BVI revises constitutional proposals after UK objections

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has said the BVI modified some of its constitutional proposals after the United Kingdom rejected certain positions, while indicating that the territory may have withdrawn other requests during negotiations. Speaking on the Virgin Islands Voice programme, Dr Wheatley said both sides had recognised the need for open-mindedness when approaching the talks. “And of course on the BVI side, we’ve shown some open-mindedness because there were some positions that we’ve had that clearly have not been accepted by the UK,” Dr Wheatley said. “So some modifications of our positions have had to take place. And that’s certainly been the case.

In some instances, we may have withdrawn some things that we were seeking,” he added. Premier Wheatley did not identify the proposals of concern but said the BVI wanted the UK to demonstrate similar flexibility. Asked whether withdrawing a request represented defeat, the Premier said some objectives could be pursued through local legislation rather than constitutional provisions. “There may be a view on the UK side that this is not something that we’re opposed to, but we just think that you should do it in local legislation as opposed to having it in the constitution,” Premier Wheatley said. The negotiations concern revisions to the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007. The Constitutional Review…