United Kingdom voters are hitting the polls today to select a new Parliament, which could affect the Virgin Islands’ financial services industry and its relationship with the European Union.
The race is close, with the leading Conservative and Labour parties in a dead heat as of yesterday afternoon.
Some VI residents are paying close attention, but others said they aren’t concerned.
LP leader Ed Miliband promised that his administration would require OTs to establish public beneficial ownership registries for companies they register, while Prime Minister David Cameron said he would continue to encourage OTs to establish such registries, but wouldn’t force them.
Mr. Cameron also said that a Conservative-led government would hold a referendum for voters to decide whether the UK should leave the European Union, which could eliminate EU grants to the territory and affect VI residents’ ability to travel within the EU, according to Dr. Peter Clegg, an international relations professor at the University of West England.
London Office Director Benito Wheatley said he couldn’t comment on the political issues surrounding the election, but that his office will continue to work to strengthen the territory’s relationship with the UK, regardless of which party or coalition takes power.
See the May 7, 2015 edition for full coverage.
{fcomment}