Virgin Islands to Begin Formal Constitutional Talks
Premier Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley has announced that formal constitutional negotiations with the United Kingdom will officially commence in the first quarter of 2026 following discussions at the Joint Ministerial Council in London. The UK has also confirmed plans to revoke the 2022 Order in Council in March 2026, alongside new agreements on fiscal flexibility and security support for the Territory.
The Government of the Virgin Islands has secured an agreement with the United Kingdom to commence formal constitutional negotiations in the first quarter of 2026, Premier Dr. Wheatley announced during a government press conference following high-level discussions in London. Reporting on the Territory's participation in the recent Joint Ministerial Council and preliminary constitutional talks, Premier Wheatley described the agreed timetable as a vital milestone.
The negotiations are intended to modernize the 2007 Constitution, advance recommendations from the House of Assembly, and build a stronger, more self-reliant Territory. According to the Premier, the Committee of the House’s Report on Constitutional Advancement will soon be laid on the Table of the House of Assembly and submitted to the UK Overseas Territories Minister.
A formal negotiating team will be appointed shortly thereafter. The process is expected to lead to a new Constitution, followed by a bilateral compact with the United Kingdom to govern long-term cooperation between both governments. The upcoming negotiations build on extensive groundwork across the Territory, including recommendations from the Constitutional Review Commission, widespread public consultations, and community debates.
Key issues forming the core of the negotiations include clarifying the division of responsibilities between the Governor and locally elected ministers, strengthening public sector accountability, entrenching good governance mechanisms, and reinforcing fundamental human rights safeguards.
In a related development, the UK Government confirmed that the Virgin Islands Constitution (Interim Amendment) Order 2022 is scheduled to be formally revoked in March 2026, upon completion of required UK constitutional and Privy Council processes. Premier Wheatley noted that the Territory's ongoing governance reform programme has established the necessary foundation of trust, transparency, and good governance to underpin these talks.
Beyond constitutional reform, the Virgin Islands delegation secured critical commitments on security and financial governance during the London meetings. The Territory secured additional assistance from the UK Home Office for anti-violence and anti-gang initiatives, as well as supplementary funding in the 2026 budget to bolster law enforcement agencies, including Customs and Immigration.
Constructive agreement was also reached in principle to reduce the Territory’s mandated liquidity ratio—the required minimum reserve of cash and short-term assets—from 25 percent to 20 percent of recurrent revenue, providing greater fiscal flexibility to support local public investment and development.
Primary source: BVI London Office