The eyes of Leader of the Opposition Hon Myron V. Walwyn (R6) appeared to nearly pop out of their sockets when he was told at an Opposition Press Conference on August 14, 2025, that the recent failed Motion of No Confidence against Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) and the Government of the Virgin Islands also represented a failure on his part as Leader of the Opposition. Photo: Facebook

Opposition Members Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) and Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) were notably missing from the press conference called by Opposition Leader Hon Myron V. Walwyn (R6) on August 14, 2025. Photo: VINO/File

The Press Conference was held by His Majesty's Loyal Opposition on Thursday, August 14, 2025. Left is Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) and Right is Hon Stacy R. Mather (AL). Photo: Facebook

The one-man-led Motion of No Confidence was introduced to the House of Assembly (HoA) by Hon Walwyn during the Continuation of the Seventh Sitting of the Second Session of the Fifth House of Assembly on July 31, 2025.

However, only two Opposition Members were present at the time the motion was being debated: Hon Walwyn and former Opposition Leader Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton (AL). At the time of the vote on the motion, Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) had arrived and only he and Hon Walwayn voted for the motion. Hon Skelton abstained while Hons Marlon A. Penn (R8) and Stacy R. Mather (AL) were absent.

“You have been pushing for this Vote of No Confidence since September, after you took over [as Opposition Leader] in May, and you have been pursuing that. This is the first real test of your leadership, and you failed that test spectacularly, didn’t you?” BVI Beacon’s Business Reporter Shaun Connolly told Hon Walwyn.

With a hard stare, Hon Walwyn then asked the reporter why he said he failed that test spectacularly.

Mr Connolly replied, “Well, should we go for it? It’s difficult to see how it could have actually gone much worse for you,” adding that only Hon Skelton was there and he abstained. “Could it have gone much worse?”

Hon Walwyn makes excuses for absent Opposition members

Hon Walwyn then sought to make excuses for the members' absence for the Vote of No Confidence, saying HoA Members can never really know how long sittings can go on for, and when exactly items on the Order Paper would be dealt with.

The Opposition Leader then rejected the notion that the Vote of No Confidence motion was a failure for the Opposition.

In defending the view that the vote was not a failure, Hon Walwyn said: "A vote of no confidence is not about majority. That's not what it's about. We entered the vote of no confidence fully aware that we would not win."

He added, "That was not the objective. A vote of no confidence serves different purposes. While winning might be the most notable outcome, the key is to articulate the public's concerns because what was written in that Vote of No Confidence reflects exactly what affects every citizen in this country."

He further stated, "In articulating those concerns, sometimes a solo can be just as effective as a choir. I was a solo, and I communicated effectively, voicing the issues that are on the minds of the people. The government heard those concerns, and although they did not engage in a debate, those concerns must weigh heavily on their minds. Therefore, I believe the vote of no confidence was quite successful, as it conveyed the thoughts of the citizens."

Hon Walwyn a one-man show?

Meanwhile, Hon Penn and Hon Skelton, who Honourable Walwyn staged a coup against and wrestled the Leader of the Opposition title from, were not present at the Opposition Press Conference.

This has been interpreted by many as a clear sign that the Opposition remains divided under Hon Walwyn and that, aside from the optics, he may very well be a one-man show.