To face the “hot seat” in a first time move at Virgin Gorda are politicians Jose C. B DeCastro (left) of the new Progressive Virgin Islands Movement’s (PVIM), Vincent O. Wheatley (Centre) of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) and current Ninth District Representative with the National Democratic Party (NDP) Hon Hubert R. O’Neal (Right). Photo:VINO/File/PVIM

According to a letter signed by Shea Alexander and Sasha D. A. Flax which was sent to the three and seen by Virgin Islands News Online (VINO), the debate is scheduled to take place on January 9, 2019, at the Catholic Community Centre. Photo:VINO

To face the “Hot Seat” in a first time move at Virgin Gorda are politicians Jose C. B DeCastro of the new Progressive Virgin Islands Movement’s (PVIM), Vincent O. Wheatley of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) and current Ninth District Representative with the National Democratic Party (NDP) Hon Hubert R. O’Neal.

Letters Sent

According to a letter signed by Shea Alexander and Sasha D. A. Flax which was sent to the three and seen by Virgin Islands News Online (VINO), the debate is scheduled to take place on January 9, 2019, at the Catholic Community Centre.

Alexander and Flax are said to be representing a small apolitical group of young people who wish to contribute to the substance of their democratic institution.

In the letter, they state, “We have recognized, as many have done, given the turmoil faced by the Western Countries in recent elections, that it is imperative for decisions of who will govern us to be made from the perspective of reason.”

They made it clear that “This is not to raise criticism of our culture, but to offer it a chance to further evolve.” The youths further stated that a voting public, aware of its options and conscious of their respective ideal, “Is the one best suited to maintaining upward momentum.”

The debate is said to be a global standard of democracy, “Our debate will serve as a platform which your vision for the Ninth District and strategy for getting there can be shared,” they said.

Bold move

As described by one resident of the Virgin Gorda Community, the move by the Youths ahead of the 2019 General Election is, “Taking the bull by the horn and not by the tail.”

VINO has learnt that all three candidates have agreed to participate in the debate and each candidate will be given two minutes to make an opening statement which will be followed by three segments according to the letter.

In segment one, each candidate will be asked questions which they would have received in advance and given time to prepare for.  Following that, in segment two, each candidate will be asked questions extracted from social media polls on specific interests. 

The final segment will allow for questions from the live audience and via social media. Each segment also allows for rebuttal by each candidate.