‘Dead heat’ between Hons. Fraser & Fahie for VIP Chairman
Thus far according to two sources close to the main Opposition VIP and media reports the race is now between firebrand Hon. Julian Fraser RA, (R3) and the flamboyant Hon. Andrew A. Fahie (R1).
It appears that heavy lobbying via phone calls, meetings with delegates, texts and e-mails are taking place by supporters of both candidates and in many instances the two candidates themselves to the 76 member delegates of the party Congress who will decide on May 28, 2014 who will hold the office as Chairman, replacing the veteran Legislator 80-year old Hon. O’Neal.
History making election
In the 43 years of the VIP founded in 1971 the party has been led by two men; Hons. H. Lavity Stoutt and Ralph T. O’Neal OBE.
The late Chief Minister Stoutt was the founder of the party and he died in 1995. Since then Hon O’Neal has not had to face an internal party election for the top spot as it was always agreed that he leads and he was never opposed.
In the election of 2015/16 this will be the first time the party could be led by a new Leader as Hon. O’Neal led the party as its Chairman in the last four general elections, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011 wining two out of four elections in landside victories [1999 and 2007].
Who will it be Fraser or Fahie?
This news site sources close to the party reported that the delegates are split between Hons. Fraser and Fahie the two VIP Legislators who have been the main voices of the Opposition holding the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government accountable.
Supporters for both sides which include delegates and non delegates have been advocating for the candidate of their choice and many claimed to remain surprised that Hon Fahie has been gaining momentum.
However, party insiders believe that Hon. Fraser has the edge and could pull it off at the May 28 internal polls.
It is believed that the NDP will be afraid to face a Hon. Fraser victory because he will be a more formidable party leader in the next general elections. It is unclear whether they or their supporters are trying to influence the outcome of the VIP internal polls.
Not a done deal for any side!
This news site caught up with Hon. Fraser, a declared candidate. When asked why he is running for the chairmanship of the VIP he said “the chairman of the party is expected to be someone who will be able to take the Territory from the malaise it is in right now to the prosperity we enjoyed back in the early 2000s.”
However, Hon. Fraser a former Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour and Communications and Works was humble in saying “I am not saying it is a lock…I have to solicit the support of the people who are responsible for the votes. I am not sure who all the candidates will be but I am sure that they too will be seeking the support and seeking it with as much force as they can.”
Further, the Third District Representative told this news site that he was confident that the “VIP will emerge with a new Executive and that executive will have the mandate of the Congress.”
When contacted yesterday for a comment on his intentions to run for VIP Chairman, Hon Andrew A. Fahie the former Minister for Education and Culture said that he was at a conference and couldn’t speak and that the reporter should check with him later in the day. Calls and texts to his phone up to late last evening went unanswered.
Many VIP stewards are hoping that the internal election process the first in the party’s history for Chairman will not leave any permanent damage to the party in unifying the group, going into the next general elections as there seems to be high passion on both sides, for and against both candidates.
Hon. Fahie has told some delegates that if he loses he will have no challenge in working with Hon. Fraser.
Who will be VIP President? Willock or Malone!
While all the focus have been on that of the Party Chairman as that person if the party and candidate wins their seat could become the next Premier of the Virgin Islands another contest is going on - that of President of the party.
This news site sources within the party have reported that businessman Carvin Malone who has resigned the post before the 2007 elections plans to make a comeback and will be running for the office.
It is also reported that former Permanent Secretary and businessman Julian Willock could be a candidate for the same office.
This news site caught up with Mr. Malone who confirmed he is willing to run for the post of VIP President, however, he said he prefers to wait until the official release of the list of candidates on May 21 before commenting.
Mr. Willock did not return calls to this news site but when texted with the questions for this article, a spokeswoman from his consultancy firm Advance Marketing and Professional Services said via an e-mail, “Mr. Willock has been approached by many delegates and party officials requesting and advocating that he contest the post of Virgin Islands Party President. Mr. Willock is humbled and honoured that delegates and other VIP supporters have that confidence in him and thanked all for their steadfast encouragement and private pledges of support, however a final decision has not be made by Mr. Willock on whether he will accept the nomination or contest the post of President.”
Any dark horse for Chairman?
Under the party’s constitution one does not have to be an elected member of the House of Assembly to contest the seat of Chairman. Many are speculating that there could be a dark horse candidate nominated from the floor on the night of May 28 2014 like the former Deputy Premier R. Dancia Penn QC, or someone may re-nominate the current Chairman Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal who has indicated he will not contest the next general elections.
The Party Chairman also does not have to necessarily be a Member of Parliament under the VIP constitution. However, all these speculations are unlikely to become reality according to a high racking party insider.
It is believed that the Party’s Credential Committee is now verifying the list of delegates ahead of the May 28, 2014 internal polls which will also see the election of a Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Public Relations Officer.
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64 Responses to “‘Dead heat’ between Hons. Fraser & Fahie for VIP Chairman”
We haven't forgotten/forgived a....w for what he did to d....ia.
F...e had candidates running against his own candidates. Both V.....t and d....a suffered from friendly fire. He cant be t...ed.
Mr. Carvin Malone President.
I just asked him he said D...ia hehehehe and came back and said non of the above
Maybe they might get out fox or them somewhere enjoying some good curry duck when they should be working the delegate list!
Please get your own name , I have been using Kingfish for years, it is a shame that you have to copy someone's name. Get your own. I am the original KINGFISH.
Sigh, with Uncle gone, it really doesn't matter anymore. I wish Dancia would run, then I would at least "someone" to support. I can't support either F...er or F...e.
Both are far too willing to spend money on ridiculous projects. They've already proven that! F.... with the race track and F..... already pulled a few boners with the stoplights, the round about by the airport, Sea Cow's Bay, etc.
It looks as though I (and several of my family members) likely won't be voting at all. There is NOBODY I want to support (so far) on any of the rosters. What a sad state of affairs.
Fraser is the best of the two e...s