Premier Wheatley in UK for High-Level Talks
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio Wheatley is in the United Kingdom this week for a series of high-level meetings with UK officials, including Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories Stephen Doughty, and has held a courtesy call with the Speaker of the House of Commons (Office of the Premier; Government of the Virgin Islands). Deputy Premier Julian Fraser has been authorised to perform the functions of the office of Premier from May 16 to May 22 under Section 55(1) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007 (Government of the Virgin Islands).
Premier and Minister of Finance the Honourable Dr. Natalio Wheatley is in the United Kingdom this week attending high-level meetings with UK officials, including the Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories, the Honourable Stephen Doughty, the Government of the Virgin Islands confirmed.
The Office of the Premier also noted a courtesy call with The Rt Hon Sir Lindsay H. Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons (Office of the Premier/VINO; Government of the Virgin Islands). Government statements say the London discussions have centred on strengthening ties between the United Kingdom and the Virgin Islands and advancing formal constitutional review negotiations.
According to the Office of the Premier, talks aim to secure greater self-determination for the Territory, modernise governance arrangements, and clarify the division of responsibilities between local and UK authorities to strengthen institutions and improve accountability and transparency (Office of the Premier/VINO).
Economic cooperation has been a prominent theme in the meetings, officials added. While no specific agreements have been announced, the Premier’s office said discussions are exploring ways to deepen economic ties, attract sustainable investment and support key growth sectors — including tourism, financial services, infrastructure and resilience-building measures — that are important to jobs and long-term development in the BVI (Office of the Premier/VINO).
To ensure continuity in the Territory, the Government has appointed Deputy Premier and Minister for the Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change the Honourable Julian Fraser to carry out the duties of Premier from May 16 to May 22. The appointment was made in accordance with Section 55(1) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007, which the Government quoted as saying: "If the Premier is expected to be absent from the Virgin Islands for more than forty-eight hours, the Governor shall authorise the Deputy Premier to perform the functions of the office of Premier; and the Governor shall revoke this authority on the return to the Virgin Islands of the Premier" (Government of the Virgin Islands).
Premier Wheatley is due back in the Territory on May 22 (Government of the Virgin Islands). The Government release reiterated that these engagements are part of a continued, formal negotiation process with the UK and stressed the Territory’s commitment to advancing BVI interests through strategic international engagement and regional cooperation.
For international media enquiries, the Government provided BVIGovernment@dgagroup.com and listed government contact numbers for services and appointments (Government of the Virgin Islands). Officials said the courtesy call with Speaker Hoyle underscored the parliamentary and diplomatic dimensions of the visit and signalled a mutual desire to maintain constructive dialogue.
The Office of the Premier emphasised that any constitutional changes would follow consultations and legal steps before implementation and pledged to keep residents informed as talks progress and consultative processes are planned (Office of the Premier/VINO; Government of the Virgin Islands).
Residents can expect further updates from the Office of the Premier and the Government as negotiations continue and as follow-up stakeholder engagement is scheduled after the Premier’s return on May 22.
Primary source: VINO