Team Must Sing From Same Sheet
Hon Fraser urged the Premier to appoint a united negotiating team for the upcoming UK review of the Constitution Order 2007, warning that mixed messages could undermine the reform effort. The call follows public debate over the possible inclusion of Hon Walwyn on the delegation after his vocal disagreements on voting eligibility, the definition of indigenous Virgin Islander, and criticisms of the Constitutional Reform Commission’s work.
Hon Fraser has called for a united front ahead of the anticipated United Kingdom review of the Constitution Order 2007, saying any negotiating delegation must "sing from the same song sheet" to avoid sabotaging the territory’s constitutional reform effort. Speaking on November 4, 2025, during a Special Sitting of the Eleventh Sitting of the Second Session of the Fifth House of Assembly to mark the 75th anniversary of the restoration of the Virgin Islands’ legislature, Hon Fraser advised the Premier to ensure every member of the negotiating team speaks with one voice when they go to London.
A date for the UK review has not been disclosed, but officials and observers believe it could take place in 2026. "If the team is not singing from the same song sheet, Premier, what we are doing here can go down as a waste," Hon Fraser said, stressing he spoke from experience and the high stakes involved in overseas constitutional negotiations.
The appeal for unity comes amid public calls for Hon Walwyn to be excluded from the negotiating team. Critics point to his public disagreements on several key issues — notably who should be eligible to vote in any independence referendum, how to define an indigenous Virgin Islander, and his outspoken criticism of the Constitutional Reform Commission (CRC) and its Report.
Media and talk show commentary, including from host Claude O. Skelton-Cline, have amplified those concerns. Penn (R8) has also warned that the BVI must travel to London "united as a negotiation team speaking with one voice," a position he reiterated during debate on the CRC’s Report in October.
Hon Walwyn, however, has dismissed calls for his exclusion as "nonsense," saying there has been no formal discussion on the composition of any delegation and arguing that divergent views should not preclude participation. He noted that the Opposition Leader previously sat on the negotiating team for the 2007 Order and said all delegates must have the shared intention of properly representing the interests of Virgin Islanders.
For residents, the debate touches on fundamental questions about identity, electoral rights and the conduct of talks that could shape the territory’s constitutional future. As preparations for the UK review proceed, the Premier’s selection of negotiators and whether the team can present a unified stance will be watched closely across the Virgin Islands.
Primary source: VINO