British Virgin Islands to establish Decolonisation Commission
Key Points(5)
- The government of the British Virgin Islands plans to establish a Decolonisation Commission later this year as part of a broader push to advance constitutional reform and expand public engagement on the territory’s political future, Premier Natalio Wheatley has announced.
- The proposal was outlined during Wheatley’s 2026 State of the Territory address, where he also confirmed that new constitutional negotiations with the United Kingdom will begin in July and are expected to conclude before the end of the year, ahead of a planned new constitution in 2027.
- Wheatley said the proposed Virgin Islands Decolonisation Commission would serve as a public education and engagement body aimed at deepening understanding of constitutional development and self-determination.
- “That is why government will establish the Virgin Islands Decolonisation Commission this year, helping strengthen public education, dialogue and awareness around constitutional development, political advancement and greater self-determination,” he said.
- He added that constitutional change is not solely a technical legal exercise but part of a broader nation-building process.
The government of the British Virgin Islands plans to establish a Decolonisation Commission later this year as part of a broader push to advance constitutional reform and expand public engagement on the territory’s political future, Premier Natalio Wheatley has announced.
The proposal was outlined during Wheatley’s 2026 State of the Territory address, where he also confirmed that new constitutional negotiations with the United Kingdom will begin in July and are expected to conclude before the end of the year, ahead of a planned new constitution in 2027.
Wheatley said the proposed Virgin Islands Decolonisation Commission would serve as a public education and engagement body aimed at deepening understanding of constitutional development and self-determination.
“That is why government will establish the Virgin Islands Decolonisation Commission this year, helping strengthen public education, dialogue and awareness around constitutional development, political advancement and greater self-determination,” he said.
He added that constitutional change is not solely a technical legal exercise but part of a broader nation-building process.
“Because constitutional advancement is not only legal work, it is nation-building work,” Wheatley stated.
According to the Premier, upcoming negotiations will focus on increasing internal autonomy, including proposals for the territory to assume greater control over governance structures such as chairing its own Cabinet and overseeing its public service. He stressed that the reform process must be rooted in public participation rather than driven solely by the government.
“But let me be clear, this is not government’s constitution, this is the people’s constitution,” he said, adding that a public education and communications campaign will be rolled out to ensure broad engagement.
