VI and UK Begin Formal Constitutional Talks
Formal constitutional negotiations between the Virgin Islands and the United Kingdom, first announced in a July 9, 2026 Government press release, began on July 14, 2026 at the Premier’s Office Conference Room and continued on July 15, VINO reports. The talks bring together full delegations from both sides to consider amendments to the Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007, with the Virgin Islands team led by Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley and the UK team led by Nicholas Wareham MVO.
Negotiations between the Virgin Islands and the United Kingdom to revise the Territory's constitution moved from preparation into formal talks this month. The Government of the Virgin Islands announced in a July 9, 2026 press release that the first formal round would begin, and those discussions formally opened on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at the Premier’s Office Conference Room, continuing on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, according to Virgin Islands News Online (VINO).
The talks will examine possible amendments to the Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007 and represent the next step in a constitutional review process that has included work by two Constitutional Review Commissions, deliberations in the House of Assembly, public consultations across the islands, and the establishment of the Constitutional Negotiating Committee (CNC).
The Government release said CNC members recently held planning meetings under the Premier’s leadership, reviewed recommendations approved by the House of Assembly, and responded to information requests from the UK negotiating team ahead of these sessions. The Virgin Islands delegation is led by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D.
The team includes Deputy Premier and Minister for Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change Hon. Julian Fraser (RA, R3); Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Rymer (R5); Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Hon. Sharie B. de Castro (AL); Attorney General Hon.
Smith; Chair of the 2005 Constitutional Review Commission Mr. Penn (R8); Chair of the 2023 Constitutional Review Commission Mrs. Maya Barry, a member of the 2023 commission. The Premier's delegation is supported by Sir Jeffrey Jowell KC, an internationally recognised expert in public, constitutional and administrative law (VINO; Government of the Virgin Islands).
The UK delegation is led by Nicholas Wareham MVO of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and includes Ms Susan Dickson, Constitutional Adviser (Overseas Territories Directorate); Ms Sarah Baddeley, Legal Adviser (Overseas Territories Directorate); and Ms Vaishali Patel, the British Virgin Islands Desk Officer (Government release; VINO).
Premier Wheatley told the press that the commencement of negotiations marks an important milestone in the Territory’s constitutional advancement and said the objective is to secure a modern constitution reflecting the aspirations of Virgin Islanders while maintaining the Territory's partnership with the UK (Government of the Virgin Islands, July 9, 2026).
Mr Nicholas Wareham told VINO that "it is right to look again at a constitution last updated in 2007," noting the Territory's recent years of recovery from hurricanes, the COVID-19 pandemic, climate impacts and governance reforms. Wareham also reiterated that the UK government respects the right of self-determination and said his team is in the Territory to listen and work out what changes are needed so the constitution fairly reflects local views (VINO).
According to the July 9 government release, talks are expected to continue later this year in the United Kingdom with the aim of concluding negotiations by the end of 2026 and preparing agreed amendments for enactment in 2027. Residents should expect further public updates as negotiations proceed and any proposed amendments move through the required approval processes.
Primary source: VINO