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'We should not let politics divide us'- Hon Vincent O. Wheatley

Emphasising that he must run a clean political campaign, the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) candidate for the Ninth District, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley, has said the people of the [British] Virgin Islands (VI) should not allow politics to divide them. Photo: Facebook
Incumbent Ninth District Representative Hon Vincent O. Wheatley launched his campaign in the district last evening, March 26, 2023. Photo: Facebook
Incumbent Ninth District Representative Hon Vincent O. Wheatley launched his campaign in the district last evening, March 26, 2023. Photo: Facebook
The Virgin Islands Party (VIP) candidates in support of Ninth District candidate Hon Vincent O. Wheatley last night, March 25, 2023. Photo: Facebook
The Virgin Islands Party (VIP) candidates in support of Ninth District candidate Hon Vincent O. Wheatley last night, March 25, 2023. Photo: Facebook
VALLEY, Virgin Gorda, VI- Emphasising that he must run a clean political campaign, the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) candidate for the Ninth District, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley, has said the people of the [British] Virgin Islands (VI) should not allow politics to divide them.

Hon Vincent was at the time speaking at the Party’s official campaign launch in the Ninth District on Virgin Gorda last evening, March 25, 2023.

“One of the things that I’ve seen that I don’t really like is that we are allowing politics to divide us. And, like my daughter said, after politics we still have to live together. We should not let politics divide us. We should be free to back whichever Party we want to back, or candidate, but still live together,” Hon Wheatley said.

Dedicating his campaign launch in memory of his late mother whom he noted was his campaign partner in the last election, Hon Wheatley said he must run a clean campaign as it is what his late mother would have liked to see.

'We don’t have to be enemies'

Hon Wheatley continued that friendships are more important than anything else, as he referenced his friendship with someone from a different political background.

“Gumption is my friend, long-time friend, but we differ politically. But like I said, we still can be friends. We don’t have to be enemies because we differ politically," Hon Wheatley said as he called Mr Allington O. Creque aka 'Gumption' up on stage and hugged him. 

This was met with much applause from the audience.

Productive 4 years

Hon Wheatley reflected on four years ago when he ran as a Virgin Islands Party (VIP) candidate for the Ninth District on the platform of ‘transformation and working together’, noting that many great things were achieved from this.

“We went from near total destruction to number 8 on the Forbes list of places to visit in 2023... And that is number 8 in the entire world, the only country in the Caribbean to have made that achievement. When we work together, marvelous things can happen. 

"Yet, there are those who will tell you that nothing was done in this district during my time in office. I have said it before and I will say it here now again, there has never been more action in a 4 year period in this district than in my 4 years. I threw this out about a year ago and to date no one has come back and said, ‘I have found proof, it is a lie’, because it is the absolute truth,” he said.

Hon Wheatley noted that a lot was done very quickly that people might have forgotten.

'Let the transformation continue'

He pointed to significant transformation and improvements in the Baths, boasting that it was done under his watch.

He also referred to his achievement with enhancement in communication in the south, with improved internet and telephone access for businesses, while boasting about more achievements in the north.

“You might have forgotten that when I came to office our children were in a tent, hot and mouldy. Through strategic partnerships, the Bregado Flax Educational Centre was repaired and transformed into one of the most sophisticated schools in the entire territory,” Hon Wheatley said.

He continued that he was able to negotiate for land and funding for the much-needed new school.

“But because of bureaucratic, red tape and nonsense, this project has been delayed. Delayed but not denied,” he stated, while noting that he has placed it on his 2023 agenda.

Hon Wheatley described more transformation which he said he was able to achieve including recreational grounds and repairs to important buildings 

“Let the transformation continue…under my watch significant improvements were made and much more to come,” he emphasised. 

48 Responses to “'We should not let politics divide us'- Hon Vincent O. Wheatley”

  • Rhythm up.. (26/03/2023, 13:34) Like (30) Dislike (22) Reply
    My friend the less you say, the less you seen is better for you....Anybody knows what happen to Natures way land.?
    • To Rhythm up.. (26/03/2023, 13:54) Like (27) Dislike (36) Reply
      Ok Governor and crew. Your gossip is played out. VIP ALL THE WAY!!!
  • asura (26/03/2023, 13:37) Like (28) Dislike (50) Reply
    we with Vincent all the way!
  • vg youth (26/03/2023, 13:52) Like (33) Dislike (39) Reply
    My family and I are voting for Vincent Wheatley. He has been a breath of fresh air from Bertie, and he deserves a second term.
    • HMMM (26/03/2023, 16:21) Like (17) Dislike (10) Reply
      You guys like to claim who your family voting for. Boss only you know who you will eventually vote for. Every independent thinking adult will draw that curtain and vote their conscience. So ayo best stop talking crap
      • @hmmm (26/03/2023, 21:19) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
        Do not blame others because you and your family cannot hold mature discussions on any topic including politics and decide what direction to take.
  • ... (26/03/2023, 13:53) Like (17) Dislike (22) Reply
    this is an easy win for Butch why the fuss?
  • Hmmm..Something is not right (26/03/2023, 13:57) Like (22) Dislike (8) Reply
    More and more people are asking how come the COI, the Governor, the Auditor General and the UK Head of Police in the BVI are ignoring all the questionable conduct of Fraser and the NDP. No mention of the eight-million-dollar plane heist. No mention of the rich eighty folks that got Belongers under the NDP in 2019 fast track programme that did not qualify while the common man who lived in the BVI for years was ignored. No mention of the Sea Cow's Bay harbor project and all the money to their brother and themselves. No mention of the overpriced pier project of one hundred million dollars. No mention of the overpriced eighty-million-dollar new hospital building. No mention of the Georgie Hill Road project that started in the thousands and ended up in the millions with many people land taken and not compensated to date. The list is endless. Something is not right here. Is it they are all working together to try to influence the elections against the VIP to get VIP out of office so they can take over and sell us out for their freedom? SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT!!!
    • oh (26/03/2023, 14:36) Like (14) Dislike (4) Reply
      but we mentioned the 60 million that the VIP squandered
      • @oh (26/03/2023, 21:17) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
        VIP 60 mill is in the hands of the people of the BVI whether they were VIP supporters or not but whose hands are these in: $8mill for the plane, the $100mill for the pier park, the $2mill for the Georgie Hill Project, the $100mill for the hospital, and many other NDP 1 & NDP 2 questionable project cost?
  • Truth (26/03/2023, 13:58) Like (21) Dislike (16) Reply
    Hon Vincent Wheatley has been an effective Representative and understand the mechanisms of Government. The popularity contest of running (and some of that is justified - Rep is for /with the people , not above them) is different the actually Governing (getting things done) . Many times the Hon. V. Wheatley gets in trouble because of saying things that are politically expedient he will state the truth or how he sees it. That's not a flaw that's a virtue.
    As Asura succinctly states
  • Putting things in perspective (26/03/2023, 14:21) Like (28) Dislike (19) Reply
    The country went through the roughest four years of its existence. The VIP had to deal with Irma damages that were not fixed by NDP and had to deal with covid which was the worse pandemic in the last 100yrs, and they did well. They were not perfect, but they did well especially when you compare them to other governments including the UK. Remember the UK told the BVI they are not giving us any grants or funds to help with covid and they further said use our own funds to help ourselves as they have to use what they have to help their UK residents in the UK. The health people in the BVI said if the government do not act swiftly the BVI would have between 3500 to 5000 people with covid and will die and the numbers will continue to increase. The VIP Government was criticized by Fraser and the NDP 1 & NDP 2 for closing down the cruise industry & then the entire country only to see two weeks later the entire world followed the BVI and shut down to try to save lives. If this was not done most of us would not be alive now. As a people we need to remember these facts and give VIP a second term rather than listening to those who sold us out to get power from those who refused to help us but now trying to make us look bad through COI & other actions to save themselves and their face. Vincent has my vote with VIP.
  • Flush out the mess (26/03/2023, 14:24) Like (22) Dislike (29) Reply
    We want you out. We want fresh ideas from talented young leaders.
  • @ ASuRa (26/03/2023, 14:28) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
    Yeah both ah Y woul mek ah good team ???? the chicken hawk and his side kick
  • Shango puppet (26/03/2023, 14:30) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    I will drink to that!
  • Drink up drink up (26/03/2023, 14:32) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    D3, D8, D9 and One at-large member
    • owl (26/03/2023, 17:32) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      Who OJ, Allen, Vincent and Sheep?
    • Magic people (26/03/2023, 21:23) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      NDP accidental current leader & his uncle D, NDP D6 tall boy, NDP D4, D7 independent, NDP Doctor of woman affairs, D3 veteran opposition man and the woman who grew up eating vieana sausage.
  • nutting 4 v (26/03/2023, 14:33) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    He mek sure give the Vincy man and guyanese man land
    • Rediculous (27/03/2023, 09:25) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Lack of Understanding; but it is shameful to not seek Understanding. The good book admonishes us:"to get understanding" Land is not decided upon and given out by a minister.. The governor jas the final sH and approval.
      treat this asesson of the day
  • Ah Curiois (26/03/2023, 14:40) Like (25) Dislike (20) Reply
    Ask Sowande why Vincent and Carvin had to give up their ministerial seats. There is more for us the voters to know about these two. Something is coming. Lord help us.
    • Ning (26/03/2023, 23:54) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      Maybe some would not join the Unity without a ministry to muck up!!!!!!
      • EYE opener (27/03/2023, 09:32) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        Sometimes out of one question triggers to asking of another question.
        The New question o ask is: What could of or would have happened if they didn't trad their seats.
        Possibly: No Unity Go ernment and possibly Suspension of our constituon
      • @Ning (27/03/2023, 12:04) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        That's exactly what happen. Even the At-Large Candidate from the 9th meet with the members of the other parties cause she want a position as well.
  • herbs power (26/03/2023, 14:55) Like (34) Dislike (14) Reply
    Vip gets none of my votes the way they handle the plandemic era. Alot of fishy dealings that people turning a blind eye to.
  • We want a sober government (26/03/2023, 15:03) Like (14) Dislike (13) Reply
    Not a house of assembly where half the man them on the government side stone drunk
  • Kaiso by queen shereen (26/03/2023, 15:05) Like (6) Dislike (7) Reply
    We dont want the lady with the torch nor the man with the bottle
  • Political Observer (PO) (26/03/2023, 15:20) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ideally, we want politics be about respect, unity, harmony and civility but Politics is inherently about division and combat. It is about winning at all cost and means. The Westminster system, presidential system, etc are structured around division. It consist of government and opposition with both sides trying to win. In trying to win some try to win by all means. Frantz Fanon, Martinican intellectual is credited the phrase:”By any means necessary.” Nicolo Machiavelli:”The ends justify the means.” Malcolm X: “ By any means necessary.” True, these area naked phrases without any context. Nevertheless, the battles in the upcoming election onnSpril 24 , 2023, will be fiercely competitive and combative. There are battles for whom become Premier. There will be battles to feather nests to increase gratuities and monthly retirement pay(Greedy Bill), etc. There will be battles to return to the House, for they missed the status, influence, etc. There will be battle for newcomers who want to get on the gravy train. Let’s face it, politics is not for choir boys or for the faint of heart. The best we can hope for is keeping things some what civil and above the belt. From ancient times till today, , politics has always been combative and often dirty.
  • Rubber Duck (26/03/2023, 15:22) Like (19) Dislike (4) Reply
    We will be less divided when we dont have a government of crooks.
  • 9th District Observer (26/03/2023, 15:48) Like (23) Dislike (10) Reply
    Since Hon. Vincent took office in 2019 despite the challenges of Covid, he still served us well in the 9th District. First he lives on VG and that is a plus. We also saw..

    - The two Administration Buildings in the Valley repaired from the destruction and damages from Irma & reopened
    - The Administration Building in North Sound was repaired from the destruction & damages from Irma & reopened
    - Revisor in North Sound fixed
    - Lee road repaired and fixed
    - BFEC Secondary School Building repaired from the damages by Irma
    - Administration Building on Anegada repaired
    - Basketball Court & recreation area on Anegada repaired and upgraded
    - Fire Station Building on Anegada repaired
    - Many road paving on Anegada and VG
    - Completed the construction on VG Hospital & had it opened
    - Took care of the district during the many lock downs due to covid

    There is plenty more but I will stop there for now. He is not perfect, but the man has worked and deserves a second term. He is a full upgrade from who we had four years ago representing us in the 9th District.
    • Truth (26/03/2023, 17:57) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
      @9th District Observer, exactly a record of accomplishments . The quiet but competent ones who get things done.
    • Truth (26/03/2023, 19:19) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      All NDP PROJECTS. MONEY FROM CDB LOAN ALREADY THERE.
      • @Truth (26/03/2023, 21:28) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
        Name which project NDP did with the loan money they got? NONE!!! Why? They could not figure out what to do and how to get their hands on the money to get it to what contractors they wanted to give the projects to so they could get theirs and they refused to use RDA. VIP did the people of the BVI justice and look after the needs of the people and effectively used RDA to get the needed projects done. The NDP left the country suffering after Irma & Maria and would have done worse if they were in power during Covid.
      • Truth (27/03/2023, 19:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        I understand that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery but you really should get your own name.
    • Obviously (27/03/2023, 12:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      These things HAD to get done anyways, because it would've been 6 years since Irma.
  • north sound (26/03/2023, 15:51) Like (25) Dislike (7) Reply
    We are voting Vincent!!! We do not want anyone else represent we especially not the confusion woman that mashes up everything she joins.
    • jim carey (26/03/2023, 17:30) Like (18) Dislike (11) Reply
      Agreed! Coy Levons seems to be the best candidate and he talking good! He spoke about issues, SOLUTIONS and no slandering of anyone. A breath of fresh air!!!!!
      • Hmm (26/03/2023, 19:21) Like (8) Dislike (11) Reply
        i guess you want him in the house of "assemberlery" he cant even say the word
  • Native Senior Citizen of the British Virgin Islands (26/03/2023, 16:17) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    Hon. Vincent Wheatley, have you ever heard or known of a time when politics has not divided people? Especially with all the dishonest behavior of so many of our politicians, or should I say polithefians, misrepresentation of our finances? How about if I say greedy bunch.

  • Real Talk (26/03/2023, 16:18) Like (19) Dislike (12) Reply
    From the time i saw shreen with sista joyce i said she was messy as hell people in vg do the rigjt thing
  • Loyalty should not equal stupidity! (27/03/2023, 06:06) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    We are allowing ourselves to be fooled once more because of hand outs we were given at times when the government placed us in a position where we couldn’t help ourselves. While they gave out grants and stimulus packages to buy your votes. They were busy constructing bills to line their pockets whether they got back in office or did not.
    Sharie has done little to nothing during her term especially at the beginning since she was busy throwing a tantrum because she was not given minister of education and even as the minister she has done nothing but repeat the phrase full steam ahead or give more to get back change.
    We won’t even waste much time to talk about Sheep, Carvin ,or Shereen.
    The VIP as a whole are mute about their ex leader Andrew. Who also called for a COI over and over for the NDP but ended up getting his wish while he was premier. Which showed us the dirty hands of him and many in his government. The VIP squandered 60million dollars in just four years with little to no territorial improvements other than those that were already in the making before they were elected however, they are trying to take credit for. Don’t forget that during this VIP term 10 million dollars in grants were given by the Premier’s office while our local schools lack basic necessities. My people loyalty should never equal stupidity!
  • Forbidden Truth (27/03/2023, 06:10) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Virgin Islands are divided among many areas sir.
  • We need better roads! (27/03/2023, 07:07) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    I am fed up of driving on these dilapidated roads that keep mashing up my vehicle's suspension. It's a shame to see we still look like we living in the 90's and these politicians have the heart to say them getting things done? We look like a 3rd world country.
    • Really (29/03/2023, 22:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      That’s because we are a third world country. Look it up using credible sources if you don’t believe me!
  • ha (27/03/2023, 09:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    talk that. all the land your r@$$ swindle. let that divide. a special place in hell for you
  • blah (27/03/2023, 10:07) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    You should not let politics divide us and your party including Karl up and down in people housing bad mouthing and lying in the independent dude in the 1st. these kinda comments only good when it suits you. Vote the VIP out!!
  • musa (27/03/2023, 17:17) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Too late it ÷ a lone time ago


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