The shoe fell on Monday. It was the day a number of groups and individuals in the Territory had the opportunity to appear before the famed UN Committee of 24 to give views and opinions about self-determination. A similar parade was held on Tuesday.
The Diplomat, of course, owned the moment for he does considerable and good work with the committee to ensure that the BVIs story as a non-self-governing Territory gets heard.
BVI is one of 17 such territories in the world and the Diplomat, well supported by the Premier and a small enclave, has been pushing the buttons and stoking the fire in the halls of the UN. The Premier has made multiple appearances there.
When she spoke, the C24 Chairman, Ambassador Menissa Rambally from St Lucia, and those of her members present made it clear that they were not there to influence the debate in any direction and that how BVI advanced its cause would be a matter for the people of this Territory.
The second shoe crashed to the floor.
Concern was etched upon the Diplomat’s face. A shadow must have crossed the hearts of people like Dr Corbin from next door who always seems to be in the frame when matters of BVI self-determination are being discussed in official gatherings.
We do not know if Dr Corbin urges the Premier to open a dialogue with the people; To educate the masses beyond sensational and emotive soliloquies and the implied accusations of ‘Stockholm syndrome.’
We were always made to believe that with the mandate of the C24 that by 2030, all non-self-governing territories must be ‘freed,’ that BVI was to be liberated by the Committee.
But the unvarnished truth never received the prominence it deserved perhaps because personal ambition lurked in the room.
The Ambassador/Chairman doubled down. She was clear that the UN cannot make Territories independent. However, we know that the people of those territories can.
It is curious that for the second time in 49 years the C24 is in BVI to hear the views of BVI people. They have done better than our government that operates as if an independent BVI could be achieved by stealth as a covert and clandestine operation.
Unless there is real dialogue with the people to understand their aspirations, to discuss the responsibilities and obligations of independence; to show them what an Independent BVI looks like, to educate them, the seed dies in the ground.
And BVI still must learn that to get to “country,” some things must be ‘Sacred Cows.’ The Virgin Islands Constitution is one such thing.
In 2005 when the data gathering for the 2007 constitution negotiations with the British Government was done, it became clear that the people were ready to build their institutions.
One of the negotiating points was having the governor out of the cabinet with appropriate checks and balances. The Bermuda experience was the model.
The UK Negotiator was sympathetic. He even pulled a King Agrippa (Almost thou persuadest me,,,), so he left that point for the final day when The OT Minister would join and make the decision.
However, the BVI Opposition Leader made a spirited intervention. He said that the Opposition wanted the Governor to remain in the Cabinet and that the thing instituted by Chief Minister Smith; The State of the Territory Address; they wanted done away with and continue with the Speech from the Throne.
BVI faces, save 2, fell around the negotiating table but the deed was done. The self-determination march was, in those words, set back these 17 years and counting. The OT Minister saw, in them, an escape window and dashed through.
When the 2 Opposition Members of the negotiating team returned to BVI, it was said that the Opposition got what they wanted in the Constitution although they appeared unconcerned that the people didn’t.
And then, they went to the People’s House to perform for the mass publication devices, as is now commonplace, and to continue their contribution to climate change.
Notwithstanding, the current leadership of the party wants both the governor out of the cabinet and to read a State of the Territory Address as was done this year. In fact, they want independence.
Political shenanigans must give way to the will of the people. Independence/political freedom is a process, the natural desire of a people. But it is being treated as an heirloom.
The least the Leader of Government Business can do now is what we have been begging him to do for years; To open the dialogue with the people and talk about the process.
And to recognize that there can be no successful political independence without economic independence.
For now, he speaks around the people, at the people, about the people, in the name of the people, above the people, for the people, with the power of the people: But he has not yet spoken TO the people.
He said that he told the C24 that “we believe in democracy.”
Well, let us see it in action. Otherwise, he is on a frolic of his own and such frolics usually end,
Badly.
On our Fridays, we must adopt the words of René Descartes; “cogito ergo sum,”
“I think, therefore I am.”
Happy Friday!