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Eileene L. Parsons had asked RT O'Neal to betray HL Stoutt! - Hon Fraser

- Says Hon O'Neal stood by principle & refused offer to form a new 1995 Gov't
During a Special Sitting of the House of Assembly (HoA) in honour of the late First Premier and Member Emeritus, Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE (right) on December 3, 2019, Opposition Member and veteran legislator Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) said in the aftermath of the 1995 General Elections, Hon O'Neal was asked by Eileene L. Parsons, OBE (centre) to betray H. Lavity Stoutt (left) as the then leader of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP). Photo: VINO/GIS/File
Opposition Member Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) described the late Hon Ralph T. O'Neal OBE as a man of principle and loyalty. Photo: HoA/YouTube
Opposition Member Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) described the late Hon Ralph T. O'Neal OBE as a man of principle and loyalty. Photo: HoA/YouTube
To form the majority government, Mr. J. Alvin Christopher joined the VIP after being offered a Ministerial seat. Photo: VINO/File
To form the majority government, Mr. J. Alvin Christopher joined the VIP after being offered a Ministerial seat. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - During a Special Sitting of the House of Assembly (HoA) in honour of First Premier and Member Emeritus, Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE on December 3, 2019, Opposition Member and veteran legislator Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) said in the aftermath of the 1995 General Elections, Hon O'Neal was asked by Eileene L. Parsons, OBE to betray H. Lavity Stoutt as the then leader of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP).

According to Hon Fraser, recalling that the VIP did not initially win a majority of the seats to form a majority Government in 1995, he said, "She [Eileene L. Parsons] told him that she could join us [VIP] if he [Ralph T. O'Neal] is the Chief Minister and he told her no."

Minority VIP Win 

The 1995 General Election in the Virgin Islands was held on February 20, which result in another victory for the incumbent VIP party; however, the VIP only won a total of 6 seats to form a minority government, one that could have been severely limited in carrying out its functions.

During that time, the United Party (UP) won two seats with the Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM) winning a total of two seats. The three other seats were won by independents, J. Alvin Christopher representing the Second District; Eileene L. Parsons and the late Ethlyn E. Smith, who won in the Fifth District.

To form the majority government, Mr Christopher joined the VIP after being offered a Ministerial seat.

'Loyalty' shown to HL Stoutt- Julian Fraser RA 

"Mr Lavity Stoutt is the leader of the Party and if anyone is going to be the Chief Minister, it's going to be him," Hon Fraser told the house. 

Calling Hon O'Neal "loyal" to those around him, Hon Fraser said, "So despite us trying to form a government and the opportunity presented itself... on a matter of principle he [Ralph T. O'Neal] said no," Mr Fraser noted in relation to the offer from Mrs Parsons.

Mrs Parsons at the time had won an At-Large seat running as an Independent Candiate.

Although refusing to challenge H. L. Stoutt for the top position of Chief Minister, Hon O'Neal as Deputy Chief Minister would find himself assuming the role after Mr Stoutt suddenly passed away on May 14, 1995.

25 Responses to “Eileene L. Parsons had asked RT O'Neal to betray HL Stoutt! - Hon Fraser”

  • ABC (04/12/2019, 07:51) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thing to talk
  • Outsider (04/12/2019, 08:01) Like (30) Dislike (1) Reply
    Those were turbulent times. I remember Eileen joined the VIP party and helped form the government. She has been a demanding pain ever since.
  • Rudolph (04/12/2019, 08:17) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Well sah.
  • Guest (04/12/2019, 08:40) Like (69) Dislike (1) Reply
    What useful purpose does this particular revelation serve at this time?
    • Oh yeah (04/12/2019, 13:08) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
      Just to show ayo how loyal ralph was
    • Norris Turnbull (06/12/2019, 00:39) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      None. Just immature and irrelevant in my considered opinion, but worst than that has happened in the BVI.
  • Bingo (04/12/2019, 08:52) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    I KNEW THAT DRAGON LADY WAS DANGEROUS. BET THE STEAM CAN'T BLOW FROM THE NOSTRILS LIKE IT USE TO.
  • neutral (04/12/2019, 09:04) Like (23) Dislike (1) Reply
    I enjoyed Honourable Fraser's contribution to the debate. This man is the next walking encyclopedia legislator.
  • ABC (04/12/2019, 09:06) Like (23) Dislike (1) Reply
    She mess up both ndp and vip
  • Strups (04/12/2019, 09:26) Like (15) Dislike (14) Reply
    Hon. Fraser need to go sid dong. look how he jump ship and form his own party. if he had stayed with the VIP all this crap about interim Deputy Premier would've never happen if he had remain with the VIP. look how he lost an opportunity.
  • SCB (04/12/2019, 09:31) Like (8) Dislike (12) Reply
    Well sah, Fraser could have kept this to himself...
  • Daytime soaps (04/12/2019, 12:22) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    VINO always keep being VINO dirty and scandalous... let us reflect on the good, please.
    • Umm (04/12/2019, 17:22) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
      Is VINO who got up in the house and made these bad timing statements in public?

      This is a perfect demonstration of one who is not fit to lead.
      • move yo rass (05/12/2019, 00:55) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
        The man called it like it was..No false pretense nor sugarcoating
  • wow (04/12/2019, 12:47) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    A couple years to late Mr.Fraser.
  • Dulce (04/12/2019, 14:25) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    Do not know the purpose or intent of Fraser's revelation. I do know that it leaves me feeling a kinda queasy about Fraser himself.
    • GG (05/12/2019, 00:56) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      The man was trying to tell you what type of man ralph was
      • Dulce (08/12/2019, 12:40) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        It tells more about Fraser. Pointing one finger and 3 of his own fingers as a result,are pointing at him.
  • Didinterested (04/12/2019, 15:44) Like (4) Dislike (7) Reply
    Somethings in life are worth not saying. This piece of info provided by the Hon Julian Fraser, RA, D-3 Rep and leader of Progressive United, would have been better left unsaid. What was the point.
  • ccc (04/12/2019, 16:43) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Better late then never
  • Charley Rose (04/12/2019, 16:44) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    I totally agree with Hon. Fraser when he brought out this information to the public. The information is not about Hon. Fraser, rather is shows the sincerity of Hon. R.T O'Neal. Hon. O'Neal demonstrated clearly that the interest of the country is paramount and not self glorification. There were several examples of his loyalty to the territory. Once when the Social Security Board was to be established, although he was in the opposition he joined force with the government to ensure that the bill was approved.

    There is need for other politicians to strive to emulate Hon. O'Neal example and ensure that the country is developed for the benefit of the people.
    • Thanks you! (07/12/2019, 07:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Thank you Charley Rose! They sooo negative they couldn’t even understand what Fraser was saying. Uncle Ralph was for the ppl and he was notabiut self.
  • yard fowl (05/12/2019, 19:57) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Same year Mr stoutt died interesting as to what cause his death or trigger it off real news


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