If You're Not In The Room
Special Envoy E. Benito Wheatley told a post-JMC interview that the British Virgin Islands must be present and engaged at talks with the UK because absence weakens the territory’s voice. He urged collective action with other Overseas Territories, stressed the UK’s role in supporting economic and administrative development, and reiterated the right to self-determination.
Benito Wheatley told BVI Director of Communications Karia J. Christopher that being present at decision-making tables strengthens the Virgin Islands’ diplomatic voice, following the Joint Ministerial Council meeting in London on November 26, 2025. Wheatley, who has attended JMC meetings for 15 years, said gathering the views of people at home is vital to shaping diplomacy and finding common ground. "For us to do the work of diplomacy, you have to be in the room.
If you're not in the room, your voice is weaker," he told Christopher in a special interview after the meeting. He described the JMC as a forum designed to facilitate those discussions and chart a way forward between the UK and its Overseas Territories. While he acknowledged the process is not always smooth, Wheatley said the forum has produced wins over the years and remains a necessary venue for addressing difficult issues.
Wheatley also stressed the practical advantage of collective engagement. Because Overseas Territories are small, he explained, they gain greater influence by working together. "That's the benefit of being here with our Overseas Territory colleagues," he said, noting pooled perspectives and coordinated approaches can carry more weight in talks with the UK.
On self-determination, Wheatley reiterated that each Overseas Territory has the right to choose its own political future. He framed the United Kingdom’s role as one of assistance under international law: helping territories develop economically, strengthen administrative capacity and build institutions that support free political life. "Our free political institutions, our economic development, our administrative capacity — all of these things, we should be supported by the UK," he said.
Wheatley acknowledged tensions can arise because the self-governance practiced in many territories is a mixture of colonial and democratic elements. These tensions, he said, underscore the need for continued dialogue and cooperation. "The UK says it has obligations, we have obligations as well.
We also have the right to pursue our own future. For residents of the BVI, Wheatley’s comments underline the importance of active participation in consultations and staying informed about what representatives raise in London. His message is clear: presence, preparation and collaboration with fellow Overseas Territories are key to protecting local interests and advancing long-term development goals.
Primary source: VINO