They may be rivals come Nov. 7, but last Thursday evening, the five representatives – one from each party that has declared an intention to run in this year’s elections – were family.
In what is believed to be a first for the territory, the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association brought together the politicians to hear their answers to what the chamber called “tough questions about critical issues facing the business community in particular and the wider community in general.”
Deputy Premier Dancia Penn represented the Virgin Islands Party, Opposition Leader Dr. Orlando Smith represented the National Democratic Party, Conrad Maduro represented the United Party, Natalio “Sowande Uhuru” Wheatley represented the People’s Patriotic Alliance, and Allen Wheatley represented the Party of the People.
Although not entirely in agreement, participants often supported the proposals of their opponents, and, in an election season when names like “broke” and “liar” already have been called, the candidates mostly eschewed attacks and focused largely on their ideas.
The forum lasted nearly three hours and followed the form of many high-profile political debates seen internationally: The moderator posed a question and each candidate had two minutes to respond. After that, each candidate was given the opportunity to give a one-minute response to statements made by the others. The audience was asked not to applaud until the end of the event.
“Tough times demand tough questions,” BVICCHA Chairman Dr. Birney Harrigan told the audience as the forum began.
Parties’ ‘visions’
Although the candidates had been invited to a similar forum the previous week for BVICCHA members, those questions were from individual association members. Last Thursday, the candidates did not know the questions before the forum.
Candidates were first asked to give their party’s vision.
All of them said their vision involved youth and building the territory’s economy. Ms. Penn said her party has been focused on infrastructural development, but must now focus on social development to “balance” the two areas. Similarly, Dr. Smith said the NDP wants to “look after” the youth and seniors. He also said the NDP wants to focus more on building the tourism sector, a theme he returned to often throughout the evening.
Natalio Wheatley described the territory the PPA would like to see: an economically independent, diverse but cohesive population with a fair and just society.
Mr. Maduro said the UP’s vision is to have the people of the territory “more involved in their own affairs,” adding that this means training youths to take up leadership roles in the job market and in politics.
Allen Wheatley said the POP wants to see a stable, successful VI, but he feels what’s been lacking in recent governments is a strategy. The POP’s strategy, he said, is to focus on the economy, education and the environment.
As of last week, Mr. Maduro and Allen Wheatley were the sole candidates for their parties, but both told the Beacon that they had plans to introduce more candidates. The VIP has a candidate for each seat in the House – all 11 of its incumbent party members plus Ronnie Lettsome and Zoe Walcott-McMillan, who have never held office. The NDP has announced a candidate for all seats except the First District. The PPA has a candidate for each of the four at-large seats, and members have said that they would welcome additional candidates.
More questions
Moderator Colin O’Neal then asked questions from the association about candidates’ plans for development, budgeting and other issues. All the candidates advocated for diversifying the economy, but they had different ideas about how this should be done.
Mr. Maduro said that the financial services industry is doing well without government interference, and that there’s nothing the government can do to entice more tourists to visit the territory.
“We have no way to cause the world recession to improve,” Mr. Maduro said, adding that this leaves agriculture and fisheries as the areas the government should focus on. This will help the territory be more self-sufficient, he added.
Natalio Wheatley was also in favour of pushing the agricultural industry. “We spend millions upon millions of dollars importing chickens when we have the ability to grow chickens and process them ourselves,” he said.
Ms. Penn said her party wants to “increase revenue.” She also said the VIP is “aggressively pursuing” outreach to visitors from countries outside of the traditional North American and European markets, such as those in South America.
Allen Wheatley said in addition to pushing tourism, he would also like to see the construction and marine-related industries come to the forefront, as these areas have the potential to create more jobs and ease unemployment in the territory.
Dr. Smith said he would like to see more on offer in the way of financial services as well as tourism, especially in terms of having plenty of activities available for visitors.
Mr. O’Neal had more questions from the association, but near 10 p.m., he cut that list short to read six questions that had been submitted by the audience.
The audience’s questions touched on diverse topics: whether the government could partner with Sir Richard Branson on an entrepreneurship centre such as those he operates in South Africa and Jamaica; the candidates’ views on increasing cruise tourism year-round; establishing a government microloan programme; improving the territory’s “unkempt green spaces;” making the marine industry more attractive; and establishing a mandatory national youth corps.
To save time, Mr. O’Neal did not ask the candidates to answer those questions as originally planned, but he advised them to keep the questions in mind as they’re “out on the campaign trail.”