businesses afloat. Nor does he ensure that social services provide meaningful support to those in need.
He sounds like Trump!
The reforms were happening before your time. Nothing else to say? Geez
The Cookie monster with no heart.
The said from the begnning the would do exactl what them doing all now,stealing and enriching themselves, just that the public has remaiined seeing blinded, foolish, partÿ loyals, friends for benefits and otherwise worfull corrupt.
Our politics has not just loost its virginit decades ago, it has now lost its public moral, integritÿ and soul.
The clown brigade who is reaping benefs will vote the get rich quick thives back in again.
Things are much harder and the voters much wiser. Also Sawonde allegedly had to bring a plane load of people to get in office. These comments should open the eyes of everyone struggling under this government. Stop being silent BVI is seen as the laughing stock in the Caribbean and locals are a dying species comprising only 29% of the work force.
What legacy. Pleaseeeeeee be real
MASTER WEATIE , IS SAYING )> UNDOUBTEDLY , IT WILL HAVE Y
O BE ” PLAYER ” YEAH AND AM BEING MODEST , BY SIMPLYFING IT FOR YA’AL , SOME OF YOU AREN’T EVEN AWARE THAT YOU ARE BEING PLAYED AND BY THE TIME (SUM- AH – YA’AL) COME TO YA’AL SENCES , I’LL BE A BILLIONAIRE * WATCH ME DO MAH TING YA’AL MIGHT LEARN SUM-TIN *
Go get our social security money from all these thieving employers who taking our money and not paying it to social security
Party animal
An ineffective l**r and t***f who talked a good game and produced no results. That will be his legacy.
No legacy.Its Fahie Down fall you got there & Lorna joining vip you got back there.
That of a p**pous jacka**!
Du**est Premier Ever