Beautiful Virgin Islands

Wednesday, Aug 27, 2025

BVI open to "alternative" relationship with the UK

BVI open to "alternative" relationship with the UK

The BVI government has announced that the jurisdiction is willing to consider "alternative" relationships with the UK, like a "free association", as the Overseas Territories keep clashing with Westminter about financial reforms and public registers.

Free association for the territory would  mean having a political alliance with the UK that does not come with "restrictions" in how the BVI governs itself.

While making it clear that the BVI is not pushing to gain independence, the government said that it needed to look at options ahead of the territory's next constitutional review.

"There are other options beside independence that must be thought through, such as free association"


Special envoy for the government Benito Wheatley mentioned considerations for free association while addressing the United Nation's Special Committee on Decolonization (C-24) in New York .

Wheatley said: "My purpose for being here today is not to embarrass the United Kingdom. The government still has a responsibility to ensure that the people of the British Virgin Islands are aware of the options available as they think about the territory's future. There are other options beside independence that must be thought through, such as free association," local news outlet BVI News reports.

"It is in the interest of both the UK and BVI and that the UK and Overseas Territories renew their modern partnership that was predicated on mutual respect and responsibility. The opportunity should not be missed," he added.

The territory's next constitutional review is likely to take place next year.

"We would welcome the UN sitting as an official observer to the public deliberations involved," Wheatley said.

The C-24 is a committee that was established in 1961 to deal with the issues of decolonization. Though noting that the relationship between the BVI and the UK has been good, Wheatley said this good rapport does not preclude the BVI from updating the C-24 on the status of that relationship.

The Overseas Territories have accused London of  imposition.

"Whether it's beneficial ownership, same-sex marriage, or whatever, imposition is what is being proposed, so we stand with our territories, or sister territories who are affected," said Montserratian Premier Donaldson Romeo.

"You can't dictate from Westminster, you can't legislate from Westminster, for UK overseas territories," added Falkland Islands MLA Teslyn Barkman.

For the Overseas Territories, the issue boils down to fairness of play. "There is no way we today can accept modern colonialism through the back door by allowing these sort of things to happen," said Albert Isola.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Spotify’s Strange Move: The Feature Nobody Asked For – Returns
Manhunt in Australia: Armed Anti-Government Suspect Kills Police Officers Sent to Arrest Him
China Launches World’s Most Powerful Neutrino Detector
How Beijing-Linked Networks Shape Elections in New York City
Ukrainian Refugee Iryna Zarutska Fled War To US, Stabbed To Death
Elon Musk Sues Apple and OpenAI Over Alleged App Store Monopoly
2 Australian Police Shot Dead In Encounter In Rural Victoria State
Vietnam Evacuates Hundreds of Thousands as Typhoon Kajiki Strikes; China’s Sanya Shuts Down
UK Government Delays Decision on China’s Proposed London Embassy Amid Concerns Over Redacted Plans
A 150-Year Tradition to Be Abolished? Uproar Over the Popular Central Park Attraction
A new faith called Robotheism claims artificial intelligence isn’t just smart but actually God itself
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner Purchases Third Property Amid Housing Tax Reforms Debate
HSBC Switzerland Ends Relationships with Over 1,000 Clients from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Qatar, and Egypt
Sharia Law Made Legally Binding in Austria Despite Warnings Over 'Incompatible' Values
Italian Facebook Group Sharing Intimate Images Without Consent Shut Down Amid Police Investigation
Dutch Foreign Minister Resigns Amid Deadlock Over Israel Sanctions
Trump and Allies Send Messages of Support to Ukraine on Independence Day Amid Ongoing Conflict
China Reels as Telegram Chat Group Shares Hidden-Camera Footage of Women and Children
Sam Nicoresti becomes first transgender comedian to win Edinburgh Comedy Award
Builders uncover historic human remains in Lancashire house renovation
Australia Wants to Tax Your Empty Bedrooms
MotoGP Cameraman Narrowly Avoids Pedro Acosta Crash at Hungarian Grand Prix
FBI Investigates John Bolton Over Classified Documents in High-Profile Raids
Report reveals OpenAI pitched national ChatGPT Plus subscription to UK ministers
Labour set to freeze income tax thresholds in long-term 'stealth' tax raid
Coca‑Cola explores sale of Costa coffee chain
Trial hears dog walker was chased and fatally stabbed by trio
Restaurateur resigns from government hospitality council over tax criticism
Spanish City funfair shut after serious ride injury
Suspected arson at Ilford restaurant leaves three in critical condition
Tottenham beat Manchester City to go top of Premier League
Bank holiday heatwave to hit 30°C before remnants of Hurricane Erin arrive
UK to deploy immigration advisers to West Africa to block fake visas
Nurse who raped woman continued working for a year despite police alert
Drought forces closures of England’s canal routes, canceling boat holidays
Sweet tooth scents: food-inspired perfumes surge as weight-loss drugs suppress appetites
Experts warn Britain dangerously reliant on imported food
Family of Notting Hill Carnival murder victim call event unmanageable
Bunkers, Billions and Apocalypse: The Secret Compounds of Zuckerberg and the Tech Giants
Ukraine Declares De Facto War on Hungary and Slovakia with Terror Drone Strikes on Their Gas Lifeline
Animated K-pop Musical ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Becomes Netflix’s Most-Watched Original Animated Film
New York Appeals Court Voids Nearly $500 Million Civil Fraud Penalty Against Trump While Upholding Fraud Liability
Elon Musk tweeted, “Europe is dying”
Far-Right Activist Convicted of Incitement Changes Gender and Demands: "Send Me to a Women’s Prison" | The Storm in Germany
Hungary Criticizes Ukraine: "Violating Our Sovereignty"
Will this be the first country to return to negative interest rates?
Child-free hotels spark controversy
North Korea is where this 95-year-old wants to die. South Korea won’t let him go. Is this our ally or a human rights enemy?
Hong Kong Launches Regulatory Regime and Trials for HKD-Backed Stablecoins
China rehearses September 3 Victory Day parade as imagery points to ‘loyal wingman’ FH-97 family presence
×