Wheatley: Bilateral Talks Yield Positive Outcomes
Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley said a bilateral meeting with UK minister Stephen Doughty in London produced “some good outcomes” for the Virgin Islands, particularly on the airport, constitutional reforms, law enforcement and financial protocols. He urged relaxation of the Protocols for Effective Financial Management to free fiscal space for youth programmes and strengthened policing, while acknowledging UK concerns about contingent liability.
Natalio Wheatley said his bilateral meeting with the United Kingdom’s Overseas Territories minister, Stephen Doughty, in London on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, produced “some good outcomes” for the Virgin Islands — though he did not provide detailed specifics. Speaking to Communications Director Karia J.
Wheatley said discussions covered priority issues for the Territory: the planned airport development, constitutional reforms, law enforcement and security, and the Protocols for Effective Financial Management. “It’s been a great day thus far, Karia,” the Premier said, adding that the talks had been positive overall.
A central focus for the BVI team was the Protocols for Effective Financial Management — rules signed between the UK and the Virgin Islands on April 23, 2012, that place limits and oversight on borrowing and fiscal arrangements. The Premier told reporters the protocols have constrained the Territory’s “fiscal space,” limiting its ability to raise funds for capital projects and social programmes. “We hope to have the protocols relaxed so funding can be sourced to invest in more youth programmes to deter them from criminal activity as well as strengthening the law enforcement capability,” Dr.
He added that he believed Minister Doughty would be supportive in helping the BVI secure greater fiscal flexibility. The Premier acknowledged the UK’s ongoing concern about contingent liabilities — the risk that failed projects or guarantees could become liabilities for the UK Treasury. “Anything that goes wrong, it’s a contingent liability on the BVI government and therefore a contingent liability on the UK Treasury,” Dr.
Wheatley said, noting the UK is itself facing fiscal pressures and is cautious about taking on extra burdens. Wheatley said the conversation was “positive” and that the UK was “very supportive” of the development. He said the government expects the airport project to be kicking off in 2026, a development that local officials hope will boost economic growth and reduce reliance on external support.
Wheatley also noted that the Protocols’ restrictions are experienced by other Overseas Territories and that any easing would help speed procurement and reduce frustrations for local vendors. The Premier stressed the government’s goal is to strengthen the economy so the Territory becomes “less of a contingent liability, more financially robust.” The meeting follows ongoing discussions by the BVI government to address borrowing protocols and fiscal constraints, as leaders seek ways to balance responsible oversight with the need for investment in infrastructure and community programmes.
Primary source: VINO