Legislator and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party Honourable Julian Fraser, RA has given the people of the Territory every assurance the he will be working with them in decision making and ideas sharing in the interest of taking the country forward. Photo: VINO

Leaders of the Virgin Island's Party met with residents from across the Territory last night August 27, 2014 at their third in a series of meeting being held across the Territory. Photo: VINO

Residents turned out in their numbers to the meeting as they were very keen on listening to what was in store as the VIP prepares to take on the next elections. Photo: VINO

It was the third in a series of meeting that the VIP has embarked on since its historic elections which saw Third District Representative Honourable Julian Fraser, RA taking the seat as Chairman.

Former Party Chairman Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal OBE was present and in full support of Hon Fraser, making it clear that Hon Fraser as the leader of the VIP has what it takes to lead this country.

Also present was astute VIP member and First District Representative Honourable Andrew A. Fahie.

In addressing those present at last night’s meeting Hon Fraser cleared the air that the Julian Fraser, RA of times past is no more but one that is prepared and has begun to listen to the people before making decisions or going forward with any initiative.

With the new style of leadership Hon Fraser noted that when the VIP would have taken back the reins of Government come the next election equal priority will be given for opportunities for young people.

“The Virgin Islands Party has as its mission the betterment of our people through opportunities for their empowerment. It is my intention as leader of this Territory to work towards expanding opportunities for you the people.”

According to Hon. Fraser unlike this current NDP government which subscribes to the trickledown theory by giving tax breaks to merchants who never pass the savings on to the consumer, the VIP gives it directly.

“Case in point…it was under a year into their Administration the NDP government decided to give merchants over $3 million in customs concession on imported goods arguing that the savings will be passed-on to the consumer. To date not a single consumer has come forward acknowledging receipt of such savings,” he said.

“This is what makes the Virgin Islands Party great, this is what sets it apart from all other parties. The VIP built this country and we know it, we just haven’t been doing a good enough job reminding you,” he added.

Despite all the successes of the VIP and its legacy, Hon Fraser said that there comes a time in everything’s existence when change is eminent. The VIP is there now, he said. “And that is why we are here tonight encouraging you to join us on this journey of inclusion as we seek to rebuild our Party back up to full strength in readiness for competition in the next General elections,” he noted.

It is his position that the VIP still has the best brand out there and residents need to help to keep improving on it. “I have no doubt that under my leadership the Party will challenge the next General Elections with a full slate of the best candidates that are out there, and most importantly, we will be competing to win. You the people of this Territory have every reason to rally behind change, given the current state of malaise our Territory is going through,” stressed Hon Fraser.

Examining the current state of the Virgin Islands' economy Hon Fraser said that despite several cries from him to the Premier to stimulate the economy, persons continue to lose their jobs; companies continue to close; small businesses are on life support as proprietors survive on their savings, hoteliers complaining about reductions in their overnight stays; while restaurateurs are reporting a dwindling in patronage.

He also noted the sorry situation of apartment rentals being down significantly as many tenants have left the Territory, while others are doubling and tripling up on single apartments. “This unfortunate occurrence has led to mortgage, foreclosures at a magnitude never seen before,” he said.

He added, “The economic downturn (recession) which started in 2008 during the VIP Administration has never inflicted this level of pain on citizens because of our experience and compassion for human development and their wellbeing.”

Hon Fraser was in no doubt that it is under this NDP Government that they are witnessing a phenomenon similar to America, where studies show that during this period of this Great Recession and a slow Economic Recovery, the rich is getting richer and the poor getting poorer.

“We are witnessing the permanent disappearance of the Middle Class whose fortunes have been siphoned off to create the super rich, while at the same time the weight of these same Middle Class fall due to closed businesses, and mortgage foreclosure have caused them to push the poor along with themselves into a new class I call the underclass,” he said.

He said that what is happening to the Virgin Islands is new and will continue for as long as the NDP is in office, “for they genuinely do not understand what is happening and how to fix it.”

“To demonstrate what happened to our people as a result of the failures on the part of our government to intervene; that Middle Class I spoke about lost their fortune when the Rich used their businesses, such as a supermarket, to do the business the Middle Class was operating: such as a restaurant, thus forcing the restaurant out of business. The owner of the restaurant: a Middle Class person, now becomes a worker for someone else, but the difference between him and former workers is that he has heavy debt which pushes him into that newly created Under Class,” he explained.

He best described it as - PONZI ECONOMICS- the economics of the PYRAMID SCHEME- and said that the Virgin Islands Party is the only party engaged in a real Economic Policy discussion.

Next on the slate to hear from the VIP leadership in the form of a community meeting is the First District, Anegada, North Sound Virgin Gorda and the remainder of Tortola.

Last night’s audience was a listening and absorbing one and following the end of the meeting they engaged in one-on-one discussions with the leaders as opposed to publicly voicing their concerns and recording the suggestions in public.