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Former HoA Speaker Julian Willock opts out of contesting 2023 General Elections

- says he will continue to be a voice for the voiceless
After announcing last October that he was contemplating contesting the 2023 General Elections, former Speaker of the Virgin Islands House of Assembly (HoA) Mr Julian Willock has decided against throwing his hat in the proverbial political ring. Photo: GIS/File
Mr Julian Willock served as Speaker of the House of Assembly (HoA) of the Virgin Islands from March 2019 until his resignation in May 2022. Photo: HoA/Facebook
Mr Julian Willock served as Speaker of the House of Assembly (HoA) of the Virgin Islands from March 2019 until his resignation in May 2022. Photo: HoA/Facebook
SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI- While more and more persons continue to throw their hats in the proverbial political ring ahead of the 2023 General Elections, one person who had stated since last October that he was contemplating to run and was actually expected to contest the elections, former House of Assembly (HoA) Speaker Mr Julian Willock, has surprisingly said he will not be seeking political office.

Mr Willock, who served as Speaker from March 2019 until his resignation in May 2022, made the announcement in a statement today, March 14, 2023.

Decision came after ‘careful consideration’- Willock

“I know that when we sat out, putting a campaign committee together and being on my listening tour, this was not the call many of you ever wanted to hear. It is the call I made after careful consideration, consultations and, in some cases, strong opposition from those who thought otherwise that I should run for office, because we can win,” Mr Willock stated.

He said it was about six months ago that he set out around the territory for meetings in communities as part of a listening tour to hear from residents about their needs, desires, challenges and aspirations.

“Many of you have been frank with me, having opened your hearts and homes, while others have disrupted their lives and had the courage to serve on my campaign committee. For that, I will always remain humble and from the bottom of my heart, I thank all of you.”

‘My voice will still be around’

The former Water and Sewerage Department (W&SD) boss said his love for this country is real and he will continue to champion causes in the Virgin Islands while continuing to treat everyone with respect and dignity.

“While I am not a candidate in the 2023 general elections, my voice will still be around to speak for every young person who is drowning in student debt, for every family struggling to pay the bills on two incomes, for every mother worried about paying for prescriptions or putting food on the table, to many single mothers and seniors who continue to suffer in silence, this fight goes on and my voice will be heard,” Mr Willock stated.

Leaving some words for those running for office, Mr Willock encouraged them to continue to persist and dream big, but also bring solutions.

“The work to build our country continues, the fight goes on, the Virgin Islands Dream will never die,” Mr Willock stated.

20 Responses to “Former HoA Speaker Julian Willock opts out of contesting 2023 General Elections”

  • disappointed (14/03/2023, 16:18) Like (8) Dislike (45) Reply
    was waiting for our rescuer to come forth mehn. eh we get some esteem people in this race
  • Right decision (14/03/2023, 16:30) Like (11) Dislike (10) Reply
    I can live with this level headed position. More can be done from the outside in this case!
  • agreed (14/03/2023, 16:52) Like (9) Dislike (40) Reply
    Whoever is elected will become a slave to the UK officials and cause the rest of us to be enslaved by the British out of fear, so you are correct that more can and will be done from the outside to save the BVI from the ongoing devious plots of the Governor and his British and few local sidekicks.
    • @agreed (15/03/2023, 05:02) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
      Who got us in this predicament? Our own dishonest, greedy and self serving local politicians and their greedy friends. Don’t blame the UK. They are looking out for we the citizen’s best interest to save our country from becoming a poor nation with a select elite and wealthy few. If you’re going to point fingers and blame, direct it to those who are really at fault. Please vote wisely and please don’t be fooled by the non performing smooth talkers.
  • Wigmaker (14/03/2023, 16:57) Like (25) Dislike (1) Reply
    Sh!÷ there goes my job! :(
  • Down West (14/03/2023, 17:05) Like (19) Dislike (2) Reply
    I totally agree with this decision. Right now there are TOO MANY horses on the track. This thing is not a joke.
  • stupid me (14/03/2023, 17:26) Like (14) Dislike (31) Reply
    Mr Wilock will always make his best contribution
    To These Beautiful Virgin Islands
  • John (14/03/2023, 17:43) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply
    I agree with u wilock only you know your reason for not running we from the third
  • HAHA (14/03/2023, 18:01) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
    Pure comedy.
  • Develop our Country (14/03/2023, 20:19) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    What are we developing it into?
  • apple pie (14/03/2023, 21:55) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    With oj in the race he should have run with the blue
  • Yup (14/03/2023, 22:57) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Da esteamed won is too be herd in sighlense
  • Winky (15/03/2023, 00:04) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Thank God
  • Earl (15/03/2023, 03:44) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Thank god for that !
  • Selfless (15/03/2023, 07:13) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good move bro.
    Sometimes you have to pull away and let it happen, from afar it you can see the whole picture.
    Let them Horses run , win , loose or drop , you stay fresh and watch UK trick them Idiots.
  • Hector (15/03/2023, 07:28) Like (6) Dislike (6) Reply
    Willock do not pass up your calling when I look at the list of who is running boss we need you
  • 2023 (15/03/2023, 07:37) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    put him with fraser
  • Rubber Duck (15/03/2023, 08:12) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    If he passed up his spot to run against fraser he is dead next election
  • believer (15/03/2023, 10:45) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    This means there is a God and she heard our prayers!
  • Josiahsbay (15/03/2023, 12:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    No change of significance will be made unless proceeded by governmental reform.


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