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Ralph T. O’Neal cancels VIP Congress meeting; no elections on April 23!

- Secretary of the VIP said there were too many challenges leading up to an election, while Chairman calls for general meeting first
The 80-year old leader of the Virgin Islands Party since 1995 Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal OBE has cancelled the meeting of the Special Congress and turned it into an ordinary general meeting for all party members. The meeting is scheduled for April 23, 2014 at Maria’s By the Sea at 7:00 pm. It now remains unclear when the Special Congress will be called to elect a new Executive. Photo: VINO
One of the oldest parties in Virgin Islands politics seems to be in a dilemma with the cancellation of the Special Congress which was scheduled for April 23, 2014. Party Boss Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal OBE has instead turned the meeting into an ordinary general meeting where it will be opened to all members. Image: provided
One of the oldest parties in Virgin Islands politics seems to be in a dilemma with the cancellation of the Special Congress which was scheduled for April 23, 2014. Party Boss Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal OBE has instead turned the meeting into an ordinary general meeting where it will be opened to all members. Image: provided
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – In a move that shocked party faithfuls Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal OBE in a letter dated today April 17, 2014 to the Secretary of the Party Mrs. Wandermae Malone has cancelled the National Congress to hold elections for the Executive Committee.

It was Hon. O’Neal now serving as VIP Chairman since 1995 who had called the Special Congress Meeting in a public notice to members of the media and in a letter to the same Secretary dated March 27, 2014 for the purpose of Elections.

The posts that are vacant are those of Chairman, President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Public Relations Officer. It was just today that the party issued a public notice and took out paid radio and online news ads about the Special Congress meeting scheduled for April 23, 2014 and advising VIP Members to call the Treasurer to pay their dues in order to vote.

It is also this news site’s understanding that senior members of the Party were meeting with Mr. O’Neal and the Party Secretary to work out other details leading up to the expected elections of next week in line with the party’s Constitution set out in Article Six, sec 7 (e).

However, Party Chairman Hon. O’Neal has cancelled those elections and instead called in his letter obtained by this news site for the convening of “a general meeting of the ordinary members of the Virgin Islands Party.”

The party Boss also announced that the meeting will be held on the same date, April 23, 2014 in the Conference Room of Maria’s By the Sea and will start at 7:00pm.

In the letter to Secretary Wandermae Malone Hon. O’Neal noted her letter of April 15, 2014 in which the Secretary detailed the challenges. However he did not elaborate on what the issues she cited were.

It remains unclear how the progressive forces within the party calling for a new Executive Committee and the 80-year old Leader to step aside will read this or whether the party can come together at their general meeting for April 23, 2014.

This news site will be following all the developments.

62 Responses to “Ralph T. O’Neal cancels VIP Congress meeting; no elections on April 23! ”

  • cnn (17/04/2014, 23:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    tis ah tinmg to talk
  • NDP All the way (17/04/2014, 23:28) Like (18) Dislike (6) Reply
    Ha ha only NDP smiling for them afraid of Fraser becoming leader I heard they were lobbying for this
    • ..... (22/04/2014, 08:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Everyone should be afraid of that....it spell doom for us all!!!!
      • run (22/04/2014, 11:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Yep, you NDP cowbirds can run from Fraser but you wont be able to run much longer, he is coming. Take that.
  • virgin gorda (17/04/2014, 23:29) Like (5) Dislike (10) Reply
    Uncle is a dictator is that legal what he did
  • farmer brown (17/04/2014, 23:33) Like (19) Dislike (2) Reply
    Oh lord fraser and fahie will have to wait until ralph close his eyes......sad to say!
  • mother hen (17/04/2014, 23:36) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    Lord send help to our VIP
    • talk dat (18/04/2014, 21:11) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      At the start of 2014 I promised myself that I would refrain from calling VIP supporters IDIOTS, but this takes the cake!
    • dem say (18/04/2014, 21:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      this is just the Start of ill responsable DICTATOR
  • Spy (18/04/2014, 00:14) Like (16) Dislike (8) Reply
    How can Vip get action man and the Ndp beat with this damn old time politics,they better wheel and come again.....The vip trying to repeal everything the ndp doing but action man punching them like 2011 go action man pure vitamin water...........
  • No authority (18/04/2014, 00:17) Like (6) Dislike (7) Reply
    O'Neal has no authority to call off any election- thre is no leader of the party as it stands-
    • @ No authority (18/04/2014, 07:26) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
      Then all the mouth you got and playing bad why the heck you aint take him to court then?? VIP people got no balls Uncle Ralph run things!
  • Time up Uncle (18/04/2014, 00:38) Like (7) Dislike (8) Reply
    O'Neal your time is up- and this stupid move just shows how desperate you and your stooges are
  • wize up (18/04/2014, 05:55) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
    how can we put the vip back in office come 2015;These jokers are to disorganized
    • qc (18/04/2014, 07:22) Like (7) Dislike (15) Reply
      finally VIP is dead but NDP must still GO!
      • @qc (21/04/2014, 15:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        NDP is actually the lesser of the two evils my friend with more vision and obvious progress than the forward Neva backward eva vip
  • liberal (18/04/2014, 05:55) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Now this man seem to be trying to hold the chairmanship. Nobody can deal with this crap no more. I seeing a another new party coming now again.
  • Sparrow (18/04/2014, 06:33) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Uncle Raphe is a smart tiger who don't want to retire. He is playing tricks with the party. He should sit in the pavilion and cheer his troops on.
  • Real (18/04/2014, 06:58) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    I am now convince that this man wants to died in politics, he aint going no where no matter what we the people thinks.
  • Kingfish (18/04/2014, 07:12) Like (18) Dislike (5) Reply
    The new chairperson of the VIP will be Dancia Penn. No one else. Fahie or Fraser will never get elected to that position.
    • lazy Woman (18/04/2014, 07:58) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
      That will never happen
    • True VIP (18/04/2014, 08:39) Like (8) Dislike (5) Reply
      True party faithfuls wanted a general meeting. How can you have a congress meeting. Who is the congress when several members are no longer members of the Virgin Islands Party.
      • Yes (20/04/2014, 09:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        @ true VIP, you need to understand da dam constitution b 4 u run your stupid mouth. U cant do a dmm ting about da Delegates now.
        • True VIP (21/04/2014, 10:14) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
          @LOL you are the stupid one. You no nothing about the darn constitution. Their will be necessary changes to the delegates after the general meeting on the 23rd of April. The Virgin Islands Party will be reformed the way that party faithfuls see fit not by all the foolish bloggers who come on here day after day. Forward ever, backwards never.
    • lion fish (18/04/2014, 08:49) Like (6) Dislike (7) Reply
      king fish u sound stupid ralph done know fraser get that seat thats y his backside cancel.......... but ralph we not going through with vip as u as no premier . go sit down and pass the dame baton on its the karifta games give the baton to fraser
  • Preacher (18/04/2014, 07:29) Like (15) Dislike (6) Reply
    NDP smiling all the way to the treasury…seeing another four years of $$$$$$
    • NDP Gone (20/04/2014, 09:49) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      From the talk on the street- NDP Gone already- people dislike the NDP with intensity- only the second coming will save the NDP bacon
  • vip to d bone (18/04/2014, 07:52) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    Nuff respect to uncle A great and brilliant statesman , But uncle do one ting u promised us in d 9th Retire and become dat gentleman farmer u talked about , relax , watch d fruits of ur labour , njoy ur golden years and visit with d ppl pf d whole 9 th ,and let us praise and thank u , give u ur flowers while u are alive UNCLE U HAVE DONE WELL GOOD N FAITH FUL SON now njoy ur rewards Leave d race for ( u choose a candidate and propose to us ) Lets work for d 9th together THANK YOU
  • pat (18/04/2014, 09:10) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    let's hope this gives more ammunition to the PEP which might have gotten the NDP back in again. VIP is making mistakes. I hope true soldiers jump to PEP. NDP and special interests have to go!
    • farmer brown (18/04/2014, 11:34) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      uncle ralph got them just where he wants them
    • Hmm (18/04/2014, 11:41) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
      which mistake. Uncle called congress too quick, he going hold congress himself? there's a process, and it will be done right. rebuilding from the bottom up, so true soldiers staying put. don't talk too quick, in fact shhhhhhhh, listen closely before you miss the pen drop.
  • Liat 521 (18/04/2014, 09:55) Like (6) Dislike (9) Reply
    The facts is he can delay as long as he wants BUT both the NDP AND RALPH MUST GO
  • george w touch (18/04/2014, 10:10) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    Ralph too smart for um
  • cay (18/04/2014, 11:35) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    and the next congress meeting will be three months before elections when its too late to remove Uncle Ralph the ole boy is the best
  • bvislander....... (18/04/2014, 11:46) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    look man vip get your act together the NDP has killed the bvi they will go but VIP you not impressing no one with this one day meeting on, the next day its off bull crap
  • Music (18/04/2014, 13:20) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Problem is, no one has paid any dues so there are no members of the party! So what party meeting can you hold?
  • shaw (18/04/2014, 15:31) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    this is no way to create a presence at a time when it is sorely needed. What with a poorly written PAC report about inconsistencies in the Pier Project depending on the audit report, VIP has to take themselves more seriously. If there are squabbles between members, so be it, but figure it out in private and stand up to the NDP. This does not look good nor is it responsible. We lost an opportunity to challenge the 4th minister on the validity of the pier project. Now he is hammering away. VIP should be standing up toe to toe and challenge back. WHERE ARE THEY??
  • run baby run (18/04/2014, 15:52) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    VIP in disarray.....And these guys want to run the country?
  • Going gone (18/04/2014, 18:04) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    The only reason Uncle try a thing here is because things ain't going he way- he will only make his enemies in the VIP stronger with this move
  • AC 360 (18/04/2014, 19:15) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Smart man Ralph out school Frazer n Fahie again see Alvin woke up so de joke on Frazer & Fahie again!!!
    • C M (18/04/2014, 20:38) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      Now who ever came up with this idea to RTO to stop the elections is one unconscionable evil thing.

  • NDP and o'Neal (18/04/2014, 19:31) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    So it look like Uncle and these NDP cronies are now on the same team- wake up VIP and ask Uncle to take a vacation
    • Bigs (18/04/2014, 20:56) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Parliamentarians are never there to represent the people but rather the party. Only when we the people come to grips with that, then we will see a change.

      tola is slowly becoming a country where one cannot live and one cannot retire. Desperate people do desperate things.
  • Village Girl (18/04/2014, 20:15) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Goes to show that the system of putting RTO to run the Oppestion is froth with danger....
    • @ Village Girl (19/04/2014, 23:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      like to hear your own voice or read your posts regardless of how nonsensical they are.
  • Destroyer (18/04/2014, 20:23) Like (2) Dislike (6) Reply
    This move just states one thing - ralph trying to destroy the VIP before he disappears- he will fail
    • hold on (22/04/2014, 14:26) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      The VIP was destroyed a long time now, take your head ot of the sand and accept reality.
      Oneal seem to know that and is now trying to save the country. The VIP in its present condition would be destructive to these Islands. Fraser and Andrew should do the VIP and the country a favour by removing themselves from politics even if it is just for a few years.
  • she the cat mother (18/04/2014, 20:32) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Uncle Ralph tenure is coming home to roost. This hold down and tek wey the elections is indeed evil.
  • simple (18/04/2014, 21:03) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Many VIP are too blind, stupid and ignorant to see that, in fact what Ralph O’Neal is doing to the party and always voting in the HOA with the NDP.

    VIP members seems too shallow to see the desperate situation of the party and the country...The VIP will die before some will even come to their senses and some will never come to their senses.
    • Simple Facts (21/04/2014, 11:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      If something is good for the country why play politics and vote no just because you are on the other side? Vote no if its not right and vote yes when it is. That is all he has been doing. You all need to stop this Vip Ndp foolishness. We have too many unfinished projects because party refuse to touch what the others has started. Its costing tax payer money. Stop your shallow minded thinking and let people do their jobs.
  • Bvi man (18/04/2014, 21:36) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    I can't believe what I am reading. Shame, shame, shame on VIP members.
  • good move (19/04/2014, 00:27) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Good move, since most persons who were on the Congress not there anymore. Don't mind the noise this was the way to go. The congress needs to be in place first, then elections can be called.
  • Wonder (19/04/2014, 09:01) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    I wonder if Alvin was planning to go to the meeting. Julian is the best person for Chairman. Andrew need to remember some years back and how god granted him favor.
  • poli trick (19/04/2014, 10:58) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Smart move by Ralph but not so smaert.i would advise you members of the Vip that Ralph is not the only one who can call elections pursuant to the constitution.Once two thirds of the 76 delegates pass a motion to keep a special convention to hold elections....he has no say.Read your consitution Vip members
  • AC 360 (19/04/2014, 20:14) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    RTO is the man No R T O no VIP who is going to deliver the at large for the at large candidates Only uncle can ask for them and have them delivered. Hold on uncle.
    • Yep (21/04/2014, 13:04) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      Yep, just like he did in the last election, every one lost. You need to check your facts, Ralph had nothing to do with the at-large winning, it was Fraser and Fahie who delivered the at-large in 2007. If Fahie didn't play his lil silly game in 2011 the VIP at-large would have won again
  • done knoww (19/04/2014, 23:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hard to believe that this is happening
  • facts man (20/04/2014, 00:03) Like (2) Dislike (7) Reply
    The NDP is brain dead. I bet you VIP win next election.
  • Julian for Premiere? (21/04/2014, 10:54) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Uncle might not have a strong body but he has a brilliant mind when he is awake and he can see not just the destruction of the VIP but the entire country if Julian is Premiere
  • Julian will be Premier (21/04/2014, 13:00) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    He is the best hope for the territory. Decisive, Clean, strong sence of direction, means what he says. A man you can trust.


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