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‘Wait until after Nomination Day for D9 Debate’- Dr O’Neal & Wheatley

One of the candidates, Mr De Castro—who refused to sign the letter and whom many political pundits believe is polling last in the three-man race—is still insisting on the debate and went on a social media news station to claim, “the other two candidates have pulled out of the debate.” Photo: Team of Reporters
Politicians Jose C. B DeCastro (left) of the new Progressive Virgin Islands Movement’s (PVIM), Vincent O. Wheatley (Centre) of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) and current Ninth District Representative with the National Democratic Party (NDP) Hon Hubert R. O’Neal (Right). Photo: VINO/File/PVIM
Politicians Jose C. B DeCastro (left) of the new Progressive Virgin Islands Movement’s (PVIM), Vincent O. Wheatley (Centre) of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) and current Ninth District Representative with the National Democratic Party (NDP) Hon Hubert R. O’Neal (Right). Photo: VINO/File/PVIM
Mr Julian Willock—a political aspirant who lost an internal VIP election recently—runs the political consulting firm, Advance Marketing and Professional Services and noted, “When you see candidates pushing for debates, it means that they are behind, this is clearly the case with Mr De Castro.” Photo: Team of Reporters
Mr Julian Willock—a political aspirant who lost an internal VIP election recently—runs the political consulting firm, Advance Marketing and Professional Services and noted, “When you see candidates pushing for debates, it means that they are behind, this is clearly the case with Mr De Castro.” Photo: Team of Reporters
VALLEY, Virgin Gorda, VI - Controversy has erupted over a proposed debate that was scheduled for January 9, 2019, on Virgin Gorda, at the Catholic Community Centre.

The debate, organised by a group of young people on Virgin Gorda was to be held between the three declared political candidates in the nine district.

They are Virgin Islands Party's (VIP) Mr Vincent O. Wheatley, National Democratic Party 1 (NDP) candidate Dr the Honourable Hubert R. O’Neal (R9) and NDP 2 breakaway group called Progressive Virgin Islands Movement’s (PVIM) Jose C. B. De Castro.

However, in a signed letter dated December 31, 2018, two of the candidates have asked the organisers to wait until after Nomination Day to have the debate.

Debate now-De Castro

One of the candidates, Mr De Castro—who refused to sign the letter and whom many political pundits believe is polling last in the three-man race—is still insisting on the debate and went on a social media news station to claim, “the other two candidates have pulled out of the debate.”

Mr Julian Willock, a political aspirant who lost an internal VIP election recently, runs the political consulting firm, Advance Marketing and Professional Services and noted, “When you see candidates pushing for debates, it means that they are behind, this is clearly the case with Mr De Castro.”

Mr Willock said he believes, “The VIP and NDP Ninth District candidates made the right decision to wait until all the persons running in District Nine, were duly nominated so that each candidate will get a fair and transparent chance to participate.”

Anything short of that will be “wrong”, the Businessman and former Permanent Secretary told our newsroom.

Willock supports a debate

PVIM’s, Mr De Castro is claiming that after Nomination Day, they will “Not have enough time to coordinate a debate.” However, that has been rejected in a letter obtained by our newsroom signed by both Hon O’Neal and Mr Wheatley, a businessman and former Sister Islands Coordinator with the Government of the Virgin Islands.

Mr Willock said he supports debates in principle, as they could be very informative. He further says, this is what the new generation of voters are calling for, however, political parties and candidates must be careful that they are “not being set up”, especially by candidates who are perceived as being behind, “therefore, looking for a stage or a bounce.”

It is unclear if the debate will advance, however, sources close to the group told our news desk that “the debate is scheduled to go forward.”

16 Responses to “‘Wait until after Nomination Day for D9 Debate’- Dr O’Neal & Wheatley”

  • 1 (05/01/2019, 15:39) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well sah
  • wowww (05/01/2019, 16:02) Like (45) Dislike (7) Reply
    Wheatley going to win D9 election 2019..
    • smh (06/01/2019, 20:56) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      Agreed.

      Why is Willox's opinion of any concern?
      • ???? (07/01/2019, 14:53) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
        Why is yours????
        • smh (08/01/2019, 10:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          Willox, we understand that you are trying to make yourself relevant but even the party you wanted to joined up with, rejected you. We know its your website but get independent and expert people to make comments.
  • facts (05/01/2019, 16:03) Like (10) Dislike (5) Reply
    EsteemEd you are on point as normal
  • vex (05/01/2019, 18:52) Like (17) Dislike (4) Reply
    Any body in vg taking Jose seriously strupzz
  • anegada (05/01/2019, 19:02) Like (20) Dislike (3) Reply
    Debate or not we going with Vincent
  • wow (05/01/2019, 20:16) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dead before arrival
  • Oh come on (05/01/2019, 21:41) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    Nomination day does not prevent a debate from happening before. If your intent is to run and you have received your party's nomination then they are saying that you cannot have a debate. So are they also saying that you cannot campaign until after nomination day.

    Exactly, nobody is saying you have to wait until nomination day to campaign...folks done out campaigning. People may recall that before Trump got the nomination from the Republican party in 2016 that there were plenty of Republican debates to weed out the candidates.

    I would want to understand the basis for not debating but still turn around in the same breath and campaign before nomination day if nomination day was so serious.

    We need to start a requirement that debates take place between candidates for every district and also for territorial candidiates as well.
  • bluff (06/01/2019, 08:34) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    Maybe the Esteemed should have pushed for his own internal debate in the VIP At Large selection process. I believe he would have beat out some of those dead weights who look good but sound opposite! Otherwise the esteemed is blowing hot air right about now and nobody really cares what he thinks. They are candidates, let the debate go on from hiding behind nomination day excuse. Bluffers and more bluffers.
  • Tell Me!!! (10/01/2019, 13:58) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who's gonna hand him free property that's not his? Don't believe the hype!!!


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