Get Our Act Together Before Independence
On ZBVI 780 AM, veteran community leader Violet Thomas-Gaul urged that the British Virgin Islands must address governance and trust issues before pushing for self-determination. Other commentators echoed the need for broad public consultation and for leaders to demonstrate transparency and accountability.
Violet Thomas-Gaul has cautioned that talk of independence for the British Virgin Islands must be matched by readiness and broad public understanding before any serious move toward self-determination. Speaking on the weekly ZBVI 780 AM programme on Monday, November 17, 2025, Mrs Thomas-Gaul said: 'We talk about getting our independence from Britain, but we need to get our act together before throwing that around.' She added that the debate should involve everyone, not just a few, and that proposals must be examined realistically to ensure outcomes benefit the whole community, not only politicians.
The comments came alongside similar concerns from other local figures, including Grange, who noted that the self-determination conversation is longstanding but increasingly urgent. 'What is particularly challenging is when decisions are being made to determine the destination or the direction of a people without consultation with the people,' he said, arguing that this reality puts independence squarely on the agenda.
Grange agreed that leadership must carry a special responsibility: 'There is a greater responsibility on leadership to prove to the people that we can trust that we can move in this direction because we trust that they have the best interest of the country at heart.' Both speakers highlighted a central obstacle: trust.
Grange said many residents favour independence in principle but remain sceptical about whether current leaders will act solely in the public interest. He urged officials to view that scepticism as constructive criticism and to demonstrate good governance, adherence to policy, and avoidance of personal or political self-interest.
Internationally, the United Nations Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples affirms that all peoples have the right to self-determination. The BVI remains one of 17 Overseas Territories under the remit of the UN's Special Committee on Decolonisation (C-24), which monitors progress toward decolonisation.
For residents, the speakers' message is practical: any move toward a new constitutional arrangement will require clear public education, widespread consultation, transparent leadership practices, and credible mechanisms — such as debates, town halls or a referendum — to ensure that the direction chosen reflects the will and wellbeing of the wider community.
As the conversation continues, how local leaders respond to calls for openness and accountability will shape whether self-determination becomes a realistic path for the BVI.
Primary source: VINO