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'Bunchie' calls for Anegada & VG to have own representation in HoA

- Lawrence A. Kirton-Wheatley says he is not running for Ninth District Representative
Businessman and social media influencer Lawrence A. Kirton-Wheatley, aka 'Bunchie', has said he will not be running for Ninth District Representative and believes Anegada and Virgin Gorda should have their own Representatives in the House of Assembly (HoA). Photo: Facebook
Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), right, speaking at the public engagement session on constitutional negotiations at the Jost van Dyke Methodist Church on Thursday, May 28, 2026, opined that District Councils would serve the people of Anegada and Jost van Dyke much better than the Sister Islands having their own representatives in the House of Assembly (HoA). Photo: GIS/Facebook
Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), right, speaking at the public engagement session on constitutional negotiations at the Jost van Dyke Methodist Church on Thursday, May 28, 2026, opined that District Councils would serve the people of Anegada and Jost van Dyke much better than the Sister Islands having their own representatives in the House of Assembly (HoA). Photo: GIS/Facebook
The Committee of Elected Members of the whole House recently agreed with the Lisa E. Penn-Lettsome Constitutional Review Commission to increase the number of Ministers of Government, but agreed this should be achieved by first increasing the number of elected Members of the House of Assembly (HoA). Photo: GIS/File
The Committee of Elected Members of the whole House recently agreed with the Lisa E. Penn-Lettsome Constitutional Review Commission to increase the number of Ministers of Government, but agreed this should be achieved by first increasing the number of elected Members of the House of Assembly (HoA). Photo: GIS/File
THE SETTLEMENT, Anegada, VI- Businessman and social media influencer Lawrence A. Kirton-Wheatley, aka 'Bunchie', has said he will not be running for Ninth District Representative and believes Anegada and Virgin Gorda should have their own Representatives in the House of Assembly (HoA).

The longtime Anegada resident, who hosts a podcast that spotlights various issues affecting the Virgin Islands, made his opinion known in a Facebook post today, Friday, May 29, 2026.

He also used the opportunity to answer questions as to whether he will be seeking to contest the Ninth District seat at the 2027 general elections.

"I’m being asked a lot every day if I’m running for the 9th, so I wanna clear the air. I believe VG should have a representative from VG, and Anegada should have a representative from Anegada. Even without Anegada, VG is the largest district by population. It’s not fair to them to have to share already limited resources with us; they deserve their own.

"And without VG, Anegada would be the largest district by land size. Anegada deserves to have its own representative who lives on the island and its own access to resources. So, as it stands, I do not intend to run for the 9th district in the 2027 elections," Mr Kirton-Wheatley stated.

2 more At Large seats to be added to HoA

The Committee of Elected Members of the whole House recently agreed with the Lisa E. Penn-Lettsome Constitutional Review Commission to increase the number of Ministers of Government, but agreed this should be achieved by first increasing the number of elected Members of the House of Assembly (HoA).

Members further expressly supported the addition of two at-large seats, to be effected by direct amendment to the Constitution (rather than through an electoral boundary review), and agreed that commencement arrangements should allow the additional seats to be contested at the next general election, subject to enactment and commencement of the amendment in time.

The addition of two at-large seats would raise the total number of elected Members of the HoA from thirteen to fifteen.

Many residents during the Constitutional Review believed that one of the two seats should have been a district seat, giving Anegada its own district. For over 30 years, the small population on Anegada has felt neglected and removed from the other residents of the Virgin Islands.

District Council is a better fit for Anegada- Premier Wheatley

Meanwhile, Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), speaking at the public engagement session on constitutional negotiations at the Jost van Dyke Methodist Church on Thursday, May 28, 2026, opined that District Councils would serve the people of Anegada and Jost van Dyke much better than the Sister Islands having their own representatives in the House of Assembly (HoA).

“I think District Councils would work particularly well in places like Jost van Dyke and Anegada because of the remoteness…sometimes you feel neglected and forgotten.”

13 Responses to “'Bunchie' calls for Anegada & VG to have own representation in HoA”

  • ausar (29/05/2026, 16:07) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    Mr. Wheatley, I am liking your position on this issue!

    And, if there's an additional seat that gives Anegada full autonomy in the HOA, could you, would you, seriously reconsider?
  • (29/05/2026, 17:04) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    I with him on this
  • Doubt it.. (29/05/2026, 17:08) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    When we elect them three things will make them ineffective, 1/ can't get monies for projects, 2/ They have to sign all these non disclosure and secrecy agreement, so they can't speak out honestly against the system..3/ They become about self and jump on the greedy train....Will not work..
  • —————————— (29/05/2026, 17:14) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    Bunchie You speaking good
  • vG Native (29/05/2026, 19:29) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good idea young man. None of those on HOA members live on Anegada or VG & barely know what’s going on these two islands. We need one from each island that will speak up & look out for us.
    • Diminish credibility (30/05/2026, 10:04) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      When you tell a blatant lie you diminish your credibility. If you disagree with the performance of the Rep. of the 9 state it , but everyone knows that he lives on VG , they see him taking the ferry in the mornings and returning at night. In fact he is the first Rep in over 40 years to actually live on VG. And by the way living or not living in a District does not make a person any more pr less effective , what determines that is if they know and meet the needs of the people in that District and in this day of mass communication that is easily accomplished.
      • @credibility (30/05/2026, 16:56) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        Are u slow he saying HE don’t live VG so he doesn’t want to represent an island he don’t live on smarty pants
      • Well (31/05/2026, 05:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Your second to last statement I cannot agree, the representative needs live on the island!
  • Wellsah (29/05/2026, 19:50) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree and if VG didn't have so much wealthy residents they would be ignored as well
  • His name spoiled (29/05/2026, 20:00) Like (4) Dislike (7) Reply
    He making sense and I give him tha. Anegada needs something other than Vincent but let the truth be told. Ain't a soul on Anegada studying Lawrence. The young man's name is spoiled in the community and his behaviour is very erratic! Coy over he any day!
    • @spoiled (30/05/2026, 07:11) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      He said he’s not running so there is no competition between him and Coy.
      • He seeking attention! (30/05/2026, 12:51) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
        Please, it's talking season and he knows better than running!
  • Norman O'Neal (30/05/2026, 02:24) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Its time to enjoy the Island, as a Native Grandson.
    We welcome you all to Anegada.
    Things are quite nice.


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