Julian Willock not daunted by 4-vote loss. Photo: VINO/File

According to Mr Julian Willock, “I am confident still that under the leadership Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) that there will be a VIP Government.” Photo: VINO/File

This, according to staunch member of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), Mr Julian Willock, as he conceded defeat in his quest to ascend to the At-Large Candidacy List, to contest the Virgin Islands (VI) General Elections of 2019.

Though defeated in that regard Mr Willock, like the others who were not elected by their party peers, have since committed to, working “hand in glove” with the party to ensure the ultimate goal is achieved—that is, to take leadership of the Territory by securing a majority vote at the 2019 polls.

Fine Four

Mr Willock, when given the opportunity to address members of the media following the party’s internal elections held on Saturday December 1, 2018, described the winners as “four fine candidates” and suggested too, that each of the nine nominees who contested, are better than those from what he described as, “NDP I and NDP II.”

He said, “I am asking right now that they be supported by the people because, as I said in the room, any of the nine of us are better than NDP I or II two would have presented.”

According to Mr Willock, “I am confident still that under the leadership Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) that there will be a Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government.”

Willock led what many viewed as a strong campaign in his quest but fell short by four votes to make the ticket at their internal poll.

Magic Wand

Repeatedly questioned, by at least one member of the media, who asked if he was disappointed at his loss, Mr Willock maintained his position by saying, “no one likes losing Zan Lewis, but I am very proud of those that were elected … actually we have 13 Candidates now who I am all happy about and I am ready Mr Chairman, whenever you call on me to get on the campaign trail, to make sure that there is a VIP government.”

Party Chairman, Hon Fahie, in his remarks, said he admires the strength of Mr Willock as he observed the four-vote loss.

“Like he (Willock) said, it is not an easy feat to lose in anything...but at the same time too, he is a team player.”

Hon Fahie used the occasion to also reaffirm there is a lot of work to be done, “and one of the things that I like about the VIP, all of the Candidates that were running, win, lose or draw that tonight we have a lot of work to do and I cannot run the government how I see it being run now in a dictatorship style, in a few people calling the shots for thousands of persons; In a style where some once they are elected they feel it’s a magic wand has hit them and they are knowledgeable about every single topic and they don’t have to call in for help from persons who are more qualified, are more experienced in those areas.”