Dickson Igwe

The writer says the VI's first Premier Ralph T. O'Neal is a household name in these Antilles. From left: Hon. Ralph T. O'Neal; Minister for Communication, Labour and Works of Montserrat, Charles Kirnon; Cayman Islands Premier Hon. W. Mckeeva M. Bush; Chief Minister of Anguilla Hubert Hughes and Governor William Boyd McCleary at the Pre-Overseas Territories Consultative Council (OTCC) Meeting at Scrub Island in July 2011.

For this Observer, who migrated to the Virgin Islands in 1996, shortly after the death of First Chief Minister, Honorable Hamilton Lavity Stoutt in May 1995, Honorable Ralph O’Neal has been leader for most of the time he has lived on these Virgin Shores.

His humble observations of the Great Man are these: the First Premier is a tough, practical, and pragmatic politician with an astonishing memory. A prolific reader and astute historian, who can recall the minutest details of an event that took place decades past just as if he were right there moments ago. A man, whether one loves him or not, who is a true Virgin Islands patriot and hero, but a man always to be reckoned with, and best never to have as an enemy, as many who may have fallen on the other side of Ralph T O’Neal very much understand.

Mr. O’Neal’s memory is a two edged sword, an encyclopedia of administrative, political, and local history, but his ability to remember even the littlest of things, and tiniest details, can easily convey the impression that he is ruthless. It may be disconcerting indeed dealing with a man who remembers verbatim a foolish statement one may have made twenty five years ago, when warm with rum, and talking without thinking, and from the posterior. But that is simply the type of man the First Premier is!

Now, this story was written before the November 7, 2011, Virgin Islands General Election to honor a National Leader whose place in history is assured. But it was also written on the assumption that the Virgin Islands Party would be returned to power, with the Former Premier enjoying what would probably be his final term as Leader. But alas, it just goes to show how unpredictable the last General Election was. It is always wise not attempting to predict the unpredictable!

At another level, a suggestion has been heard: that of naming the Central Administration Complex ‘the Ralph T O’Neal Government Complex’ in honor of the First Premier of the British Virgin Islands, a requisite tribute. By the way, another suggestion is that the Legislative Council Building be named the Theodore Faulkner House of Assembly, after the Great Nationalist, so one sage local bigwig exhorted just the other day. So to the powers that be, and in the aftermath of a historic election, please consider these tributes to some of the Virgin Islands’ great leaders.

It was the Great Statesman and Wartime Leader, Sir Winston Churchill, who adopted the mantra: ‘’ defiance in defeat, magnanimity in victory. A magnanimous gesture of giving honor to men who have put their imprint on Virgin Islands history is true statesmanship and wise politics. As Virgin Islanders love to state, ‘’give Jack his jacket.’’ Give flowers to people while they are still living. Another thing is this: the Virgin Island’s Party had four long years to honor Honorable Ralph T O’Neal. One wonders why this was not done during their tenure. Now it is left to the National Democratic Party to do this noble deed.

OK, this observer read with keen interest the words of the Honorable Former Premier in the digital media recently: Virgin Islands News Online to be precise, a few months ago, on February 1, 2011, an article titled: ‘Virgin Islands not ready for independence.’ The Great Man was giving his sage opinion on the hot water issue of independence.

The Honorable Leader of Her Majesty’s Opposition exhorted that ‘’ to have political independence, you must have your mind fully made up to go through some very tough times. ‘’ Mr. O’Neal went on to state that he did not think the people of the Virgin Islands were ready for independence. He admonished that to become an independent country immediately sends up the cost of Government which will be ultimately borne by the VI taxpayer.

Honorable O’Neal further disclosed that the VI did conduct a survey of the costs, obligations, and requirements of independence, and he further described how inadequate preparation for independence by some countries, had become an albatross when independence was eventually and fully granted, to great regret, especially by the ordinary people.

He described Great Britain as very cooperative in many areas, citing the example of where he told the Foreign and Commonwealth Office that the Virgin Islands will not accept an atheist governor, and so far Whitehall have not sent one. The Premier however warned that the Virgin Islands must fight to ensure its respect, and the maintenance of critical protocols, within the current environment and status quo as an overseas territory of the UK.

The First Premier did not put independence on the backburner altogether. He believed that the more the VI ‘’gets its act together the less the burden becomes.’’ He explained how the VI does not get any granting aid, neither development grants from the UK. However, he admitted that they may make a contribution now and again, ‘’ to some conservation project, technical assistance, a European Community grant for a new college, but with strings attached, and no money for salaries or capital works.’’

The article ended with the Premier acknowledging that, ‘’ while the UK does not give outright grants, they still have control over the Virgin Islands through an agreement where the VI must keep to finances at certain levels, in regard to its reserves and borrowing capabilities.’’ The First Premier wisely determined ‘’ that it is important to have the reserves, it can come in handy at times of emergency.’’

Now, debating and discussing the pros and cons of VI independence is by no means a demand for immediate independence, but neither is it a denial of the potentiality for future Virgin Islands independent nationhood within the British Commonwealth. It is certainly a worthy national debate: a brainstorming, and a very social dialog on a worthy paradigm. And national debate of any type is a feature of the precious freedoms we all enjoy in these Antilles, especially those of expression and speech.

For all who bother to read this pilgrim’s forays into the alternate universe of the written word, they will know that he has been on a rendition of the virtues of patriotism, nationalism, and sovereign independence for many years, albeit he remains a fervent believer in the idea of British Monarchy as a type of super glue keeping diverse and distant peoples and geographies together under the umbrella of a Commonwealth of free and prosperous peoples: still very much an ideal.

However, he views the Former Premier’s sage words on this issue as a herald for continuing this critical national dialogue. Honorable Ralph T O’Neal is by no means putting the full stop on the matter. Know this: the debate on independence and an independent Virgin Islands is an excellent one, especially with regard to the wholesomeness and wellbeing of VI community and society, in all of its varied parameters.

The Virgin Islands independence model and its discussion is a classroom that forges national unity, cultural and social cohesion, all the while crystallizing VI customs, traditions, and even history.

Building and debating the independence model is similar to constructing the model of an airplane or motor car before manufacture and testing of the real thing. Discussion of an independence model presents us all with an idea of what the final product will look like. So that if ever a time comes when Britain and the Virgin Islands go their separate ways, an idea of how an independent Virgin Islands should work would have already been effectively understood.

So thank you Honorable O’Neal for so graciously allowing the debate to proceed through your timely intervention, and profound and eloquent contribution. By the way, Road Town, Capital of the Virgin Islands could always be renamed Telford. That has a nice ring to it! Come on NDP: ‘’ let we do this thing!’’

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