Hon Stacy R. Mather (AL) is calling on Virgin Islanders to put away hatred in 2026. Photo: YouTube/JTV Channel 55

Hon Stacy R. Mather (AL) (left) will begin 2026 working closely with Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) (right) on the Registration, Apprenticeship, Training, Employment, and Development (RATED) program, initiatives in agriculture and fisheries, and the development of community programs. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

In his first sit-down interview since leaving the Myron V. Walwyn-led Oposition and The Alliance to join the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government on December 22, 2025, Hon Mather wished the people of the Virgin Islands (VI) a Happy New Year. 

“[I] hope that it’s a year filled with hope, it’s a year filled with success and genuinely that all of us find a way to come together, push our Virgin Islands forward, put away any hatred, any areas of confrontation,” Hon Mather said in an interview on JTV Channel 55 with Cathy O. Richards on December 31, 2025. 

A fresh start in 2026

Hon Mather will begin 2026 working closely with Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) on the Registration, Apprenticeship, Training, Employment, and Development (RATED) programme, initiatives in agriculture and fisheries, and the development of community programmes aimed at empowering community-based organisations to execute initiatives for the upliftment of the citizens and residents of the community. 

During the press briefing to announce his move, Hon Mather had said he looks forward to applying his experience to support community empowerment programmes and initiatives that strengthen the work of NGOs and small community businesses. 

These, he explained, “have become the backbone of the Virgin Islands”.