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No room for Independent Candidates; Its VIP & NDP show

In the 2019 elections, there were two Independent candidates out of the 41 prospects; former Legislators, R. Dancia Penn-Sallah QC, OBE who ran as an At-Large Independent and Dr Kedrick D. Pickering who ran in the Seventh District. Photo: GIS/Facebook
Dr Natalio D. Wheatley aka 'Showande Uhuru.' Photo: Facebook/File
Dr Natalio D. Wheatley aka 'Showande Uhuru.' Photo: Facebook/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - One of the many lessons learnt from the Monday, February 25, 2019, General Election in the Virgin Islands is that the Territory remains a two-party system.

Since Independent Candidate, J. Alvin Christopher last won in 2007 to represent the second district, no other Independent Candidate has won a seat in the House of Assembly (HoA).

Some had speculated that former Legislator, Myron V. Walwyn could have possibly been strong enough to run as an independent candidate, however, the results of the 2019 polls demonstrated that he was convincingly defeated.

Two independent losers

In the 2019 elections, there were two Independent Candidates out of the 41 prospects; former Legislators, R. Dancia Penn-Sallah QC, OBE who ran as an At-Large Independent and Dr Kedrick D. Pickering who ran in the Seventh District.

Both lost their bids with Ms Penn-Sallah receiving a mere 1,607 votes placing 12th out of 16 At-Large candidates and this will make her running for the fourth time and winning once.

She won in 2007 in the eighth district with the ruling Virgin Islands Party (VIP) and ran unsuccessfully in 2011, 2015 and 2019.

Lessons

Then there is Dr Pickering who served 20 consecutive years from 1999-2019 with the National Democratic Party (NDP 1). After he was kicked out of the party by Mr Walwyn, he ran independent and lost to Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley aka 'Showande Uhuru.'

He came in second in a three-man race with 338 votes to Hon Wheatley’s 384.  The NDP1's Hipolito D. Penn came in third with 136 votes.

The lesson learnt is that the country remains a two-party jurisdiction of VIP and NDP with Independent Candidates having a slim to almost impossible chance of winning a seat.

14 Responses to “No room for Independent Candidates; Its VIP & NDP show”

  • apple pie (02/03/2019, 13:54) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Party baby
  • wize up (02/03/2019, 14:32) Like (8) Dislike (8) Reply
    U Poor Ting: I strongly recommend the gifted lady form her own political party: she have 4 years
  • Beyond Party (02/03/2019, 14:49) Like (23) Dislike (12) Reply
    We needed you Dancia in government at this crucial time especially with all the santions the UK wants to push down on us. You got my vote but unfortunately it wasn't enough. I only hope you would be willing to work with the new government (and vice versa) in addressing these issues but not at a major expense of the people. Knowing your profession and the ideas you can bring to the table my honest opinion Premier Hon. Fahie is that she can be one legislator you should consider for consultation.
  • vex (02/03/2019, 18:36) Like (8) Dislike (9) Reply
    Two east dead horses. We going green always
  • Lb (02/03/2019, 23:09) Like (2) Dislike (7) Reply
    That does not prove anything! Jeez!
  • long look me come from (03/03/2019, 02:03) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Heard pico coming back we waiting for him
  • Jessica Jones (03/03/2019, 08:07) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    Diego did the job Myron paid him to do. This election was crazy too many ppl got paid to vote especially in D6 and now where is Myron? He paid his way out. Thanks.
  • @## (03/03/2019, 11:18) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    lovely picture of Hon Wheatley. Your people have voted strongly for u to work for them. Always remember that no man is an island by himself. You cannot do it alone. Yes u have your team to assist u where necessary. But don't be afraid to go to your people when u need them, just like they need.. This should not be a one way street. Once u don't keep focus on one set , your people will answer your call and have your back. Good luck
  • Charley Rose (03/03/2019, 16:55) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I do agree that the politics in the Virgin Islands has changed dramatically. The two main political parties have demonstrated that they are the two groups that will continue to dominate the political scene. The lines are drawn and the VIP and the NDP will continue to rally their supporters to vote for them. Unfortunately the smaller parties will not survive the rigors of the political debates.
  • Charley Rose (03/03/2019, 19:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I do agree that the politics in the Virgin Islands has changed dramatically. The two main political parties VIP and NDP have demonstrated that they are the two groups that will continue to dominate the political scene. The lines were drawn and they will continue to rally their supporters to vote for them. Unfortunately the smaller parties and will not survive the rigors of the political battle. As I have stated prior to the General Election about the contest between the two political so did the results reflected.
  • Diaspora (04/03/2019, 09:28) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    In the 2019 general election, VIP (8 seats) and NDP (3 seats) were the victors. The two independent candidates did not fare so well but we should not read the last rites for independent candidates just yet. The right independent candidate(s) can win. The two independents in the last election had issues.

    Independent 1 though a long term rep in the eastern end of Tortola could not earn the re-election confidence of the voters, didn’t have much to show for terms in office, didn’t explain why he supported the questionable decisions of the incumbent government, lost the confidence of voters, violated rule 1 take care of your district, association with a failed government........etc.

    Independent 2 though highly qualified with an impressive resume failed to connect with the voters. Contributing factors to the failure and lack of interest a)lack of resources, b)indecisiveness about running, c)habitual late start in running/getting in the ring, d) lack of hard work needed by an independent candidate, e)past performance in office......etc.
  • Legion. (04/03/2019, 19:27) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Two brilliant minds. Need to get their acts together.
  • please (05/03/2019, 12:42) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Leave them alone for God sake


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