Hon Turnbull was at the time speaking during the Continuation of the Ninth Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Fourth House of Assembly, on December 21, 2022.

“It has been a tremendous honour to fight the fight that we've been fighting for this Virgin Islands over the last seven months with each and every member, and I know there's a lot of work yet to do, but I believe we have been able to make an imprint and an impact to represent the continued democracy of these Virgin Islands,” he added.

Formation of Unity Government 

Earlier in 2022, with the Government of the Virgin Islands and the Opposition, along with the people, against direct rule by the United Kingdom (UK), the Government and Opposition announced a coalition government on May 4, 2022, with the hope of staving off UK direct rule over the findings of a biased Commission of Inquiry (CoI), sponsored by the UK during the height of the global coronavirus pandemic.

The National Unity Government included Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7); Junior Minister for Tourism, Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines (R6); Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs and Sports, Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL); and Minister for Communications and Works, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5).

Hon Turnbull in his presentation at the sitting also expressed gratitude and appreciation to Dr Wheatley and reminded that while they fought when he was in the opposition, he was grateful for his leadership and for presenting the 2023 budget.

“I salute you, sir, for your first budget and I want to say I appreciate your willingness to take the lead in a very uncertain time, but knowing that you had the support of everyone in these Virgin Islands and in this front bench, to lead us this far,” he added.