BVI Seeks Greater Self-Determination
All 13 elected members of the House of Assembly have agreed on a unified negotiating position to press for greater self-determination in the next constitution. Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley said a formal committee report will guide talks with the UK, and he will raise the issue with the UK Minister for the Overseas Territories at upcoming Joint Ministerial Council meetings.
All 13 elected members of the House of Assembly have reached a common position that the British Virgin Islands will push for a next constitution reflecting greater self-determination, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley announced this week. Speaking as he updated the public on the constitutional review process, Dr Wheatley said members examined each recommendation from the Constitutional Review Commission’s (CRC) report "in fine detail" during the committee stage and "after robust discussion on our various viewpoints, we have broadly arrived at a negotiating position that reflects the collective will and aspirations of the people of the Virgin Islands." He summarised the aim as "to become a more self-determined people." The Premier did not lay out a precise definition of "more self-determined," but debates in the House have included calls for devolving key functions now overseen by the Governor — notably the civil service and internal security — to elected BVI leaders.
The CRC, which completed its work earlier this year after more than two years of review, recommended reforms designed to strengthen local governance, improve accountability and reduce the territory's dependency on the United Kingdom. Dr Wheatley said the negotiating terms agreed by elected leaders will be formalised in a House of Assembly Committee Report that will soon be tabled.
That report will form the foundation for the next round of constitutional negotiations with the UK. As a next step, the Premier will hold bilateral talks with the UK Minister for the Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty, during the Joint Ministerial Council meetings in London next month. "Among other things, we will discuss a timeline for constitutional negotiations," Dr Wheatley said, adding that he would update the House and the people of the Virgin Islands after his discussions.
A local negotiating team will be formed "in the very near future" to begin negotiations in earnest, the Premier said. He stressed the process will be conducted transparently with continued public engagement: "I once again want to reiterate that, as Premier of these Virgin Islands, I am committed to meeting our collective aspirations of becoming a more self-determined people and a model democracy." For BVI residents, the outcome of these negotiations could affect who holds authority over public service appointments, policing and other internal matters.
The coming months will determine the timeline, scope and pace of talks with the UK, and residents can expect public consultations as the House moves to formalise its negotiating position.
Primary source: BVI News