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VI, UK relations at critical juncture with UK elections looming- E. Benito Wheatley
Mr Wheatley in a recent statement to the United Nations said shortly after, the Governor's reform program agreed upon between the UK and BVI would be completed and hopefully the Ordering Council in reserve that can suspend the BVI Constitution will then be lifted.
Mr Wheatley in his statement said he statement also offers major considerations for the UN visiting mission to the Virgin Islands, which is a welcome development in the decolonization process.
Opportunity to reset relationship
"There will be an opportunity for the UK and BVI to reset their relationship and have normalized relations. However, for there to be a genuine modern partnership between the administering power and territory, things must change. Excellencies, you cannot have a modern partnership and the colonial relationship at the same time. In a modern partnership, you do not use the threat of removing democracy from a people as a tool of leverage over them."
Mr Wheatley called for a modern partnership that where the VI is allowed to thrive on the decisions of its democratically elected legislators.
"In a modern partnership, you do not withhold assent to medicinal cannabis or any other legislation that would set up a legitimate industry without proper justification to the parliament in question. In a modern partnership, you do not close off free association as a political status option without dialogue between partners and its viability."
Further, he said that in a modern partnership, the administrating power does not leave the territory without access to climate finance for climate resilience while at the same time providing the same to other small island developing States and supporting their sustainable development.
Mr Whealey who has been petitioning for a better partnership between the UK and VI said joint declaration agreed between the UK and Overseas Territories was a positive step in trying to reframe the relationship, but much more needs be done to establish a modern partnership whose fundamental pillars include democracy.
More to consider
"Sustainable development, climate resilience, human security, prosperity and self-determination. These are the things that will make a modern partnership between the UK and Overseas territories fit for purpose in the 21st century and the direction of the modern partnership must lead to the achievement of a full measure of self-government. To complete the decolonization process," he said.
He added that the VI and next UK government will enter negotiations on constitutional advancement. The primary objective of the next round of constitutional reform must be the closing of the democratic deficit between the UK and BVI.
"The outcome must position the people of the territory to take full responsibility for their internal affairs. In the first instance and to subsequently make a final decision on their political status based on the future, based on the political status options sanctioned by the UN," he said.
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16 Responses to “VI, UK relations at critical juncture with UK elections looming- E. Benito Wheatley ”
What is bvi getting for this near-constant travel?