Another political party emerging? Here comes the PEP!
The new party, called the People’s Empowerment Party, is alleged to be the brainchild of Second District Representative Honourable J. Alvin Christopher. The legislator is a long time Virgin Islands Party member going back to the days of the party founder, the late H. Lavity Stoutt.
Reports are that the group had several meetings and had invited a cross section of the population to attend, including former Virgin Islands Party politicians, People's Patriotic Alliance members and others who may have an interest in contesting the 2015 general elections.
According to information obtained by persons who have attended the meetings, including at the home of one person, the turnout has seen more than thirty persons.
To date the group is finalizing the party’s constitution and trying to build the party as an institution, according to a source close to the group.
It is unclear who the leader will eventually be or when they will recruit candidates for the various districts and At-Large slots.
Hon. J. Alvin Christopher party leader?
When contacted by this news site, Second District Representative Honourable Christopher declined to comment but said he would speak when it’s appropriate.
Honourable J. Alvin Christopher was first elected to the Legislature in 1995 as an Independent Candidate. However, he joined the Virgin Islands Party to form the government under the late Chief Minister H. Lavity Stoutt and was appointed Minister for Communications and Works.
In the 1999 elections, Hon. Christopher was reappointed Minister for Communications and Works and on August 25, 2000 he was appointed Deputy Chief Minister.
While Hon. Christopher has always been successful at the polls and has been in the Parliament for some 18 years, [1995-current] he holds the distinction of being the only government Minister to be fired by both the now Opposition Virgin Islands Party Government of Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal OBE, and the ruling National Democratic Party Government of Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith.
Another name associated with the new political party is that of another long time Virgin Islands Party member Lorie A. Rymer, who contested the last elections as an independent candidate in the ninth district.
When contacted by Virgin Islands News Online, the businessman admitted to being a part of the People’s Empowerment Party but declined to comment further.
Another person close to the organisation confirmed that it’s the goal of the new political party to be ready to contest the 2015/16 general elections in the Virgin Islands.
History of VI political parties
Over the years, from around 1967, there have been some eight political parties that have emerged in the Virgin Islands. They are the People’s Own Party (POP), Democratic Party (DP), the now Opposition Virgin Islands Party (VIP), The National Democratic Party (NDP), the most recent People's Patriotic Alliance (PPA), the defunct Party of the People (POP), the inactive Concerned Citizens Movements (CCM), the inactive Untied Party (UP), and now the newest People’s Empowerment Party (PEP).
It remains unclear with public opinion against the ruling NDP what party, if any, will emerge to lead the Territory come next general elections.
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48 Responses to “Another political party emerging? Here comes the PEP!”
Consequently, what the VI needs at this critical juncture in its history and growth and development is an unselfish, civil and humble cadre of Virgin Islanders coming together to coordinate, collaborate on and plan and chart a 21st Century course for the VI.
We have a habit of forming political parties that splinter in short order. There can only be one leader at time; but everyone wants to be the leader and no one wants to follow. If one cannot follow, one cannot lead. Further, as soon as we cannot get our way in an organization, we abandon ship and seek to become captain of any ship.
For the VI to benefit from any party, there must be a commitment from every member regardless of position to support the plan.
This plan must include short-term and long-term actions to build and sustain the physical and social infrastructures, diversify the economic base, protect and sustain the environment, change and strengthen education to 21st Century needs, arrest rising crime, develop and institute an accessible, affordable, and quality health care plan, improve transportation system.........etc. We need a plan and action, not just talk, to build a country and an economy.
We have wasted too much precious time, resources and opportunities already. A territory with at least a $1B of economic activity annually should be much farther down the road. We have squandered an opportunity to move from third world to first world. We may perhaps have a second chance and let not squander it. But to do so needs strong, consistent and concurrent leadership that can attract and sustain a committed supporting cast. There can only be one leader at time; we must put country before self.
Thank you very much, I have been saying this all along but I continue to get bashed for it. Everybody think the answer is changing parties every election but this has proven false as we have done so each Election over the past 20yrs and for what? It actually sets us back every time we change the Government as no matter how capable you might think the 'new' Government is, it takes quite a while to get a handle on things, especially if you're thinking about electing a brand new Government. The people need to change then we will get change in and around the country. The Politicians cannot do it all, we need to step up and stop being so petty. You hit the nail on the head about when people don't get their way, they are quick to jump ship trying to form their 'own thing'. Do you think these people give a sh£$ about this country? When you hear some of the petty reasons some of them leave parties or support another it's baffling. Cut the personal bull$£"% and let's unite for a better BVI. The country win, we ALL win. The country goes down, WE ALL GO DOWN REGARDLESS OF POLITICAL LEANING!
R***h causing all this.
I rather Alvin be Premeir than that cat Fraser.
We need candidates who have NO political agendas, who are over 40, under 60 and who are blessed with a healthy dose of common sense. A business background and decent education would also help tremendously.
We need at least one or two candidates with a solid understanding of economics and the international financial services sector. We need at least another one or two candidates with a firm understanding and (preferably) experience in the tourism sector. One from the hospitality/hotel/restaurant industry and one from the yacht charter industry.
We need politicians who cannot and will not be swayed by "who you for" or what the "who you for" types can do for political types. We need people with backbone, belief in their own convictions and the courage to carry out their promises, regardless of how it may tick off the "do you know who I am" crowd!
We need a team of professional people that will put an end to the victimization, underhanded deals, cronyism and vote buying.
But mostly, we need voters who actually want what is best for the BVI AS A WHOLE. We need voters who actually want honest politicians who will work diligently for the betterment of the British Virgin Islands and just for the betterment of their own bank accounts. We need voters who care!
I am just sick of all of them.
Yes, and using the vomit of both NDP and VIP to form a new party is the answer? LMAO!!!!
Country above self what! That's pure bulls... Their advantage was having waaaaaaaaaaaaay more than enough money to do what they had to do and back then with out internet etc. there was no way to get news/information as we do now in order to voice our concerns. You had to wait a week for Beacon of Island Sun which could print what they felt. Stop being so naive. The problem in BVI is that now we are forced to actually govern properly because the gravy drying up. It's not hard to manage a country when you are making way more than enough. If the past guys governed as you said we won't have the problems that we have now with certain infrastructure issues. Look at the old time politicians, some never finished schools, never had a job except running GOvernment but left Government as millionnaires. Explain that to me please. All that's happening now is the spotlight is on these guys much more and people are not as trusting as they're used to being. Same with politics all over the world, back in the days it was easier to control the message and manipulate how people saw things. Now with information available at the speed of light there's no more fooling so people know what's going on. Above self my ass. Politics is politics and will always be.
We fired the NDP before because we were told they were selling out, two two's the VIP did the same crap after they went back in power. None better than none!!! But I am warning this place if you all keep up this foolishness about changing parties every 4 years you will reap what you sow. . Political uncertainty affect how corporations invest in a country. This country is facing serious times and keep changing governments.
Hold on and see the out come in 16 years.