Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 24, 2025

Let the chips fall! Premier welcomes debate on referendum

Let the chips fall! Premier welcomes debate on referendum

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley is encouraging residents to participate in healthy debate in the territory, including on the issue of the recently announced referendum for same-sex marriage.
Premier Wheatley asserted that the territory needs unity now more than ever and said this goes beyond the notion of political groupings. “That goes to how we interact with each other as a Virgin Islands people. It doesn’t mean that you have to agree on everything,” the Premier said. 

He added: “But you don’t have to try to kill each other. One faction try and kill another faction. You have a proper debate, you have a proper discussion and then let the chips fall where they may.”

Dr Wheatley told his fellow lawmakers that they should all work together in the best interest of the territory, and contended that in instances where they disagree, they should agree to disagree.

“We have a good solid debate, a good discussion, and at the end of the day, if I didn’t change your mind and you didn’t change my mind, well, that’s life,” Premier Wheatley said.

In the meantime, the Premier urged that residents should not get annoyed about the upcoming referendum and should instead seek to participate in the discussion.

“Don’t get vexed at the referendum. You have your say, have the discussion. Have the debate. Let the chips fall where they may,” the Premier stated. “Don’t be afraid to have a discussion and a debate and to express your view. I have a view. I’ll express my view. I’m not afraid to do that. You can express yours.”

Dr Wheatley warned that many more debates are coming and said residents cannot be afraid to deal with tough topics such as the constitutional review, changes in the public service, and other matters. 

“This is how you grow and you develop. The Virgin Islands has to be a country of ideas, a burgeoning country of ideas,” Premier Wheatley argued.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Macron and Merz: Europe must arm itself in an unstable world
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Airlines Evaluate Flight Cancellations Amid Escalating US-Iran Tensions
Starmer Invites Innovators to Join Government Talent Scheme
UK Economy’s Strong Opening Quarter Shows Signs of Cooling
Harrods Seeks Court Order to Secure Al Fayed Estate for Victims
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
Labubu Doll Drives Pop Mart to Status as China’s Most Valuable Toy Maker
Global Coal Demand Defies Paris Accord Goals
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
BBC Demands Perplexity AI Immediately Stop Using Its Content
Telegram Founder: I Will Leave My Fortune to Over 100 of My Children
Political Turmoil Resurfaces in Belgium Amid Economic Concerns
Fed policymakers divided on timing of interest rate cuts
Trump signals imminent agreement with Harvard University
Inheritance tax referendum alarms Swiss billionaire community
Japan cancels bilateral security meeting amid US defence demands
AI skeptic Emily Bender warns that ‘the emperor has no clothes’
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
×