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Premier Wheatley tells USVI ‘there will be an election’ in VI but gives no date

- Leader of coalition gov’t has been avoiding announcing a definite date for general election
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) attended the Inaugural Mass celebrated at the Sts Peter and Paul Catholic Church on St Thomas just before the inaugural ceremony for the USVI Governor and Lt Governor at Emancipation Garden on January 2, 2022. Photo: Government House-USVI/Facebook.
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), right, while being interviewed live on WTJX-TV at the swearing-in of USVI Governor Albert A. Bryan Jr on January 2, 2023. Left is former USVI senator Neville A. James and centre is former Lieutenant Governor Osbert E. Potter. Photo: VI Consortium (screen grab)
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), right, while being interviewed live on WTJX-TV at the swearing-in of USVI Governor Albert A. Bryan Jr on January 2, 2023. Left is former USVI senator Neville A. James and centre is former Lieutenant Governor Osbert E. Potter. Photo: VI Consortium (screen grab)
CHARLOTTE AMALIE, St Thomas, USVI- The [British] Virgin Islands has entered into an election year and although it is constitutionally due at the end of May 2023, the electorate remains in a state of suspense as a definite date is yet to be announced by Leader of the National Unity Government Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7).

Premier Wheatley has only said, on many occasions, that there will be an election; however, he has stopped short of giving a date.

He did the same thing when he was asked about general election when in the US Virgin Islands for the swearing-in of Governor Albert A. Bryan Jr and Lieutenant Governor Tregenza A. Roach on January 2, 2022.

While being interviewed live on WTJX-TV by former USVI senator Neville A. James and former Lieutenant Governor Osbert E. Potter, Mr Potter asked: “Is there going to be an election called soon in the BVI. I think I heard there might be.”

‘We don’t favour dictatorship at all’- Premier

Premier Wheatley replied: “There will be an election. Of course, as you know, our constitution was threatened to be taken away and direct rule imposed by the United Kingdom Government, but through the intervention of the government of National Unity we were able to stave off direct rule and we will have an election, because, of course, we champion democracy. Of course, that was the process you just went through, and we don’t favour dictatorship at all.”

It was in December 2022 that Dr Wheatley told reporters that when the date is set, it will be within the constitutionally due timeline.

“I should say that the House of Assembly has to be dissolved within four years from the first sitting…. the first sitting was March 12, 2019, so that means that the House of Assembly has to be dissolved… no later than March 12, 2023,” he said during a one-on-one press briefing on December 2, 2022, alongside Deputy Premier Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5).

Dr Wheatley continued, “and based on the constitution, you have up to 60 days after that to have an election, but we haven't set that exact date as yet.”

The Premier has also said he would like to lead the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) into the next general election.

15 Responses to “Premier Wheatley tells USVI ‘there will be an election’ in VI but gives no date”

  • justin (03/01/2023, 07:22) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
    the time have come for a definite date for our elections

    the idea of one man or his political associates keeping election-day a mystery have to GO



  • vex (03/01/2023, 07:58) Like (15) Dislike (5) Reply
    He knows why he is afraid of a general election
  • oh so it go? (03/01/2023, 08:39) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    So he telling them but not us
  • Well Well (03/01/2023, 08:41) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Why with all that's going on and the Gvmt holding the people hostage. We should have a set date for all elections in the VI. This would allow the people to know who they want to represent them.
  • Really (03/01/2023, 09:28) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    He can't give no date because he doesn't call no shots. The elites will give him the script when they are ready. Why doesn't he talk about Fed Now the Mark of the beast digital system that starts in May. Like I been telling you all everything is all by design step by step
  • y (03/01/2023, 09:36) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    @well well This Is unpresidental times ..Have patience my dear the Premier is sure to give a date very soon!
  • Voters (03/01/2023, 09:41) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    we waiting to vote them out
  • Agreeable One (03/01/2023, 09:51) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    This election will probably be the most crucial in our history. The next leader/government will have to pave the way independence. At a time like this a leader will emerge and the people will look to that person to lead them. The interesting thing is once that person emerges everyone for the most part will know by the way he/she will speak and the vision they will represent. I am waiting patiently. Our democratic future is right now in the balance. This is going to be very interesting. Shalom.
  • Whats the rush... (03/01/2023, 10:49) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lets wait until Fahie trial. Let us see and hear what more he has to say and all who iz involved.. .Its a 100% fact that more will come out about more people during his trial.. Fahie is playing the Game, he is smart, he knows the trial will have serious negative impact on the BVI..The Governor knows that also, its a game of checkers ...If he takes a deal he has to give up some names and if he doesn't they will push for the maximum prison sentence for him..
  • Walking around with the election date in his pocket (03/01/2023, 11:31) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Showonde doing just like Skerro in Dominica
  • vincy (03/01/2023, 18:18) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    Is dah deh 1st lady?
    • am vincy (05/01/2023, 17:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      you just jealous because the men from here dont want no wmen from here
  • Mustsng (03/01/2023, 19:13) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Set a a fix date for election; do we need a referendum for a fix date? Is the election being delayed because due to shattering of political parties, PM trying to savor the time in office due to uncertainty of the election? Are political parties in the BVI functional?
  • Fed-Up (03/01/2023, 21:39) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    I ain't even read this article. I am so dissapointed and annoyed with this man it ain't even funny. He sat there and helped his predecessor turn up we place sat in the House of Assembly and agreed to everything Andrew put forward and now he here cheezing for the camera , pretending his hands are clean, pretending as if he didn't know what was going on. Mr. Wheatley and I refer to you this way because there is nothing Honourable about you, I won't be voting for you this time around and neither will my family.


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