Beautiful Virgin Islands

Thursday, Jul 24, 2025

Premier wants to re-energise reform process

Premier wants to re-energise reform process

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has signalled a clear desire to inject new energy into the ongoing governance reform process after his return from a recent United Kingdom (UK) trip.
Dr Wheatley told reporters at a recent press briefing that he held bilateral talks with the UK’s Overseas Territories (OT) Minister, Lord Zac Goldsmith, alongside Deputy Premier Lorna Smith.

“We discussed governance reform, among other things,” Premier Wheatley disclosed. “We agreed that now is the time to re-energise the reform process and to swiftly move forward with implementation of the remaining elements of the COI recommendations and other reforms.”

Dr Wheatley said he will be engaged in discussions with Governor John Rankin on any additional areas where an extension or timeline revision regarding reform deadlines may be required and said an agreement is to be expected in short order.

Premier Wheatley also pledged that, with regard to reviews that were recently laid before the House of Assembly (HOA), his government will soon consider recommendations and appropriate next steps to be taken in terms of legislative action and other measures.

“I want to reassure the public that you will have an opportunity to give input, which is essential for democracy and good governance,” the Premier added.

In the meantime, Premier Wheatley said he also met with Chair of the BVI All Party Parliamentary Group, James Sunderland. Dr Wheatley said the two discussed his government’s priorities, reform, and progress on building a new, modern partnership between the Virgin Islands and the UK.

Dr Wheatley also hailed UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak’s approval of Ministerial leads in each UK government ministry to handle OT matters, calling it ‘very welcomed and very positive’.

He also credited this as an important shift in the UK’s approach and a critical step in renewing the modern partnership between the two governments. The Premier indicated that this new approach will promote the UK government’s commitment to the OTs beyond the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
The Podcaster Who Accidentally Revealed He Earns Over $10 Million a Year
Trump Announces $550 Billion Japanese Investment and New Trade Agreements with Indonesia and the Philippines
US Treasury Secretary Calls for Institutional Review of Federal Reserve Amid AI‑Driven Growth Expectations
UK Government Considers Dropping Demand for Apple Encryption Backdoor
Severe Flooding in South Korea Claims Lives Amid Ongoing Rescue Operations
Japanese Man Discovers Family Connection Through DNA Testing After Decades of Separation
Russia Signals Openness to Ukraine Peace Talks Amid Escalating Drone Warfare
Switzerland Implements Ban on Mammography Screening
Japanese Prime Minister Vows to Stay After Coalition Loses Upper House Majority
Pogacar Extends Dominance with Stage Fifteen Triumph at Tour de France
CEO Resigns Amid Controversy Over Relationship with HR Executive
Man Dies After Being Pulled Into MRI Machine Due to Metal Chain in New York Clinic
NVIDIA Achieves $4 Trillion Valuation Amid AI Demand
US Revokes Visas of Brazilian Corrupted Judges Amid Fake Bolsonaro Investigation
U.S. Congress Approves Rescissions Act Cutting Federal Funding for NPR and PBS
North Korea Restricts Foreign Tourist Access to New Seaside Resort
Brazil's Supreme Court Imposes Radical Restrictions on Former President Bolsonaro
Centrist Criticism of von der Leyen Resurfaces as she Survives EU Confidence Vote
Judge Criticizes DOJ Over Secrecy in Dropping Charges Against Gang Leader
Apple Closes $16.5 Billion Tax Dispute With Ireland
Von der Leyen Faces Setback Over €2 Trillion EU Budget Proposal
UK and Germany Collaborate on Global Military Equipment Sales
Trump Plans Over 10% Tariffs on African and Caribbean Nations
Flying Taxi CEO Reclaims Billionaire Status After Stock Surge
Epstein Files Deepen Republican Party Divide
Zuckerberg Faces $8 Billion Privacy Lawsuit From Meta Shareholders
FIFA Pressured to Rethink World Cup Calendar Due to Climate Change
SpaceX Nears $400 Billion Valuation With New Share Sale
Microsoft, US Lab to Use AI for Faster Nuclear Plant Licensing
Trump Walks Back Talk of Firing Fed Chair Jerome Powell
Zelensky Reshuffles Cabinet to Win Support at Home and in Washington
"Can You Hit Moscow?" Trump Asked Zelensky To Make Putin "Feel The Pain"
Irish Tech Worker Detained 100 days by US Authorities for Overstaying Visa
Dimon Warns on Fed Independence as Trump Administration Eyes Powell’s Succession
Church of England Removes 1991 Sexuality Guidelines from Clergy Selection
Superman Franchise Achieves Success with Latest Release
Hungary's Viktor Orban Rejects Agreements on Illegal Migration
Jeff Bezos Considers Purchasing Condé Nast as a Wedding Gift
Ghislaine Maxwell Says She’s Ready to Testify Before Congress on Epstein’s Criminal Empire
Bal des Pompiers: A Celebration of Community and Firefighter Culture in France
FBI Chief Kash Patel Denies Resignation Speculations Amid Epstein List Controversy
Air India Pilot’s Mental Health Records Under Scrutiny
Google Secures Windsurf AI Coding Team in $2.4 Billion Licence Deal
Jamie Dimon Warns Europe Is Losing Global Competitiveness and Flags Market Complacency
South African Police Minister Suspended Amid Organised Crime Allegations
Nvidia CEO Claims Chinese Military Reluctance to Use US AI Technology
Hong Kong Advances Digital Asset Strategy to Address Economic Challenges
Australia Rules Out Pre‑commitment of Troops, Reinforces Defence Posture Amid US‑China Tensions
Martha Wells Says Humanity Still Far from True Artificial Intelligence
×