Willock presses for BVI’s freedom from UK
It is now time for the BVI to free itself from the clutches of the United Kingdom’s (UK) hold on the Virgin Islands.
That was the position shared by former Speaker of the House of Assembly (HOA) Julian Willock when he appeared on the Panel 4 programme recently.
“It is time for the people of the Virgin Islands to determine the way forward and in my humble view – and I speak now for me – the way out is certainly our self-determination,” Willock expressed.
The outspoken former head of the legislature complained that the BVI remains limited in its ability to do simple things, such as acquiring grants on the international stage. According to Willock, this all has to be channelled through the BVI’s colonial power, which is the UK.
He suggested that the territory needs to examine its relationship with its administering power and made reference to the constitutional review which is currently underway where persons will have a chance to have their say on the way forward on various issues.
However, Willock remained adamant that the relationship between the UK and BVI needs to be re-evaluated. “The relationship has to be reviewed, and in my humble view, it’s time for us to think about our self-determination and our freedom,” the former Speaker said.
Meanwhile, Willock suggested that the Virgin Islands was not being treated as an equal partner in its relationship with the UK. He argued that this was a sentiment shared by consecutive leaders of the territory, dating back to the time of the late former premier, Ralph O’Neal.
“[Premiers] have said and they have stated that the partnership at times is one-sided and what they have strived to ask for is respect, [so] that when there are legitimate issues, there is a dialogue and there is a way of resolving issues,” he explained.
Willock suggested that this sort of dialogue has not resulted in any meaningful resolution for the Virgin Islands, particularly where complaints are made to the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) – the agency tasked with overseeing the affairs of Overseas Territories (OTs) around the world.
Willock said the now-disgraced former premier, Andrew Fahie — the man who appointed him as House Speaker — often complained bitterly that his cries were not being heard when Fahie made complaints to the FCDO about the stewardship of former Governor Augustus Jaspert.
“[The FCDO] always comes back and takes the Governor’s side. That cannot be a partnership,” Willock insisted. “Partnership is based on mutual respect and understanding where each person is coming from in terms of whatever the challenges of the day is.”
Background
Jaspert and Fahie had a notoriously testy relationship, often resulting in public spats over the two years that Fahie worked with Jaspert. The former Governor instituted a Commission of Inquiry on governance in the territory as he left the Virgin Islands in early 2021.
This is not the first instance where Willock has called for ties to be severed between the Virgin Islands and the United Kingdom, as he had previously called for the territory to have its own version of the UK’s Brexit — where the Virgin Islands would leave the fold of the UK’s administration.
As the administrating power for the Overseas Territories, the UK has a responsibility under the UN Charter to support their political, economic, and social development and self-government.
However, the UK government says it will support any OT that decides to become independent if this is demonstrated by a “clear and constitutionally expressed wish” of the population.
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Why is bvi news giving this cl**n a platform? The court ruled that he was supposed to pay the legal fees for the COI people that he took to court. The Government in defiance of the court ruling paid the bill even after the very HOA concluded that he should pay his own legal bills because he did not receive any formal instructions from the them. This is what Natalio is doing with our tax dollars. Let him update us on all the grants he got from different politicians to pay for his son’s tuition. Even in the last audit report his mother got two grants and his son got yet another one. These are the kinds of people we just need to be gone.
And after you get gain independence oh Mighty Lord Willock, what will you do? Please tell us!
We with you esteemed ignore the uk and governor’s office bloggers they will hate on our bvi prince
We voting for willock in third district
Unfortunately and predictably many would not get pass their views of him to even begin to entertain the thought.
IMO, regardless of head coach’s arrest, regardless of Mr Willock’s arguably “controversial” past, they are imo right on this issue.
I have stated on this forum many times that the BVI needs to consider it’s independence from the U.K. and I have noticed that such a suggestion does not get the kind of widespread support as one would think, but there is a reason for this.
1. Many of our local politicians have let many of us down and has not demonstrated the vision needed to take this country forward in that direction.
In other words, it appears a part of the public is not down with their idea of independence, and in order for this to be a successful effort, you have got to have the public’s support. You cannot drag them to independence.
2. Timing. It’s hard to argue to the public that we should go independent when they are looking around and seeing the country falling apart. Bad infrastructure, water and electricity woos, cost of living increases, and a whole host of other issues that are affecting peoples daily lives.
So, while I support an independent movement, we first need to get our own house in order, and our politicians have to demonstrate thru their own work that they can lead the charge and gain our confidence so that we as a people can be reasonable assured that we will be not be leading over over a cliff.
Lots of issues to resolve before we can get there, but it’s doable with the right leader and timing .
He wants independence to continuously keep his hand in the government purse.
I’m taking a break from reading the news on your website as I’ve seen way too much of this i**ot recently.
Consider reporting actual news, please.
How about you worry about your own freedom from prison before you start meddling with the BVI’s freedom from the UK? Thanks.
Please sir,we are not anywhere near anything close to independence.we have no recources,undevelop agrculture sector,we have corrupted government,and the list goes on.let’s not make that mistake like our other naibouring islands.look right now,most of them are suffering,and have to be selling passports.let’s not listen to this man pleade.
I have to agree with @Bullfrog, and ask why does anyone think this man’s opinions are worthy of reporting on? He is desperate to stay relevant but all he has achieved is failure and an investigation into what he was involved in. Shameful that we promote those who have assisted in bringing us down.
Dear BVI News,
I read your news site and platinum because I trust your journalism. I deliberately do not read the yellow site because I know what it stands for and I do not want to be a part of a site that seeks to promote its morally bankrupt and most pathetic owner.
If you continue to bring stories with this man**c I will stop reading your news. I know you want blogs but stop giving an audience to these types of people. They deliberately talk hoping that you will help to make them relevant. This individual is one that the country should not even entertain. He is ro**en to the core. Leave him where he is.
Wiggy is trying to avoid the next chapter of his arrest saga.
It isnt going to work.
Independent then 5 mins later we have a cat 5 storm. Then what?
“… free itself from the clutches of the United Kingdom’s (UK) hold…”
A little hyperbole here?
Sounds like we are in the “clutches” of Ron Reagan’s “evil empire” or such! Maybe the esteemed one thinks King Charles II is the equivalent of Darth Vader?
This guy reminds me of someone from years past.
Then what? then what? then what?
where can we eat better food than we eating now?
Where can we get better clothes than we wearing now?
Where can we wear better shoes than we wearing now?
Where will we get better governance than we getting now?
Sush, you nothing but a HOUSE NEGROO.. And in our town we call your kind HOUSE N***ERS, and that is what we got running around these lands here today, a bunch ah HOUSE NI***RS!! Wanting to remain in the the colonial house that does not see nor view you as a human being and hates your humanity and very existence.
Shamefully, every single comment above suggest the mind of such.
Good for you for providing a great summary of why this person has no standing to speak about ‘self determination,’ because that’s just code words for enhancing his ability to line his pockets.
You won’t want to take your hand off of your wallet, that’s for sure.
We the people believe in willock
When do sensible people tire of the clarion call of “breaking the shackles of Colonialism?” Compare the BVI to Bermuda, and ask yourselves why one Territory is doing so much better than the other.
Start by examinng the percentage of the populace employed by the government and also how many paid holidays each Territory has in place. Which one has a culture that embraces a work ethic and privte enterprise? Which one has a working infrastructure and is NOT running a perennial deficit?
There are many more pertinent questions, but those are a good place to start.
All this hollering to get away with a little Covid security contract money? Really now. When the audits and investigations are done just face the music man
No water or electricity in East End despite billions from Financial Services (try running a fridge with no power for 2 days). I agree the weak UK Governors are pointless but our Government hasnt taken us much beyond third world
Do your homework Bermuda is between 5 to 7 BILLION $ in debt , the PLP has raped its own people assuming it’s going to be bailed out by international business , the infrastructure is on the decline but still the race card keeps the thieves in power .Bermuda is a perfect example of what will happen if the BVI continues on the potholed road it’s on.
all these fake and hate blogs from the same person against Mr. Willock will not convinced anyone about nothing. He remains a hero in many of our eyes and highly respected.
Now go smoke that.
What the heck is colonialism doing for or has done for the BVI and the Black African descendants since the Brits took it from the Spaniards, Arawaks and or Caribs? The answer is nothing, nada, zilch, zero.
So, what is that psuedo intellectual bull crap you trying to pull over on whose face?
It appears that all the people crying for self-determination are people who think they are above the law. Now they are being held accountable they don’t want the UK overseeing them.
Corruption, Human trafficking, Drug trafficking. Hands in the cookie Jar.
And they want self determination. This all needs cleaning up first
Go clear up your own country’s concerns first. BVI can and clear up its own in due course. Mind your own business. Leave our alone.
The UK would be happy to be rid of the BVI. Does the UK benefit from the BVI? NO. Well, perhaps in the shared benefits of the money laundering bizness. But the UK has the other colonial jusisdictions that would fill the gap – Bermuda, and Caymans for example. Yes BVI – It’s time for independence!!
Perhaps so but getting house in orde would take at least what?…3 – 5 years if all the stars aligned. – Then assuming as a miracle that happened, how long after that before the majority felt comfortable and secure that “we got this, we good” – with voting yes to independence? 8-10 years?
Thankfully I can comfortably say this ain’t gonna happen any time soon and thank god for that!
If you have to be described by a former position that you only held for 60 days then that is really pathetic. Is Former speaker even a title? The man even writes Former Speaker under his name. Isn’t that some lame dumb shiite?
You going want freedom after the uk lock you up
Be careful what you wish for cl**n
Every person of African descent and or of Brown skin will be catching pure hell and damnation if and when UK takes back over these islands.
What else have they ever given us in their history with us?
We can only speak of hell, torture, bondage, death and more. What else is in their DNA?
We will wait.
UK would probably sell or give us away to the USA so they can join us to the USVI. Might be better than independence, since real crooks will end up in real jails.
Julian speaking good he is very thoughtful and brilliant
Hope willock becomes our first prime minister we love you esteemed
Please watch this if you have any doubts about how much of an unreasonable man Mr. Willy is…
8:06 mins in, Mr. W is introduced to take oath.
8:18 mins, Mr. w seems to have hesitation to make the oath.
8:44 mins, Bilal Rawat (Counsel to the commission) expresses how Mr. w would prefer to be addressed. (“Comfortably” addressed as Hon. Speaker.)
9:37 mins, when Mr. w decides to give a short statement which he deems relevant to the evidence needed to continue with the investigation.
10:38 mins, Mr. w begins his “relevant” statement.
11:06 mins, Mr. w begins to explain that he is not happy that a stranger coming into the BVI should meet in his office and not theirs. “That’s not how things are done in the British Virgin Islands.”
11:46 mins, Commissioner explains how irrelevant the statement was.
12:33 mins, Mr. w argues.
14:26 mins, Counsel to the Commission asks what Mr. w back round is prior to being appointed speaker.
15:16 mins, Mr. w does not accept the premises of questioning from the Commission of Inquiry.
ETC… All evidence compiled is met with confusion, disbelief and no factual answers.
Although this post seems biased, the YouTube 5 hour long video speaks for itself, rather Mr. w speaks for himself and he only displays hostility and arrogant opinions towards the commission, which is trying to help all citizens.
He is definitely part of our problem!
Oh I love it!!! Mr. Willock represented us very well, a true man of the people and professional patriot. He has already earned his place in our hearts and history..I love that tape, I am going share share share.
As I said before we need a 100 More like Julian Willock and Lorna Smith
That video is priceless. This is the reason the BVI is under UK charges.
The ignorance mixed with the arrogance is just embarrassing.
Those UK boys just had to show this to the Parliament and BANG they vote to suspended the BVI constitution!
I am no fan of Julian Willock. I think he is a pathetic human being.
I am however very suspicious of the great length that you went through to chronicle his interview and discredit him. We have a lot of U.K. operatives in this country doing some mind bending on our people and I think you are one of them. We are not all dumb.