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Without expats, the VI would turn into a ‘slum’- Hon Turnbull

Opposition Member Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) has said the Virgin Islands of today exists because of expats' contributions towards nation building. Photo: YouTube
Opposition Member Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) has said we are one Caribbean, one people. Photo: Internet Source
Opposition Member Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) has said we are one Caribbean, one people. Photo: Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Opposition Member Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) has said the Virgin Islands (VI) of today exists because of expats' contributions towards nation building.

He was debating the Immigration and Passport Amendment Bill 2025, after its second reading during the Continuation of the Third Sitting of the Second Session of the Fifth House of Assembly (HoA), on Monday, April 22, 2025. 

Hon Turnbull said, the Virgin Islands’ (VI) story goes beyond being built by those who were left in the territory, as many also left to find opportunities in neighbouring Caribbean islands and territories to provide for their families. 

“While those of us who went to other Caribbean islands and territories went to provide, there were other persons that came to live among us who helped to contribute towards the building and development of this territory,” he reminded. 

That Hon Turnbull said is a “significant part of the story” of the VI. 

We are one people- Hon Turnbull

Due to the African heritage shared by Caribbean nations through slavery, Hon Turnbull said, “We have so many similar traits, that’s why so many of us have some of the same dialect and accents and cultural aspects of our diversity, Madam Speaker, we are black people, we are Caribbean people, we are one people.”

He reiterated that the Virgin Islanders cannot choose to say we are one people only when convenient to them, and so it must be the story. 

Hon Turnbull said having left the VI in 1994 to finish his schooling and returning in 2005, he realised this attitude towards expats has always been there, but was more pronounced. 

He added that while Virgin Islanders have a right to be proud, it cannot lead to prejudice towards others from the Caribbean. 

VI would become a slum without other Caribbean people- Hon Turnbull

Not filtering his words, Hon Turnbull said, “If we were for a second to send home everybody who we don’t call or consider indigenous Virgin Islanders, you know what the BVI would become? A slum, and I dare anyone to debate me on that.”

Hon Turnbull told the House there is nothing wrong with elevating the Virgin Islands and pushing its agenda, however, it should not be done by stepping on others. 

The essence of what “we do has to be unified”, he added.

This way of thinking, he said, comes from the “very colonialistic way in which we were brought up from slaves into where we are, and it exists right now even in the systems from which we continue to operate here in the Territory”. 

60 Responses to “Without expats, the VI would turn into a ‘slum’- Hon Turnbull ”

  • facts (23/04/2025, 08:08) Like (48) Dislike (34) Reply
    100% facts! Simple and direct facts. God is love. These are words that promote love and togetherness. Anything else is from the pit of hell. Note to CSC and company...set of *&#$%*
  • down2earth (23/04/2025, 08:28) Like (45) Dislike (16) Reply
    I think the representative is out of touch! People can live from place to place, but who they are travels with them! Virgin Islanders don't do slum!
  • lodger (23/04/2025, 08:44) Like (45) Dislike (64) Reply
    This short moo moo trying hard to defend his island man leader Myron but that horse will not run, NO ISLAND MAN will ever be we premier
    • LOL (23/04/2025, 11:54) Like (24) Dislike (13) Reply
      You mo mo are you living or from not a island a dot on the map and wanna address ppl as island man. U idiot.
  • Citizen (23/04/2025, 08:45) Like (29) Dislike (30) Reply
    Is this fiiiiiii man for real???? Well he can go with them.
  • Blackbeauty (23/04/2025, 08:47) Like (69) Dislike (24) Reply
    I am stunned by the misleading nature of the Opposition Member's statement, and I quote, "If we send home everybody who we don't call or consider indigenous Virgin Islanders, you know what the BVI would become? A slum, and I dare anyone to debate me on that."
    Sir, I beg to differ with your statement. Take the village of East End as an example. The place has become deplorable because the village is a hub for expats from other Caribbean Islands coming to or transitioning to the USVI. Take a look at all the derelict vehicles along the roads or on some people's properties, vehicles stripped down to the bare core. This is not a BVI practice.
    I can understand if you say apartments would be empty or employers would have issues with replacing workers, but to put down your own in such a negative way is, in itself, an insult. Many Virgin Islanders take immense pride in their surroundings, fostering a sense of unity and shared values.
  • hmm (23/04/2025, 08:50) Like (58) Dislike (3) Reply
    “If we were for a second to send home everybody who we don’t call or consider indigenous Virgin Islanders, you know what the BVI would become? A slum, and I dare anyone to debate me on that.”

    Sound to me like we (indigenous) need to get up off our arse. Stop sending children away, raising them to be consumers and start raising producers.
  • Citizen (23/04/2025, 08:50) Like (63) Dislike (22) Reply
    If that is what you think of the BVI shame on you. It was never a slum before they came and would never be one when they are gone. Shame on you.
  • Yep (23/04/2025, 08:53) Like (11) Dislike (9) Reply
    Definitely not locals working for minimum wage. The government is wicked and doing wrong for the people. They are selfish and the only people seeing that are the ones sexing them for money and who's getting a check from them for votes. This government should be going around giving checks to people who needs. They ALWAYS giving money to their people who kiss their butts
  • cay (23/04/2025, 08:56) Like (47) Dislike (16) Reply
    What an insult to locals the dude drunk hoping for power
    • @Cay (24/04/2025, 06:23) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
      Agreed. And, an insult to our great-grands and grandparents. The BVI used to be pristine and idyllic. Look at Cane Garden Bay, look at East End. Look at the so called exclusive neighborhoods that most locals are priced out off. Look at the white appropriating expats and their discriminatory behavior. They want our islands, but not the people. Their arrival in the BVI has changed these islands for the worse, more so than Caribbean expats. And, then there is what I call the deliberate dumbing down of the education system. Is this what progress looks like? Mediocrity on one hand and a potential apartheid system on the other? I think the place is already heading towards being a slum.
  • Vi Soldier (23/04/2025, 09:01) Like (52) Dislike (64) Reply
    Mitch. I am extremely proud of you for saying this. Very well said! The ignorant and perosns in denial will chastise you for saying it but what you have said is the truth!
    • Lilly (23/04/2025, 11:49) Like (19) Dislike (8) Reply
      You must be one of the expats contributing to the slum! We expect nothing better from you VI Soldier.
  • allen (23/04/2025, 09:52) Like (36) Dislike (12) Reply
    It’s the expat that have the VI in a slum. Lack of interest for the betterment of the BVI, and resources are diverted out of the country.
  • copy and paste (23/04/2025, 09:53) Like (39) Dislike (12) Reply
    Hon. Turnbull,
    Both our parents and grandparents are indigenous BVISLANDERS. No expatriats were significant in our growth from a bird sanctuary. Our people fought off the engish man and through our hard work we developed both our tourism and financial services markets.
    No expatriate has held the post of Financial Secretary for a reason. We built the BVI with assistance yes but significant no.
    I take great exception that my work is compared to any expatriate. PERIOD.
  • salt (23/04/2025, 09:53) Like (13) Dislike (7) Reply
    with or without the expats we still look like a slum

    cuz idk how our annual budget big and got USA currency but we look like a watered down version of 3rd world country...

    but i agree without the expats we will be like USA Who got rid of theres and can't find no one to work tough jobs.

    the nightlife women only like office jobs they only get a lil bruised when they go on speed boats


    then we have our young men who chasing fast life so they dont got time for that either

    and ofc our prominent families in bvi who suck on the country for their own benefit to place their own in positions of power

    we would be salt salt
  • Poor Politics (23/04/2025, 09:56) Like (28) Dislike (5) Reply
    Certain comments are best left unsaid: this is one of them. It will affect your alliance next election.
  • Interested (23/04/2025, 10:14) Like (35) Dislike (14) Reply
    As long as they stay in their lanes. They want to come here and take cover. Can we go to their countries and go the same? I think not!
  • bvibuzz (23/04/2025, 10:16) Like (49) Dislike (2) Reply
    First walwyn said there is nothing he could do for virgin islanders, now mitch said we are the slum not a good start for the Alliance party
    • Reply (23/04/2025, 13:06) Like (22) Dislike (7) Reply
      we ready tonight for all the spin on this but it's an insult to all our ancestors and indigenous Virgin Islanders
  • Interested (23/04/2025, 10:19) Like (34) Dislike (0) Reply
    Poor Mitch so desperate to be perceived as a leader as stooped to calling down his own people and country. How low can you go?
  • Norris Turnbull (23/04/2025, 10:40) Like (37) Dislike (2) Reply
    I disagree with this comment and opinion regardless of who it s coming from. Sometimes those in positions of power and influence tend to believe that they know more than the people they serve. Go back to the dam dictionary and look up the definition of SLUM then report back to sensible people.
  • HMMM (23/04/2025, 11:47) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Of course he can dare anybody to debate him. Government doesn’t keep data in a form that can be requested by the public so people can have FACTS to argue with.

    And if you hired a consultant to do the research using whatever data Government does keep for itself, the conclusions will be in favour of who pays.

    This place is a circus.
  • Jackson (23/04/2025, 11:57) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    All I could say is "Damn", Mitch.

  • Karnage (23/04/2025, 12:02) Like (22) Dislike (6) Reply
    Sir, we have never been a slum. We have always had a higher standard of living
  • vi (23/04/2025, 12:30) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    It would be a little quieter that is all. After Irma many people left both expat and local. Life went on.
  • Jimmy smith (23/04/2025, 13:09) Like (17) Dislike (11) Reply
    Mitch if you know what's good for you get off that Myron band wagon its going down fast fast fast stick with your local people reject Walwyn and his type of divisive politics
    • For Real (24/04/2025, 10:04) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      @Jimmy Smith, you prejudiced idi--t Myron is a local too, some of your family, live other countries, you all need to grow up
  • strupz (23/04/2025, 14:34) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    Just look at East End in front of rite way by the bakery, Mitch I dare you to do a nationality survey on the guys who gather there, look at Long Bush, Sea Cows Bay! The expats are the ones turning this country into a SLUM!
  • mehnknow (23/04/2025, 14:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    investment vultures would still benefit from the opportunity of the vi being depressed slums
  • Inconvenient Truth (23/04/2025, 15:03) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    This must be one of the most divisive statements I’ve heard from an elected official. I have absolutely no hatred towards expats but to say that this country would be a slum without expats is disrespectful.
  • NICK (23/04/2025, 15:07) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Look boy you are using a strong word. Hope you can defend, since you are a contributor. Be careful how you wag your tongue.
  • Slavery (23/04/2025, 15:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Only now you noticed head coach always believes in Regularized the people and you was once apart of the others that objects now you come to realized .
  • Local (23/04/2025, 15:35) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    We have created another pillar for the Beautiful Virgin Idlands because of the inflow of people to locate jobs. Very well done ! But expats doesnt see it like that....they see it as......they are here to HELP the BVI. THEY DOES NOT SEE IT AS A TRADE...LOL...MANY CARIBBEAN ISLANDS HAS NO WORK ...IF BVI CAN CREATE MORE WORK SEEING THAT WE USE THE "$US DOLLARS ...THATS EVEN BETTER....
    BVI IS GREAT!!!! AS SMALL AS IT IS!.....
  • Citizen (23/04/2025, 15:36) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    SLUM DOG must know what a slum is like. We do not know anything about slum.
  • Facts. (23/04/2025, 15:46) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    As simple as ABC. Easy maths 1 2 3. Very correct..
  • Facts. (23/04/2025, 15:46) Like (4) Dislike (15) Reply
    As simple as ABC. Easy maths 1 2 3. Very correct..
    • Tryinghard ... (24/04/2025, 00:11) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Even your poo poo cant shit correct on this one. Long and short, slum bag got to know another slum. The last house they showed me he was living in, trees were growing out the roof and windows, so he non-virgin islander family.had to create his slum. He is a piece of clay needing molding.
  • BVI BLOOD (23/04/2025, 17:31) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    WOW!!! The level of self hate in his statement is astonishing. The fact that he feels that we are unable to help or save ourselves is an example of low self-esteem. Is this how he encourages the youth??? Because remember in the words of Bob Marley, ““Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery. None but ourselves can free our minds.” It makes me wonder how much expat money is he getting??? #sad #firemitchNOW
  • Really? (23/04/2025, 17:51) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    This was said by an elected official of the people? Wow! Expats can’t even vote for him, and this is what he says about his own people. #disgrace
  • Truth (23/04/2025, 18:30) Like (1) Dislike (12) Reply
    Finally!!! Someone telling the truth. Hate his statement or love it’s . It’s the truth .
  • DISAGREE (23/04/2025, 18:34) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    I disagree with the member of parliament regarding if expats should leave. The truth is the place has been a slum now for some time. Face it. People don't like to hear truth even when you try to dress it up.
  • Ayo is Clowns (23/04/2025, 18:44) Like (1) Dislike (7) Reply

    Mehson @Blackbueaty, east end always been a ghetto ! East end have more bums than anywhere else on the island and other islands of the BVI. Most died now .. rest their soul.. don't blame islands man .. and do u even know what the term "island man" means? Aren't u from an island ? An island that can't compare to none !!! Absolutely none of the islands these expats are from! They only here for the currency and that's it. If the BVI had its own currency it wouldn't hold no damn weight! Ayo always against expats and wonder why yall can't flourish in life. Back home they all have houses, lands etc and yall in yall own country have nothing is diabolical lol that's crazyyyy work! When they leave they're to a home! Only here in the bvi they put up with the bul***

  • Tadow (23/04/2025, 18:52) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Boss how the hell you get that say.
  • -------------------------- (23/04/2025, 20:30) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    we will deal with this little short Mitch at the polls comes 2027
  • oh father (23/04/2025, 21:03) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mouth opened, story jumped out. Slum means densely populated, poverty stricken looking areas. So Hon. Turnbull is kind of looking at this in the wrong way. Parts of Sea Cows Bay is a doggone slum and expats created that. Upper Main Street by old Bobby's is a slum and expat and maybe some locals created that. A lot of our areas are dirty and unsightly and slum-like because lots of expats sitting around like they don't live anywhere. Outside of Riteway Supermarket across from Virgin Queens is slum-like and the beat goes on. We could do with some of the expats leaving, but unfortunately when they come this is their new home forever. So they really should be nice since nowehre else in the Caribbean that happens. I think this new divisive nonsense that the Alliance is spouting needs to stop because truth be told Virgin Islanders are not being unkind to expats that I can see. If we were, the Immigration Department would walk over by Riteway and disburse that free-lance working activity that is happening there. There are privileges that locals should have but visitors are partaking in. Lots of odd jobs and you can find ten expats to do it, and trust me they know how to charge and who pays tax for that? So, please don't make Virgin Islanders irate hear?
  • ausar (24/04/2025, 04:30) Like (2) Dislike (7) Reply
    Honourable Turnbull, YOU ARE CORRECT!


    Perhaps, I would have made my sentiments on this issue, a bit less raw, but, your statements, have been spoken!

    For you see, the many of expatriates, from the Eastern Caribbean, do menial work, at the salaries for which many Virgin Islanders, would never find themselves, to be engaged!

    Here on St Thomas, it is St Thomians, that clean the sides of the road.
    It is St Thomians, that handle the hauling of trash.
    It is St Thomians that are the "CNA", types, of caregivers, that clean the poo, of the elderly, and disabled.

    In other words, there is no job in St Thomas, that St Thomians will not do. For you see, these careers, brings major rumenerations, to the provider !!

    But on Tortola, such activities, are regulated to the less fortunate, the lowly educated, and the permanent "expatriate", underclass.

    LOOK, at how we hate to clean our own personal and public environs..

    .Beautiful homes, but mucky,looking,landscaping!

    When this territory realizes that all work- honest work, is good work, and deserves the respect for what it is, this country, will no longer be deemed in a slum- like existence!
    • @ausar (24/04/2025, 09:03) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      I understand what you are saying and agree in some respects, but truth be told, many Virgin Islanders would do a lot of the jobs you mentioned, but persons are relocating to our islands so fast and furious, that Virgin Islanders are not getting into the entry level jobs. Our Immigration Department's job is to look out for who wants to come in and not the locals that are here and want to work. Also there is the malady that employers prefer to hire expats because they can pay them less and that is what is causing the issues. The ones that are already working for them tells them about the cousin or sister or brother that wants to come and they say sure, why not. Immigration Department and Labour then just stamps a work and entry permit while lots of young BVIslanders sit at home with nothing to do. We are creating a situation that will soon face us in a serious way. I am praying for my country. Nothing wrong with persons relocating for a better life, as long as their are jobs in abundance and who are in the country are gainfully employed. We now have an unemployment problem, with those who have relocated and locals. Nobody is addressing this issue.
    • @ausar (25/04/2025, 05:28) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      St thomas has always waited for federal Gov , is it fema, wapa etc to help them clean up after a storm. Dont lie! Spanish and haitian do all the cleaming of streets down there.Over the airwaves I always here that St Thomanians would not clean St Thomas.. Lol.I came to St Thomas from Red hook less than 4yrs ago .I was in a mess! I heard it is clean now though
  • FACIAL EXPRESSION (24/04/2025, 07:52) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    MITCHIE , IS SAYING )> YE AH KNOW THIS IS GONNA CAUSE INTERNAL BLEEDING FROM OUR HOME GROWN WANNABE HYPOCRITES , BUT WE ARE IN THE 21ST , ITS TIME WE GET RID OF THE XENOPHOBIA , WE ALL SHARE THE SAME ANCESTRY , WE ALL LIVE ON ISLANDS , SO WHY WE CALLING THEM ISLAND PEOPLE ? AND AT CERTAIN TIMES ( THEY ARE CALLED * OUR CARIBBEAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS * ? ) IF THEY COME HERE AND BREAK THE LAW THEY WILL BE DEALT WITH BY THE LAW AND IF WE BREAK THE LAW WE WILL BE DEALTH BY THE SAME LAW , SO WHY ALL THIS HYPOCRISY ? OUR ONE TIME HERO WHO NOW RESIDES IN MIAMI IS ONE OF US . SOME OF US SEEMS TO HAVE SELECTIVE AMNESIA , BUT WON'T NEGATE THE FACTS , WE WERE INTRO TO THE CARTELS , GUNS , DRUGS AND COLDBLOODED EXECUTION STYLE KILLERS , BUT WE DONT HOLLER OUT YHAT , INSTEAD WE HOLLER OUT OH ITS UK THIS , THE UK THAT , THEM ISLAND PEOPLE THIS AND THEM ISLAND PEOPLE THAT , WHO WE TRYING TO FOOL THE COI ISN'T MAKING ANYBODY RETARDED ITS ALL A GRONT FOR THOSE WITH UNCLEAN HANDS , WHO IS USING THOSE NARRATIVES AS AN EXCUSE TO HIDE YHEIR GUILT . AND WE MUST NOT BE FOOLED BY THESE HOMEGROWN HYPOCRITES
  • Stealth (24/04/2025, 07:54) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mitch open mouth and tory jump out..His utterance was a ready-fire-aim shot across the the bow of all Virgin Islanders. It was self-discriminating, embarrassing, shameful,,unpatriotic, politically self-serving, slaughtering the BVI and Virgin Islanders on the altar of political self-interest. Mitch has a fanciful dream of becoming Premier; he is not alone in his aspiration.

    The British took full control of these Virgin Islands in1672 and has control them ever since. They were neglected and almost forgotten, service delivery was almost at a vanishing point. The planter class/ colonialists viewed the islands as impoverished, the poor house, and only useful as a bird sanctuary, intending to transfer residents to Antigua, headquarters of the Leeward Islands Federation. That didn’t happen.

    Nonetheless, Virgin Islanders were left to fend for themselves. Demonstrating signature Virgin Islander ‘ rugged individualism’, Virgin Islanders worked collectively and tirelessly developing a peasant economy, ie, fishing, working ground, sailing, etc. Some migrated to the DR, PR, Cuba, USVI, Antigua, etc. Without Virgin Islanders, these places didn’t become slums. The VI was not a slum before mass immigration. Mitch owes Virgin Islanders an apology; a true apology.Obstinate in a calypso said, “ wet yur han and wait for me.” Well, voters are wetting dem han and waiting for the fellow who is suffering from Napoleon complex to Xed he out. I digress.

    The VI transitioned from a little neglected sleepy hollow with a subsistence agricultural economy to a service-based economy—-tourism and financial services. This new economy created new jobs and skills, requiring import of labour. Again, the VI was not a ghetto, slum, before mass immigration. In regards to immigration and immigrants, I borrow an observation from a friend and fellow blogger who asserts that as a community’s standards of living, quality of life, per capita income, etc, improves, locals are disinclined to perform some tasks which must be done. A community have several choices when this occurs, ie, a) do nothing, b)increase the price to do the job to incentivize locals to perform them, or c) import labour. The VI chose the latter. However, the immigration and labour policies was not effectively managed to meet the mass immigration inflow. Today, though, the VI can boast of having one of the highest standards of living, quality of life,, per capita income, etc., in the region. In arguably, expats came to work, contributing in the growth and development.



    Moreover, all VI residents must take pride in the community, keeping it clean, aesthetically pleasing.
    • @Stealth (24/04/2025, 15:55) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ Stealth, good read. Would Anguilla, Bermuda, TCI, CI , BIOT, Gibraltar, FI , etc be a slum without expats??BoI cart your r@$$ bur BVI wud be a slum if had no exipats. How can we price that? Oh, I know, let’s imagine a BVI without the ungrateful Above Round Rock ones. They talk down the the place and people but are they leaving? No. You mentioned they come to work. Exactly!!! They work ;,they get paid..This is not charity..You made the intellectual point as to why labor needs to be imported but my problem though is the ungratefulness,,talking down the territory and its people, biting the hand that feeds them . Tired of hearing this or that country is so nice and better than the BVI but yet pouring into the place. Once they reach nothing can get them to leave. Talking down the BVI becomes their past time. Not all of them but too many.

  • Marty Probasco (24/04/2025, 10:42) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply

    Mitch full of sh**.

  • bvi to the bone (24/04/2025, 20:21) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    As a proud Virgin Islander I am deeply offended by this boy Mr. Turnbull’ statement. He lost my respect.
  • simple (25/04/2025, 20:01) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I think the Alliance needs to rethink their strategy. It seems to be divide and conquer, as they are spouting words that are so negative and terrible. Nobody should judge them for their decision to leave their respective parties and join together, as they are adults and the decision is theirs to make. What bothers me though is the negativity coming out of their mouths. They are pitting locals against expats as it is clear the expat vote is on their mind. If they are being so overly aggressive and poisonous now, I can imagine closer to election time. I truly believe this might backfire so they should rethink this strategy.


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