VIP holds Congress meeting; Districts Candidates, Chairman & Executive up for vote!
The VIP, the oldest active party in the Territory was founded on March 2nd, 1971 by late Chief Minister H. Lavity Stoutt.
It has served the longest in Government and has been at the forefront of most of the modern developments in the Virgin Islands (VI). The VIP is responsible for the Terrence B. Lettsome International Airport, the H. L. Stoutt Community College, the James Walter Francis Drive Highway along with the R. T. O’Neal Administration Complex.
The VIP is also responsible for the first expansion of the Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital, the first expansion of the cruise ship dock, the rebuilding of the Elmore Stoutt High School, the purchase of the BVI London House, the setup of the National Scholarship Programme, Social Security Scheme and all developments on the sister islands including schools, clinics, community centres, potable water and cut and paved roads.
Most recently, under the VIP, the VI entered an agreement for direct flights between Beef Island and Miami, to be rolled out in the next few months.
A long legacy of progress
Thus far, the party in its 52-year history has had five Chairmen; H. Lavity Stoutt (founding Chair-deceased) Ralph T. O’Neal OBE (second Chair–deceased) Hon. Julian Fraser RA, Andrew A. Fahie, and now the current Chairman and Premier Dr. The Hon. Natalio D. Wheatley (R7).
With the exception of Hon Fraser, all Chairmen have been Chief Minister or Premier.
On Sunday, February 5, 2023, the party will meet to either keep its current Chairman, Dr Wheatley or choose a new Chairman in the person of Hon Carvin Malone, a current At-Large Representative and a former Minister for Health and Social Development.
Hon Malone and Dr Wheatley have both served as President of the Party with Hon Malone having the longest tenure.
Most political pundits believe it’s a ‘dead heat’ between the two, but expect Premier Wheatley to edge out Mr Malone in the end, by a few votes.
The Congress at the February 5, 2023, meeting is also expected to confirm candidates for all districts except Districts 2 and 3.
Party history?
A new executive committee will also be elected on Sunday as the current Party President Mr Lemuel L. Smith is expected to step aside and be a consultant.
Tomorrow, history could be made in the 52-year-old organization as it may also select its first female President and Vice President-elect; however, party insiders remained tight-lipped on who the candidates are when our newsroom tried to probe.
As for the At-Large slate, it is unclear if nomination will take place at the February 5, 2023 meeting but it appears there is a plan to return to the Congress to deal with the At Large Candidates. The VIP holds the four At-Large seats in the House of Assembly (HoA).
Would it be a VIP Victory in 2023? Not a public meeting!
The VIP won the 2019 General Elections with 8 out of 13 seats under the leadership of former Premier, Andrew A. Fahie who represented District One.
Following his arrest on April 28, 2022, the Party elected his Deputy Premier, Dr the Hon Wheatley as its party Chairman to now head the coalition Government made up of three political parties.
The meeting scheduled at the R&R Malone Complex is expected to start at 3:30 PM and only authorized 'paid-up' delegates and those who were invited as observers can attend according to an executive committee member speaking on condition of anonymity.
They made clear “it’s not a public meeting, but only for those who are authorized to be there.”
The 2023 General Election is a few months away since the HoA must be dissolved by March 12, 2023, and General Election held no later than a maximum of 2 months after March 12, 2023, or a minimum of 21 days after March 12, 2023, according to Section 86 of the VI Constitution.
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28 Responses to “VIP holds Congress meeting; Districts Candidates, Chairman & Executive up for vote!”
Let her cross to the opposition because we all know she is up to run against Vincent Wheatly in the 9th. Why hold up the process?
You all allowing the parrot to go in to the meetings to bring out the information. Get rid of that hot head parrot.
Why they dont ask Vincent about all the land he promise people. for three years plus he did NOTHING to help the people who really needed land. tell people that everything set to go to cabinet when not one paper written. SHAMEFUL to LIE to the people
After the former Premier, Andrew Fahie fell from grace, our current Governor mixed in some opposition, and a so-called Unity Government was formed. Soon after Hon. Carving Malone Joined the opposition group.
Before that Hon. Premier Natalio Sawande Wheatley said that he would seek the VIP Party approval for re-election backing, same was former Health Minister Hon. Carvin Malone. I am not a VIP supporter, but of the two contestants, At Large elected Minister Hon. Carvin Malone has by far more experience, in reference to the VIP goals than the Hon. Natalio Wheatley, so does Hon Julian Frazer.
Who one they decide to choose will be chose, but coming g next general election, I hope that rather than win, they will lose, because of disrespectful mismanagement of or finances, and others misrepresentation practices.
It's time for a change.
It's "Time TO Reset."
It's time for better governance to lead our people rightfully, by treating the fairly, daily.
Time to choose one of the following.
Choice 1. Like
2. Dislike
3. Obstain
Are all the same where ever you go , we all act holy and loving in public but let money or power get in the mix , then it an all out war . And as the saying goes " same sh** different day " and let me ado different players
and ALL of the lack INTEGRITY so we only playing games with the people's minds as they continue to manipulate us with a charming smile on their hypocrite faces ???????? . YUK ????