"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
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 …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Smooth transition key amid minister shakeup”
The political winds in the United Kingdom have shifted dramatically in ways that will doubtlessly touch these shores. UK voters demanded change in the election on July 4, and change …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Virgin Islands will feel effects of Labour landslide”
The recent rise in migrants entering the Virgin Islands without authorisation is part of a heart-wrenching regional crisis that is likely to get worse before it gets better. Since mid-February, …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Resources, empathy best tools for unauthorised immigration”
A fake video circulating in the territory on Sunday appears to show United States presidential candidate Donald Trump calling for former Virgin Islands premier Andrew Fahie to be pardoned following …
Continue reading “DEBUNKED: Fake video appears to show Trump calling for Fahie pardon”
Former government minister Carvin Malone died suddenly on the morning of Jan. 14, shocking the community and drawing a flood of tributes and condolences. He was 64. “Carvin Malone was …
Continue reading “Virgin Islands mourns former health minister Malone”
Elected officials’ recent squabbles in the House of Assembly reflect a failure to work together and carry out the important business of governing the Virgin Islands. During the HOA meeting …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: HOA should stop bickering and get down to business”
Cowardice. That is the label given to the actions of Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley by the opposition following last week’s House of Assembly meeting. In a press conference last …
Continue reading “Opposition defends House of Assembly walkout”
The new House of Assembly is taking shape. The past week saw the appointment of Progressive Virgin Islands Movement leader Ronnie Skelton as opposition leader and the setting of ministerial …
The new opposition members presented a united front while making their first public appearance together on April 27 during a press conference. Expressing collective frustration, they gave a blow-by-blow account …
The at-large race in the general election proved a challenging arena for the incumbent Virgin Islands Party, which secured only one of the four seats available in a blow to …
Following the revelation Monday night that the incumbent Virgin Islands Party did not gain enough wins for a clear majority, electeds entered closed-door discussions on forming a coalition government. Now, …
For more than 20 years, a party system has dominated Virgin Islands politics, and this year may be no different. As in 2019, four parties are contending the general election, …
Continue reading “Three of four party leaders field questions”
This interview is one of three conducted with party leaders ahead of the 2023 general elections. To read the others, click here. It was a baptism of fire. Dr. Natalio …
Continue reading “Interview: Wheatley says turmoil strengthened VIP”
This interview is one of three conducted with party leaders ahead of the 2023 general elections. To read the others, click here. The Progressive Virgin Islands Movement was born in …
Continue reading “Interview: Skelton asks for a chance for PVIM”
Candidates have been making their final appeals for voters’ favour over the past weeks in the leadup to the April 24 general election. The Progressive Virgin Islands Movement and National …
Continue reading “Campaigns highlight education, social needs”
Political party leaders fielded questions on issues including unpaid increments, rooting out corruption in the civil service, and projects like the Joes Hill housing development while participating in two debates …
There are only two weeks until Polling Day, and campaigns are heating up to a frantic pace. With Progressives United Chairman Julian Fraser officially entering the race on April 1, …
Continue reading “With two weeks to go, campaigns heating up”
Less than a month out from Polling Day, candidates have been ramping up efforts to secure voters’ support by holding launches, speaking one-on-one with voters, and slinging accusations of dishonesty …
Continue reading “Campaigns highlight District 3, sister islands”
Last weekend was packed with green, red and blue campaign launches. Decrying crumbling infrastructure, insufficient social programmes, lagging schools and other issues plaguing the Virgin Islands, candidates for the April …
The election campaigns are just getting under way, but already too many candidates are sliding inexorably toward the gutter. Before this trend gets out of control, the parties and independent …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Come out of the gutter, please”
There was an elephant in the room this month when the territory celebrated International Women’s Day amidst the ongoing election campaigns. In recent decades, Virgin Islands women have increasingly taken …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Women much missed in House of Assembly”
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 …
Continue reading “Parties pit experience against new candidates”
With a general election due in less than three months, the Virgin Islands is heading into an unusually short campaign season. That’s a good thing. Prior to past elections, campaigning …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: A long cheer for short campaigns”
An optimistic look back on 2022 might conjure a year-end image of the Virgin Islands as a phoenix preparing to rise from the ashes of its former self. And after …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: The highs, lows and lessons of 2022”
The future holds many possibilities for the governance of the Virgin Islands, and one expert said last week that the territory has a solid foundation for exploring ways to take …
