On March 29, 2023, the Committee to elect Mr Christopher announced the launch of his District Two political campaign, slated for April 1, 2023, at the Cane Garden Bay Park.

D2 ‘under-represented’

The local businessman and political activist, who hails from the Second District, has entered the race with plans to make it the envy of other Districts.

“Mr Christopher has answered the call of residents without hesitation to help create an elevated quality of life not just for the residents of the district but the wider community…he is committed to leading the charge as a change agent to drive reform efforts that will make government structures more transparent, inclusive, and responsive,” Mr Christopher’s Committee stated via a press release dated March 29, 2023.

It continued that Mr Christopher is running against the backdrop that representation matters and a resounding belief that the Second District has been severely under-represented.

“Despite the fiscal challenges due to the hurricanes of 2017, COVID 19 pandemic or the lack of government support, we can attest that simple things could and should have been done to restore and improve living conditions and the aesthetics of the district,” the release stated.

The future of D2‘is in jeopardy’

It continued by stating that the future of the District is in jeopardy, as taxpayers’ money is lost by unnecessary spending.

“Has the current elected representative solved the problems with sewage, garbage, and water in the district as he stated he would in his first and second term in office? He said we should keep him accountable… and we are! With a whopping $1.7 million approved in 2018 for the makeover of Cane Garden Bay and Brewers Bay, much was promised but little was done…

“The representative needs to tell the people where he spent this money as he assured to be transparent with the spending of the people’s money. The residents are also still asking about how the COVID relief funds totaling over $900,000 was spent and ask for a breakdown of same,” the release continued.

It said millions of taxpayers’ money was also spent on building Community Centres and basketball court facilities but residents are left with abandoned structures, overgrown trees and derelict vehicles that have become an eyesore in the District.

“Challenges with roads, public water supply, sewage, nonfunctional clinics, and many other woes can be easily remedied...

“Our Seniors deserve better and will no longer need to travel all the way to the West End Center to fellowship. With Troy E. Christopher we will restore and reconstruct the necessary infrastructure for the benefit of all people”.

The release added that Mr Christopher has experience in the tourism industry and knows firsthand how to tackle some of those issues using common sense business strategies.

Independent candidate?

Meanwhile, the press release did not state whether Mr Christopher was running as an Independent candidate, although it did not associate him with a party.

So far, the D2 candidates are the incumbent Hon Melvin M. Turnbull of Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) and Marieta C. Flax-Headley of Virgin Islands Party (VIP).

Mr Christopher was last registered with the National Democratic Party (NDP) as a member.

Speaking to our newsroom on March 9, 2023, Mr Christopher said discussions with his Committee and his supporters need to be had on whether he will contest as an Independent candidate or join a political party.

He had said many persons seem to be in favour of him running as an Independent candidate; however, political parties have also expressed an interest in him running on their slate.