BVI Premier Advocates for Transfer of Governor's Powers to Elected Leaders

Premier Seeks Greater Local Control

Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) has publicly advocated for a significant transfer of powers from the territory's Governor to its elected leadership. Speaking during a constitutional review debate in the House of Assembly on September 23, 2025, Dr. Wheatley emphasized the need for functions such as internal security and the chairing of Cabinet meetings to be placed under the direct control of officials accountable to the BVI electorate.

The Premier argued that modernizing the BVI's governance arrangements is crucial to ensure that critical decisions are made by those directly answerable to voters. He questioned, 'Why would we want decisions as important as our own security made by someone we cannot vote out?' Dr. Wheatley suggested that, similar to other territories like St. Martin and Bermuda, the Virgin Islands should have an elected minister responsible for internal security, including the police force.

Clarifying Cabinet Procedures and Oversight

Beyond internal security, Premier Wheatley also called for constitutional amendments to explicitly state that the Premier, or in their absence, the Deputy Premier, must preside over Cabinet meetings when the Governor is not present. This push follows recent tensions where ministers reportedly boycotted meetings chaired by the Deputy Governor during the Governor's absence, leading to cancellations. The Premier noted that while Section 49(2) of the current Constitution outlines this procedure, it has 'never been respected in practice.'

Furthermore, Dr. Wheatley proposed that civil servants, who currently report to the Deputy Governor, should ultimately be accountable to elected ministers. He stressed that transferring these powers is not about undermining checks and balances but about strengthening them through the development of local institutions.

Context of the Constitutional Review

The Premier's statements are part of a broader constitutional review process in the British Virgin Islands. The Constitutional Review Commission (CRC), established in June 2022, was tasked with reviewing the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007. The CRC submitted its report to then-Governor John Rankin CMG and Premier Wheatley on November 27, 2023, and it was subsequently laid before the House of Assembly on January 31, 2024.

The ongoing review follows recommendations from the 2021 Commission of Inquiry (COI), which identified governance weaknesses in the territory. Historically, each constitutional review in the BVI has led to a reduction in the Governor's powers and an increase in the authority of elected representatives, a trajectory Premier Wheatley believes should continue as the territory moves towards greater self-governance. The debate on the CRC report, which began in the House of Assembly on September 18, 2025, is seen as a critical step in shaping the BVI's future governance framework.