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UPDATE: 'We must defeat poverty!' - Hon Julian Fraser RA

-said far too few are benefiting from any upward movement of the economy
Hon Julian Fraser RA addressing the audience last night. Photo: VINO
Hon Fraser and his team on stage. Photo: VINO
Hon Fraser and his team on stage. Photo: VINO
A section of the audience at the launch of the Manifesto. Photo: VINO
A section of the audience at the launch of the Manifesto. Photo: VINO
President of the VIP Carvin Malone. Photo: VINO
President of the VIP Carvin Malone. Photo: VINO
The VIP Manifesto - 'A Vision for Better Days'. Photo: VINO
The VIP Manifesto - 'A Vision for Better Days'. Photo: VINO
President of the VIP Carvin Malone said the VIP's Manifesto 2015 embodies a vision for better days in the VI. Photo: VINO
President of the VIP Carvin Malone said the VIP's Manifesto 2015 embodies a vision for better days in the VI. Photo: VINO
The release of the VIP's Manifesto will coincide with a Women’s rally to be held at the Olva Georges Plaza this evening. Photo: Provided
The release of the VIP's Manifesto will coincide with a Women’s rally to be held at the Olva Georges Plaza this evening. Photo: Provided
The Virgin Islands Party (VIP) boasts 6 women candidates on their slate, with three vying for District seats and three for At Large seats. Photo: VINO/File
The Virgin Islands Party (VIP) boasts 6 women candidates on their slate, with three vying for District seats and three for At Large seats. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Emphasizing that it is indeed the party for the common people and one that is balanced in terms of having women and youth represented, the Virgin Island Party (VIP) launched its 2015 manifesto last evening May 31, 2015.

The launch took place in Road Town at the Sir Olva Georges Plaza amidst a sea of supporters.

With days before the June 8, 2015 elections, the party articulated its road map for taking the territory to a path of equality, justice and economic sustainability with each element of the society being given focus for development.

Coinciding with its women's rally, the VIP showcased its balanced team featuring six female candidates altogether for district and at large representation.

Each of them made brief presentations on issues dear to them.

In addition to this, the men also made a contribution to the women's rally by giving snippets of the manifesto that fell within their area of competence.

Speaking on the manifesto, President of the VIP Carvin Malone said the candidates of the VIP being put forward emerged from the various organs of the party and they reflect the society as it is and as it should be. He said women always played a very prominent role in the administration of Government and business and now this is reflected appropriately in the political arena. He said that the slate comprises youth, civil society and business people among others.

“Tonight we speak of a vision for better days. Tonight we speak of a vision for a better Virgin Islands,” he said.

Speaking at the launch, Chairman of the VIP Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) said that never in the history of our democracy has their choice been clearer and never have the stakes been higher.

He said that the gap between the haves and the have nots have widened over the past few years and while some have gotten richer, most are worse off than before.

“Whatever upward movement there has been in this economy it has benefitted far too few. There are social issues that has to be addressed if we are going to make any progress on the war on poverty,” he said.

Hon Fraser added that Government policy must take into consideration the yearnings of the ordinary man and woman to make a better life for themselves and their families.

“We believe that people matter and their situation must inform and shape our approach in Government,” said Hon Fraser.

“This country must not be led down the part of poverty and this continuous attack on the underprivileged must stop. We therefore want to consider another approach to economic development, one that seeks to widen the economic pie through smart investment and training, youth empowerment, encouraging small business investment and seeking more sustainable growth in the financial services and tourism sectors,” said Hon Fraser.

He said that a VIP Government will encourage foreign direct investment in key areas of the economy but this must be done in a way sensitive to the history of the territory and for the good of all its people.

Manifesto items

Some of the issues dealt with in the manifesto are Governance, Stimulating the Economy, Housing, Youth Empowerment, Education, Arts, Culture and Sports, Health, Social Inclusion, Water and Sewerage, Electricity, Infrastructure Development, Financial Services Sector, Tourism, Agriculture and Food Production, Fisheries, Labour, the Environment among others.

See previous story published on May 31, 2015:

VIP to release 'vision for better days' manifesto tonight

- will coincide with VIP women’s rally @ Sir Olva Georges Plaza on May 31, 2015

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The Virgin Islands Party (VIP) will this evening, May 31, 2015 launch its manifesto outlining its plans if elected to office come June 8, 2015.

The release of the Manifesto will coincide with a Women’s rally to be held at the Sir Olva Georges Plaza this evening.

Speaking with this news site today May 31, 2015, President of the VIP Carvin Malone said, “The Virgin Islands Party is excited about its rally tonight at the Olva Georges Plaza. We go live from 8:00 pm and we would be on ZBVI, streaming live on CBN channel 51, on ZVCR and on ZROD Radio.”

He said the event is a special one because the party has eight new candidates and six women on its team. “And to make it special we will be having a women’s rally which will be in conjunction with the manifesto release,” he said.

The VIP President noted that the manifesto 2015 embodies a vision for better days. “Throughout the manifesto we will ensure that the Virgin Islands will be better served through a Virgin Islands Party Government,” he said.

Malone added that the manifesto has issues related to youth empowerment and housing and stimulating the economy, dealing with the financial services sector, food production, taking the sister islands into account, among others.

“It is a programme intended to show the vision for a better Virgin Islands and the main focus of the stimulus [I spoke about] is the complete maritime agenda which has been embodied in presentations by the chairman of the party Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3),” he said.

We will bring you details of the manifesto upon its release later this evening.

57 Responses to “UPDATE: 'We must defeat poverty!' - Hon Julian Fraser RA”

  • #6 VOTER (31/05/2015, 10:18) Like (119) Dislike (69) Reply
    I CANT WAIT TO GET THEM OUT . THEY ARE ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL. WE AS POOR PEOPLE SUFFER UNDER NDP. PLEASE VOTE THEM OUT.
  • Voter Too (31/05/2015, 10:19) Like (73) Dislike (50) Reply
    Forward ever backward never. All the way with VIP. Come 8th June Fresh Start with VIP. Enough is Enough.
    • Greg (01/06/2015, 22:10) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      If Fraser can defeat poverty, I would like to know his recipe and if it works. share it with the world of the hungry. SMH...
  • rewrsdffds (31/05/2015, 10:44) Like (121) Dislike (48) Reply
    We going green
  • JVD (31/05/2015, 11:18) Like (57) Dislike (35) Reply
    am so happy you tortola people starting to wake up.I WAS SAYING ITS THE SMOKE FROM THE CITY AND THE GARBBAGE GOT YOU ALL EYES WE NEED BETTER .WHEN WE HAVE RALLY ITS ALL BLACK LOCAL PEOPLE YOU TALKING TO WHEN YOU GET IN POWER YOU ONLY CHECK FOR THEM.THEY DONT VOTE YOU INN ITS US. NDP DIDNT EVEN PAVE A LOCAL MAN DRIVE WAY YET.OR ASIST .BUT THEY PAVE BIG ROADS DOWN TO THE BACK OF TOLA FOR THE BROWN BOYS WHITE RICH FRIENDS VOTE THEM OUTTTTTTTT THATS WHY SOMANY CANDIDATES RECORDS AMOUNT COME OUT TO JOIN FORCES TO GET THOSE MODERNDAY JUDAS OUT VIPPPPPP ALL THE WAY REGARDLESS TO WHAT
    • Lily Ann (31/05/2015, 18:41) Like (52) Dislike (50) Reply
      So that's what you looking for ??? Self above Country ... that's why we were in the 40 year long ditch !!! Your driveway wasn't helping with my suspension !!! Ridge Road and Blackburn is right now .... So I say NDP ALL THE WAAAAYYYYY into the HOA once more !!!!!!!!
  • But wait (31/05/2015, 11:25) Like (64) Dislike (25) Reply
    I thought we lived in a democratic society but the war I heard Myron and OJ and the rest of the clan spoke at the rally in Sea Cows Bay we have to be living in a communis country ,now what kind of role models can these people be for our young people I've voted for the NDP last election and from what I've seen and heard I can never vote for them again,NDP you've thrown out everything that we've been thought about manners and respect and chose your destiny
    • lmao (31/05/2015, 15:08) Like (44) Dislike (68) Reply
      You obviously haven't attended VIP rallies then. Go ahead and vote for VIP if you want, that's your right. You know within your heart you cannot say VIP is nowhere near NDP but go right ahead and vote based on nonsense. VIP can call people corrupt and incite violence but when NDP defend themselves it's a problem? VIP can write to the Governor 3 times to remove a local businessman all because they see him as a threat and if he defends himself it's a problem? VIP can talk about people abandoning their familes? VIP talk about which man have 3 woman when they on that side are no different? NDP has a record to run on while VIP trying to scare people.
      • hi (31/05/2015, 16:55) Like (13) Dislike (20) Reply
        Walwyn should have stepped his behind aside let Marlon take over his role. VIP are no treat, they broke and don't have clout to scare people. NDP is corrupt and they lie a lot too. Do not mind this blog the poll will speak.
        • Hi--Hello (01/06/2015, 18:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          Hi------you are half right--half wrong--Kedrick should ne the one to step aside and let Marlon take over--Myron and Mark are working, showing results---Ronnie and Kedrick are not working there are no results--Be fair.
      • what (31/05/2015, 21:25) Like (65) Dislike (10) Reply
        What record? Robbing the poor and giving it to the rich. If this government isn,t corrupt then Haiti does not exist. Like it or not, we the people will be voting VIP all the way. Eat your heart out.
  • jokers (31/05/2015, 12:53) Like (151) Dislike (27) Reply
    boy carvin THE NDP GOT YOU LOOKING OLD WE NEED TO GET THEM OUT VIP ALL THE WAY
  • David (31/05/2015, 13:27) Like (45) Dislike (1) Reply
    The NDP and VIP must answer these questions in the final week of this election:

    1. Will you vote to raise the minimum wage (no more commissions or studies)?
    2. What specifically will you do to combat the rising costs of food so that people can provide for their families?
    3. What specifically will you do to ensure a reliable, clean water source for everyone?
    4. What specifically will you do about government transparency and elections reforms?
    5. What specifically will you do about switching the BVI over to clean energy sources and away from fossil fuels (no more commissions or studies needed).

    You can say that you are in favor of all these but if you can't commit to details, you are just trying to fool the voters. This goes for every candidate up for election.
    • RealPol (31/05/2015, 16:36) Like (26) Dislike (0) Reply
      Real talk. These are brick(block) and mortar,and bread and butter kitchen table issues that candidates should talk about. Well, not just talk about but act on. We have to stop the practice of letting politicians bamboozle us with cheap talk that they never deliver on. We must demand action.
    • Yelr@ (31/05/2015, 18:21) Like (28) Dislike (18) Reply
      Great questions. My bet on all that you have on the table is that the only person in any of the party who will boldly stand and answer, stand and deliver for the entire territory is Mr. Fraser. He has shown it time and time over that he stands for country first. All the others are for special interest and RICH friends. Course you know that those can lined the pocket for years sustaining one with cavier and assorted pies plus flights about Eurasia and other places. Course the poor are the ones who will be voting and the glossy, pretty and shiny things that suddenly appears causes one to believe like our forefathers believed that all is well. You know how that went down. BTW what is up with all this load of disrespectful bloggers. What has happens to the moderators of these blogs? Is this the grade to which our education has sent us. This is a forum for debate of substance so let it be of substance.
    • Lily Ann (31/05/2015, 18:43) Like (2) Dislike (10) Reply
      They will answer YES, NO , MAYBE SO and still wont do crap when they get in !!!!!!!
    • commissionofinqury (01/06/2015, 09:52) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      also for the record state how much 1-5 is going to cost the tax payers.
    • David (01/06/2015, 10:10) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
      I am glad Mr. Fraser and VIP addressed the issue of poverty. The majority of my questions relate to resolving that issue. But did anyone hear a plan with specific details as to how they would tackle poverty. If you have a copy of their manifesto or are privy to specifics details from the VIP, please post them online for all to see. You will be doing a great service to all voters. It's up to all of us to demand solid answers. The people pay their salaries after all.
  • YAWN (31/05/2015, 15:05) Like (10) Dislike (13) Reply
    You mean blurry vision.
  • voter (31/05/2015, 16:04) Like (34) Dislike (2) Reply
    I think it's nice to see so many women on their side this bodes well for what kind of government they might have because in most cases women are shown to be good at running things whether it be businesses or the household
  • .......... (31/05/2015, 17:26) Like (25) Dislike (19) Reply
    A vote for ndp is a vote for the uk to take over the bvi
    • wise up (31/05/2015, 21:01) Like (3) Dislike (15) Reply
      @.........; the virgin islands party 2007 administration gave the BVI the protocol for financial management; not forgetting bi water (we have to pay their light bills, we gave them acres of BVI prime agricultural land and this BVI is liable 42 million dollars.....just saying..... I am not political !!!!!
      • rewrsdffds (01/06/2015, 06:49) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
        Which profit-making company will pay the cost of something without charging the consumer? Hello!!! Dah mek sense? Prime land that was made good use of. Now release the green houses. Tell us about the cruise pier, craft alive, fat hog's bay development, the water service, sewerage and despicable hospital that they waiting patiently to impose NHI on us for.
      • you again (03/06/2015, 07:38) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        But as I recall NDP was in after the biwater story and did NOTHING ABOUT!!!! People of the BVI don't be fooled. Election day VIP all the way!!!
    • Dan (02/06/2015, 06:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You have it in the reverse mon.
  • The forgotten ones (31/05/2015, 19:05) Like (14) Dislike (126) Reply
    I hope there is something in there for us from another Island and our kids that born here--- we are 6 thousands votes strong---I just came from Greenland field watching Cricket and its packed--local and expats having a great time---(lovely). just want thank Myron and NDP for fixing the field for us after Ms. Pen and VIP messed it up.--NDP can you make it a little bigger for us please?
    • Great! (31/05/2015, 20:41) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      What about the Greenland basketball court? Are there any issues? Perhaps we should take a poll.
      • NDP All the way (31/05/2015, 22:58) Like (2) Dislike (30) Reply
        There are some issues which is life. Our people do not appreciate what we have. We also have people who just get too comfortable collecting money and forget what they were placed there to do.
  • Yes (31/05/2015, 21:08) Like (11) Dislike (16) Reply
    Ask Fraser what he ever built for the people of the third .
    • wize up (01/06/2015, 06:23) Like (11) Dislike (16) Reply
      @ LOL; he gave them that wall and the continued promise of a harbour in sea cows bay for over 12 years and counting......
      • yes (01/06/2015, 17:47) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
        which he will finish. It could have been finish between 2007 to 2011 if that $21 million bill was not left there from 2006 and still had to touch on the savings to keep the hospital project together.
  • Flop (31/05/2015, 21:57) Like (12) Dislike (29) Reply
    It was a flop
  • First district (31/05/2015, 22:08) Like (10) Dislike (47) Reply
    Hold yo brakes we done switch from green to red ndp alllllllllllllll the way we moving forward.
    • Hold Further (01/06/2015, 07:51) Like (29) Dislike (10) Reply
      And who was red switch to green. VIP All the Way. ONE DIRECTION...... FORWARD.
  • voter (01/06/2015, 00:17) Like (18) Dislike (3) Reply
    Fifa melee going hit the bvi soon..breaking news!!
  • VG for NDP (01/06/2015, 07:38) Like (12) Dislike (7) Reply
    BVI you all know we together building this Beautiful country ......don't Hate you know we appreciate progress
  • jokers (01/06/2015, 08:28) Like (12) Dislike (4) Reply
    IS THE MAN WITH HIS PROUD RICH WHITE FRIENDS GONA STOPP "VOYAGE YACT CHARTERS" FROM BRINGING ALL "WHITE RICH SOUTH AFRICAN "CAPTAINS IN HERE AND TRAIN THE YOUTH TO DO THAT JOBS?
    • Music (01/06/2015, 10:09) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      I dont think yacht captains are rich! They are grafters like most employed people. I expect they will be willing to train any local that shows an interest. Mind you, Mr Fraser is going to force all school children into the marine industry, so there wont be enough jobs for all the captains he turns out of the college.
  • trrefdrfds (01/06/2015, 09:48) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    We can only defeat poverty by educating and training our people, nothing else. Promising contracts and turning people into political slaves does not help anyone. The efforts should be on training, education and telling people the truth whether they like it or not.
  • Huh? (01/06/2015, 10:39) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    What poverty? Do these guys know what poverty is? There are many people here struggling but one thing in the BVI, there is always someone willing to lend a hand. Stop fooling people with nonsense. You get rid of struggle by empowering your people through education, training and job opportunities, business opportunities. We have skills training, technical training, small business seminars etc. being done by NDP. That is how you build your people, not by fancy talk and just giving them contracts from government.
    • china (01/06/2015, 16:01) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      China has that same approach and look at the amount of human rights violations that go on there. Is that what you want?
  • kids (01/06/2015, 11:14) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    People please dont vote ndp cause you be more in deep hole and plenty more lies
  • not so fast (01/06/2015, 13:09) Like (9) Dislike (8) Reply
    the NDP cares not about the poor good job Liberator and Premier
  • kids (01/06/2015, 14:42) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
    Since ndp in poor ppl suffer they jack up taxes and everything.

    Vip for everyone

    All five x for vip straight
  • i from here (01/06/2015, 16:27) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    Notice who's boat on the manifesto ?

    HMMMMMMMMMM
    • Lily Ann (01/06/2015, 18:59) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      WOYYYYYYY OK Then .... Thank You VERY Much !!!!!! Let them stay there sleeping still
  • Queer (01/06/2015, 17:51) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    which boat do you recommend. It does not matter which one.
  • Teacher (01/06/2015, 19:46) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    Give a man a fish he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish he eats for a life time. VIP stop promoting a dependent mentality we will end up in a bigger poverty situation in the long run.
  • Law Abiding citizen (01/06/2015, 20:16) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Says the guy who has a mansion in pleasant valley.
  • voter (01/06/2015, 20:17) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    Yeh NDP will start by defeating the VIP next Monday
  • wize up (01/06/2015, 23:20) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    I am yet to hear confident words from VIP: what will they offer to the future development of our territory; I can't hear nothing positive from that group as yet: I can see what the NDP have done over the pat 3 years...all VIP bringing is talk and stupid talk nothing productive...I am not NDP,PEP or VIP: I can relate to what I see but not what I hear( I see the cruise dock, I can see the hospital and I can see the small business man being assisted with loans)....
  • Bengi (02/06/2015, 06:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    How can one defeat poverty when we invite people to the BVI to live in poverty and we do not welcome investors. This needs to start with immigration and labour and the screening of those who come to the BVI for a vacation and is still here a year later. I would like to know what the requirements are for getting extensions by immigration and if social security board and inland revenue check with labour regarding who should be paying taxes and social security. That could be a start on defeating poverty and the social ills on the rise in the BVI.


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