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VI will continue pushing for removal of reserved Order in Council– Premier tells UN C-24
The Premier’s statement came during his June 10, 2024, delivery at the Special Committee on Decolonisation (C-24) hosted by the United Nations. The Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples is also known as the Special Committee on Decolonisation, or C-24, which is currently in session from June 10 to 21, 2024.
Premier Wheatley said the need for the removal is because the relationship shared between the Virgin Islands and the United Kingdom is not one of modern partnership, even as there have been ongoing collaborations to reform the framework of the VI government over the past two years
“Late last month, the UK governor stationed in the territory published his Office’s 6th quarterly review on the implementation of governance reforms. Importantly, it focused not only on the reforms being led by the duly elected government, but also those under the responsibility of the Governor himself."
Review 'largely positive' - Premier
He told the UN C-24 that the quarterly review is largely positive, and his colleagues in government welcomed the balanced presentation provided.
Dr Wheatley also acknowledged that both the Governor and the duly elected government required more time to complete the governance reform programme. The UK and British Virgin Islands have agreed to complete implementing reforms by the end of August 2024.
Meanwhile, the Premier said he sees governance reforms as a vehicle by which to better position the Virgin Islands to achieve a full measure of self-government, as it continues on the path of self-determination.
“However, we remain opposed to the United Kingdom government policy of holding an Order in Council in reserve over the territory to suspend our Constitution if triggered,” he added.
The Premier continued, “My administration will continue to encourage the United Kingdom Government to lift the Order in Council without delay.”
He said while the UK’s position remains that the order will be lifted when the governance reform programme is completed, the VI believes there should be no prerequisite to doing so if there is a genuine desire for partnership.
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14 Responses to “VI will continue pushing for removal of reserved Order in Council– Premier tells UN C-24”
if your gonna get it finished I'm sure it will be removed when you guys are done.
We all know damn well that your government will not make this deadline sir!
“However, we remain opposed to the United Kingdom government policy of holding an Order in Council in reserve over the territory to suspend our Constitution if triggered,”
The people you are working for are not opposed to the United Kingdom government policy of holding an Order in Council in reserve over the territory to suspend our Constitution if triggered, and we except this will have to happen after the reforms deadline is not kept in August.
In my honest opinion I do believe that he seeks independence from the UK for mainly his own political ambitious, not the people of the British Virgin Islands.
Our Premier should accept the fact that the UK is the political head of the BVI. Whether or not we like it, the UK more ownership rights to the BVI than us: Natives, belongers and residents.
Our Premier does not have our best interest at heart. If he did, he would expose his true intentions to us, the people, that his intention is not to fulfill the forty-eight (48) CoI recommendation, that has been recommended for better political Governance for all the people of this British Overseas Territory.
My opinion (belief) is that he, our current Premier want us to take side with him, rebel against the UK, hoping that the UK would back down, give BVI independence and he becomes the first President of the independent Virgin Islands. Oh what a tragedy that would be, far worse that now.
I am well aware that some people, our Premier included, will disagree with my belief, but my belief is my belief, and the some of the people and the Premier belief are theirs. We all have the right to our personal opinions and beliefs, and also groups opinion and belief.
It has been said that there are 18? Recommendations left to be completed and some of them fall under the Governor. So let’s see if those coupled with whichever ones are for the territory meet that deadline. And if not, what will happen to the Order.