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 27, 2025
March 9, 2023
Parties pit experience against new candidates
The National Democratic Party and Progressive Virgin Islands Movement both added election candidates over the past week, pulling largely from the pool of political veterans but also giving a platform …
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May 30, 2019
Walwyn resigns as NDP chairman
Myron Walwyn resigned as chairman of the National Democratic Party, according to a press release issued last week. In his letter of resignation he thanked the NDP for “entrusting its …
May 4, 2019
HOA passes $427 million budget
The House of Assembly passed a $427,657,383 budget on Friday after two days of debate. The Appropriation Act 2019 “is now in its final stage before it can be fully …
March 7, 2019
Walwyn blames social media and PVIM for NDP loss
Social media and the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement were the main reasons for the National Democratic Party’s loss in the Feb. 25 election, according to NDP Chairman Myron Walwyn. At …
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February 7, 2019
NDP launches ‘Diego’ in D-7, O’Neal in D-9
“I am a descendant of the 25 free slaves of Nottingham Estate in 1776,” Hipolito “Diego” Penn announced in a booming voice on Tuesday night as he launched his bid …
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January 25, 2019
BVI Airways ‘failed to deliver a return,’ Premier says
After years of first denying problems and then deflecting the blame for them, Premier Dr. Orlando Smith acknowledged last week that government’s $7.2 million injection into BVI Airways was a …
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January 25, 2019
NDP promises longer runway, scholarships
National Democratic Party candidates continued to brand themselves as part of a “new NDP” over the weekend — even as they peddled some of the party’s old promises. One such …
January 18, 2019
Walwyn takes aim at rivals during NDP rally
The National Democratic Party rally on Saturday was a night full of music, dancing, cheering and political promises. The roughly three-hour event was held in the Road Town Market Square …
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January 10, 2019
NDP launches 11 candidates
National Democratic Party Chairman Myron Walwyn stood before a lively crowd on Saturday night at Maria’s by the Sea and posed a series of questions. “Who was it that provided …
December 19, 2018
Amid turmoil, NDP tweaks public image
This article originally appeared in the Beacon’s print edition on Dec. 13. After weeks of high-profile defections and criticism from former members, the National Democratic Party is working hard to …
December 6, 2018
Progressive Virgin Islands Movement to launch Friday
The breakaway Progressive Virgin Islands Movement, led by recently ousted Health and Social Development Minister Ronnie Skelton, is officially launching tomorrow. But even before the launch, the new political party …
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November 28, 2018
November 22, 2018
Cracks deepen within NDP government
The National Democratic Party government continued to splinter over the past week as three elected members left the party, including a minister and junior minister who were fired from their …
November 15, 2018
Skelton splitting from NDP; guv moves election deadline up to April
Health and Social Development Minister Ronnie Skelton plans to lead a new political party into the upcoming general elections, which are now due by April 16 after a surprise announcement …
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October 5, 2018
Attorney General sides with speaker amid candidate rumours
Attorney General Baba Aziz issued a legal opinion on Tuesday backing Speaker of the House Ingrid Moses-Scatliffe’s decision to continue serving in her role despite press reports indicating that she …
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June 25, 2018
Walwyn takes the reins of the National Democratic Party
On Saturday night, National Democratic Party delegates voted for Education and Culture Minister Myron Walwyn to become the political organisation’s new president. Mr. Walwyn (R-at large) is the party’s first …
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June 22, 2018
Premier unclear about general election plans
On Monday evening, Premier Dr. Orlando Smith announced that he would not run for reelection as president of the National Democratic Party — signaling the end of an era for …
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June 14, 2018
National Democratic Party may face leadership shakeup
By the end of next week, the National Democratic Party could have a new leader for the first time since its inception in 1999. Both Ronnie Skelton, the minister for …
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April 3, 2018
Unknown ‘client’ pays for political survey
A recent poll claims that a majority of some 700 respondents want to see a new political party in the Virgin Islands. However, the survey’s backers remain nameless, raising questions …
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