We are now going through another “National Democratic Party Done Deal” in the form of the Recovery and Development Plan, which many are talking about — some in a negative way, others in a positive way. Some are arguing that it will send us back to slavery, negating many of our constitutional rights to govern ourselves. Some of these same people are now talking about going independent. Then there is the other argument, which says that the United Kingdom stepping in and having a greater say in our recovery and development would be best for this territory.
The ‘major problem’
In my opinion, the major problem with this issue is the manner in which it was done, and the way this deal was agreed between the UK and the premier — after which the people were asked to “rubber stamp” it. However, when public meetings were held, the comments and input were not what they were expecting.
I am not a lawyer, but I would like to draw your attention to two things: We do not have a proper constitution because we are not a country but a territory. What we have is a Constitutional Order passed by the UK Parliament, which can be revoked at any time they wish. I believe that more than 50 percent (I am not included) of the belongers in this territory are now holders of UK passports, which make them UK citizens. So the UK has the right to protect its citizens anywhere they are.
I was always concerned from the day that the UK agreed to allow us to obtain their passport while their resident citizens of the UK were required to go through our immigration and work permit procedure here.
Financial services
Now we have a second issue that will seriously affect the economy of this territory, and that is the matter of the financial services. When I said on my radio show “Straight Talk” about three or four years ago that financial services was going to devastate this territory, no one paid attention. And in 1987 when I started the organisation Virgin Islanders for a Better Virgin Islands, only a few people saw it as important. Today we are paying the price for lack of foresight.
Infrastructure
Let me leave you with these questions. With all the money that came from financial services, why are our schools, our roads, our sewage system and the old administration building on Main Street in the condition that they are in? Why was a second office building not erected next to the present Central Administration Building?
Now there are some who are talking about independence. Go to my Facebook page — “The Virgin Islands, A British Overseas Territory” — and read my article, “Let’s Talk Independence” written June 29, 2012, and published on Virgin Islands News Online almost six years ago, on July 12, 2012.