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PVIM & NDP resume talk on a general election merger
It was in 2018 when members of the NDP broke away over some elements within the party and senior supporters not wanting Hon Myron V. Walwyn, now Distict Six Representative, who had won his party’s Chairmanship, to be its leader.
History of NDP 1 & 2
They claimed he was not an indigenous Virgin Islander because none of his parents were born in the Virgin Islands. Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL), who had lost against Walwyn in the NDP Chairmanship contest, then formed his own political party- the PVIM, most often referred to as NDP 2.
In 2018 also Hon Skelton crossed the floor in the House of Assembly (HoA) after being fired by then Premier Dr D. Orlando Smith OBE, becoming the Opposition Leader and taking some three members from the NDP with him.
In the 2019 general elections, both Hon Skelton as PVIM leader and Hon Walwyn as NDP leader lost their seats, as the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) then led by former Premier Andrew A. Fahie, who won in a landslide victory, taking 8 seats to NDP’s 3 and the PVIM’s 1.
The other seat was taken by Progressives United (PU) leader Hon Julian Fraser RA from District 3.
Months later in 2020 one NDP Legislator Alvera Maduro-Caines, then District Six Representative, crossed the floor and joined the ruling VIP, giving them 9 seats in the HoA.
Before the VIP's four years ended (2019-2023), the then leader and former Premier Andrew A. Fahie was removed and a coalition government was formed led by current Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) with a gun to their heads from the UK of a recolonisation through the suspension of the constitution.
PVIM & NDP more talks of coming together before the 2023 election
Leading up to the 2023 general elections, there were talks and meetings with both NDP and PVIM about a merger; however, it fell apart as the issue of who will be the Leader was contentious. Many wanted Hon Skelton while others wanted the young Chairman of the NDP, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8). No decision was made, therefore, they went their separate ways yet again.
In the 2023 general election, the VIP won 6 seats of 13, with the NDP and PVIM taking three seats each and the remaining one was won by the PU led by Hon Fraser.
With the other three parities (NDP, PVIM, PU) having a 7 seats majority they still could not form a government as internal fighting ensued in a ball of confusion following the election results over who would be the Leader or Premier. At one point in the discussions, one party leader suggested a rotating Premier giving the three party leaders a chance to serve as Premier.
While that confusion and instability was taking place Hon Lorna G. Smith OBE (AL), a first time legislator who ran and won as an NDP At Large candidate, joined the VIP with their 6 seats to give them the majority of 7 seats needed to form the government. She became the Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade.
Another attempt at coming together NDP 1 & 2
Over a year later, the two main Opposition parties- NDP and PVIM- who now had power in their hands tried to make another attempt at meeting and merging. According to one source, they had a meeting a few nights ago over coming back together and follow-up meetings were planned once the NDP Chairman Hon Penn is back on island.
One local political scientist noted, “I know they are desperate for power because they see blood in the water; however, they will still have the same issue of who will be the leader and who to trust.”
At an Opposition press conference on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, when asked if the ‘Motion of No Confidence’ succeeds and the HoA is not dissolved to date, they could not answer the question of Leadership. Hon Walwyn, who has his eyes on the seat, said at the press conference that anyone elected should aspire to be Premier.
If they happen to merge, it is unclear what will happen to the PU led by Fraser. Many residents have stated that although the ruling VIP is unpopular they are still not impressed with any member of the Opposition.
Efforts to reach PVIM Leader Hon Skelton and NDP Chairman Hon Penn were not successful up to publication time.
Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) will bring more details on the ongoing meetings between NDP and PVIP in an attempt to merge with the hope of gaining political power.
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33 Responses to “PVIM & NDP resume talk on a general election merger”
when will we have an election, should be fun
I fully endorsed MW for the leadership, or who ever is put forward. All I know is Vip must go!
As for those other so-called parties. We know it's all about getting in control. The leaders of these know darn well they don't have the interest of the people, they.just want Power.
/ AND WE KNOW THAT WILL BE AN UPHILL BATTLE / SO WE SYMPATHIZE WITH YOU
Stewardship or managing the properties and finances, estates, ambassadorship of the he owner was and is not full adhere to in according to democratic expectations. Unaccountability was and remain irresponsible, because the minds, the hands, the feet and ears, are not sincerely in since to do the things that are right.
If you read the Topic Issue, carefully, you will easily recognize that the narrator of this report is trying to influence us into supporting his, hers or there narrative against the possibly merger of NDP, PVIM and PU diversified political view I see nothing wrong, if what is been or in the planning stage would foster better governance
Why should the British Virgin Islands political system continue as is when better is needed for the betterment of all the people of the BVI, Spiritually, socially, financially, physically, educational and comfortable intractable.
The name of a political party don't run the business of a country properly. People with stewardship mindset do.
(God is Love, and Love is righteousness)
The UK is hoping that with enough pressure put on us, we will become frustrated and seek our independence.