Local News
Premier Sacks Deputy in Major Cabinet Shake-Up, Appoints Julian Fraser
British Virgin Islands Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley in a significant Cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday sacked Deputy Premier Lorna Smith OBE, citing a lack of confidence in her commitment to his administration for the remainder of the term.
In a virtual statement on October 23, Wheatley appointed former Virgin Islands Party (VIP) member and Third District representative Julian Fraser to the vacant position.
“I’m pleased to announce that the honourable Julian Fraser, member for the third electoral district, is now a member of my government who will sit on the government front benches going forward,” Wheatley said.
He noted that Fraser remains the chairman of the PU party but has now aligned with the Virgin Islands Party, where he was a longtime member.
Fraser, who left the VIP after losing the leadership vote in 2017 to establish PU, will also take on the role of Minister for Labour and Immigration.
Governor David Pruce on Tuesday signed the instruments of appointment, and Fraser was officially sworn in.
Wheatley thanked Smith for her service but stressed that her dismissal is “a necessary change,” stating, “I do so with a heavy heart. She did not give me the confidence that she would remain with my administration for the duration of this term.”
He underscored the importance of “political stability at this time” as the territory’s leaders focus on vital reforms.
Smith, who won the Territorial-At-Large vote for the National Democratic Party in the April 2023 general elections, had previously switched her allegiance to assist the ruling Virgin Islands Party in forming a government. She held the portfolio for Financial Services, Labour, and Trade.
Wheatley highlighted that Fraser “brings much to the table” and that his political experience is “invaluable.”
He reassured stakeholders of his “full commitment to the financial services and trade.”
Fraser is noted as the longest-serving politician in the territory, having previously served as Deputy Premier under the late Premier Ralph T. O’Neal.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has confirmed that Tarik Aaron was arrested shortly before midnight on Friday, April 17, on extradition orders issued by authorities in the United States Virgin Islands, and has since appeared before the Magistrate’s Court.
According to police, the arrest was carried out in connection with a request from USVI authorities, though further details have not been disclosed.
Aaron appeared before the Magistrate’s Court today and was denied bail.
Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office has announced an increase in fees for United Kingdom passports, effective April 8, 2026.
According to the office, the revised fees apply to new, renewal and replacement passport applications, as well as other related services.
Under the new structure, the cost for a new, renewal or replacement adult passport has been set at £116.50, while the fee for a child passport is £75.50. Adult frequent traveller passports will cost £130.50, and child frequent traveller passports £89.50.
The fee for changes to an existing passport will also be £116.50. In addition, a delivery fee of £14.32 will apply.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office advised that the updated fees are now in effect and apply to all relevant applications submitted on or after April 8.
A bill proposing wide-ranging changes to the Virgin Islands’ electoral system was introduced in the House of Assembly today, Tuesday, April 22, by Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley.
The proposed Elections (Amendment) Act, 2026, is based on consultations with stakeholders and recommendations from observer missions, as well as input from the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections.
“This is the Elections Amendment Act 2026, following extensive deliberations with a number of entities, including a committee of the House who looked at recommendations of various observer missions that came to The Virgin Islands,” Hon. Wheatley said during the continuation of the Second Sitting of the Third Session of the Fifth House of Assembly.
He said the bill also builds on work undertaken by the previous House of Assembly. “Also, the last House of Assembly looked at a number of recommendations that were forwarded through the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections,” he said.
Hon. Wheatley said the proposed amendments were developed through discussions on changes to the Elections Act. “We had very extensive discussions about amendments to the Elections Act, and of course, those recommendations were used to make this Amendment Act. This received its first reading some time ago, and now we are here to debate this Elections Act, so that it can therefore become law,” he said.
The bill introduces several reforms to the electoral framework, including expanded access to voting through mobile and curbside options for individuals with physical limitations and the formal use of assistive technologies for voters with disabilities.
It also provides for the establishment of a Department of Elections and an Elections Advisory Committee to oversee voter registration and election administration.
Additional provisions include a formal Code of Conduct for political parties and candidates, along with new rules governing campaign donations and political financing.
The legislation also proposes restrictions on the announcement of major public grants or projects shortly before an election, aimed at addressing potential incumbency advantages.
The bill has already received its first reading and is expected to be referred to a committee when the House of Assembly resumes on April 30, 2026, at 10 a.m., where it will undergo further review as part of the legislative process.
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