London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Tuesday, Jun 23, 2026

Anguillan Attorney urges VI to ‘use time’ towards becoming independent

Anguillan Attorney urges VI to ‘use time’ towards becoming independent

Anguillan Attorney-At-law, Mrs Josephine Gumbs-Conner, in her plea for Virgin Islanders to control their destiny, has further urged citizens to use their time wisely, especially towards building an independent future.

Referencing the Martin Luther King Jr quote, "Time itself is neutral; it can be used either destructively or constructively. More and more I feel that the people of ill will have used time much more effectively than have the people of goodwill," she said Virgin Islanders should take note.

UK using time wisely - Mrs Gumbs-Conner


Mrs Gumbs-Conner was a telephone guest on the Tuesday, February 2, 2021, episode of the Honestly Speaking show with moderator Claude O. Skelton-Cline.

“We often hear our own brothers and sisters say, why are we pushing for independence, take time, we are not ready yet… let us be patient.”

She said the British and other detractors; however, are not patient but instead are using their time to carry out various agendas.

“Has the former Governor used time effectively? If I am to in a broad way answer, I would have to ask BVIslanders knowing what you know about what took place in Turks and Caicos… I have to ask myself the question, in the context of coming out of a hurricane… and coming out of a pandemic...

“Timing has been used very efficiently by the Governor who really represents the British Government,” she said while also questioning whether VI can sustain the effects of the CoI on the territory and its reputation.

Mrs Josephine Gumbs-Conner was a telephone guest on the Tuesday, February 2, 2021, episode of the Honestly Speaking show with moderator Claude O. Skelton-Cline.


CoI designed to cripple VI's economy


Host Skelton-Cline echoed the sentiments, adding said the CoI was designed to bring economic turmoil to the territory.

“I'm desirous of sensitizing our people to these kinds of moves, it is designed to cripple you economically, it is designed to cause you to lose confidence in the credibility, that competency and character of your elected officials’ as leaders”

“It is all designed to bring a nation to its knees where on one hand to change metaphors, the UK want to be the arsonists and then become the firemen at the same time,” he said.

The recent Commission of Inquiry called by Ex-Governor Japsert, mere days after he exited the Virgin Islands, has been seen by some in the political arena as a cover for a possible direct rule by the United Kingdom, as was seen in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

They have argued this is supported with the knowledge that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) reportedly colluded with the UK media to maliciously portray the Virgin Islands as corrupt and needing UK intervention.

The political pundits have further opined that the move to keep the government and financial services in the dark about the CoI was also to catch them on the 'back foot' so they would not be able to respond in time to save the territory's reputation from severe damage.

The recent Commission of Inquiry called by Ex-Governor Augustus J. U. Japsert, mere days after he exited the Virgin Islands, has been seen by some in the political arena as a cover for a possible direct rule by the United Kingdom, as was seen in the Turks and Caicos Islands.


Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Taxpayer Support Grows for Higher Digital Levies on Multinational Tech Companies
Bank of England Signals Caution Over Inflation Despite Easing Energy Prices
Lloyds Banking Group Expands Artificial Intelligence Hiring Amid Sector-Wide Automation Shift
Film Producer Corporate Collapse Leaves Creditors Facing Unrecoverable Losses
UK Ten-Year Brexit Anniversary Highlights Ongoing Political and Economic Uncertainty
Nottingham Maternity Scandal Inquiry Reveals Systemic Failings in NHS Care
Met Office Heatwave Prompts Public Health Warnings Across United Kingdom
Concerns Rise Over Fiscal Stability as Political Uncertainty Weighs on UK Borrowing Costs
UK Taxpayers Back Higher Digital Taxes on Global Technology Firms, Survey Shows
Bank of England Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Persistent Services Inflation
Reform UK and Opposition Leaders Call for General Election Following Starmer’s Departure
Ten Years After Brexit Referendum, UK Faces Ongoing Political Fragmentation and Economic Debate
Nottingham University Hospitals Maternity Inquiry Exposes Severe NHS Failures
Met Office Issues Heat Health Alerts as United Kingdom Faces Record-Breaking Temperatures
Andy Burnham Emerges as Front-Runner for Labour Leadership After Starmer’s Resignation
Keir Starmer Resigns as UK Enters New Phase of Political Leadership Transition
UK Expands Alcohol Ban Enforcement Using Tagging Technology Ahead of World Cup
UK Invests £50 Million in Critical Minerals Supply Chain Security
UK Appoints Special Envoy on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict
UK Introduces Fines for Landlords of Unsafe Rental Properties
Reform UK Leads Opinion Polls as Immigration Debate Reshapes UK Politics
Police Investigate Edinburgh Attacks as Potential Hate Crimes
King Charles to Publish Personal Tax and Royal Household Financial Records
Nottingham University Hospitals Maternity Inquiry Report Set for Publication
Heat-Health Alerts Issued Across London and Southern England Amid Rising Temperatures
UK Economy Shows Pressure From Middle East Conflict Despite Modest Growth
Brexit Anniversary Reignites Debate Over UK Economic and Political Direction
UK Parliament Continues Legislative Work Amid Leadership Transition
Financial Markets Hold Steady After UK Leadership Shake-Up
Andy Burnham Enters Labour Leadership Race With Strong Parliamentary Backing
Keir Starmer Resigns as UK Prime Minister After Two Years in Office
Reform UK MP Lee Anderson to Raise Pension Concerns Over British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme
UK Parliament to Debate Newborn Screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy Following Public Petition
Met Office Warns of Water Safety Risks During Heatwave as Temperatures Peak in England
Treasury Increases Mileage Allowance Payments for 2026–27 Tax Year to 55 Pence Per Mile
UK Government Raises Electricity Generator Levy to 55 Percent in New Revenue Measure
House of Lords Moves Financial Services and Markets Bill to Committee Stage Amid Regulatory Scrutiny
Westminster Hall to Debate Petition on Pro-Israel Influence in UK Politics
UK Parliament Prepares for Estimates Days Debates as Backbench Business Schedule Approved
Armed Forces Bill Nears Final Stages in UK House of Commons With Military Justice Reforms
Donald Trump Comments on UK Political Situation, Citing Immigration and Energy Policy Concerns
Andy Burnham By-Election Victory Fuels Speculation Over Potential Labour Leadership Contest
UK Economy Shows Resilience but Faces Headwinds from Middle East Tensions, UK Finance Says
UK Parliament Opens Week of Debates on Net Zero, Security and Armed Forces Reform
Met Office Issues Amber Extreme Heat Warning as Temperatures Expected to Reach 35C Across England and Wales
Prime Minister Keir Starmer Faces Mounting Leadership Pressure After Makerfield By-Election Defeat
London Hotel Wins World’s Best Afternoon Tea Award at International Hospitality Guide La Liste
Court of Appeal Rules in Favour of Competition and Markets Authority in Phenytoin Drug Case
Chichester Waste Site Suspended After Environment Agency Finds Serious Fire and Pollution Risks
UK Appoints Chris Elmore as Special Envoy on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict
×