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Kevon S. Lettsome Out! Renard V. Estridge In! as NDP D7 candidate

St Kitts-born Attorney Renard Vancito Estridge, who works at law firm Harneys, is reportedly seeking to contest the Seventh District. Photo: Team of Reporters
Incumbent Seventh District Representative, Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), left, and Perline R. Scatliffe-Leonard are the confirmed Seventh District candidates. Photo: GIS/VINO/File
Incumbent Seventh District Representative, Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), left, and Perline R. Scatliffe-Leonard are the confirmed Seventh District candidates. Photo: GIS/VINO/File
Reports reaching our news centre are that Kevon S. Lettsome will no longer be contesting the Seventh District with the NDP. Photo: VINO/File
Reports reaching our news centre are that Kevon S. Lettsome will no longer be contesting the Seventh District with the NDP. Photo: VINO/File
LONG LOOK, Tortola, VI- With the 2023 political season heating up, there has been a shakeup within the National Democratic Party's (NDP) selection of a Seventh District candidate.

Word reaching our newsroom is that Mr Kevon S. Lettsome, who was the front runner to secure the NDP nomination to contest the Seventh District seat, may be weighing his options and reportedly will not run with the NDP.

The NDP, which is a part of the coalition Government and is struggling for candidates, has moved quickly to replace Mr Lettsome. It is alleged that most of the candidates who had committed to the NDP have gone to the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) and others have backed out, leaving the NDP short of candidates.

Lettsome or Estridge?

However, Mr Lettsome is expected to be replaced by St Kitts-born Attorney Renard Vancito Estridge, who works at the law firm, Harneys.

Our newsroom has gotten calls to say that Mr Estridge, who came to the Virgin Islands when he was three years old, was making the rounds in the Seventh District, talking to residents about his interest in running in the 2023 elections. Mr Estridge is a belonger and there are already questions raised about whether he is eligible to run as per section 65 of the Virgin Islands Constitution.

"Yes, I am the NDP's candidate for the 7th District," Mr Estridge said.

Heating up in D7

If Mr Estridge runs, he will face incumbent Seventh District Representative Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), the Premier and Minister of Finance of the Virgin Islands Party; and Independent candidate Mrs Perline R. Scatliffe-Leonard, who launched her candidacy on Saturday, February 25, 2023.

It is unclear if PVIM or Progressives United (PU) will have a candidate in the Seventh District.

54 Responses to “Kevon S. Lettsome Out! Renard V. Estridge In! as NDP D7 candidate”

  • district 7 (27/02/2023, 09:38) Like (54) Dislike (5) Reply
    Well who this one is? First I am hearing or seeing this guy.
    • Fat Hogs Bay (27/02/2023, 13:05) Like (24) Dislike (7) Reply
      Not a thing go so! NdP you are dead on arrival!!!!!!!


      Pushing P or Nat!
    • He’s Been Here (27/02/2023, 18:14) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      He grew up in the Eastern side of the island and went to school in the area as well.

      Estridge has been very vocal on social media overtime regarding political and social matters.
      • @ He's been here (27/02/2023, 20:29) Like (8) Dislike (6) Reply
        Maybe that's where he needs to stay.. on social media.
  • How??? (27/02/2023, 09:41) Like (44) Dislike (13) Reply
    How is he eligible to run??? According to the Constitutional Order of 2017, it states Qualifications for elected membership in Section 65, if their parents were born in the Virgin Islands . MAKE IT MAKE SENSE!!! Please stop disrespecting the law... That goes for all the candidates in all parties too.

    Signed,

    Concerned VI Citizens
    • agreed (27/02/2023, 10:23) Like (30) Dislike (3) Reply
      What the hxxx is going on in this place.
    • Rat Race!! (27/02/2023, 11:56) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
      Ohhh what ah rat race.. While the Dre away, the mice will play.
    • The Slip Hammer (27/02/2023, 13:28) Like (28) Dislike (13) Reply
      @ How? If the young man is deemed to belong to the virgin islands he can contest any election in the dam virgin islands. some of you all need to be educated your dam selves.
    • Research (27/02/2023, 13:52) Like (23) Dislike (1) Reply
      How did Mark and Myron run. He is grandfathered under the previous Constitution.
    • To how??? (27/02/2023, 17:55) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
      Once someone was eligible before 2007, they are still eligible.
    • @ How???? (27/02/2023, 18:27) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      Read carefully.

      Do you know his heritage? DO NOT ASSUME.

      The CONSTITUTION

      Qualifications for Elected Membership

      65.—(1) Subject to this section and section 66, a person shall be qualified to be elected as a member of the House of Assembly if, and shall not be qualified to be so elected unless, he or she—

      (a) was so qualified immediately before the commencement of this Constitution; or

      (b) is a person who—

      (i) is a Virgin Islander of the age of twenty-one years or upwards; and (ii) is otherwise qualified as a voter under section 68.

      (2) Subject to subsections (3) and (4), for the purposes of subsection (1)(b)(i) a “Virgin Islander” is a person who belongs to the Virgin Islands by birth or descent who was—

      (a) born in the Virgin Islands of a father or mother who at the time of the birth was a British overseas territories citizen (or a British Dependent Territories citizen) by virtue of birth in the Virgin Islands or by virtue of descent from a father or mother who was born in the Virgin Islands;

      (b) born in the Virgin Islands of a father or mother who at the time of the birth belonged to the Virgin Islands by birth or descent; or
      (c) born outside the Virgin Islands of a father or mother who at the time of the birth belonged to the Virgin Islands by birth or descent.

      (3) A person born outside the Virgin Islands who belongs to the Virgin Islands by descent shall not be qualified to be elected as a member of the House of Assembly unless one of his or her grandparents belonged to the Virgin Islands by birth.

      (4) A person, whether born in or outside the Virgin Islands, who would otherwise be qualified to be elected as an elected member of the House of Assembly by virtue of subsection (1)(b) shall not be so qualified unless—

      (a) where that person has never been domiciled in the Virgin Islands, he or she has resided in the Virgin Islands for at least five years immediately before the date of his or her nomination for election; or

      (b) where that person was formerly domiciled in the Virgin Islands but has lived outside the Virgin Islands for a continuous period of at least ten years (excluding periods related to medical or educational purposes), he or she has resided in the Virgin Islands for at least three years immediately before the date of his or her nomination for election and is domiciled in the Virgin Islands at that date.
      • Comment (27/02/2023, 20:13) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
        So was his grandparent or parent born in the Virgin Islands? How is he qualified?
        • @Comment (27/02/2023, 21:25) Like (4) Dislike (7) Reply
          If memory serves correctly the young man was born in St.Kitts, none of his parents grand parents, great grand parents are from the Virgin Islands . His mother however did marry a virgin islander. But that still doesn't make him eligible
        • @ Comment (28/02/2023, 22:12) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
          Was yours? Is that the case of any of the other candidates? Read the constitution CAREFULLY.

          Obviously if he was accepted as a candidate he IS eligible having met the criteria so stop grasping at straws.
    • @How (27/02/2023, 21:11) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
      The man is an Attorney, he is no fool. You all think he will enter this Political arena if he wasn't straight........think.
  • wellsaw (27/02/2023, 09:44) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Laww ting to talk.
  • Did (27/02/2023, 09:47) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Did I miss something …
  • Admin. (27/02/2023, 09:57) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    Please stop using that picture of that lady with her face like she is in a fish tank.
  • Well Well (27/02/2023, 10:03) Like (19) Dislike (24) Reply
    This election got mehson.... All I know VIiP forming back Goverment. VIPM weak, so to NDP. VIP all the way
  • Real Macoy (27/02/2023, 10:39) Like (34) Dislike (18) Reply
    I am very sure he should be qualified if he knows the law well.
    I don't think that he would be that foolish to attempt to run if he is not qualified.
    Some of you people too racist against your own skin color.
    That's why I will be so happy if England step in for 2 years and run this country so some of you wouldn't have nothing to say.
    • Talk this in your Country!!! (27/02/2023, 13:13) Like (5) Dislike (9) Reply
      But please respect the BVI laws !!! Outsiders are quilty as well .
      • RedStorm (28/02/2023, 12:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        In your analysis think precisely, as there s no one can come from another country without the prerequisite and label themselves a candidate for election.they have to be within the framework of the country’s constitution. So there s no outsider.
    • To Real Macoy (27/02/2023, 18:01) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
      They are so sickening. They like to talk about white man while hating on their own kind. Some who came to the Virgin Islands as a 3 year old, spent most of his life in this country and they still consider him an outsider. Meanwhile Virgin Islanders (BVIslanders) are calling the USVI, America and England home, never to even look back at this God forsaken place…but that’s not an issue to any of them.
      • @To Real Macoy (27/02/2023, 20:32) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
        You seem to know much about the VI’s wrong doings but yet you refuse to go home to learn about yours. We must be doing somethings right then and your country must be doing some serious wrongs to you to have you here blogging about injustice.
        • To @Macoy (27/02/2023, 22:11) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
          I can't go home because I'm already at home..I am a Virgin Islander but I take exception with people who are hung up on place of birth.
          • @ To @Macoy (28/02/2023, 02:05) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
            Well, you may want to consider a move to a large nation with ample resources to sustain large populations if this stresses you so. It is foolish to accommodate and feed your neighbors and their children from limited resources and not unsure that you and your children are not impoverished in the process.
      • @To Real Macoy (28/02/2023, 02:41) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
        You say that the place where you reside is God forsaken? How many people living in the BVI have left their country years ago and have not looked back, are their countries also God forsaken too? You are out of control, irrational, and filled with hate yourself.
    • RedStorm (28/02/2023, 12:57) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      What happen when someone go the election office and state the want to be a candidate for 2023. Does the relevant authority check out their background, do the pay some money, are the given approvals. Does the AG office get involved, how about the courts, or Police. What is the process? These are questions that show the depth of our literacy on this platform.

      Do you know the chaos that can occur if he UK take over,it won’t be two years, and they will not fix things you may like. And when the time passed it will be another two years , or five years and some people can’t play connect the dot. Follow the pattern it will prove an outcome.
  • Tangle web (27/02/2023, 10:51) Like (16) Dislike (20) Reply
    No party will have a clear majority. An outsider would be more likely to become premier than these power hungry party hawks. Here is how, it depends on the closeness of the election.

    No party is going to join with Skelton unless he decides to take a back seat. Seeing that if he is not premier he would not join he would have to take a back seat Frazer is not worthy of mention as even if he wins 3rd he would never be opposition leader ever again

    Slowman is power hungry he would join with the ndp and become possible minister of agriculture. Better to be a minister than to take a back seat. Myron the logical leader would be voted in as premier over marlon. Now Pickering could very well be holding a trump card. There is no doubt in my mind that he would be victorious. He could be the answer again depends on the closeness. Skelton may respect him to be premier if he joins up. Ndp would accept him. VIP may also accept him. Pickering might very well be the missing link to form a government. All the present party leaders is a no no. Pickering or Myron is my choice for premier.
  • We forget (27/02/2023, 11:04) Like (15) Dislike (3) Reply
    Have we forgotten that this man was charged and brought before the court on a charge of uttering forged document? He is innocent until proven guilty, however what if he is found guilty. He should have stepped aside until this matter was concluded.

    https://bvinews.com/former-youth-parliamentarian-accused-of-forgery-declares-his-innocence/
    • @ we forget (27/02/2023, 12:14) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
      but how come you not stain that about myron walwym?
    • my run (27/02/2023, 13:37) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
      Myron was charged also and look he up and down the place trying to get Alvera out!

      Seems like even the very dog could run for office in this place.

      Let me see if a rooster or a snake want to run also mah bouy!
    • He was not (27/02/2023, 13:50) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      Not the person in the picture that was charged. Please check your info before typing.
    • @We Forget (27/02/2023, 14:59) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      The article clearly alludes to Lettsome (person in the article you left in the link) being replaced by Estridge. No sure what you are alluding to.
  • one eye (27/02/2023, 11:08) Like (14) Dislike (9) Reply
    Such an easy win for vip
  • Sowande again.. (27/02/2023, 11:31) Like (26) Dislike (13) Reply
    Simple, VIP and Sowande again, day by day its becoming clearer and easier..
    • Sowande (27/02/2023, 15:35) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
      Slowande done agree to give Claude approximately $489,990USD but ayo want to vote him back in because he now acting like he have sense.

      The man just doesn't want to return to teaching under the circumstances he could not fix.

      Stop letting people take us for fools! Cabinet agreed to give Claude Skelton Cline almost half of a billion dollars! He doesn't care about increments or what supplies can't be bought for our youths educational system. They didn't care then, they definitely don't care now!!
      • @ Sowande (27/02/2023, 20:38) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
        And NDP/NDP2 lost a whole plane.... signed countless contracts that we questioned and the list goes on!! "He now acting like he have sense"??.... better than dem who still ain got none!
        • @Sowande (27/02/2023, 22:14) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
          People no longer care about NDP/VIP/etc
          We just want the best to lead. He has shown to be incompetent!
          I agree with Sowande
  • 2023 (27/02/2023, 13:18) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    penn have no leadership skills-he talks to much and not everything good to talk. NDP wounded and could be dead in the water
  • 2023 Alright (27/02/2023, 15:09) Like (14) Dislike (6) Reply
    In 2023,

    We are still worried about born here, etc. Shouldn't our focus be on who has the potential to get the job done. I will take qualifications over born here any day. For Christ's sake, this man was brought up in Long Look, went to school in Long Look and has only left our beautiful shores for an extended period to attend school. So we think all of a sudden, he will vie for office and then send everything to his 'home' country. This is his home. We have 100+ nationalities here in the BVI. Are we ever going to accept that or are we gonna conveniently 'send the expats' home when we feel like it?
  • Well (27/02/2023, 15:24) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
    the place is already ran by belongers and outsiders anyway
    bvislanders are the minority in the BVI what yo expect?
  • live (27/02/2023, 16:49) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    Well well I live there I've never seen this young man. Probably I'm blind. It will take me years to know him not 2 months.
  • Seven (27/02/2023, 17:31) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    Showda all the way
  • Long Look People (27/02/2023, 18:10) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
    Long Look People Pushin P Fat Hogs Bay and Brandywine Bay Wake up We have a Real Leader I say We have a Real Leader! We Pushin P PEARLINE!!
    • @ Long Look People (27/02/2023, 20:40) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      Waste of time. Tell her go fix W&S before she come trying to fix district. Handle that first..
  • Go Ahead (27/02/2023, 18:23) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    The sooner we realize that the voting list is no longer the BVI local names and their cousins, the better for us. Not because the majority of local common names feel disgusted by persons with foreign names putting them selves up for office does not mean that persons with unpupular names cannot win. The so call popular BVI people are no longer the majority. For eg, if one of our muslim or white friends run, they have enough of themselves in any given district to attact enough votes to win any distract or at large candidacy. You all better pull your head out the sand. The only one dead on arrival is who you have a right not to vote for. A man never really know who his own wife vote for and you don;t know who your friend vote for. I wish one of the arabs would run and teach youall a lesson
  • melting pot (27/02/2023, 19:45) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Too much name calling
    Too much dem versus us
    Too much snakes
    Too much media insinuating and instigating division
    Let people see who the real culprits are in this country
    You hate a man who has potential to do what is good for this country simple on the fact that he is not a third generation person
    Look at Andrew 4 generations and look what he did to this country
    Hate red of others is what will bring down this country
    Ayo need to stop ????
    • @melting pot (28/02/2023, 02:16) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      {Look at Andrew 4 generations and look what he did to this country} No one said they hate anyone! Every country has laws that governs, the UK has replaced 5 prime ministers in just 6 years Who are the haters there? Come off the self-righteous propaganda.
  • Renard (27/02/2023, 20:43) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sir... stick to the financial services industry yuh hear. That's the best thing you can do.
  • Disinterested (28/02/2023, 11:45) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Where did this guy appear from? Is he an import from
    area in Tortola? Is the the NDP saying before none any? Has the NDP lost its purpose, its vision, mission, its shine, etc? Who is the NDP chairperson?
  • vi (28/02/2023, 13:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Don’t get to comfortable the UK wants new talented person so watch out VIP you guys did us really bad



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