The United Kingdom, the VI’s colonial power, will vote today June 23, 2016 in a referendum as to whether to remain a part of the 28 member European Union (EU). Photo: Internet Source

Pro same sex marriage supporters and preserve marriage demonstrators both make their options know on the grounds of Cabinet building in Bermuda. Photo: David Skinner

Representative to the EU and the UK, Mr E. Benito Wheatley has said the VI has no official position on the issue of leaving the European Union. Photo: Provided

The United Kingdom, the VI’s colonial power, will vote today June 23, 2016 in a referendum as to whether to remain a part of the 28 member European Union (EU).

Stay or go?

The leading political parties and newspapers in the UK are divided on the so-called Brexit, or British exit, from the EU -- an outcome that would be a huge blow to the European project.

Representative to the EU and the UK, Mr E. Benito Wheatley told our newsroom from London today that the VI has no official position on the issue. He said “the BVI is not included in the vote. However, for those Virgin Islanders who hold full British citizenship they currently benefit in a number of ways from UK’s membership in the EU.”

Mr Wheatley, who has been the VI man in London for the past three years, said in an exclusive interview moments ago that “the Overseas Territories as a group also benefit in a number of ways from the UK’s membership, which is the basis of their legal association with the Union.”

The business and political classes for the most part in the UK have campaigned that the departure of the UK, a country that is part of the European Union geographically, historically and politically, would have extremely serious consequences.

Against

Leading "Leave" campaigner A. Boris Johnson, a Member of the UK Parliament and former London mayor, described the EU as "a job-destroying engine."

"You can see it all across southern Europe and you can see it alas in this country as well," he said, lambasting Brussels for imposing a "multitude of regulations" on British business.

By contrast, the "Remain" camp has argued that a vote to leave would do lasting harm to Britain's economy.

The debate focused on familiar themes of security, sovereignty and immigration, with Johnson's successor as London mayor, "Remain" advocate Sadiq A. Khan, accusing his opponents of "scaremongering" by raising the specter of Turkey joining the EU, potentially giving its citizens free movement within the union.

Bermuda & same-sex marriage 

Meanwhile, today is the day for Bermudians- a British Overseas Territories like the VI- to go to the polls and have their say on same-sex marriage and civil unions via a referendum.

Twelve polling stations across the island will open their doors at 8:00 AM for voters to cast their ballots in the referendum on same-sex relationships.

They will be asked to answer two questions on the ballot paper: Are you in favour of same-sex marriage and are you in favour of civil unions? Though the result will be non-binding, Michael H. Dunkley, the Premier, said yesterday on a local talk show: “Any outcome is the will of the people and will guide their elected officials accordingly.”

There are 44,367 Bermudians registered to vote in today’s referendum. The two questions will only be considered “answered” if there is a voter turnout of 50 per cent (22,184) or more.

The Dr Smith led National Democratic Party Administration has refused to take a position on same-sex marriage in the Virgin Islands.