Premier addresses House of Lords

Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley urged the United Kingdom this month to overhaul its policy framework for the overseas territories, warning during an appearance before a House of Lords committee that the promise of a “modern partnership” risks falling short without concrete follow-through.

Giving evidence on Feb. 11 to the House of Lords Constitution Committee, Mr. Wheatley pressed for a new UK White Paper on the OTs, arguing that the current document — which was published in 2012 — no longer reflects constitutional developments, global shifts or the realities facing the Virgin Islands and other territories.

The committee is currently reviewing the 2023 UK-OT Joint Declaration, a political agreement intended to anchor relations between the UK and the OTs in shared democratic values, human rights and the rule of law.

The inquiry is examining whether engagement mechanisms — including the annual Joint Ministerial Council meetings between OT leaders and UK officials — are working effectively and supporting good governance.

Premier’s view

While praising the Joint Declaration as a positive framework, Mr. Wheatley cautioned that its success depends on consistent implementation across all areas of joint UK-OT responsibility.

“I believe our lack of adherence to what we have committed to demonstrates the greatest dysfunction and lack of commitment,” he told the committee while appearing remotely along with representatives from other OTs. “We must commit to what we have stated. … We need a new White Paper that reflects the modern realities.”

Mr. Wheatley joined other OT representatives in calling for the White Paper to be updated to align policy with the declaration’s principles, suggesting that without reform the UK risks sending mixed signals about its commitment to partnership.

Hurricanes

Climate change was another major focus of Mr. Wheatley’s evidence. The premier referenced the devastation of the 2017 hurricanes here and told the committee that the VI continues to face barriers in accessing international climate finance, including from the United Nations Adaptation Fund and the Loss and Damage Fund for developing countries.

He argued that OTs should not be disadvantaged in global funding mechanisms and called for stronger UK advocacy to ensure they can access the resources needed to strengthen resilience against future storms.

Security concerns also featured prominently in the discussion. Mr. Wheatley noted that the VI’s position between North and South America places it on the frontline of transnational crime.

To address this issue, he urged deeper collaboration with the UK to reduce vulnerabilities and bolster frameworks to combat illicit cross-border activity.

More OT evidence

Other OT representatives raised similar issues during the session, echoing the call for a new White Paper and highlighting gaps between principles and implementation.

Turks and Caicos Islands Premier Charles Washington Misick also called for clearer constitutional boundaries and more predictable engagement with the UK government.

Bermuda Attorney General Kim Wilkerson addressed governance and legal cooperation issues. Blondel Cluff, Anguilla’s overseas representative and special adviser to its premier, emphasised equitable treatment among territories, and Montserrat UK representative KeiRetta Farrell stressed the need for improved communication.

The witnesses also called for more consultation, transparency in decision-making, and respect for the autonomy of elected territorial governments within the broader constitutional framework.

Committee’s work

The House of Lords Constitution Committee has been gathering oral and written evidence from ministers, academics and OT officials as part of its review. Its eventual report is expected to recommend whether changes are needed to strengthen the UK-OT relationship and ensure the Joint Declaration delivers tangible results.

Following the session, Mr. Wheatley said he was “honoured” to appear before the committee and to place the VI’s perspective formally on record.

“The committee’s work plays an essential role in strengthening understanding of the constitutional relationship between the United Kingdom and the overseas territories,” he said.