Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley, has strongly criticized the timing of the Opposition’s recent Motion of No Confidence, labelling it as both ill-timed and damaging to the territory, especially given the current Order in Council hovering over the Virgin Islands.
The motion, which was listed on the Order Paper for the Nineteenth Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth House of Assembly (HoA) on September 3, 2024, was ultimately removed after Premier Wheatley successfully objected to its inclusion, citing procedural failures by the Opposition. He described the motion as a “grab for power” at a critical juncture for the Territory.
Premier Wheatley emphasized that his government has been at the forefront of the ongoing reform process, addressing longstanding issues and significantly strengthening key areas within the Virgin Islands.
He argued that the Opposition’s attempt to destabilize the government at this time could undermine these efforts, particularly with the looming threat of the Order in Council.
The motion comes just as Premier Wheatley prepares to travel to the United Kingdom for a crucial meeting with the UK Minister of Overseas Territories. During this meeting, Premier Wheatley is expected to request the lifting of the reserved Order in Council, which could potentially suspend the Virgin Islands Constitution if invoked.