London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 03, 2025

COMMENTARY: Politicians saying ‘them vs us’ is not good governance

COMMENTARY: Politicians saying ‘them vs us’ is not good governance

Now, one narrative that runs through the Commission of Inquiry is the subtle quest to divide the Virgin Islands population into various groups, by certain officials.

This may be an attempt to distract from the legitimate proceedings of the COI, or worse, to perversely influence the outcomes of the investigation.

There is a caveat, however. The aristocrats and gentlemen who governed the British Empire of yesteryear were masters of this game of ‘divide and rule’. So, it is indeed a paradox that in 2021 an overseas territory of the UK should appear to be following a similar ‘divide and rule’ narrative.

Simple observation from all over the world will reveal that the preceding culture of divide and rule is still attempted by unscrupulous leaders. Caribbean islands and West Indian leaders are not alone in singing this divisive medley.

Divide and rule was a very effective strategy for the UK of the 1930s and 40s, but today’s world is far more complex than the black and white world of yesterday, with one homogeneous British ruling class, warring against hordes of savages.

This writer has warned in his column in past years that ‘divide and rule’ is never good politics. In fact, it frequently backfires. Why? It places people resident to a specific geography into different camps: ancestral Virgin Islanders and one-generation Virgin Islanders — Belongers and migrants, white and black, Spanish, Philippines, Guyanese, Arab, Haitian and more.

People are tribal by nature. The moment they are placed in a specific subset they bind together with others of that group and behave accordingly. This is one of the drivers of racism and xenophobia, that so many people in the Virgin Islands apparently abhor and scream against.

Any talk of unity of a society becomes ‘pie in the sky’ when politicians sing the ‘divide and rule’ song. And this disunity poisons community. Most families in this tiny country for example have DNA from various other countries and islands.

Only a very tiny minority are actually Virgin Islands native to four and five generations without intermarriage with migrants. That is the Caribbean demographic. When West Indians become xenophobic, they look ridiculous and absurd. West Indians are one culture of different hues.

One official went as far as stating that allowing specific groups to migrate into the territory would anger natives and locals. Using terms like ‘’our people’’ actually can become offensive to some, as it automatically sidelines a significant section of residents. That is why this writer prefers the term residents.

In fact, some would believe when these officials open their mouths that the country is made up of only one single demographic group or subset of resident. How absurd! That type of assertion is actually a bedrock of divisiveness and ethnic tension. Yes, all countries protect their indigenes, however, they do so with tact and subtlety.

Xenophobia and hostility for ‘outsiders’


Open xenophobia and hostility for ‘outsiders’ is self-defeating, and very unhealthy for any community. The wise politician builds bridges and glues the various subsets in his country together. Julius Caesar builds a big, secure, and friendly tent, for all the people in his jurisdiction. He understands that a united society is a strong society. A divided society is a passport to underdevelopment and misery.

Once upon a time — after a devastating hurricane — this country was attacked by anarchists. People were in hiding. The so-called ‘’big guns’’ of this community simply disappeared. It took the ‘’despised colonialists’’ and their disciplined soldiers to quell the uprising.

OK. Imagine a highly unlikely hypothesis. The Virgin Islands are attacked by a tribe of bloodthirsty cannibals. The minute that happens all the ethnic and cultural differences will disappear. The one song will be the song of survival; as every resident works with his and her neighbour to defend the country’s borders from the lethal invasion.

On the other hand, if the society is severely divided, then it is easy for the invaders to secure a foothold, and conduct a devastating rampage.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
×