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Dr the Hon Dawson will be 'excellent' in role of Deputy Speaker- Premier Wheatley

- said Deputy Speakers traditionally come from the Gov't side
The govenrment will seek to move a motion to have Dr Hon Karl Dawson (R1) (left) be the next Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly replacing current Deputy Speaker Hon Stacy R. Mather (right). Photo: Internet Source
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said the position of Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly has traditionally been held by someone from the government's side. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said the position of Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly has traditionally been held by someone from the government's side. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands
FISH BAY, Tortola, VI- Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has defended the decision to remove Hon Dr Karl Dawson (R1) as Junior Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries to be the next Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly (HoA).

This move formed part of a recent government shakeup, on March 12, 2025, that saw Hon Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL) being welcomed back into the Virgin Islands Party administration as Minister of State responsible for Financial Services and Economic Development. 

While, the position of Minister of State does not exist, pending a constitution amendment, Hon Smith will occupy one of two Junior Minister positions, which also explains the removal of Dr Dawson as Junior Minister. 

The second Junior Minister position is occupied by Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4), Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism. 

Deputy Speakers traditionally come from gov’t side- Premier Wheatley 

During his March 12 announcement, Dr Wheatley said that he would be writing to the Clerk of the House of Assembly to give notice of his intention to move a motion to make Honorable Dawson the new House of Assembly’s Deputy Speaker.

In justifying this recent move, Dr Wheatley told The Big Story on March 12, that as Deputy Speaker, Dr Dawson would play a very important role. 

“I certainly think that he would be excellent in the role of Deputy Speaker and of course, traditionally the Deputy Speakers have been on the government side,” he said. 

Dr Wheatley explained that due to the “anomaly” following the 2023 general elections, the VIP had only seven members to form a government resulting in 5 Cabinet Ministers and 2 Junior Ministers who could not serve as Deputy Speaker. 

The Deputy Speaker position is currently held by Hon Stacy R. Mather (AL), who is in opposition. Hon Mather has not come up to address this move publically as yet. 

“It’s important for us to be able to have a Deputy Speaker who can help us to move the agenda of the government along,” the Premier said. 

I will still rely on Hon Dawson in agriculture & fisheries- Premier Wheatley 

The Premier also said he will still rely on Dr Dawson in the areas of agriculture and fisheries. He said Dr Dawson did an “excellent job” while in charge of the ministry. 

“I’m still going to be relying on him to assist me in that portfolio as my parliamentary kind of focus for agriculture and fisheries matter,” the Premier explained. 

He also thanked Dr Dawson for putting country above self in accepting these changed.

10 Responses to “Dr the Hon Dawson will be 'excellent' in role of Deputy Speaker- Premier Wheatley”

  • YHE BIG youth (17/03/2025, 09:13) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Flexing off heself , and have all kinds of lame excuses for everything , and thinks he's smart ???? , have your fun bro , while it lasts
    • big youth (17/03/2025, 10:53) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      Big Youth a control tings now and the brother is a supreme strategist. See how him a flex real silent. Thats when you have the real power.
  • 2024 (17/03/2025, 09:47) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nevelle Smith was the deputy speaker of the house day under the VIP administration
  • 111 (17/03/2025, 09:54) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree
  • Don't think so (17/03/2025, 11:19) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    He doesn't have the personality to to be hard on people , or to be forceful in i.plementing the rules..I do not think Politics of any form is for too much of a ni e humble descipline Guy....
  • Why (17/03/2025, 12:18) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    With all the massive changes and new titles being bestowed on the At large candidate it is obvious to see that the Dawson fellow has become the sacrificial lamb for the VIP. This is wrong and he and his constituents should not accept it. Anyway as the ole time people say the longest rope got an end.
    • you are correct (17/03/2025, 13:48) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      And its a shame because well meaning humble people probably has the greatest interest of the peolpe at heart and will do the most good. They do the grunt work that makes change possible but that work many times is behind the scenes and not visible. But if you are not out there show boating and bragging and talking a good game people think you are either doing nothing or soft. Many times in politices you dont get the best person you get the person that can put on the best show.
  • 2024 (17/03/2025, 14:35) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    the young man needs to cross the floor because in less than 4 years the young blood drifting; once PVIM now NDP maybe PU next: And lost the post of Deputy Speaker

    He is a very Gifted Young Man but the Most that can come of him is Talk While He Sits As A Member of Opposition but things might change come 2027
  • yes man (17/03/2025, 16:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well the Yes Man is now the deputy speaker. Talk about go along to get along. Sad!

    Ohhh and I saw the good old paster liking comments defending the VK show while his Christian Council raised concerns. What a ting.


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