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Opposition Will Hold New Government Accountable Promises Ronnie Skelton
Opposition Leader and Chairman of the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) Ronnie Skelton has promised that the opposition, which includes the National Democratic Party (NDP) and Progressives United (PU), will keep the new government accountable over the next four years.
At a joint PVIM, NDP, PU press conference held today, April 27, in Tortola, Skelton said the opposition will use their collective knowledge to serve the people of the British Virgin Islands in the Fifth House of Assembly.
He was officially sworn in this afternoon as Opposition Leader by Governor John Rankin.
“We will keep the government of the day accountable to ensure good government is carried out. We also will ensure that you are represented, your voices are heard. We’re excited to serve the people of the Virgin Islands and we will use our collective knowledge and experience to do so effectively.”
No party won enough seats to form a majority government at the end of election day on April 24.
VIP secured six seats – 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.
PVIM won three seats in the House of Assembly – Mitch Turnbull returned as Second Electoral District Representative and Skelton and Stacey ‘Buddha’ Mather won two of the four Territorial-At-Large seats.
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.
And, PU Chairman Julian Fraser was re-elected as the Third Electoral District Representative.
Many expected PVIM, NDP and PU to form a coalition government, but less than 24-hours after results were announced, NDP’s Smith crossed the floor and joined the VIP.
VIP Chairman Natalio Wheatley returned as Premier of the territory, while former First Lady Smith is now the Deputy Premier.
Skelton thanked PVIM supporters for putting their trust in the party’s vision for the territory.
““Thanks for your votes. We are very grateful for your trust in us. We believe that integrity matters and it’s something that we hold dear,” he said.
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888sport Acca Pub! Teljesen ingyenes játékforrások, választékok és előrejelzések
Tartalom
Teljes, míg a kezdők csak az összteljesítményre fogadhatnak, a tapasztalt résztvevők is kipróbálhatják a komplex tapasztalataikat. Nem meglepő módon a futball a legnépszerűbb sportág az oldalon. Több mint 800 sportesemény közül választhatnak a játékosok, így a megfelelő tevékenységkategóriát kapnak. A sportágak teljes választéka magában foglalja a népszerű szakmákat, például a sporteseményeket, baseballt, jégkorongot, baseballt, ökölvívást és röplabdát. (more…)
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BVI and U.N. Commission Call for Stronger Caribbean–Latin America Cooperation on Development Goals
Benito Wheatley, the British Virgin Islands Special Envoy, and José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, urged closer cooperation between the Caribbean and Latin America to accelerate progress on sustainable development goals during a regional forum in Santiago, Chile.
The meeting took place during the 9th Meeting of the Forum of the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean on Sustainable Development, held April 13 to April 16 in Santiago.
Both officials noted that implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals stands at 19 percent, with four years remaining before the 2030 deadline, underscoring the need for increased coordination and investment across the region.
Mr. Wheatley, speaking in his capacity as vice chair of the 40th session of the commission, commended the organization’s work on development challenges and policies aimed at advancing economic and social outcomes. He emphasized the need to strengthen technical cooperation between Latin America and the Caribbean, particularly in resilience, investment and technology, citing fiscal constraints driven by debt and responses to external shocks.
Mr. Salazar-Xirinachs reaffirmed the commission’s support for the sustainable development of the British Virgin Islands and the wider Caribbean, noting that small island developing states, while largely middle-income, remain vulnerable to external economic and environmental shocks and require continued international support.
He also commended the British Virgin Islands for its role at the forum, including its leadership of a Caribbean panel moderated by Mr. Wheatley in his capacity as vice chair of the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee. The panel focused on implementing the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Island Developing States through South-South cooperation.
Mr. Wheatley reiterated the territory’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda and to advancing regional priorities, including climate resilience.
“Through our various leadership roles within U.N. ECLAC, the British Virgin Islands will continue to advocate for the Caribbean to ensure the subregion’s priorities, including climate resilience, are taken into account in the intergovernmental deliberations of the wider region on the 2030 Agenda,” he said, adding that greater collaboration between the Caribbean and Latin America would be necessary to advance the goals within the remaining timeframe.
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Penn Appointed Leader of the Opposition in Virgin Islands
His Excellency the Governor, Daniel Pruce, on Tuesday appointed Honourable Marlon A. Penn, Representative for the Eighth District, as Leader of His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition in accordance with Section 70 of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007, formalizing a recommendation from Opposition members and the National Democratic Party.
Hon. Penn signed the Instrument of Appointment and the Oath for the Due Execution of Office during a ceremony at Government House on Tuesday morning.
The appointment follows a recommendation submitted to the Governor by the four elected Opposition members of the House of Assembly, who, after consultation, identified Hon. Penn as the member commanding majority support within the Opposition, as required under the Constitution.
In a statement issued April 21, the National Democratic Party said the recommendation reflected the confidence of both Opposition members and the party in Hon. Penn’s leadership. “The appointment reflects the confidence of the Opposition Members and the National Democratic Party in the leadership, experience, and commitment of Honourable Penn to effectively represent the interests of the people of the Virgin Islands,” the statement said.
Hon. Penn was elected Political Leader of the National Democratic Party during the party’s national convention held April 18 at Maria’s by the Sea. The convention brought together 121 delegates from across the territory and resulted in the selection of a new leadership team ahead of the next general election.
During the convention, Hon. Penn secured 65 votes in a contested race against Mark H. Vanterpool, who received 39 votes, and Hon. Ronnie W. Skelton, who received 17 votes. Hon. Melvin Mitch Turnbull was elected deputy chairman with 64 votes, defeating Hon. Myron V. Walwyn, who received 57 votes. Paul A. Hewlett was confirmed as president unopposed, and Andrea Walters was elected vice president, defeating Troy Christopher.
Other officers elected included Messena Vanterpool-Pompey as secretary, Sharnette Chalwell as assistant secretary, Eldon Solomon as treasurer, Cathy-Ann Bascombe as assistant treasurer, Dorilyn Edwards as chaplain, Aaliyah Inniss as chairperson of the Youth Movement and Lisa Smith as chairperson of the Women’s Movement.
Following his election as Political Leader, Hon. Penn said the outcome marked a new phase for the party. “I am profoundly grateful and honoured for the support and confidence vested in me to lead the party into the next general elections,” he said.
Hon. Turnbull said the leadership team would prioritize unity and policy-focused initiatives. “Our focus is on unity, rebuilding trust, and advancing practical solutions that improve the lives of the people of these Virgin Islands,” he said.
Hon. Penn has represented the Eighth District in the House of Assembly since 2011 and previously served as Minister for Health and Social Development. He also served as Leader of the Opposition from 2019 to 2022 following the general election that year.
Under the Virgin Islands Constitution, the Governor appoints the Leader of the Opposition from among members of the House of Assembly who command the support of the majority of Opposition members.
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