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‘We are not going to have early elections’ in VI- Premier Wheatley

Electorates of the Virgin Islands are being assured that General Elections will not be called before May of 2023 as Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) say the Government of National Unity intends to complete its full four (4) year term. Photo: VINO/File
The Virgin Islands went to the polls in February 2019 which saw the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) winning the majority of seats to take the helm of the territory’s government, at that time head of the party was Andrew A. Fahie who became Premier. Photo: GIS/File
The Virgin Islands went to the polls in February 2019 which saw the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) winning the majority of seats to take the helm of the territory’s government, at that time head of the party was Andrew A. Fahie who became Premier. Photo: GIS/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Electorates of the Virgin Islands are being assured that General Elections will not be called before May of 2023, as Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) say the Government of National Unity intends to complete its full four (4) year term.

Formation of Unity Government

The Virgin Islands went to the polls in February 2019 which saw the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) winning the majority of seats to take the helm of the territory’s government, at that time head of the party was Andrew A. Fahie who became Premier.

The government took a historic turn however when Fahie was arrested and charged while in Miami Florida on April 28, 2022, leading to the formation of the Government of National Unity. 

This saw a change in government structure utilizing elected legislators, where the VIP removed Fahie as their Chairman replacing him with Dr Wheatley who was the Deputy Premier at the time before becoming Premier.

With this background, Premier Wheatley has put to bed the notion that the government might be moving towards holding early general elections.

Gov't intends to complete a full 4-year term - Dr the Hon Wheatley 

He told a press conference on January 6, 2023, “Well in the framework for the implementation of the CoI Recommendations and other reforms we committed to doing a full term, a full four-year term.  So of course the first meeting of the house of Assemble in 2019 was in March, I think March 12, so the House has to dissolve by March 12.”

When asked to confirm that there will be no dissolving of the House before March 2023 Premier Wheatley responded, “We are not going to have early elections.”

On the other hand, Premier Wheatley was asked if he sees himself leading the VIP into the next general elections. The Premier said that given media reports have indicated that other parties within the Unity Government will be putting forward a slate for the elections, and the Virgin Islands Party will be no different.

32 Responses to “‘We are not going to have early elections’ in VI- Premier Wheatley”

  • Looks a mess (07/01/2023, 12:59) Like (3) Dislike (11) Reply
    In trouble even before the bell rings. Fumbling even to take the country into elections. Long Look need a strong candidate ..
    • To Looks a mess (07/01/2023, 13:31) Like (22) Dislike (2) Reply
      This election is not about a district only but about how to elect persons that will push for our freedom as a BVI people from the colonial powers that continual abuse their authority in trying to take us over. So remain focused.
    • @Looks a mess (07/01/2023, 14:05) Like (21) Dislike (3) Reply
      I am from Long Look, and I can say with pride that he has my family and I vote. The young man deserves a second term.
  • WO (07/01/2023, 13:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    Fix the dump and stop the bulls**t

  • Appreciate that (07/01/2023, 13:11) Like (21) Dislike (1) Reply
    Thank you Mr. Premier for informing the Territory.
  • first (07/01/2023, 13:15) Like (23) Dislike (7) Reply
    We have to come together to demand the Uk to remove these two Orders in Council with one on the overriding of our financial services laws for the UK to implement public registry to try to destroy our financial services and life as we know and enjoy and the other to suspend our constitution if things do not go how they want with the judiciary and other systems of policy and law. This is wrong and we must fight against this dictatorship.
    • @first (07/01/2023, 14:54) Like (21) Dislike (5) Reply
      I understand whole heartedly and is in agreement with your comment. Everyone has to be on the same page and come together as you mentioned in your comment. Until the people of the Territory join together as one and put aside whatsoever grievances we are carrying towards each other things will start working for the better. They know the people don’t ban together for the cause that is why they do what they do.
  • we need to know (07/01/2023, 13:19) Like (20) Dislike (8) Reply
    Before the next elections the Governor must be made to make public what did he wrote in his document to the UK to get the Parliament in UK and the Privy Council to issue the Order in Council. Also the same thing about the financial services with public registry where he has another pending order in council to force down our throats. Those two pieces of information and everything related to them needs to be made public. I am sure that in both it will reveal that the facts were massaged to fit their devious purpose. The people of the BVI need to know what was in those documents sent by the Governor so that they can have a fair and transparent opportunity to defend themselves. In a time of when the Governor and UK is calling for transparency, they have acted under a cloud of secrecy and deceit. This information must be known & known now. They should have no reason to keep this information private while they are using it to act publicly. This needs to known publicly before the next elections.
  • facts (07/01/2023, 13:34) Like (18) Dislike (12) Reply
    It is good to have a strong government in place but the fact of the matter is it does not matter who is elected, the Governor and the UK mission to take over is still the same. Depending on who is elected they will change their strategy but not their aim. We need freedom fighters thus election.
  • reality (07/01/2023, 13:39) Like (18) Dislike (11) Reply
    Before the elections yhe BVI can complete and implement every recommendation from that questionable COI process, and it still will never be enough to satisfy the UK. Just wait and see. The reality is the UK wants to rule all OTs directly especially financial services, so they can give their friends jobs as the economy in the UK is really bad. If we think we have it bad under elected officials, and our current local public officers, then wait until you are ruled directly by Brits. BVI be careful what you are asking for because you will regret it. The Brits must stop this abuse of power and remove the Order in Council FORTHWITH! This election is about securing our freedom from the plot of trying to rule us through modern day slavery.
  • To mr (07/01/2023, 13:43) Like (17) Dislike (6) Reply
    This government has had challenges and miss steps but they also must be commended for many things. One for sure is how they handled covid given that it was the worse pandemic in the last 100 years and no government in the world knew what to do especially with the free fall to the economy for which we all are still feeling the effects. The decisions by our government saved alot of lives but as usual we think we have passed the worse and tend to forget that this pandemic consumed all the energy, attention and resources of the government for the past three years. Well done.
  • Help me someone (07/01/2023, 13:46) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    Can someone list at least 15 good things this government did? I can't find two so someone help me. If you do I will concerns but I don't think anyone can. I am waiting...
    • @Help me someone (07/01/2023, 14:57) Like (21) Dislike (1) Reply
      Despite some of the negative there are plenty success stories by the government. I went on GIS and elected officials' fb page as well as news items and found the below and more that had nothing to do with the Unity Government...

      - Revive the Cruise Ship industry
      - Direct flights from USA to BVI
      - New Port Facilites at JVD
      - Construction of new and needed facilities at ESHS
      - Repaired the L-shaped building at ESHS that was damaged since Irma
      - Repaired BFEC secondary building
      - Repaired the administration building in North Sound VG
      - Repaired the administration building in JVD
      - Constructing new primary school building on JVD
      - Repaired Flax Administration building on VG
      - Repaired Administration building in the Valley, Virgin Gorda
      - Repaired Road Town Fire Station Building
      - Repaired the multipurpose complex
      - Fixed the a/c in the multipurpose complex
      - Repaired the reservoir in North Sound Virgin Gorda
      - Repaired Lee Road on Virgin Gorda
      - Construction of new public roads on Anegada
      - Repaired the Fire Station building on Anegada
      - Repaired the Faulkner Administration building on Anegada
      - Design for construction phase of West End Port facility on Tortola
      - Purchase land on VG to design and build Port facility to separate cargo and passengers
      - Pass Integrity in Public Life Legislation
      - Revived the scholarship abroad programme
      - Construct new roads on JVD
      - Paved Dog Hole Road on JVD
      - Resolve many water issues on JVD
      - Refurbished the old hospital building on Tortola
      - Finished and opened the New Iris O'Neal Clinic on Virgin Gorda
      - Placed medical Doctors on Anegada
      - Helped the local medical team during covid with the addition of medical persons from CUba
      - Stabilized the economy during covid with grants and other moves
      - New playground area in the school in North Sound, Virgin Gorda
      - Trained and retooled many locals for new jobs in the covid era at HLSCC especially in Hospitality area
      - Trained many young locals in Alternative Energy at HLSCC to be ready for the new opportunities in that area
      - Repaired many public roads and roadsides that were destroyed by Irma that were hazards to the public.
      - Electric Shuttle Bus Service through the Town
      - Redirect of the traffic in Road Town (one of my favorites)
      - Tax break for Belongers purchasing lands for a period of time
      - Duty break from Customs Duty for a period of time
      - Continue to be the first to pass a balanced budget on time every year of office
      - HLSCC passed accreditation
      - Dr. Orlando Smith hospital passed accreditation
      - Repaired many community centers that were damaged since Irma
      - Take our children & teachers out of the moldy buildings back to the ESHS
      - Start sewage project in CGB
      - Repairs to Ralph T. O'Neal Administration Complex that was damaged since Irma
      - Launch Captain and Marine Programme at HLSCC where a lot of our youth benefit and became entrepreneurs
      - Kept the economy from a total collapse during the worse of covid
      - Actions during the worse of covid saved plenty lives
      - Repaired and constructed many recreational areas including basketball courts
      - The EE/LL sewage project
      - Kept our Financial Services Industry stable and striving in the middle of attacks and the pandemic

      I will stop there for now. if you or anyone need more, please say as I have done a thorough research as there are plenty more. The good far outweigh their bad but they do a poor job of promoting themselves. After doing this research exercise I agree with those who blame GIS for not doing their job to let the people have a constant balance of government.
  • Must be said (07/01/2023, 13:49) Like (16) Dislike (17) Reply
    I wish you. As far as I see the UK took advantage of our BVI during our most vulnerable time once again. The first was after the two catastrophic hurricanes Irma and Maria. The next during COVID when we were trying to keep each other alive and keep our economy afloat. What all they did can be described in one word --- WICKED. Intentional efforts to subtlety destabilize a country to champion their cause.
    • Reading detective. (07/01/2023, 15:01) Like (11) Dislike (9) Reply
      Most of these blogs are written buy just one are two persons who's anti governor and Britain. We have being a billion dollar economy for the past 15yrs now we are at a Lazarus state and instead of dispatching our venum at our politicians, who steal, mis-manage and rob this country have it where it is now. We as usual find comfort in blaming someone, the wrong one.
      • @reading detective (07/01/2023, 20:34) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        I disagree because I wrote one of them only and then saw the rest so nice try.
      • lol (07/01/2023, 20:47) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
        You mean you alone posting the negative comments against the government and the positive for the Brits because you are one.
      • Oh please reading detective (07/01/2023, 21:15) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
        Just give your comment and move along. How come you are not using your detective skills for that one bias online news site that only allows negative comments about the BVI and our people and elected officials on all sides? They send you on this site to be detective? VINO thank you for being balanced and beareful what you do because it hurting them so that them lose reading detectives on your news site to try to intimidate you and all of us.
  • Clearly (07/01/2023, 13:53) Like (16) Dislike (4) Reply
    The Brit officials are trying to influence this elections so they can diplomatically get in our minds to elect who they want elected and not who is best for us. So be wise people.
  • god is watching (07/01/2023, 14:33) Like (1) Dislike (7) Reply
    God is in control people. We have been wicked to each other for so many years and now the heat coming down from the UK we getting scared. Too much injustice in this country: we have been fighting against each other for years; don't want to see each other succeed, bullying one another on the job, jealousy, envying, and backbiting, Now that the Oppressor wants to raise their ugly head we bawling! If it happens I am not worrying one bit because God is watching and He is MY PROVIDER. Too many persons were placed in positions of authority in government and they abused their positions. It is a shame in this country, but God is watching. If he sees fit to allow it he will allow it in order to fulfill his purpose. Ultimately, he is the one who is in control of the earth.

    A lot of surprises coming for ah lot ah ahyo in some of those offices; you all will hold your head and bawl!

    My hope and my trust is in the Almighty.
    • To god is wtching (07/01/2023, 20:38) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      So, God only watch the injustice of the BVI people but according to your mindset god is pleased with the UK officials' dictatorship actions where their own people in the UK crying out? Time to stop these colonial brainwashing mind games and call wrong, wrong, whether it is the UK officials or not. Everywhere in the world has issues and the BVI is no worse than anywhere else. Let the judiciary and other systems work and do not be dictated to by Uk officials. That is TOTALLY WRONG!
  • Think People. (07/01/2023, 14:51) Like (8) Dislike (14) Reply
    Its Britain plan to wait until Fahie case is call before election and Fahie knows that, they are all playing Games. Fahie case may influence Britain decision one way or the other. A lot of unknown damaging information will come out...
    • @Think People (07/01/2023, 20:41) Like (14) Dislike (7) Reply
      Fahie case has nothing to do with elections. You are correct that fahie case may influence their decisions as well as ours. Time will tell.
    • To: Think People (07/01/2023, 20:49) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
      You may be surprised so let's wait & see but the elections will be before then.
  • Phil McCracken (07/01/2023, 15:36) Like (12) Dislike (8) Reply
    Betcha election will be over US memorial day Monday, so dem on da rock can come over and vote and get dem gawp
  • LaLa (07/01/2023, 17:11) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    There will be no election. But when they do u will not be our primier.
  • asura (07/01/2023, 17:18) Like (4) Dislike (6) Reply
    we want ronnie to lead
  • Native senior citizen of the Britush Virgin Islands (07/01/2023, 19:01) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Base on what I read in reference to the topic issue, I do not see any need for these contrary words of political rambling. We know that the the VIP government lead bt the former Premier, Andrew A. Fahie was elected to power Feb. 19,2019. We also know that from March 1, 2019 to March 2, 2023 complete a four years term,. After that rhe the VIP government must be desolved, and a general election must be called.
    but the VIP government was disbanded because of allesged criminal activities.

    The Unity Government has been put together by the currenr governor, John J. Rankin, therefore the Unity government cannot be entitled to a full four years term except ther be re-elected to power. I read this was said, but I don't believe that even if the present Premier said those words was intentional by him. What I belueve is that a misprinr happended.
    • At @t thnk people. (08/01/2023, 04:14) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      I agree, Fahie Trial has a lot to do with the election and the out come will decide Britain next move, they are playing games. Seems like Fahie win this first round by getting his adjournment to be in June knowing election must call before June. Fahie is very smart and still has the BVI best interest at heart, he knows if his trial happens before election it will affect and or influence the election and give Britain more weapons against the BVI..
  • Native Senoir citizen of the British Virgin Islands (07/01/2023, 19:57) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    If in fact what I read: "The unity government intent to completed full four years term" was truly said by the currenr Premier, then that statement is in violation of our constitution.

    Right is proof of might, not continuing hating, fighting, slandering, and daily bikering among neighbours.

    Scripture verse

    "Life and death is in the power of the tongue."
    In other words, be careful what you think, say, and do to others and self.

    Leadership

    Good present leaders are those that immitate good moral principles of good leaders before them.


  • HMMM (08/01/2023, 09:51) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Those without sin cast the first stone. All humans have flaws.
  • lol (08/01/2023, 10:07) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Captain the ship is sinking


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