VIP Forms Alliance With NDP Lorna Smith – Government To Be Sworn In Today

The Virgin Islands Party (VIP) and the National Democratic Party (NDP) Territorial-At-Large elected member Lorna Smith will form the new government.

Governor John Rankin today, April 25, received a letter supporting the appointment of Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley as Premier and for him to form the Government of the Virgin Islands in accordance with Section 52 of the VI Constitution Order, 2007.

In accordance with Section 52 of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order the Governor will swear in Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley as Premier, and his Ministers, at 6.30 p.m. at Government House.

The VIP won six seats, just one short of having a majority in the Fifth House of Assembly. Following negotiations, Smith formed an alliance with the incumbent party.

VIP seats were secured by Karl Dawson in the First  Electoral District, Luce Hodge-Smith in the Fourth  Electoral District, Kye Rhymer in the Fifth Electoral District, Chairman Natalio Wheatley in the Seventh Electoral District and Vincent Wheatley in Ninth Electoral District.  Sharie De Castro won one of the four Territorial-At-Large.

NDP won three seats – Myron Walwyn in the Sixth Electoral District and Marlon Penn in the Eight Electoral District. Lorna Smith won one the four Territorial-At Large seats.

PVIM secured three seats  – Mitch Turnbull returned as Second Electoral District Representative and Skelton and Stacey ‘Buddha’ Mather won two of the four Territorial-At-Large seats.

PU Chairman Julian Fraser was re-elected as the Third Electoral District Representative.

A total of 42 candidates contested the April 24 polls. Advance Polling was on April 20.