Beautiful Virgin Islands

Monday, Aug 04, 2025

Historical: First Grandfather & Grandson as VI Chief Minister & Premier!

Historical: First Grandfather & Grandson as VI Chief Minister & Premier!

It only happened once before in the history of the Virgin Islands (1950- current) but it was at a different level. The first father and son to represent Virgin Gorda today, part of the ninth district, started with Hubert Robinson O’Neal in 1970 who was from Virgin Gorda.

The late Hubert Robinson O’Neal ultimately lost his life in 1971 carrying furniture to the school in North Sound, Virgin Gorda that bears his name. His son, former legislator Dr Hubert O’Neal followed some forty-five years later and won a seat under the National Democratic Party banner and served from 2015-2019.

They became the first father and son to be elected to Parliament in the Virgin Islands (VI), albeit years apart taking into account the Parliament/House of Assemblies from 1950 to current.

Top job - grandfather & grandson


However, history has been made for the second time at a different level in 2022. Today in the Virgin Islands (VI), we have a new Premier in the person of Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) sworn in on May 5, 2022, whose grandfather the late Dr Willard Wheatley MBE, LLD was a Chief Minister and the First Minister of Finance.

The former Chief Minister Wheatley served from 1971-1986 representing what is today the 8th District. He also served as Chief Minister and Minister of Finance for two consecutive terms from 1971-1979.

Today his grandson also known as ‘Sowande’ is the fourth Premier of the Territory.

His late grandfather was the one that took the VI out of grant-in-aid in 1978, a programme where the VI had to depend on the colonial master the United Kingdom for money to fund the Budget.

The grandfather and grandson combination is another historical moment for the British Overseas Territory of some 30,000 people.

Other families in the House from 1950 to current


While other siblings of Chief Ministers have run for office, like the son of the Late H. Lavity Stoutt - Preston P. Stoutt and the daughter of the late Cyril B. Romney- Joann R. Romney; they have not been successful.

There were two brothers who served in the Parliament, former Legislator Earl P. Fraser (1983-1986) and current Representative Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) (1999-current) and Lavity Stoutt (1967-1995) and his brother Prince M. Stoutt (1977-1983, 1990-1995)

Over the years in the HoA, there were continued combinations of first cousins, uncles, aunts and nephews/nieces as well as in-laws serving in elective office because of the small population.

However, in the VI’s political history in the HoA of 1950 to current, only one combination of father and son and one of grandfather and grandson to date have held the highest office.

The late Hubert Robinson O’Neal ultimately lost his life in 1971 carrying furniture to the school in North Sound, Virgin Gorda that bears his name. His son, former legislator Dr Hubert O’Neal followed some forty-five years later and won a seat under the National Democratic Party banner and served from 2015-2019.


Two brothers also served in the Parliament, former Legislator Earl P. Fraser (1983-1986) and current Representative Hon. Julian Fraser RA (1999-current).

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
OpenAI’s Bold Bet: Teaching AI to Think, Not Just Chat
Tesla Seeks Shareholder Approval for $29 Billion Compensation Package for Elon Musk
Nvidia is cutting prices on its RTX 50-series graphics cards after sales slowed and inventories piled up
Ghislaine Maxwell Transferred to Minimum-Security Prison Amid Ongoing DOJ Discussions
U.S. Tariffs Surge to Highest Levels in Nearly a Century Under Second Trump Term
Matt Taibbi Slams Media for Role in Russiagate Narrative
Pilots Call for Mental Health Support Without Stigma
All Five Trapped Miners Found Dead After El Teniente Mine Collapse
Ong Beng Seng Pleads Guilty in Corruption Case Linked to Former Singapore Transport Minister
BP’s Largest Oil and Gas Find in 25 Years Uncovered Offshore Brazil
Italy Fines Shein One Million Euros for Misleading Sustainability Claims
JPMorgan and Coinbase Unveil Partnership to Let Chase Cardholders Buy Crypto Directly
Declassified Annex Links Soros‑Affiliated Officials and Clinton Campaign to ‘Russiagate’ Narrative
UK's Online Safety Law: A Front for Censorship
Nationwide Protests Erupt in Brazil Demanding Presidential Resignation
Parents Abandon Child at Barcelona Airport Over Passport Issue
Mystery Surrounds Death of Brazilian Woman with iPhones Glued to Her Body
Bus Driver Discovers Toddler Hidden in Suitcase in New Zealand
Switzerland Celebrates 734 Years of Independence Amid Global Changes
U.S. Opens Official Investigation into Former Trump Prosecutor Jack Smith
Leaked audio of Canada's new PM Mark Carney admitting the truth about the Net Zero agenda: "We're gonna make a lot of money off of this."
China Enforces Comprehensive Ban on Cryptocurrency Activities
Absolutely 100% Realistic EVO Series Doll by EXDOLL (Chinese Company) used mainly for carnal purposes
World Economic Forum founder Klaus Schwab: "In this new world, we must accept... total transparency. You have to get used to it. You have to behave accordingly. But if you have nothing to hide, you shouldn't be afraid."
Meet Mufti Hamid Patel, head of Office for Standards in Education in Pakistan
George Soros tells the World Economic Forum: "President Trump is a con man and the ultimate narcissist, who wants the world to revolve around him."
Hamas are STARVING the hostages.
Decline in Tourism in Majorca Amidst Ongoing Anti-Tourism Protests
British Tourist Dies Following Hair Transplant in Turkey, Police Investigate
Poland Begins Excavation at Dziemiany After New Clue to World War II‑Era Nazi Treasure
WhatsApp Users Targeted in New Scam Involving Account Takeovers
Trump Threatens Canada with Tariffs Over Palestinian State Recognition
Trump Deploys Nuclear Submarines After Threats from Former Russian President Medvedev
Trump Sues Murdoch in “Heavyweight Bout”: Lawsuit Over Alleged Epstein Letter Sets Stage for Courtroom Showdown
Germany Enters Fiscal Crisis as Cabinet Approves €174 Billion in New Debt
Trump Administration Finalizes Broad Tariff Increases on Global Trade Partners
J.K. Rowling Limits Public Engagements Citing Safety Fears
JD.com Launches €2.2 Billion Bid for German Electronics Retailer Ceconomy
Azerbaijan Proceeds with Plan to Legalise Casinos on Artificial Islands
Former Judge Charged After Drunk Driving Crash Kills Comedian in Brazil
Jeff Bezos hasn’t paid a dollar in taxes for decades. He makes billions and pays $0 in taxes, LEGALLY
China Increases Use of Exit Bans Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Procter & Gamble to Raise U.S. Prices to Offset One‑Billion‑Dollar Tariff Cost
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
Botswana Seeks Controlling Stake in De Beers as Anglo American Prepares Exit
Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of Obama‑Era Endangerment Finding, Dismantling Regulatory Basis for CO₂ Emissions Limits
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
A family has been arrested in the UK for displaying the British flag
Mel Gibson refuses to work with Robert De Niro, saying, "Keep that woke clown away from me."
×