We are disappointed that Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley has decided to sidestep the advice of his own Minimum Wage Advisory Committee and increase the baseline hourly wage only to $7.25 …
May 8, 2025
April 17, 2025
HOA blasts UK security review as guv stays tight-lipped
A proposal to give the governor sweeping new powers over areas including customs, immigration and financial investigations has been roundly condemned by both sides of the House of Assembly. HOA …
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April 9, 2025
EDITORIAL: ‘Minister of state’ plan is half-baked
Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley appears to be getting ahead of himself in his haste to lure opposition members to the government bench. He should slow down. When announcing recently that …
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March 27, 2025
Skelton: ‘He stabbed me in the front’
A new rift has reopened old wounds in the House of Assembly. Ronnie Skelton said this week that Myron Walwyn “stabbed” him “in the front” to replace him as leader …
March 13, 2025
Lorna Smith crosses aisle again
After less than five months on the opposition, At-Large Representative Lorna Smith has once again crossed the floor in a surprise move that strengthens Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley’s government by …
February 27, 2025
Asia trip hit back at hit job on Virgin Islands, premier says
A top-level trade delegation to the far east has succeeded in combating recent international “media attacks” on the reputation of the territory’s financial services industry, according to Premier Natalio “Sowande” …
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February 6, 2025
Opposition trio launches ‘alliance’
In a cramped room last Thursday morning at Maria’s by the Sea, three opposition members pitched a new solution to the stagnation they said has bogged down both sides of …
January 23, 2025
No-confidence vote still in works
On Friday, opposition members repeated a claim they have been making for four months, insisting that Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley should be ousted over his alleged failure to tackle rising …
January 9, 2025
Throne speech pegged to plan
The first Speech from the Throne in two years emphasised the elected government’s determination to push ahead with the six broad goals laid out in the territory’s National Sustainable Development …
January 6, 2025
Premier blames wage-boost delay on cost-of-living concerns
Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley has acknowledged that low-paid workers were let down by the government’s sudden decision to delay a minimum-wage increase just before Christmas, but he said the planned …
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December 18, 2024
EDITORIAL: Raise the minimum wage already
Government’s recent decision to suddenly postpone the long-planned minimum-wage increase was not acceptable. The $2.50-per-hour increase to $8.50 per hour, approved by the House of Assembly earlier this year, was …
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December 5, 2024
Government to review cost of living
A review of duties on essential items imported into the territory is likely to come soon, according to Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley. Responding recently to concerns about the high cost …
December 5, 2024
Base wage increase delayed
A surprise move this week saw the long-heralded boost to the minimum wage indefinitely delayed without an explanation from Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley. The announcement, which drew fire from the …
November 25, 2024
Lorna Smith launches project series
A painting project, cultural gatherings and tree planting are among the activities planned as part of a community initiative launched this week by opposition member Lorna Smith. The at-large representative, …
November 4, 2024
EDITORIAL: Smooth transition key amid minister shakeup
Sudden shifts in leadership are an occasional feature of any democracy, and dramatic Cabinet reshuffles are not unprecedented in the Virgin Islands. But after the latest shakeup, it is imperative …
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October 24, 2024
Premier fires Lorna Smith
A dramatic shake-up of the government yesterday saw Lorna Smith ousted as deputy premier and opposition member Julian Fraser crossing the floor of the House of Assembly to replace her. …
September 19, 2024
Financial services reforms continue
The House of Assembly suspended its usual rules on Monday to introduce and pass two financial services bills designed to avoid international sanction by bringing the territory in line with …
September 19, 2024
House tackling last COI reform
The House of Assembly began tackling its final Commission of Inquiry reform this week as legislators debated the first of five bills designed to improve the governance of five statutory …
September 4, 2024
12 bills laid days before COI deadline
Two days before the missed Saturday deadline for completing the sweeping reforms recommended by the Commission of Inquiry, the House of Assembly suspended its usual rules to introduce 12 bills. …
August 23, 2024
A $13 million mistake
In the 2024 Budget Address last November, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley announced a Cabinet decision to include about $10 million in this year’s budget to ensure that all public …
August 15, 2024
HOA okays vetting law enforcers
Certain prison, customs and immigration officers could soon be subject to new vetting requirements under a bill the House of Assembly passed recently in accordance with a Commission of Inquiry …
August 2, 2024
HOA limits Cabinet’s power over contracts
Despite dissent from five opposition members, the House of Assembly narrowly voted on Tuesday to dramatically limit Cabinet’s discretion over contract awards in keeping with recommendations from the 2022 Commission …
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March 15, 2024
HOA votes to up penalties for withholding stats
As part of efforts to help government collect information as the census continues, lawmakers have passed a bill designed to impose harsher penalties on people who withhold statistics they are …
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August 23, 2023
VI mission strengthens Guyana links
Representatives from the Virgin Islands private sector joined leaders including Deputy Premier Lorna Smith, Junior Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Dr. Karl Dawson, and BVI Finance CEO Elise Donovan in …
August 3, 2023
17-member delegation visits Guyana
Deputy Premier Lorna Smith is leading a 17-member delegation on a trade mission designed to strengthen ties between the Virgin Islands and Guyana. The mission’s “packed agenda” — which is …