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“I am here to listen & to understand’ - UK Minister Amanda A. Milling

-currently in VI for high-level discussions on CoI Report & way forward
UK Minister for the Overseas Territory, the Rt. Hon Amanda A. Milling in now in the Virgin Islands (VI) for high-level discussions following the early publication of the Commission of Inquiry Report, its sweeping recommendations, and the way forward. Photo: Internet Source
Currently, Acting Premier, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley says Hon Milling back to the Territory for discussions on the recommendations of the CoI report and noted that the way forward must be the best interest of the people of the territory. Photo: GIS/Facebook
Currently, Acting Premier, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley says Hon Milling back to the Territory for discussions on the recommendations of the CoI report and noted that the way forward must be the best interest of the people of the territory. Photo: GIS/Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – UK Minister for the Overseas Territory, the Rt. Hon Amanda A. Milling in now in the Virgin Islands (VI) for high-level discussions following the early publication of the Commission of Inquiry Report, its sweeping recommendations, and the way forward.

Hon Milling arrived yesterday, May 1, 2022, and will meet with Governor John J. Rankin CMG, Acting Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) and other leaders of the parties represented in the House of Assembly.

She will also meet with individuals and groups in the Territory to discuss the range of recommendations contained in the CoI Report, according to a release from the Office of the Governor.

Difficult times in VI - Hon Milling  

Hon Milling in a statement on arrival said, “I recognise that these are difficult times for the people of the BVI. I am here to listen, and to understand. It is important that we are honest and open with each other when discussing the CoI Report and the issues it has identified.”

The Governor’s Office said the aim of the Visit is to engage as wide a range of VI society as possible to get their feedback on how to improve governance in the Territory and discuss the next steps for the VI.

Governor Rankin in a statement said, “I welcome Minister Milling back to the Territory following her recent visit in March. There is a lot of work to do and we are meeting with a wide range of elected officials, key individuals, and community groups across the Territory.”

The Governor said it is important that the VI gets as wide a range of views as possible to help inform decisions on the back of the CoI Report and recommendations.

No decision made on CoI recommendations - Gov Rankin 

Governor Rankin has reiterated that no decisions have been made yet on which recommendations to take forward; however, he noted that working together and discussing important issues in an open and frank way, will work towards improving governance and getting the best outcome for the people of the territory.

Acting Premier Dr Wheatley also welcomed Hon Milling back to the Territory for discussions on the recommendations of the CoI report.

Dr Wheatley added, “Our collective focus must be on what is in the best interest of the people of the Virgin Islands, engaging in partnership to strengthen areas requiring improvement and maintaining the historical progress we have made together in these islands."

30 Responses to ““I am here to listen & to understand’ - UK Minister Amanda A. Milling”

  • Well Sah (02/05/2022, 13:09) Like (50) Dislike (5) Reply
    My dear Amanda, one of the best ways to listen and understand is to read the blog..........
    • agreed (02/05/2022, 16:16) Like (19) Dislike (4) Reply
      Yes Amanda. Just read the daily blogs that is the only way you will understand what we the people have been going through.
    • How’s that (02/05/2022, 16:50) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
      … she is happy to listen to anybody on the approved list but is not interested in hearing from the public.
  • mad max (02/05/2022, 13:12) Like (82) Dislike (37) Reply
    I’m concerned about those who have been chosen to speak with her. I have heard that the Christian Council have a meeting. Why? These people have their own agenda and still support the disgraced Premier.
    She should not listen to anyone and just go ahead with the clean up required.
    • Sick (02/05/2022, 14:23) Like (37) Dislike (70) Reply
      It’s embarrassing to read the way that a lot of you “bloggers” think. You are promoting white supremacy. You are also saying that they (UK) are smarter and better to run our country than our own. How can they clean up mess in our land when their mess is overflowing in the UK. They are more corrupt than our people but they do a better job at covering it up. I hope the clean up that you want them to do doesn’t involve you or your family losing your jobs, businesses, land, rights and privileges in your own land (if you are from here). Those are just a few of the consequences if they come to clean up. The UK needs to get their own house in order. They did nothing for the VI yet want to “help the people” in our most vulnerable time because it’s convenient and beneficial to them. Y’all need to get woke and get rid of this sick and twisted thought process! Shame on all of y’all who think this way. If you are from the VI I’m embarrassed and if you are not from the VI then leave
  • ok (02/05/2022, 14:50) Like (14) Dislike (25) Reply
    Three days to listen? Wow…a serious speed listener. My dear we ain’t stupid.
  • justice (02/05/2022, 15:08) Like (23) Dislike (14) Reply
    If the constitution is not suspended the uk should apologize to Turks & Caicos
    • fromafar (03/05/2022, 05:10) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      THEY NEED TO APOLOGISE TO TURKS & CAICOS PERIOD. WHAT A MESS THEY HAVE CREATED IN THAT COUNTRY
  • Eagle Eye (02/05/2022, 15:10) Like (15) Dislike (13) Reply
    How come holding election was not recommended?
  • UKM (02/05/2022, 15:36) Like (17) Dislike (4) Reply
    @Sick, You have to be one of the ones who benefit from corruption or you are just stupid.
  • @sick (02/05/2022, 16:31) Like (9) Dislike (9) Reply
    The Uk did nothing for the VI? Seriously? So they didn’t send aid and support after Irma? Remember that big ship that was floating off our shores?
    • x (02/05/2022, 17:17) Like (15) Dislike (4) Reply
      You mean the big ship with body bags and heavy equipment to dig mass graves?
    • Really (02/05/2022, 17:29) Like (8) Dislike (7) Reply
      What aid and what support? They brought a bunch of body bags. I don’t know about you but I stood in long lines to buy my food, gas and to do laundry
  • rattie (02/05/2022, 16:34) Like (2) Dislike (9) Reply
    She lie she lie she lie her decision
  • Undercover Observer (02/05/2022, 17:19) Like (10) Dislike (6) Reply
    Is the Rt. Hon Amanda A. Milling truly here to listen? Or the decision was made long ago to suspend the constitution which the arrest of Andrew Fahie provided support for? Does the UK give a rat’s ass about the people of the BVI having the right, the freedom voluntarily decide what course of political status they need? The UK people had the choice to either stay in the EU or pull out (Brexit). Should not the people of the BVI not have the same choice? Are they less worthy than UK people because the majority of people are Black? Did some elected members underperformed, was the populace passive as to what was going on? Probably like. Are elected members in the UK setting exemplary behaviour and performance? Hell no. Ask Boris Johnson, the PM. Are operational changes needed in the BVI? Yes. However, the Acting Premier Wheatley not the recommendations in the CoI can be implemented without suspending the constitution. If a less severe action can cure and attain the desired outcome, why not used it? Or the desired suspension of the constitution is to support long held warped beliefs and racial stereotypes? The Foreign Sec noted if I’m not mistaken that OTs are integral part of the UK family. Hope my people are not buying that load crap. If so address the reparations issue, issue an apology for slavery? Fellow Virgin Islanders, we are too divided. Come together, unite, and fight for your rights, human rights, freedom to decide for yourselves, etc. Stop prostituting, subordinating yourselves to others to decide for you. That is a slavery, colonial era behavior. We should be beyond. Ok, the minister is here to listen so when is she going to hear from the masses at the ground level.
  • Sambo (02/05/2022, 17:48) Like (5) Dislike (12) Reply
    Except slavery, the current grave situation in the BVI is the worst period it has had in its history. This time has also exposed a sickening attitude. After 300 years of slavery and 186 years since slavery was abolished, yet our people, not all, are behaving like Sambos. They truly believe that Whites are superior and all knowing and Blacks should subordinate themselves to the inferior servile role. This behaviour is nauseating. I’m a proud Virgin Islander but ashame of the attitude and behaviour. With this attitude and behaviour, we will forever stay sambos and slaves. White folks dream.
  • josiah'sbay (02/05/2022, 18:21) Like (21) Dislike (3) Reply
    Why do we keep falling for the same old charades of concern. She is going to meet with the Governor the agent of the UK and the acting premier who haven't had sufficient time to read and understand the report to competently discuss it. If she really want to listen then give us time to examine the document and formulate a proper response. a three day visit sounds like someone who have to get back to their agenda quickly. They are inferring that we are incapable, not because of incompetency but because we might disrupt or interfere with their plans or agendas whatever they are,
  • Impartial (02/05/2022, 18:52) Like (7) Dislike (10) Reply
    No slaves exist, except in the minds of those who harbor a grudge. To harbor a grudge is not God's way because victim mentality will hold anyone back from advancing. It will not heal you or help anything.
    You have everything going for you. But you have to use it, not whine & complain about everything else. The BVI's leaders were criminals - their fault, no one else's. Own the mistake as mature, capable leaders ought.
  • Easy (02/05/2022, 19:04) Like (14) Dislike (4) Reply
    Referendum of the People!!!! Let the BVI people vote on whether they want Direct Rule. Please post my blog. Thanks!!!
  • The Nation (02/05/2022, 19:34) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    If she is truly here to listen and understand then she will have a town hall meeting with the people!
    • yeah (02/05/2022, 21:11) Like (18) Dislike (2) Reply
      Yes the vi people did nothing wrong get rid of the elected officials straightened the country and call for new political parties fresh elections
  • HHH (02/05/2022, 21:08) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    It’s about time to govern UK control the borders
  • grace (02/05/2022, 21:29) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply
    She doesn't give a rats behind about listening to we the people! She has been here before and is only here to get a few days free vacation. She IS NOT HERE TO HEAR US, NOR DOES SHE CARE ABOUT US. She can take her useless behind right back from whence she came. Another RACIST freeloader.
    • To Grace (02/05/2022, 22:52) Like (4) Dislike (14) Reply
      Listen to yall with your hatred for white people?? Sit tf down and shut up cause y'all are more racist that them
  • TSI (03/05/2022, 10:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    If you all could not stand up to your elected representatives who you voted for like hell you will be door mats to UK officials because you wont have any rights to vote. This is bigger than all your petty reasons to hate each other. After the British took overTurks the crime situation and border security did not improve. Funding for efucation was cut, infrastructure did not improve. The British took out loans which Turks had to pay back and they had no say in how the money was spent and did not know how the money was spent. If you can vote and you are not satisfy with your representative or Hovernment you have a choice the next election. When your voting rights is taken from you think about what you can do then.
  • owl (03/05/2022, 20:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I prefer the white supremacy. Outr own blacks had us enslaved and doing all kind of wrong. Now its time for ehtical and co.pasionate people to take over and do the better job. U al fail miserably so now pay the price and move on.
  • She is here to listen! (04/05/2022, 08:19) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    ...but the SAS sailing around these islands acting like tourists and the SBS waiting on a sub somewhere nearby are here so not a hair on her head is harmed. ;)


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