The word independence strikes fear in people- Julian Willock
Former Permanent Secretary Julian Willock, who continues to be sought after by radio and television hosts following his popular interview last month with a hostile BBC presenter in which he stood firm in defense of the Virgin Islands financial services sector, thinks the populace is extremely skeptical regarding any talks about autonomy under this National Democratic Party (NDP) government.
The NDP continues to be criticised by the Opposition and members of the public for not adhering to the rules of good governance and financial mismanagement. Further, some members of the NDP Government have been accused of being corrupt, self-serving, hypocritical, egotistic and antagonistic.
Appearing as a guest on The Morning Ride Show with Paul ‘Gadiethz’ Peart on ZROD 103.7 FM today, May 18, 2016, Mr Willock was asked by Mr Peart whether he thinks the Virgin Islands is in a position to go independent since many Caribbean countries have gone that route but have ended up “ripping off their own people.”
Standing up to Britain
Mr Peart further said the VI needs to “stand up to Britain” and is in a position where it needs to, referring to the pressure being put on the VI to make Beneficial Ownership information public.
According to Mr Willock, the VI has stood up to Britain where Beneficial Ownership is concerned, noting Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith’s position and then that as stated by Mr E. Benito Wheatley who he said did a commendable job in his defense of the Virgin Islands financial services during a BBC interview on May 12, 2016.
The Virgin Islands (VI) has declared it is not willing to go the extra mile of making beneficial ownership information public unless there is international regulation in place and that all financial services jurisdictions also comply.
According to the former Director of Water and Sewerage Department, Willock, the VI needs all hands on deck to defend the VI Financial Services sector as it is a legitimate and transparent business.
The ‘problem’ with independence
Addressing the question of autonomy for the VI, Mr Willock said the problem with self determination or independence is that “just the thought of the word strikes fear in people.”
“Because what I am being told is if they are behaving like that now where they are ‘under the power of Britain’, could you imagine the reckless behaviour if they were to become independent?" Mr Willock boldly stated, referring to the conduct of the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP).
“And we have to change that behaviour because sooner or later we are going to have to discuss self-determination. That is where we have to go. But the fear is who can lead us to the well and who has the credibility to lead us there. That has been the vexing question,” Mr Willock argued.
In the meantime, however, Mr Willock said the Virgin Islands has to unite and this must start with the politicians putting aside self-interest and ego.
“We cannot allow the British Virgin Islands to sink into any place where we have leaders such as the likes of [Muammar] Gaddafi, the likes of [Adolf] Hitler or the likes of Saddam Hussein.
“It can’t always be about someone’s ego, ‘I just came and I want to be Premier’. It has to be about country and everybody in the BVI is not for sale,” Mr Willock said.
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38 Responses to “The word independence strikes fear in people- Julian Willock”
Keep in mind that it is very unlikely we would still be able to use the US dollar and would likely have to use the EC, exactly how would we benefit from that?
1. We wouldn't "have" to follow British law. We could actually start hanging people again if we wanted to.
2. Our police "could" (in theory) carry guns if our elected government decided that was a good idea.
3. Minister Walwyn could draft new laws governing freedom of the press and freedom of speech. That would be fun!
4. We wouldn't "have" to have a British Governor overseeing our civil service, police department, prison or national security policies anymore.
So what else? What is it we see in our future when we are once and for all out from under the thumb of British rule?
I suppose we could always hook up with our new buddies (the Chinese) when we need immediate assistance and outside funding, should a natural disaster occur. LOL.
When our son (our oldest) left home for the first time, he was thrilled. He was finally "his own man" as he put it. Four months later, he was back on our doorstep asking for a loan. He hadn't realized how hard it was to be "his own man". He learned the hard way that to be his own man (to the standards he had envisioned), he was going to have to go to university. He moved back in with us, got his high school diploma, went away to school in Canada and is just finishing his BA.
Independence as a nation takes years and years of fiscal planning and preparation. I agree that one day, we will very likely decide to become independent, but I believe that day is in the very distant future.
Our finances are a disaster, we can't manage to provide even the most basic needs for our schools. Government is always and forever playing "roulette" in regards to maintenance of our public infrastructure and that isn't about to change anytime soon. Let's face it, we are a third world nation pretending that we are anything but.
Sure we can vote for independence, but then what? For me the answer is simple, my family and I will either move to the USVI or Canada a.s.a.p.
We are nowhere near being ready for independence.
Further more, people like you might be surprise if the BVI decided to get its own currency, that it might actually be stable and even stronger than the U.S. dollar. The Cayman Island dollar is one good example as to how this can be.
Have respect for the EC for it is a very stable currency. Even if the BVI decides to adopt it, the value of one's paycheck will remain stable and essentially the same. (instead of being pain $2000 USD a month, one will be paid $5,400 EC a month for example).
These disadvantages and vulnerabilities include 1) proneness to natural disasters (hurricanes, earthquakes), 2) high import/low export of goods, 3)small domestic market with limited ability to influence prices, 4)limited opportunities for economies of scale, 5) long distance from markets, 6)high transportation, energy and telecommunications cost,7) small population equates to high cost of governing, 8) narrow economic base, 9) heavy dependence on government for employment( direct, contract), 10)environmental degradation, 11)impact of rising sea levels (climate change)(see Kiribati, formally Gilbert Islands), high infrastructure cost......etc. Further, the VI lacks the natural resources to develop either a 1)primary or 2)a secondary economy. Its economy is service based with tourism and financial serves being the mainstay. But these two industries are highly fragile. Independence cannot and should not be based on two fragile industries. Ok. If the VI is not ready for independence what should it be doing?
On the road to independence, which may be way out on the horizon, the BVI should 1)strengthen and deepen its governing structure, 2) diversify its economy, 3) invest effectively in human capital, 4) invest, maintain and operate a sound world class infrastructure system, 5) provide accessible and affordable healthcare, 6)build a world class educational system (become a learning nation), 7)protect and preserve environmental resources, 8) pursue more internal self governing control from the UK ( civil service, RVIPF), 9) become part of a regional unification initiative......etc. What does independence cost?
Moreover, most of the VI regional sister countries (Anglophone) are independent. Jamaica started the independence parade on 06 August 1962 followed by T&T, Guyana, Barbados .........etc. The VI should look at the experiences of its sister countries before joining the parade. Independence comes with a price; it means that the VI must be able to support itself for the long haul. Currently, the UK provides support for external affairs and defence. Furthermore, its umbrella provides stability for both tourism and financial services. In any event, independence should entail a referendum as Scotland did.
I think I know who he is referring to here.....
2. BVI does not need to go independent to rip off its own people. It already is ripping off its own people.
3. Despite all the business acumen extant in the financial services industry, the BVIs is incapable of managing its own finances. There simply is no fiscal control or accountability.
4. If it does go independent, will it have the necessary financial resources to sustain itself (assuming that fiscal control and accountability are put into place.
Moreover, another of the regional problem is lack of unification. The region would have been better off if had continued with the federation. Instead insularity killed it.