Decolonisation Commission Coming This Year
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has announced the government will establish a Virgin Islands Decolonisation Commission later this year to lead public education and dialogue on constitutional reform. Negotiations with the United Kingdom are planned to begin in July 2026 with a target to complete talks by year-end and pursue a new constitution in 2027.
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has confirmed that the Virgin Islands will establish a Decolonisation Commission this year as part of a renewed push on constitutional reform and political advancement. Speaking in his 2026 State of the Territory address, Dr Wheatley said the commission will “help strengthen public education, dialogue and awareness around constitutional development, political advancement and greater self-determination.” He described constitutional advancement as more than legal work, calling it “nation-building work.” The announcement accompanies a government timetable to begin a fresh phase of constitutional negotiations with the United Kingdom in July 2026, with the aim of concluding those discussions before the end of the year.
The government says those talks would set the stage for a proposed new constitution to be enacted in 2027. Key objectives the Premier identified include securing greater internal autonomy for the territory — notably the right to chair the Cabinet and responsibility for the public service.
Dr Wheatley emphasised that the review belongs to the people: “This is not government’s constitution, this is the people’s constitution.” He added the administration will run a broad public education and communications campaign so every Virgin Islander can engage with and help shape the constitutional process.
The government also highlighted recent cross-party agreement in the House of Assembly on a shared vision for the territory’s future relationship with the UK. “There are moments when unity must rise above division. And this is one of those moments,” the Premier said, urging collective participation in the debate.
The move follows increased engagement with the United Nations decolonisation process. A 2024 visiting mission from the UN Special Committee on Decolonisation (C-24) assessed the territory’s progress and recommended a national public education programme, continued talks with the UK and consideration of a referendum only after an extensive education campaign.
The government has said it welcomes those recommendations and will take them into account in its review. For residents, the commission is likely to be the primary vehicle for explaining options, gathering views and organising consultations ahead of formal negotiations. While talks aim for greater self-government, they do not automatically mean independence; any change will depend on negotiation outcomes and the public’s input.
The government says it will keep the community informed as the process unfolds and invited all Virgin Islanders to participate in shaping the territory’s constitutional future.
Primary source: BVI News