BVI: BVI to seek greater self-determination in next constitution

As published on: bvinews.com, Tuesday 4 November, 2025.

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has confirmed that all 13 elected members of the House of Assembly have reached a common position that the BVI will push for the next constitution to reflect greater self-determination.

While updating the public on the progress of the constitutional review process, Premier Wheatley said members have examined each recommendation of the Constitutional Review Commission’s (CRC) report “in fine detail” during the committee stage and have now agreed on a unified stance that will guide negotiations with the United Kingdom.

“After robust discussion on our various viewpoints, we have broadly arrived at a negotiating position that reflects the collective will and aspirations of the people of the Virgin Islands,” the Premier said. “In summary, it is to become a more self-determined people.”

The Premier did not explain exactly what he meant by “a more self-determined people”, but during the recent constitutional review debates in the House of Assembly, leaders called for the next constitution to reflect the devolution of key functions such as the civil service and internal security from the Governor to elected leaders of the country.

Dr Wheatley said the negotiating terms agreed upon by all elected leaders will be captured in a formal House of Assembly Committee Report, which will soon be tabled. The report will serve as the foundation for the upcoming round of constitutional negotiations.

As for next steps, the Premier announced that he will hold bilateral talks with the UK Minister for the Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty, during the Joint Ministerial Council meetings in London next month.

“Among other things, we will discuss a timeline for constitutional negotiations,” he said. “I look forward to updating this Honourable House and the people of the Virgin Islands on my discussion with Minister Doughty on progressing constitutional reform.”

He also revealed that a negotiating team will be formed locally “in the very near future” to begin the negotiation process “in earnest.” Dr Wheatley promised that the process would be conducted transparently and with continued public engagement.

“We continue to conduct this process transparently with a commitment to public consultation,” he stated. “I once again want to reiterate that, as Premier of these Virgin Islands, I am committed to meeting our collective aspirations of becoming a more self-determined people and a model democracy.”

The BVI’s constitutional reform process has been underway for more than two years, following widespread calls to modernise the Constitution Order 2007. The CRC, which completed its work earlier this year, recommended changes to strengthen local governance, improve accountability, and reduce the territory’s dependency on the UK.