Premier Leads UK Constitutional Negotiation Delegation as
Premier Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley has departed the Virgin Islands to lead a senior government delegation in pivotal constitutional negotiations in the United Kingdom from September 21 to 26. To ensure administrative continuity while multiple ministers travel on official duty, the government has announced a series of acting appointments, including Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley serving as Acting Premier alongside temporary portfolio reassignments for Honourable Stacy Mather and Honourable Luce Hodge-Smith.
Wheatley has departed the Territory to lead a senior government delegation to the United Kingdom for constitutional negotiations taking place from September 21 to 26. Accompanying the Premier on the high-level mission to London are Deputy Premier Honourable Julian Fraser, Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Kye M.
Rymer, and Minister for Education, Youth Affairs, and Sports Honourable Sharie B. deCastro. The constitutional talks mark a critical juncture in shaping the future governance framework and relationship between the Virgin Islands and the United Kingdom. The travel period also coincides with other key international assignments for government leadership.
Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley is scheduled to attend several major regional health forums in Washington, D.C., from September 26 to October 3. His schedule includes the 53rd Meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD), the 63rd Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and the Session of the Regional Committee of the World Health Organization (WHO) of the Americas.
Additionally, Junior Minister Honourable Lorna Smith is set to serve as a featured speaker at the Outbound Summit in New York City, taking place from September 23 to 28. To manage public affairs while several ministers are away on official duty, the government has established a comprehensive series of acting appointments to guarantee continuity in administration.
Wheatley is serving as Acting Premier, Minister of Finance, Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sustainable Development, and Minister for Financial Services, Economic Development, and Digital Transformation from September 21 to 24. Following that period, Honourable Sharie deCastro will assume those ministerial responsibilities from September 25 to 26.
Further temporary Cabinet appointments have also taken effect to cover portfolios during the delegation's absence. Territorial At-Large Representative Honourable Stacy R. Mather, MBE, has been assigned to serve as Minister responsible for Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change from September 21 to 26.
In addition, Fourth District Representative Honourable Luce D. Hodge-Smith will serve as Minister responsible for Education, Youth Affairs, and Sports from September 21 to 24. Premier Wheatley is scheduled to return to the Virgin Islands on the evening of September 26. Government officials noted that these constitutional engagements and administrative arrangements remain central to promoting good governance, institutional stability, and long-term sustainable development across the Territory.
Primary source: BVI Government