Throne Speech To Unveil New Bills
Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley said new legislation aimed at strengthening governance and transparency will be unveiled in the Speech from the Throne delivered by Governor Daniel Pruce. The address, prepared by the Virgin Islands Party administration, will also set out priorities for infrastructure rebuilding now that the Commission of Inquiry stage has passed and the UK has signalled the Order in Council may be lifted in March 2026.
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has confirmed that a package of bills designed to strengthen governance and transparency will be unveiled in the Speech from the Throne to be delivered by Governor Daniel Pruce. Premier Wheatley made the announcement during an interview on Talking Points on ZBVI 780AM on Monday, January 12, 2026.
He said the proposed measures "[These bills] will help to strengthen our governance framework and transparency framework to ensure that we become a model nation as it pertains to good governance and a model democracy." Governor Pruce is scheduled to deliver the Speech from the Throne during the First Session of the Third Sitting of the Fifth House of Assembly at 10:00 AM.
The speech, which outlines the government's legislative agenda for the year, was prepared by the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) administration. The session will be streamed live on the House of Assembly's YouTube page. Wheatley told listeners the government will use the legislative programme to sharpen governance standards and to make the Territory "a great place to live, work and invest." He framed the measures as part of a wider push to rebuild public trust and attract investment by improving transparency and democratic practices.
The Premier also said his administration will focus on practical infrastructure needs now that the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) stage has concluded and after receiving a UK commitment that the Order in Council could be lifted in March 2026. "We have a lot of work to do, but I believe that we are on the right track.
Now that we have passed the Commission of Inquiry stage, we want to turn maximum attention to rebuilding our infrastructure," he said. He identified the road network, water systems and the sewerage network as immediate priorities and added: "I am pleased that we are heading in the right direction in those cases." For residents, the Speech from the Throne will signal the administration's short-term legislative priorities and provide clarity on planned reforms to public-sector governance and service infrastructure.
Islanders can watch the address live on the House of Assembly’s YouTube channel to hear the full list of bills and planned initiatives for the coming year.
Primary source: VINO