Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jul 15, 2025

We cannot let UK be ‘chief author & publisher’ of VI story - Bria A. Smith

We cannot let UK be ‘chief author & publisher’ of VI story - Bria A. Smith

Reigning Miss British Virgin Islands and the Deputy Premier in the Virgin Islands Youth Parliament (VIYP), Mr Bria A. Smith says the Virgin Islands (VI) can no longer allow the United Kingdom (UK) to write its future.

Smith’s statement came as part of her March 11, 2021, contribution on the debate topic, “Should the Virgin Islands move to self-determination?” when the VIYP held its first Sitting for 2021 at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff’s Bottom, Tortola.

More education of VI people on topic


Pushing a mantra for more education of the people of the VI regarding understanding the options towards more self-determination, Smith said Virgin Islanders need to understand the current situation and recognise their strengths.

“We are at a critical time in our Virgin Islands story and we can no longer sit by and watch the UK be chief author and publisher of that story. We must exercise our gift to determine our own political destiny for future generations to come,” she said.

Quoting Pedro H. Gonçalves, the financial correspondent at International Investment, Smith said the Virgin Islands has in the past proposed free association with the UK, which is a political alliance that does not come with restrictions in how the territory governs itself; however, the territory can delegate certain aspects of governance to the UK.

Bria A. Smith pointed to Special Envoy for the VI government at the BVI London Office, E. Benito Wheatley who mentioned considerations for Free Association while addressing the United Nation's Special Committee on Decolonization (C-24) in New York.


'Free Association' to maintain close relations with UK


Ms Smith pointed to then Special Envoy for the VI government at the BVI London Office, E. Benito Wheatley who mentioned considerations for Free Association while addressing the United Nation's Special Committee on Decolonization (C-24) in New York.

"Ladies and gentleman, I would like to begin by making clear at the outset that my purpose for being here today is not to embarrass the United Kingdom (UK). I am also not here to insist on the independence of the British Virgin Islands," he told the UN.

"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," Mr Wheatley had said in his statement.

According to Ms Smith, British OTs have long accused UK of imposing on territories and dictating from London with policies like beneficial ownership, which cannot be allowed to continue.


More self-determination though a modern partnership


According to Ms Smith, British OTs have long accused the UK of imposing on territories and dictating from Westminster; policies like beneficial ownership, which cannot be allowed to continue.

She said one way to chart for the future is through the development of an appropriate, well thought out framework that takes into account the need to continuously adjust to change.

A path through Free Association, she said, will serve as a transitional status for people who do not seek full integration or independence, rather, they seek to maintain close relations with the UK in a manner that makes provisions for independence, initiated by either party.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
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
Nvidia Becomes World’s First Four‑Trillion‑Dollar Company Amid AI Boom
U.S. Resumes Deportations to Third Countries After Supreme Court Ruling
Excavation Begins at Site of Mass Grave for Children at Former Irish Institution
Iranian President Reportedly Injured During Israeli Strike on Secret Facility
EU Delays Retaliatory Tariffs Amid New U.S. Threats on Imports
Trump Defends Attorney General Pam Bondi Amid Epstein Memo Backlash
Renault Shares Drop as CEO Luca de Meo Announces Departure Amid Reports of Move to Kering
Senior Aides for King Charles and Prince Harry Hold Secret Peace Summit
Anti‑Semitism ‘Normalised’ in Middle‑Class Britain, Says Commission Co‑Chair
King Charles Meets David Beckham at Chelsea Flower Show
If the Department is Really About Justice: Ghislaine Maxwell Should Be Freed Now
NYC Candidate Zohran Mamdani’s ‘Antifada’ Remarks Spark National Debate on Political Language and Economic Policy
President Trump Visits Flood-Ravaged Texas, Praises Community Strength and First Responders
From Mystery to Meltdown, Crisis Within the Trump Administration: Epstein Files Ignite A Deepening Rift at the Highest Levels of Government Reveals Chaos, Leaks, and Growing MAGA Backlash
Trump Slams Putin Over War Death Toll, Teases Major Russia Announcement
Reparations argument crushed
Rainmaker CEO Says Cloud Seeding Paused Before Deadly Texas Floods
A 92-year-old woman, who felt she doesn't belong in a nursing home, escaped the death-camp by climbing a gate nearly 8 ft tall
French Journalist Acquitted in Controversial Case Involving Brigitte Macron
Elon Musk’s xAI Targets $200 Billion Valuation in New Fundraising Round
Kraft Heinz Considers Splitting Off Grocery Division Amid Strategic Review
Trump Proposes Supplying Arms to Ukraine Through NATO Allies
EU Proposes New Tax on Large Companies to Boost Budget
Trump Imposes 35% Tariffs on Canadian Imports Amid Trade Tensions
Junior Doctors in the UK Prepare for Five-Day Strike Over Pay Disputes
US Opens First Rare Earth Mine in Over 70 Years in Wyoming
Kurdistan Workers Party Takes Symbolic Step Towards Peace in Northern Iraq
Bitcoin Reaches New Milestone of $116,000
Biden’s Doctor Pleads the Fifth to Avoid Self-Incrimination on President’s Medical Fitness
Grok Chatbot Faces International Backlash for Antisemitic Content
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
×