Premier to Name Constitutional Negotiation Team
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley says he will soon name the BVI delegation that will head formal constitutional talks with the United Kingdom after the House of Assembly completed its internal review. He will raise the issue during a November 24–28 visit to London for the Joint Ministerial Council and a bilateral meeting with UK Minister for the Overseas Territories Stephen Doughty.
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has announced that he will name members of the British Virgin Islands' constitutional negotiating team before the end of the year, as the territory prepares for formal talks with the United Kingdom. The Premier told reporters at a government briefing that the House of Assembly has completed its committee work on constitutional recommendations and agreed to table a report for public release. "The report should be tabled shortly," he said, adding that it will be made public once formally presented to the House.
Dr Wheatley said legislators adopted a collective position in favour of seeking a constitution that provides for full internal self-government. He described that shared stance as central to the forthcoming negotiations and said the delegation he appoints will reflect the unified position of the House, subject to a resolution by members.
The Premier will travel to London from November 24 to 28 to attend the Joint Ministerial Council and other meetings. During a scheduled bilateral with the UK Minister for the Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty, he intends to propose dates to begin negotiations and agree a process and programme leading into formal talks.
He said constitutional reform will sit alongside discussions on governance, security, capacity building and related matters. Dr Wheatley stressed the importance of presenting a united front in negotiations, criticising recent attempts to politicise the constitutional agenda. He told reporters he was disappointed by comments at a recent press conference from the Leader of the Opposition, which the Premier said sought to politicise the process. "Our constitutional process must be free of partisan politics," he said, arguing that uniformity of position enhances the BVI's chances of success.
Linking the constitutional debate to recent tensions over internal security, the Premier said the current arrangements and the governor's retained powers in that area highlight the need for responsibility for internal security to be transferred to the elected government. He did not give a detailed timeline for negotiations but confirmed the government will name the delegation shortly and pursue an agreed programme with the UK.
For residents, the next steps to watch are the tabling of the House report, the formal naming of the negotiating team, and any public consultations or briefings that follow. The government says public access to the House report will allow Virgins to review the recommendations before talks with the UK proceed.
Primary source: BVI News