Labour Minister Honorable Vincent Wheatley has stated that the push for self-governance through constitutional reform is not an attempt to seek independence. This was reiterated yesterday during the debate on the Constitutional review in the House of Assembly.
He said “We should not confuse self-governing with independence. They are two very different things because independence is a very dangerous thing…look at the countries who were colonized at first but became independent afterwards, they found that it wasn’t what they had bargained for,” the Minister said during the debate on the motion for Constitutional Review, Monday, July 27.”
Honorable Wheatley asked that we draw reference to Haiti, which was heavily indebted to France in the pursuit of their freedom, where $21 billion dollars was paid.
“It came with a high cost. So, it is very important for the persons listening to understand, we are not talking here about independence, self-government, be careful to make that distinction…we are not talking about independence, independence is a different kettle of fish, it is self-government,” he assured.
Minister Wheatley further expressed that despite efforts by persons to intimidate the Government, they are still pushing forward with the review.
He said “We have to man-up and do what we know we were called here to do at this point in time without fear of anybody. Yes, there are those who are trying to intimidate us, ‘oh don’t go there’, ‘oh you not ready’…and all kind of foolishness…it ain’t no power grab. We were sent to the House to advance the people’s agenda and part of that is political and economic advancement, how you get that? through the constitution.”.
Many situations have called into question the relationship with the UK and the constitutional rights of the people of the BVI.
Some residents have openly called for independence but it is the consensus that before that happens the BVI must move towards greater autonomy.
The Government however, remains laser-focused on reform that will support self-governance and is pushing to establish a Constitutional Review Commission that will overlook this process.