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Premier Wheatley calls for local political debates

- said local politics should no longer be about personalities but about policies, principles & ideologies
Stressing the importance of meaningful debates between political candidates during the elections period, Premier and Seventh District Representative Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley has suggested that an Elections Commission should be put in place to conduct the debates among other things. Photo: Facebook/File
Appearing as a guest on Talking Points, which was streamed live on Facebook on March 13, 2023, Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), right, was asked by co-host Damian C. Grange, left, if he was in favour of debates and if he thinks that should be part of the political process. Centre is Elvin Grant. Photo: Facebook
Appearing as a guest on Talking Points, which was streamed live on Facebook on March 13, 2023, Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), right, was asked by co-host Damian C. Grange, left, if he was in favour of debates and if he thinks that should be part of the political process. Centre is Elvin Grant. Photo: Facebook
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- Stressing the importance of meaningful debates between political candidates during the elections period, Premier and Seventh District Representative Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley has suggested that an Elections Commission should be put in place to conduct the debates among other things.

Appearing as a guest on Talking Points, which was streamed live on Facebook on March 13, 2023, Dr Wheatley was asked by co-host Damian C. Grange if he was in favour of debates and if he thinks that should be part of the political process.

“Yes,” Premier Wheatley promptly responded, adding that an Elections Commission should be facilitating the process.

Politics should not be 'mainly about personalities'

“I think we perhaps need some type of Elections Commission. Yes, we have an elections office right now, but perhaps a Commission that can stage debates or maybe even the media organisations can get together and stage debates; but debates are a good way to draw a contrast between various candidates and various Parties”, he noted.

“For a very long time the Virgin Islands has been mainly about personalities when it comes to politics, but it has to become more about policies, more about principles, more about an ideology”, the Premier and Minister of Finance continued.

The Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Chairman, who took the helm of government in May 2022, added that the [British] Virgin Islands is presently at a crucial stage in its history, as it relates to its relationship with the United Kingdom (UK) and this is something which he believes everyone should be able to share their view on as it relates to where they see the future of the territory. 

As such, Hon Wheatley said citizens’ views on social issues are important and their voices should be heard.

“We just launched a Sustainable Development Plan. Where are we going in the future? How do we see our economy developing? How do we see social issues developing?…These things are important for persons to be able to discuss as a community and to be able to chart the way forward,” he argued.

Dr Wheatley was one of four candidates who appeared on a forum 'A Response' on Sunday, March 12, 2023, when the candidates fielded questions from the public.

17 Responses to “Premier Wheatley calls for local political debates”

  • Political analyst (17/03/2023, 18:16) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Indeed, debates should be an integral part of the interview process. They provide the opportunity for voters to pose serious questions and interact with political candidates. Nevertheless, the moderators of debates must be independent, neutral, objective, fair etc. The VI is a small community so meeting these criteria may be challenging but not insurmountable. It is a stable in politics to overpromise and undeliver so a debate will provide the opportunity to call politicians on the carpet about their promises, ie, how much will it cost, where will the money come from, will the project require a tax/fee increase, will the project have a sunset clause, when will the project be complete and useable, etc.
    • Sowande again.. (18/03/2023, 06:20) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
      Im nervous, I am Scared.. Marlon May well be the next Premier..Imaging if Ronnie loses which is possible and VIP only get 5 or 6 Seats....Leaves Marlon to organize the others to Get out VIP which is likely..
  • Great Idea (17/03/2023, 20:37) Like (12) Dislike (7) Reply
    Yes Mr Premier I endorse your comment. I agree let the media host the exercise, matter of fact let Cindy be the host. No questions ahead of time. No restrictions on topics. Let it be done live. We know you readily agree because Skelton couldn't say the Lord's prayer without fumbling. So we can ask the party to send a rep. I would love to see you up against Myron or Picko. Maybe Skelton can send CSC so we can ask him about the contracts. Interesting let's do it. I think slow wonda after reading this will change his mind. No match for cindy.
  • FACIAL EXPRESSION (17/03/2023, 21:51) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is saying )> hey Yow , are you aware with whom you speak
  • debate (17/03/2023, 22:33) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Youall have had 4 years to debate in the house od assembly and play the tape where we were able to experience just one session where you and the other 12 ever took an issue and laud it out on the floor. I'll just answer for you. Not once. Your time is up
  • first debate (18/03/2023, 00:18) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Myron vs Alvera
  • IKts a snap election (18/03/2023, 00:20) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    So we wont have enough time for that
  • Mouth (18/03/2023, 02:37) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    But when they are in the H o A, how many of them add their voice in debating a Motion when its on the floor.?
  • street reporter. (18/03/2023, 06:05) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Report from the Streets...Voters minds already made up.. BVI landers.. 35% VIP... 30% NDP...25% PVIM. ...Independent 10 % ......Belongers .. 30% VIP.....25 % NDP.... 40% PVIM......Independent 5%... From this you can see each party has the same percentage...So the math, the political calculation says...VIP- 6seats. Others 7 possibly NDP..3 Seats......PVIM- 3 seats. .That independent Guy in #1 can may win, is the best choice in #1 he will be the man with the Handle...Maybe it may be Wise for the other leaders to start reaching out to him build a relationship...Lets all pray that its not Frazer the one deciding factor, the one with the handke because we know he will use the blade...
    • @Street Reporter (18/03/2023, 13:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      &Street Reporter, what is the reliable source of the stats? Is this a seat of the pants prediction? With social media nuff of us try to be influence but data and info must be rock solid.
  • Say it (18/03/2023, 07:34) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes we encourage debates, but i also think we need some accessments , all whose asporation is for Top Leadership should debate on specifics varying from the flat just wanna be Candidates. That is to say ,you wont have Wheatley the premier up against say Vincent Wheatley so to speak.
  • @Great idea (18/03/2023, 09:32) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
    I am with you on that! His responses in the last debate were so rehearsed and you could literally smell the coaching that he got from his brother Ben. LET CINDY HOST!!!!
    • Rolling my eyes!! (18/03/2023, 10:52) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      He can hold his own.. Thank you very much! That much is clear and has been demonstrated!! Go sit yo a** down!!
    • @@Great Idea (18/03/2023, 15:36) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      @@@Great Idea, here is a news flash most politicians have advisors, speech writers, debate coaches, etc. In preparing for a debate one cannot just memorize what the coach(s)tell you, one has to have the knowledge and skill to roll with the punches. One cannot be a robot.
      • To @@great idea (18/03/2023, 17:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        If you know your shite, you do not need no coach, especially for a small community debate. And even if you are coached, it should come from a genuine place not from your head because you looking points. Body language was a dead giveaway. Fake.
  • Debating prowess (18/03/2023, 13:57) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Some people are superb debaters, quick on their feet with counter arguments yet are empty suits in managing projects to get positive outcomes. Give me some one who may be not so glib in communication skills but can attain positive outcome. Give me work horse who produces positive results over glib show horses. Nonetheless, debates should part of the campaign, interview process.


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