Premier Wheatley Delivers Holiday Message
Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley released a Christmas Day message urging unity, safety and compassion as the Territory moves into a new year. He acknowledged the challenges residents have faced, thanked public-sector workers and encouraged support for local businesses and vulnerable community members.
Natalio Wheatley released a recorded holiday message on December 25 in which he extended seasonal greetings to residents across the British Virgin Islands and reflected on the year just past. In the message, the Premier spoke to themes that are familiar to many in the Territory: community resilience, shared responsibility, and looking ahead with hope.
He acknowledged that while families and friends gather to celebrate, some will be facing hardship, and he asked residents to show care for the vulnerable and continue longstanding traditions of neighbourliness and volunteerism. The Premier also recognised the work of frontline and public-sector workers who keep services running during the holidays.
Those sectors — including health care, emergency services, utility staff and those in tourism and hospitality — play a central role in the Territory’s holiday season, when the Territory welcomes visitors and demands on services can increase. Wheatley used the opportunity to urge caution and personal responsibility.
He encouraged safe celebrations, respectful behaviour on the roads and in public spaces, and sensitivity to the needs of neighbours and those less fortunate. He also reaffirmed the government’s ongoing attention to economic recovery and public services as the Territory moves into a new year, noting that stable services and a supportive environment for businesses remain priorities for the administration.
Tourism was another theme implicit in the message, as the holiday season is a peak time for visitors to the BVI. The Premier asked residents to continue supporting local enterprises — including restaurants, shops and tour operators — whose livelihoods are often tied to seasonal trade.
While the message was celebratory in tone, it also carried a reminder about preparedness. The Premier encouraged households to maintain readiness for natural hazards and to stay informed through official channels. He urged residents to keep safety plans current and to use established community networks to support neighbours in need.
Wheatley wished everyone a peaceful holiday and expressed hope for a prosperous and productive 2026. The recorded message, posted on December 25, reinforced calls for unity, compassion and continued public engagement as the Territory prepares for the year ahead.
Primary source: BVI News