Local News
No Discussions Held With Stacy Mather or Lorna Smith on Joining NDP, Cline Says
Bishop John I. Cline, interim president of the National Democratic Party (NDP), said Hon. Stacy Mather and Hon. Lorna Smith have not engaged in any discussions, to his knowledge, about joining the party, despite ongoing political realignments ahead of the next general election.
Speaking during an interview with Cathy Richards of JTV, Bishop Cline said neither he nor the party’s leadership has held conversations with the two legislators regarding potential affiliation with the NDP.
“None to my knowledge,” Bishop Cline said when asked whether discussions had taken place. “Not from me, not from the president. I have not engaged in conversation.”
Hon. Mather, who entered the House of Assembly following the 2023 general election, currently sits on the government side, while Hon. Smith, who ran with the NDP in 2023, has maintained an independent political stance. Bishop Cline said both individuals have made their respective decisions regarding political alignment.
“I think they made their decision, and we honor their decision,” he said.
The comments come as the NDP undergoes a process of internal consolidation, including the return of former members and the dissolution of the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM). Bishop Cline said his efforts have focused on organizational reunification rather than recruiting individual politicians.
“I was focused on organizational reunification, not so much individuals,” he said, referring to efforts to bring together factions such as PVIM and the Alliance under the NDP.
While ruling out current engagement, Bishop Cline did not dismiss the possibility of future political shifts.
“I have learned in this political landscape that you can’t say never,” he said, noting that political alliances can change in the period leading up to an election.
He added that discussions about potential candidates and party alignment remain fluid and could evolve as the election cycle progresses.
The NDP is preparing for a convention scheduled for April 18, where party leadership positions will be decided, as part of its broader effort to strengthen its organizational structure ahead of the next general election.
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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