London Daily

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

London’s Calling: Fahie Better Watch Out

London’s Calling: Fahie Better Watch Out

The leaders of the United Kingdom always knew the importance of the Caribbean region. They were always prepared to scheme, tarnish, smear, destabilise or go to war to protect their interest in the region.
England has had a long and sordid history in the Caribbean. It colonised most Caribbean countries beginning with St Kitts in the north in 1624 and Barbados in the south-east in 1627. By the end of the 17th century, it conquered Jamaica (1655). Guyana was ceded to Britain in 1796 and Trinidad in 1802.

The indigenous people of these lands had no say in the colonial rivalry that led to European control of the Caribbean or them and their lands being traded like trinkets. For the most part, they were seen as savages to be worked to death to ensure the continued enrichment of Europe or exterminated if they stood in the way of the British project of rapid enrichment. The brutality and crimes against humanity were enormous. It is estimated that when the British came to the region, there was an indigenous population of over 3 million people. By the year 2000 less than 30,000 remained.

Even though most of the British colonies, especially the larger territories, have become independent, Britain retains many colonial possessions in the region. Among them Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Montserrat and Turks and Caicos Islands.

These islands served Britain’s purposes well over the centuries. They were so important to the British industrial development in the 18th century that one economic historian described the Caribbean as the ‘most prized piece of real estate in the world.’ The wealth extraction came from the tormented labour of indigenous peoples and enslaved African. These relations of exploitation allowed Britain to gain the economic wherewithal to become the most dominant world power until the first part of the 20th century.

The leaders of the United Kingdom always knew the importance of the Caribbean region. They were always prepared to scheme, tarnish, smear, destabilise or go to war to protect their interest in the region.

Recent history has demonstrated in clear terms the British resolve. In 1953, it toppled the democratically elected government of Guyana. Following the overthrow of the Cheddi Jagan government, it jailed the leaders and created turmoil and strife. It engendered racial division and strive that has bedevilled that nation to this day.

In 1977, Anguilla’s colonial governor, David Le Breton, removed the elected chief minister, Ronald Webster, who had led the island for ten years and replaced him with Emile Gumbs, the opposition leader. The episode demonstrated in crystal clear terms the governor’s power. The governor was more powerful than the leader democratically elected by the citizens.

The British’s attempts at destabilisation continued following the triumph of the Maurice Bishop-led Grenada Revolution in 1979. Both the UK and the Americans joined forces to pressure the new government. Within days of the New Jewel victory, pressure from British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher resulted in removing the judges of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court from Grenada to St Lucia. Britain threatened to drop Grenada as a territory using the Eastern Caribbean dollar.

Then there are the lessons from the Commission of Inquiry into allegations of corruption and conflict of interest in the Turks and Caicos. The most ominous outcome of the Commission was the partial suspension of the 2006 constitution and the direct rule from Westminister acting through the governor.

The history of conquest, genocide, exploitation, extraction of wealth and resources from the Caribbean, and destabilisation, intervention, and imposition of its colonial rule by the British overlords do not augur well for any government committed to pursuing its mandate through democratic participation of citizens.

As the Fahie Administration in the BVI presses forward with its people-centred development plans, it must remember never to forget this history. It must guard against any pitfalls or latent traps which are set by those opposed to its agenda.
Simultaneously, Virgin Islanders must also take stock of the facts of history and recognise that moves afoot to have history repeat itself. These activities may seem subtle and innocent but are laced with vicious motives. The victims will not be just the directly targeted politicians but all the people of the British Virgin Islands.
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
×