“The British people are fed up. They are marching by the millions. They cannot understand where their government is taking them and they are made to feel insignificant in the country that they built and that was watered with the blood, sweat and tears of their ancestors.
They felt disrespect before when they were being assimilated into the EU, receiving their policy and legal direction from nameless, faceless bureaucrats for whom they did not vote. So, they exercised their vote, their independence, and it is called BREXIT.
It will take some time, but in the end, it may be seen that the British people saw something that their leaders did not. But the world is driven by economics and numbers and, in the short run, Brexit will require ‘its pound of flesh.’
The visit took place this week. Baroness Hodge graced our shores. She said several times what we already know. “This is a beautiful place.”
She had a hectic schedule so we hope she heard the truth from those she met, although her position is as grounded as the rock of Gibraltar.
At face value, she is a pleasant and engaging lady who may confuse anyone with her grandmotherly charm. However, her remit, in the main, is “…to assess progress in implementing commitments on beneficial ownership registers.”
Whatever she reports, we believe that sowing the seeds for the economic destruction of people who have worked for generations to ensure that they are not a colony of beggars is wrong. Especially when other, less destructive, avenues to achieve the same goal exist.
We feel confident that as the venerated anti-corruption champion of the UK, she will not uncover what The Rt Hon Sir Gary Hickinbottom, apparently, also did not. That ‘C’ word.
So far, he has us on 'breach of trust.'
But the Baroness came bearing gifts. It pleased the kingdom to finally announce the lifting of the Order in Council although it is not really lifted. They hustled it on in a day but now, they want months and reporting structures to take it off.
What they really think of our intellectual assets cannot be complimentary.
So, the Virgin Islander is under attack on many fronts.
We listened with concern to the solidarity in the Honourable House between the Opposition Leader and the Junior Minister for Financial Services and we know that if they hold sway, the BVI we know constitutionally will not be the BVI that emerges when this exercise is over.
We may, probably never again know what is a ‘Virgin Islander’ in the constitutional definition. For, after all the talk about being BVIslanders, the walk looks vastly different.
For, Virgin Islanders have given everything they could to the people who came. And many of those people, in the earlies, worked side by side with us to help to build the Territory and we are grateful.
But now, Virgin Islanders are even required to give up the Virgin Islands themselves. How much is enough?
It had already been said in the Honourable House that “I have done all I can for BVIslanders.” The simple question is that if you are a representative of the people and those people are BVIslanders, and you can no longer work on their behalf; Then, on whose behalf are you working?
If this is kept up, it will not be long before the BVI people join the British people in their marches and protests. For, to be ignored in your own country by your own representatives to make way for those seeking opportunities or refuge is a travesty.
Even Americans who are grafted in have their limits. BVI can be no less.
Our sacred cow, the Constitution, should be better protected than that. This is where metal must be shown by Virgin Islanders in the House since the gauntlet has been thrown down.
Some may be satisfied to be an Esau and lose the birthright over a promise to share the premiership in half terms. We wonder if BVI is only a pawn to satisfy ambitions.
For if there is no awakening, those who so desperately pursue position to the exclusion of all else may find, in the end, that they will only become Premier over a shadow of what the BVI can be.
The real power lies in service not in jockeying for position.
But this is where Alan Paton makes an entrance. ‘Cry the Beloved Country,’ for where are her leaders when they are needed most?
The children! Who will work on their behalf? We trusted those who now inhabit foreign soil to do so. But we saw a glimmer of hope with the anti-crime summit this week.
There is a run on the children’s future and we may very well lack the decency to even be ashamed so long as we can clinch the prize; Premier of the Virgin Islands.
But we were impressed with the stance of The Education Minister. She was nothing if not inspirational in her contribution during the debate on the constitutional report. She understood what it means to have a sacred cow, to work on behalf of all the people who sent her there.
It was great to hear how she laid aside politics for the sake of country; How she sidestepped punches or refused to be distracted from her mission on behalf of the people.
It is hands like those on the ship of state that we appreciate; Voices like hers that we can respect. And if this new deCastro holds, all is not lost.
Every country in the Caribbean protects its citizens. But only in the BVI , it seems, that one must ask permission of their guests to proclaim that they are sons and daughters of the soil.
And only in the BVI do representatives of the people constantly engage in frolics of their own with impunity.
Sometimes I tremble.
Usually on Fridays.
Happy Friday!”