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UK antagonism & threats still hovering over VI– Shaina M. Smith-Archer

- says threat is not indicative of VI/UK Modern partnership
Chairman of the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association (BVICCHA), Ms Shaina M. Smith-Archer says there remains antagonism from the United Kingdom as it relates to their relationship with the Virgin Islands. Photo: Facebook/File
The said the antagonism displayed is an if the VI still needs to be incentivized in addition to the implementation of the framework agreed to with the UK. Photo: Internet Source
The said the antagonism displayed is an if the VI still needs to be incentivized in addition to the implementation of the framework agreed to with the UK. Photo: Internet Source
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- Chairman of the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association (BVICCHA), Mrs Shaina M. Smith-Archer says there remains antagonism from the United Kingdom (UK) as it relates to their relationship with the Virgin Islands (VI).

Appearing as the guest-host alongside Opposition Member Hon Carvin Malone (AL) on the Virgin Islands Agenda Open programme, which aired on ZBVI 780 AM on January 17, 2023, Smith said even as the VI was implementing the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) reforms, the antagonism remains with the UK saying, “if you don’t do what I tell you to do, this is the threat of what could happen.”

“I see that as a lack of trust. I mean, I understand the seriousness of everything that was presented in the Commission of Inquiry report,” she added in reference to the Order in Council being put in place to suspend the constitution if the VI fails to implement the recommendations within a certain time frame. 

Mrs Smith-Archer said in the spirit of modern partnerships; however, this is not how a partner should be treated, especially in the case of the VI moving towards self-governance.

Behaviour 'Colonial in nature'- Mrs Smith-Archer 

“This is not the right behavior and it’s very colonial in nature, if you ask me, because it's very threatening,” she added.

According to Mrs Smith-Archer, the relationship with the UK has created a lot of uncertainty over whether the VI can successfully review its constitution.  

“It's almost as if you have a boogeyman out there about to get you, but then you're still not sure well, should I go forward and on the assumption that everything will remain status quo or tomorrow morning we could wake up and, you know, life as we know it has completely shifted from under,” she added.

Mrs Smith-Archer also said she supports the idea of the Premier petitioning the UK to have the Order in Council removed.

33 Responses to “UK antagonism & threats still hovering over VI– Shaina M. Smith-Archer”

  • The salve mater is no good (20/01/2023, 12:11) Like (16) Dislike (9) Reply
    I tell you all to leave them racist people alone yall
  • PT09 (20/01/2023, 12:29) Like (83) Dislike (14) Reply
    Shaina M. Smith-Archer Do you really think that the UK could have trusted this government to do the right thing after all what came out in the COI. All of you quick to call down the UK for the Order in Council but you and all of you who is calling down the UK for it knows that they had to do something like that call it what you may but if they didn’t do it things would never got done. The UK has experience with the governments of the BVI.

    • @PT09 (20/01/2023, 14:08) Like (10) Dislike (36) Reply
      I do not trust the COI as it was done and set up by the Governor in a non-transparent manner for purposes that are highly questionable as nothing under the Governor's responsibility was assessed in any meaningful way. This seems like a well-organized modern-day lynching. You cannot be a dictator in this day and age and think that people will cast a blind eye towards these kinds of injustices especially when your back yard is worse than those you seek to enslave.
      • akon (21/01/2023, 08:32) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
        A woman cannot be a Chairman. she has to be a Chairwoman.
      • @ @PT09 (21/01/2023, 16:50) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
        I agree, and doesn’t mind the dislikes. I am sure they’re mostly Euro foreigners.
  • facts (20/01/2023, 13:36) Like (20) Dislike (20) Reply
    The masters of witchcraft and spells is the Brits empire. They have the entire region under spells with ancient spirits, so we are not fighting flesh and blood alone with these colonial devils.
  • Check their history (20/01/2023, 13:39) Like (11) Dislike (18) Reply
    You can never expect peace, calm, or fairness when dealing with the colonial empire that have deceived and destroyed countries far bigger than the BVI. Their history informs who they are and what to expect. They major in destabilizing countries but do it in a way like they are doing in the BVI now having us fight each other while their hands appear clean.
  • wake up bvi (20/01/2023, 13:40) Like (13) Dislike (17) Reply
    Why they want to implement the Order in Council? So that they can control the judiciary with jury less cases, only their kind as judges, they already have the head of Police and all senior post in the police force with UK persons while controlling the audit department. This is their only interest in these areas so they can try to eliminate us in a way that makes them look like innocent. These actions clearly are aimed at a takeover and will make their actions seem legitimate and sincere when in fact it is not & will never be.
  • Iva Biggin (20/01/2023, 13:42) Like (25) Dislike (12) Reply
    Former premier locked up for drugs, drugs still flowing through the territory, corruption rife in civil service, politicians playing for themselves, and you think there is no problem here? Do you actually live in the BVI? Ayo sh!t the bed, now ayo have to sleep in it.
    • to Iva Biggin (20/01/2023, 14:00) Like (20) Dislike (9) Reply
      I am amazed that in the 21st century fools like you speak as if persons from the UK are saints. The issue is not that there are not problems in the BVI and all over the world. The issue is that the judiciary and all other legal systems are there to deal with them and not a one-man like the Governor and a few of the senior Brits in the UK. They cannot be above the law and right now from how they are acting they are the law. This is not democracy. They are abusing their powers and destroying the true fabric of democracy. This is WRONG! Check the news in the UK and you will see that they are a million times worse than what they are seemingly accusing the BVI of doing. This is hypocrisy.
      • we the people (21/01/2023, 05:58) Like (8) Dislike (8) Reply
        I’m tired of hearing this garbage that England has problems so they have no right to fix our problems. First, our problems ARE their problems because of the constitution. Second, clearly when the ppl running this lace are the crooks, we can’t turn to them to fix the problems.

        Only the racists among us fail to admit this and Chen out the same tired garbage about slavery. Willock and Fahie has absolutely no interest in slavery. Their interest is in self preservation.
    • @ Iva Biggin (21/01/2023, 17:35) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      The U.K. will have 5 prime ministers in just 6 years. What's gone wrong?

      35% of the UK population stated that they trusted the national government. 42% of the population reported that they trusted local government and 55% trusted the Civil Service.

      Now VI let’s take a look at the UK’s crime statistics and criminal activity. What are the most common crimes in Britain?:

      1. Homicide (UK police recorded 679 homicide offences in the year ending June 2022.)
      2. Knife/Sharp Instrument Offences
      3. Sexual offences
      4. Robbery
      5. Burglary
      6. Domestic abuse
      7. Crime against society (These include drug crimes, the possession of certain weapons, drunk and disorderly behaviour, ‘inciting racial hatred’, and affray. )
      8. Theft (with burglary removed and treated as a separate category, theft is truly sizeable. Categories includes vehicle theft, bike theft, shoplifting, and thefts from individuals without the use of force.
      9. Computer hacking offences
      10. The number one spot fraud (Particularly a. advance fee fraud- This is where victims are tricked into making upfront payments for fictitious goods and services; some have reported transferring money to receive postal deliveries that never come, for example. b. Financial investment scams have also been a big problem.)
  • Real questions (20/01/2023, 13:44) Like (16) Dislike (2) Reply
    Why is the Governor and his UK staff working in the BVI are exempted from the law where the new register of interest act shows what all public officers and elected officials own or otherwise. Can't people see that this is a double standard. This is not right at all.
  • Democracy is a MUST (20/01/2023, 13:46) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    You have all the below rejecting the Governor and UK Authority dictatorship moves especially with the Order in Council for direct rule:
    1) The United Nations
    2) CARICOM
    3) USVI GOVERNOR
    4) OECS
    If all these were against actions of our public servants, local and Caribbean people and our politicians’ decisions and all of them kept moving forward regardless, the majority of us would have been hitting the ceiling if they failed to listen to them but we want to give the Governor and his UK Authorities a free pass. It is time to end dictatorships of any kind. It is time to end colonialism. It is time to end the two orders in council or any order in council and their attempt at direct rule. It is anti-democratic. We have to come together to stop this wicked act.
  • 2023 (20/01/2023, 13:46) Like (6) Dislike (9) Reply
    looks like the talk shops shifted from COVID to UK: when the talking stop the UK possesses the ability and the authority to return to the territory and thereafter execute her plans. The same bull piss from 2022 some bringing back to the table in 2023

    vision
  • The reality the BVI fights (20/01/2023, 13:48) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    The UK needs to justify to the international world why they need to implement the two Orders of Council. They now have full control of the police force by design with a full senior part of it being persons from the UK. This is their so-called transparent vehicle being used to drive them towards fulfilling their goal of the take over for the money in financial services and other areas. It is not about we the people like some of us are being fooled by them to think. If we play dead, then we will suffer for a very long time. Prayer without works is useless.
  • Cannot avoid it (20/01/2023, 13:50) Like (7) Dislike (5) Reply
    It is going to take a revolution. It is the only solution.
  • The people's demand (20/01/2023, 13:55) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    We demand the report from the lawyer man in UK Cox that was the lawyer working with the Attorney General to defend us in the COI from the Governor's organized modern-day lynching. It is a necessary tool in the BVI's defense against this destabilization colonial plot.
  • Youth talk (20/01/2023, 14:02) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    The position of Governor needs to be an elected position by the people of the BVI.
  • I agree (20/01/2023, 14:11) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    I agree stop all orders of council from existing worldwide because it is an oppressive action that does not reflect a modern partnership nor transparency nor good governance. Imagine a one-man and a few public officers in the UK can suspend a constitution whenever they do not like what is taking place in a country and rule it directly until it is to their liking. This is a slap in the face of democracy. This is a slap in the face of our judiciary system. This is a slap in the face of our financial services. This is a slap in the face of our democratic right to elect leaders. This is why we should have the right to elect the Governor also so they can be held accountable by the law and by the people.
  • Word to the Wise (20/01/2023, 14:17) Like (0) Dislike (6) Reply
    mehson if you all don't keep off the backs of these white supremist UK police and governor they will kill ayo who don't hear will feel leave them alone!!!
    • @Word to the Wise (20/01/2023, 15:52) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Anyone who supports the notion that one race is more superior than the other is just as bad as the colonial dictators.
  • Grannie was right (20/01/2023, 14:22) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    My grandmother reminded her grandchildren of how the people of the BVI was left to suffer by the UK many years ago and to paddle on our own to build up the BVI because they saw no future in the BVI. She reminded that when they saw the awesome job the BVI people was doing they vowed to come back and take the Territory back under their full control. They tried many times but was fought off. They are here at it again in the most aggressive way ever and we must now become assertive and aggressive in our drive to push back and fight for what is ours. With God and the correct strategy, we are a majority. Yes, we have to improve in certain areas, but we are no worse than anywhere else in the world. We have to claim our freedom and take it.
  • The way most see it (20/01/2023, 14:54) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    There will never be synergy between the BVI and the UK nor any other Caribbean Overseas Territory and the UK. The main reasons are: 1) There is a major cultural difference that will never be resolved mainly because the UK does not respect the difference in culture and heritage. It must be their way or no way. 2) The colonial history of the UK has always been one of distrust of persons of African decent or other cultures and heritage and it has not changed and will not changed. 3) The UK agenda is different to that of the BVI and all Caribbean Overseas Territory under the UK and will always be and it will never be in the best interest of the people of the BVI nor any Caribbean Overseas country under them but they will convince the people of all the islands differently. 4) The modern day slavery whip of holding us accountable through a Governor and order of Council is against human rights and democracy but they continue to justify their actions in a way that put the people of the islands to always fight each other &have the UK as the savior when in fact to be ruled directlyby them will be worse. 5) Having a Governor and still a Premier running a country at the same time is outdated. You cannot serve two masters. The Premier is responsible to the people but the Governor is responsible to the UK Officials. This structure is the real issue as governors do nothing all day but spy and come up with strategies to forward the UK's agenda even if it means abusing their powers through non-transparent COI, pre-authored audits, investigations and arrests whether justified or not, among other planned strategies. 6) The Premier has to adhere to the law. The Governor is the law and being over the police force with predominantly UK senior officers and the Head of the police being from the UK allows for strategy to go down in a manner that is easier to sell as transparent to the people but really is not. 7) The COI was a modern day lynching. The Head of the COI could have been a three person body with one from the UK, one from the Caribbean, and one from the Eastern Caribbean Judiciary and the staff of the same composition. The mere fact that it was a sole persons from the UK selected by the Governor only in a non-transparent process allowed all to know the outcome before it happened. This is why no one with sense is surprised by the pre-authored COI report and the recommendations and the actions thereafter by the police. The only way to resolve this is through either calling a truce with our modern day partners or organize a clean break away because in no generation this partnership seemed to have worked and it is clear that the history of not trusting each other as partners will continue. Time to move on.
  • Trying (20/01/2023, 17:47) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lord she look so old and miserable fighting for power
  • Josiahsbay (20/01/2023, 19:40) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    We the people of the VI are the consummate example of a people that represent the expected result of colonial training that produced the correct mindset for a custodial relationship with the UK. We've been trained to believe that we are not capable of self-governance and we believe them so much so that even with the gate to self-determination being open we are afraid to step through.

    We are begging to stop the enactment of an "Order in Council" When we should be fighting to have it declared unlawful and anti-self-determination. The UK has the power to implement the "Order" but hasn't done so, why? They are here as an administering power, which needs clarification, not as our government. They are overstepping their bounds.
  • cap (21/01/2023, 01:24) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Here’s a thought… fix what needs to be fixed and we wouldn’t be under so much pressure from the UK.
  • wake up (21/01/2023, 07:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The West Indies are in the position of an orange. The British have sucked it dry and their sole concern today is that they should not slip and get damaged on the peel…The offer is quite unacceptable and we would prefer not to have it . I do not propose to accept any concept of the Commonwealth which means common wealth for Britain and common poverty for us.
  • tola (21/01/2023, 09:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Head couch??? SMH
  • ??? (21/01/2023, 13:14) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    All coming out with their views since Election could be imminent. Why can't they follow up with weekly or monthly meetings in the Territory to enlighten Folks on what is going on. Some of them only air them mouths with distraught and mistrust to make citizens feel more discouraged in life instead of finding solutions to make life better for People living in the Territory.


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