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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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Ministry of Education Addresses Allegations of Student-Teacher Incident at Elmore Stoutt High School
The Ministry of Education and Sports has issued a statement regarding serious allegations involving a male teacher and student at Elmore Stoutt High School. The incident, reportedly occurring last week on school grounds, involved a male student physically attacking the teacher’s vehicle.
The Ministry is working with authorities, including the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, Social Development Department, and Teaching Service Commission, to ensure a thorough investigation.
Immediate steps are being taken to ensure the safety of the school community while maintaining a supportive learning environment. The Ministry is dedicated to handling this matter with fairness, ensuring justice and safety for all involved, and asks for patience as legal and ethical protocols are followed.
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Ron Potter Refuses to Resign Despite Request from Health Minister
Chairman of the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA), Ron Potter, has refused to resign from his position, despite being directly asked to do so by the Minister of Health and Social Development.
The request, made via WhatsApp, came in the wake of several tragic incidents affecting the healthcare sector in the British Virgin Islands.
Potter made his position clear in a formal statement, rejecting the call to step down. He emphasised that his removal would require legal grounds under the BVI Health Services Authority Act of 2004, which governs the appointment and dismissal of board members. According to Potter, no such grounds exist. “It is not my intention to resign as Chairman, as there are no grounds or reasons for me to do so,” Potter declared, adding that the Act requires due process to be followed.
He further pointed out that the BVIHSA operates independently of central government, and that decisions regarding his removal must be legally justified. The Chairman also addressed media reports suggesting a strained relationship between himself and the Health Minister, noting that he was unaware of any tensions before reading the reports. “If this reporting is true, I was certainly unaware of a strained relationship prior to the articles,” Potter said, distancing himself from claims of discord within the healthcare administration. He also dismissed allegations that he was single-handedly blocking the development of a proposed medical school, calling them “unfounded and without merit.”
Potter’s statement highlighted his dedication to the healthcare system in the Territory. He acknowledged ongoing challenges, particularly the lack of a fully staffed BVIHSA board, which has prevented the board from holding critical meetings since July 2024. Despite these setbacks, Potter remains committed to his role, championing several key initiatives, including the completion of the Nurse Iris O’Neal Medical Center, improvements to hospital and clinic infrastructure, and the establishment of medical and nursing schools.
Potter reaffirmed his commitment to the people of the British Virgin Islands, stressing the importance of a well-functioning healthcare system. “I believe access to a good healthcare system is a fundamental right of the people of this Territory,” he said, urging the community to continue supporting the BVIHSA’s efforts to enhance healthcare services.
It is unclear whether the Minister of Health will pursue further action or attempt to resolve the situation with the Chairman.
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Willock Unveils New Back-to-School Initiative: ‘3 Hours, 3 Schools, District 3’
Former Speaker of the House of Assembly and District 3 resident Julian Willock, along with his Third District Committee, has launched a new twist on their annual Back-to-School event, titled “3 Hours, 3 Schools, District 3.”
This year, the event will focus on three schools in the Sea Cows Bay area: Seventh-day Adventist School, St. George’s Anglican School, and Ebenezer Thomas Primary School. Over 100 bags filled with books and other essential supplies will be donated directly to these schools, with principals and teachers determining which students need them most over the 2024-2025 school year.
Explaining the new approach, Willock said, “We noticed that many existing back-to-school events had restrictions, like requiring students to come from a particular district or pre-register. Our approach is simpler: we want to help students who genuinely need it, and who better to identify those students than the teachers and principals who interact with them daily?”
The only requirement for receiving supplies is that the students must be enrolled in one of the three selected schools. Donations are set to be made next week, all within a single day, in what Willock has dubbed the “3 Hours, 3 Schools in District 3” initiative.
Willock also highlighted plans for a separate, special initiative for the Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre, which is temporarily housed in the Sea Cows Bay area.
He expressed gratitude to the sponsors who helped make this year’s event possible, including Nanny Cay Resort, BDO Limited, Northam Construction, IAM Jet Centre, his Third District Committee, and Kishma P. Forbes of Virgin Islands School and Office Supplies.
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