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 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 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 …
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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July 15, 2024
EDITORIAL: Virgin Islands will feel effects of Labour landslide
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 …
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May 8, 2024
EDITORIAL: Resources, empathy best tools for unauthorised immigration
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, …
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February 11, 2024
DEBUNKED: Fake video appears to show Trump calling for Fahie pardon
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 …
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January 18, 2024
Virgin Islands mourns former health minister Malone
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 …
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November 14, 2023
EDITORIAL: HOA should stop bickering and get down to business
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 …
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November 9, 2023
Opposition defends House of Assembly walkout
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 …
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May 6, 2023
VIP-led government announces ministries
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 …
May 6, 2023
Opposition comes out swinging
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 …
April 27, 2023
Election: What made the difference?
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 …
April 25, 2023
With Lorna Smith, VIP forms a government
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, …
April 20, 2023
Three of four party leaders field questions
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, …
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April 20, 2023
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. It was a baptism of fire. Dr. Natalio …
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April 20, 2023
Interview: Skelton asks for a chance for PVIM
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 …
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April 19, 2023
Campaigns highlight education, social needs
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 …
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April 19, 2023
Party leaders face off in two debates
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 …
April 8, 2023
With two weeks to go, campaigns heating up
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, …
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March 31, 2023
Campaigns highlight District 3, sister islands
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 …
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March 27, 2023
Campaign season in full swing
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 …
March 27, 2023
EDITORIAL: Come out of the gutter, please
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 …
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March 20, 2023
EDITORIAL: Women much missed in House of Assembly
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 …
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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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