Premier Argues for Greater Self-Determination
Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley says greater self-determination would not cut the Virgin Islands off from disaster aid or security support, and could in fact expand options through new global and regional partnerships. Speaking on the Virgin Islands Voice programme, he countered concerns that the territory’s small population would be unable to secure emergency funding or assistance.
Natalio Wheatley has reaffirmed his stance that pursuing greater self-determination would not leave the British Virgin Islands bereft of disaster relief or security assistance, and may open new avenues for support through international and regional partnerships. Responding to questions on the Virgin Islands Voice programme about whether a population of about 50,000 could realistically rely on outside help, Dr.
Wheatley said such concerns are based on misconceptions about how aid and assistance are delivered. He pointed to the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria to illustrate his point, noting that some independent Caribbean states received substantial aid from the United Kingdom after those storms. "We had the worst disaster in the history of the Virgin Islands that happened with Hurricanes Irma and Maria," he said. "And the funny thing about it is some of the independent countries in the Caribbean got more help than we did.
Dominica got millions and millions of dollars from the United Kingdom. It might have been Antigua and Barbuda who got money as well." He used that comparison to argue that different constitutional arrangements do not automatically determine the level of international assistance a territory receives.
Wheatley also stressed that independence is not the only pathway: the territory could consider free association or integrated arrangements, and none of these options would necessarily preclude external assistance. "If you become independent... it does not mean that you’re not going to be able to get assistance in the event of a disaster," he said. "In fact, you might even get more assistance because of the relationships you’re able to form with different nations around the planet." He highlighted the strength of regional mechanisms the BVI already uses, including CARICOM, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), the Regional Security System (RSS) and CARICOM IMPACS, which provide security support and operational cooperation.
Wheatley also noted that the United Kingdom could remain a supporting partner through regional operations such as the deployment of naval vessels like HMS Medway. Wheatley has consistently promoted the territory’s right to greater self-determination, arguing that improvements in governance and institutions demonstrate readiness to manage more of the BVI’s affairs while keeping beneficial relationships with the UK and other international partners.
The comments add to an ongoing public conversation about the territory’s future constitutional direction and how best to safeguard residents’ security and access to aid.
Primary source: BVI News