Premier Seeks Greater Control Over Security, Calls
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has reiterated the British Virgin Islands’ push for greater local control over internal security and certain public service functions during a public engagement session in Virgin Gorda on May 26, 2026. New reporting by VINO adds that Wheatley explicitly supports transferring security powers to the elected government and stressed the need for democratic accountability and safeguards as the territory prepares for constitutional negotiations with the United Kingdom.
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has renewed the British Virgin Islands’ call for greater local control over internal security and some public service functions as the territory prepares for formal constitutional negotiations with the United Kingdom later this year. Speaking at a negotiating-team public engagement session in Virgin Gorda on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, held at the Catholic Community Centre, Wheatley said elected leaders should carry more responsibility for security so the public can hold them accountable (VINO; BVI News).
Wheatley described the current governance arrangement under the Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007 — in which the governor chairs Cabinet and retains responsibility for defence, internal security and certain public service roles — as “abnormal,” questioning why the BVI is treated differently from other jurisdictions (BVI News).
He pointed to territories such as Bermuda, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man, and specifically cited neighbouring examples, saying the US Virgin Islands and St Martin exercise control over their own security and the BVI should seek similar autonomy (VINO). A central theme of the premier’s remarks was democratic accountability.
As reported by Virgin Islands News Online (VINO), Wheatley said, “We believe that there should be a certain level of democratic accountability to those persons who are responsible for security,” so that the public can evaluate how well security services protect them. He added, “If the people of Virgin Gorda are not satisfied with how they are protected by the security services, they need to be able to have the tools to hold somebody accountable,” and warned that “with power comes responsibility.” Wheatley also emphasised the need to build stronger checks and balances into any transfer of authority to guard against abuse of power.
VINO quoted him saying that while the BVI seeks to move responsibility from the governor to elected officials, “No executive should have the wherewithal, or the ability or the opportunity to run roughshod over the people.” He said safeguards and accountability mechanisms will be central to the territory’s negotiating positions.
Officials have indicated some recommendations from the Constitutional Review Commission — which conducted extensive public outreach and submitted its report in late 2023 — may be implemented through legislation rather than by amending the constitution, a point reported by BVI News.
Local ministers and the negotiating team have said operational details about how control of security and the public service would be structured, and what specific safeguards would apply, will be key topics in forthcoming negotiations and further public consultations. Formal constitutional negotiations with UK officials are expected to begin later this year, and the negotiating team is to be guided by positions already agreed by the House of Assembly.
The Virgin Gorda meeting was one in a series of public consultations being held across the Territory ahead of those talks (BVI News; VINO). The premier reaffirmed the BVI’s intention to seek greater autonomy while maintaining accountability and responsible governance as the territory “moves the ball forward.”
Primary source: BVI News