Premier Warns About Changing Gov't With UK Order Hanging Over BVI

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BVI Platinum News

(PLTM) - The United Kingdom (UK) is closely watching next month's election and voters are being cautioned against changing the current leadership of the Territory.

Premier and Finance Minister Hon. Dr. Natalio 'Sowande' Wheatley said the people must bear in mind that the Territory has an Order in Council hanging over its head. Against this backdrop, he said, the next government can either trigger the suspension of the Constitution, or maintain a good relationship with it's mother country.

"I have to say that the people of the Virgin Islands should think very carefully about changing leadership at this particular time because you really don’t know where things can go. We have an Order in Council which is still hanging over our heads," he said last evening, March 28 during a Virgin Islands Party (VIP) radio programme.

The VIP Chairman went on to add, "I would say to you that the reason why the Order in Council has not been removed primarily, it's because I believe that they are watching this election. They want to see what is going to happen and of course we have to be very careful if we get some volatiles in the House of Assembly, our Constitution can still be imperil."

UK/BVI Relationship Good

Meanwhile, Premier Wheatley rejected claims being made on the campaign trail that there is need to repair the relationship between the UK and the BVI.

"The reality is that we have an excellent relationship with the United Kingdom right now…it's not a relationship where there is never a disagreement because in a mature relationship you have to be able to disagree and have conversations."

He further said, "the level of comfort with the BVI government right now is at a all time high which we know that the relations had become very strain. It's almost like a 180 degree turn and the UK is very excited to partner with us on our journey."

The Seventh District Representative said the reality is that the former Foreign Secretary intended to partially suspend the Constitution of the Virgin Islands.

"It is only through the intervention of three of us around the table along with the other Members of the Unity Government. Because one thing I wouldn’t do for political reasons is try to take credit away from anyone and I think it's unfortunate that you see persons promoting this narrative that you didn’t have [anything] do with the Constitution being saved, it's this one. In my view it's disingenuous," he lamented.

He also mentioned that the UK MPs had positive things to say about the Unity Government.

"He [MP James] had a lot of positive things to say about the Unity Government, very positive things to say about myself as Premier and the Virgin Islands and where we are going."

Premier Wheatley also denied claims that they sold out to the UK.

"We stood up to the UK and Governor to ensure that these reforms must be done in a democratic way, nothing must be imposed on the people, we must consult with the people."

He continued: "We have been able to strike that balance of making sure that we give full representation to the people, defend the people’s interest but at the same time we secure the UK as a partner for progress for the people of the Virgin Islands. That’s diplomacy."

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