Commons speaker in the House

In the first address to the House of Assembly by a speaker of the British House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle has pledged to be a voice for the Virgin Islands in London.

During a visit to mark last year’s 75th anniversary of the restoration of the VI legislature, Sir Lindsay said he will always champion the cause of self-determination.

“From my point of view, the overseas territories, especially the BVI, are just so important,” the Commons speaker told a special sitting of the HOA on Tuesday.

With a fresh round of constitutional talks looming between the VI and London, Sir Lindsay stressed that the territory should have the last word on its future.

“I will pass on comments, but it is not for me to decide,” he told the HOA. “I am here to listen and to take on board comments, but in the end it is for the people of the Virgin Islands to decide their own destiny. Whatever that destiny may be, it will be their own decision.”

The speaker added that he is an ally of the VI and other OTs.

“I will always stand up for the rights of the OTs,” he said. “I will always stand up for all of you. Whatever I can do, I will do. As no longer a politician, it is much easier for me to be honest in my own views.”

Sir Lindsay signalled that he could play a role in the conversation between the VI and the United Kingdom.

“I can be in the background,” he said. “I can pass on comments. Some I will pass on very strongly.”

The Great March

Though the first Commons speaker to visit the territory, Sir Lindsay said he has fond memories of travelling to the VI before he served in the role.

Apologising for missing the 75th anniversary celebrations last year, he referenced the VI’s long road to progress from the Great March of 1949 to today’s democracy.

However, he stressed that the HOA should work with Governor Daniel Pruce, who was appointed by London, to achieve the best results.

Sir Lindsay also insisted that the implementation of the recent Commission of Inquiry reforms was necessary to “improve governance” in the territory.

Additionally, he spoke warmly about hearing VI student Charity Rymer address the UK Youth Parliament sitting in the House of Commons in November 2022, when she told a “hushed” chamber about the ravages of hurricanes Irma and Maria five years earlier.

During his four-day visit to the territory, Sir Lindsay was also scheduled to meet with police, the attorney general and her team, and representatives of the Girl Guides, among others, he said.

On Tuesday in the HOA, Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley warmly welcomed Sir Lindsay, a former chairman of the BVI AllParty Parliamentary Group in the Commons, as a “true and respectful friend” of the territory.

Speaker of the HOA Corine George-Massicote described the visit of the 158th Commons speaker as “historic.”

“This visit stands at the intersection of history and progress,” she told the HOA. “It honours our 75-year journey since the restoration of the legislature while reinforcing our determination to build a resilient parliamentary institution.”

Ms. George-Massicote added that the visit also marked a binding of traditions.

“His presence is not merely ceremonial: It is profoundly symbolic,” she said. “It affirms the enduring constitutional relationship between the Virgin Islands and the United Kingdom and highlights the shared parliamentary traditions that continue to bind our institutions together.”

Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn also spoke, welcoming Sir Lindsay and praising past generations who campaigned for representation in the VI.

“We are pleased to receive you as a partner in our shared democratic journey,” Mr. Walwyn told the UK speaker.