Warning Against 'United Virgin Islands' Proposal
An opinion column in The Friday Sage responds to USVI Lieutenant Governor Tregenza Roach’s 2026 commencement remarks suggesting closer ties — possibly a union — between the US and British Virgin Islands. The columnist warns such a move could swap one dependency for another and highlights ongoing governance concerns in the BVI following the Commission of Inquiry.
An opinion column published as "The Friday Sage" is pushing back on recent remarks by USVI Lieutenant Governor Tregenza Roach about the possibility of closer ties — and even a future union — between the United States and British Virgin Islands. Roach’s remarks, delivered to graduands at the 2026 commencement ceremony on St Croix, reportedly urged young leaders to consider all options for their "country" and pointed to shared regional assets.
The Friday Sage characterises the speech as forward-looking but warns it unintentionally exposed the potential pitfalls of a merged jurisdiction. The column disputes a claim about three "international" airports across the two territories and notes that definitions and sovereignty matter: the BVI is an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom, and matters such as runway upgrades and national security obligations ultimately rest with the UK and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
Beyond technicalities about airports and runways, The Friday Sage raises broader economic and political concerns. The columnist argues a union between the two Virgin Islands would offer limited economic drivers and would not bring the benefit of a US federal treasury. The piece also questions whether closer ties would simply replace one form of external dependency with another.
Much of the column turns inward, critiquing governance in the BVI in the wake of the Commission of Inquiry (COI). The writer claims public servants have grown reluctant to deliver efficient services and that blame for dysfunction has been cast widely on the COI. The Friday Sage also expresses disappointment at what it perceives as elected leaders’ silence over past controversies, including the detention abroad of a former premier, and suggests that this reticence harms public trust and sets a poor example for younger generations.
The column names local political groupings and figures and warns that a combination of indecision, perceived corruption and failure to confront difficult issues has weakened the Territory. It calls on leaders to speak plainly, act decisively for the public interest and consider the long-term welfare of children watching today’s political choices.
The piece is opinion rather than reportage. For BVI residents, it underscores two clear points: discussions about any change in status or closer union with the US would have complex legal and economic consequences, and local governance and transparency remain pressing concerns following the COI’s findings.
Primary source: Guavaberry