Senior Opposition Legislator Julian Fraser has said that if the BVI becomes an independent territory its currency will not be affected nor will its ties with the United Kingdom cease.
Fraser made the statement during a recent session in the House of Assembly as he responded to rumors which he said has been circulating across the BVI for a while.
The Member for the Third District called on all elected officials to promote more civics in the territory, as he believes it is an element that is presently lacking in the BVI.
He said, “We are not promoting civics like we should in this territory. We have to promote civics like we should, we have to let people know the importance of government. We have to let them know what the function of government is, and we have to let them know what their responsibility as a citizen is in the development of this country.”
He added, “People talk things like this…and this is to show you how misguided they are. They said if we go independent, what happens to the dollar? They ask the question: what happens to the dollar? Nothing will happen to the dollar. The dollar stays just where it is in your pocket. There’s no correlation between Independence and the dollar.”
UK ties will not be cut
Fraser also made special reference to the island of Barbados which recently transitioned to a Republic after seeking independence from Britain in 1966.
He said similar to the case of Barbados, the BVI will continue to have a good relationship with the United Kingdom.
“People talk about if you go independent we’re dumping the UK. We’re not dumping the UK. I’m sure you’ve seen that Barbados after Independence in the 60’s, has just the other day decided to become a republic. That’s when they dump the United Kingdom and that’s only severing their ties with the crown as a sovereign leader, but they’re going to have a healthy relationship with the United Kingdom,” he stated.
“The United Kingdom is still going to have their Embassy in Barbados, they’re still going to give them financial aid, whether they ask for it or not. They give those independent countries far more money than they gave us. What we are simply looking for is to be able to call ourselves as individuals, as human beings, truly free in the sense that you are not beholden to another man,” he further stated.
The senior legislator said that nothing has significantly changed from the time he was child, adding that most of the traditional holidays and other events which derived from the UK are still a staple in the BVI.