Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 2025

Opposition will have to work with gov’t — Benito Wheatley

Opposition will have to work with gov’t — Benito Wheatley

Special Envoy to the Premier, Benito Wheatley, said he believes the political opposition will have to work closely with the newly formed government if it wants to achieve its agenda.
While speaking with 284 Media recently, Wheatley said he agreed that a foundation has been established for the BVI to segue towards a new era of political representation.

He further contended that this was an offshoot of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) reform process that is currently being implemented.

According to the Premier’s envoy, two key reforms emerging from the COI process will change ‘politics as we know it’ in the territory — namely the House of Assembly Assistance Grants and Ministerial Assistance Grants, both being shifted to the Department of Social Development.

“Constituents will no longer be able to simply go to their Representative to ask for financial support for whatever reason,” Wheatley explained. “They will be directed directly to Social Development and I think we cannot underestimate how important the assistance grants were to the political process.”

Wheatley said this changes everything for members of the government as well as for the political opposition, whether they were elected as District or Territorial At-Large Representatives.

“You now have to work with the government on an agenda to deliver for your district and your constituents the opposition members will have to work with the government if they want anything done in their ministries. The government will have to work in all the districts via an actual agenda to deliver results,” Wheatley expressed.

In the meantime, Wheatley reasoned that there may be a greater need for advocacy in the legislature than before s things can get accomplished on either side of the political aisle.

He also argued that the electorate will have to adjust to a new dispensation where they look to institutions and not politicians as their source of relief.

“If you are in the House of Assembly, you will have to make your case by advocacy for your constituents,” he argued. “You’re not going to be able to simply get support because you can offer financial assistance [through] an assistance programme. That’s over now.”

He added: “This changes everything and the voter will have to adjust to this new reality. The institutions of government are what will have to support constituents who need help, not politicians directly. That’s a big change for us.”

Wheatley said there is now a need for capacity building at the Social Development Department with all the public assistance now shifted to that agency. He said it was useful that the Department is now the focal point for assistance given there there are specific criteria in place.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Panama Port Owner Balances US-China Pressures
France Implements Nationwide Outdoor Smoking Ban to Protect Children
German Chancellor Merz Keeps Putin Guessing on Missile Strategy
Mandelson Criticizes UK's 'Fetish' for Abandoning EU Regulations
British Fishing Boat Owner Fined €30,000 by French Authorities
Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
×