Chairman of the United Party Conrad A. Maduro said that during the Willard Wheatley administration much was accomplished in the territory and urged the people of the VI to get in tuned with their political, social and economic history to make the changes necessary for the future. Photo: VINO

Part of the audience in attendance. Photo: VINO

The late former Chief Minister Willard Wheatley. Photo: Provided

He was speaking at a commemorative service held at the Willard Wheatley Primary School in Major Bay, Tortola to mark the 100 birth anniversary of the late former Chief Minister on Sunday July 19, 2015.

Maduro spoke of some of the achievements under Wheatley, who at one time served as de facto leader of the United Party.

“For example, the deficit of millions of dollars caused by the Stoutt administration was paid off and in addition to that we also had a surplus of millions of dollars,” he said to loud laughter.

Mr Maduro added that that there were many other benefits that the territory received through the Wheatley administration and one of them was the Labour Code.

“We came up with the Labour Code which many people benefitted from but not as many as could have since it was never really fully put into operation.”

The United Party leader spoke of the senior citizens programme and the Adina Donovan Home for the Elderly as coming out of the Wheatley administration and spoke also of free medical attention for children and senior citizens.

“There were also stormy days in the Legislative Council and sometimes things were so strong and personal that it caused a lot of provocation and you had to have a lot of strength,” he said.

“I would advise you as a people to take a greater interest in your own affairs. Study your political history, your social history, your economic history…study it very well because what I am seeing is there are a lot of necessary and urgent changes to be made,” he said.

In 1979, the Virgin Islands Party won the Government and Dr Wheatley became Leader of the Opposition. Then in 1983, in coalition with the United Party, he became Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Health, Education and Welfare under a Cyril B. Romney Government. However, in 1986 he lost his seat to Louis Walters and though he contested twice more, he never returned to the Legislative Council.