On Saturday, Virgin Islands Party Chairman Andrew Fahie delivered his annual First District report amidst the continuing public debate over the VIP’s leadership.

“I simply can no longer be in a fight for that which accompanies the post of chairman of the party,” Mr. Fahie said. “If I am not prepared to take up the positions of premier or opposition leader, why then would I contest the post of chairman of the Virgin Islands Party?”

Mr. Fahie was referring to a longstanding struggle between him and Opposition Leader Julian Fraser, the only two VIP House of Assembly members.

The newest iteration of their debate — mirroring one that happened in 2015 — was formally made public on Jan. 17 when newly elected VIP President Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley announced that he had petitioned Governor John Duncan to replace Mr. Fraser with Mr. Fahie as opposition leader.

In the VIP’s internal elections last November, Mr. Fahie resoundingly defeated Mr. Fraser for the party chairmanship by a vote of 55-22.

“The constitution of the VIP makes it clear that the chairman of the party shall be the titular head of the party and will lead the party within the House of Assembly,” Mr. Wheatley stated in a press release.
However, Mr. Fraser disagreed.

“The VIP Constitution instead states [that the] ‘chairman of the party … will be the titular head/political leader of the party and serve as chief minister, if so elected to the Legislative Council,’” he said. “It does not presume a post while in the opposition.”

The opposition leader is vested with certain powers in the 2007 VI Constitution, including the ability to recommend individuals for committees and statutory posts.

Recent debate

During his speech on Saturday, Mr. Fahie continued the public argument.

“The VIP congress agreed that after 18 months of the 2015 general elections there must be a shift of direction within the Virgin Islands Party if the Virgin Islands Party is to be successful in the next elections of 2019 or before,” he said, adding, “This is no time for massaging egos and parsing of words. Without effective communication by the leadership of the opposition with the executive body of the Virgin Islands Party, the situation as it is cannot and will not work.”

On Monday, however, Mr. Fraser fired back in a public statement. After re-emphasising that the words “leader of the opposition” cannot be found in the VIP’s constitution, he also attacked Messrs. Wheatley and Fahie for going to the governor.

“Running to the governor is an embarrassment to this territory which every man, woman and child living in these Virgin Islands should resent,” he said. “It paints the false picture that Virgin Islanders are incapable of handling their own affairs.”

Mr. Fraser also argued that the move was futile.

“Let me be clear: The governor has no role to play in this matter, neither constitutionally nor otherwise,” he said. “Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition is not an extension of the Governor’s Office, and neither is the leader of the opposition an agent of the governor.”

Mediation

On Tuesday, Mr. Wheatley issued a statement attempting to assuage the public bloodshed between the two elected members of his party.

“The party is committed to the process of mediation between the chairman and Hon. Fraser aimed at resolving the impasse between the two members,” he wrote. “The congress of the Virgin Islands Party is the supreme law-making body of the party and should be afforded the respect that is deserved.”

Mr. Wheatley said the party’s congress planned to call a meeting to decide the way forward.

{fcomment}