Beautiful Virgin Islands

Sunday, Oct 06, 2024

‘I will seek support of VIP congress to remain as leader’ for 2023 elections- Premier

‘I will seek support of VIP congress to remain as leader’ for 2023 elections- Premier

Despite reports of some members and supporters of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) not pleased with the leadership of the Premier and Minister of Finance in the Unity Government, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), Dr Wheatley has said he desires to lead the VIP into the 2023 general elections.

With the shocking incarceration of Ex-Premier Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) in Miami on April 28, 2022, the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Congress met on April 30, 2022, and unanimously voted for the then Acting Premier Dr Wheatley (R7) to become the new Chairman of the VIP.

Dr Wheatley had served as Deputy Premier under Hon Fahie.

The VIP then agreed to unite with the National Democratic Party (NDP) and Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) to form a coalition government to stave off direct rule by the United Kingdom, following the scathing Commission of Inquiry (COI) Report. Dr Wheatley was then named Premier and Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), also of the VIP, was named Deputy Premier.

With the shocking incarceration of Ex-Premier Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) in Miami on April 28, 2022, the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Congress met on April 30, 2022, and unanimously voted for the then Acting Premier Dr Wheatley (R7) to become the new Chairman of the VIP.


‘I put myself forward’ to lead VIP- Dr Wheatley


Dr Wheatley had said the coalition government would run the affairs of the territory until the next elections constitutionally due by the second quarter of 2023.

Responding to a question at a press briefing on September 23, 2022, Dr Wheatley said while the decision ultimately rests with the VIP Congress, he desires to continuing leading the party.

“I am the head of the VIP now and of course I would seek the support of the VIP congress to remain as the leader. Of course, that decision is for the VIP Congress, but certainly I put myself forward as one having the desire to continue in this position,” Premier Wheatley stated.

“I am not aware of any leadership problems’


Meanwhile, Dr Wheatley also said he was unaware of persons in the VIP camp not pleased with his leadership so far.

Unity Government legislator and Fourth District Representative Hon Mark H. Vanterpool had labelled the Unity Government as a ‘puppet government’ and that Governor John J. Rankin CMG was the one running the territory; however, Hon Vanterpool subsequently withdrew this statement in the House of Assembly (HoA).

“I am not aware of any leadership problems but certainly I am all ears if persons want to speak to me about any challenges as it pertains to leadership. Certainly, I am willing to listen and at the very least have a conversation,” Hon Wheatley stated.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Facilitated Communication: Miracle Tool or Manipulative Method?
The Allure of Browsing Online Property Portals: A Modern Obsession
Suspected Acid Attacker in London Bailed Amid Investigation
Tragic Channel Crossing: Four Migrants Killed
Labour Cabinet Ministers' Stances on Assisted Dying
The Influence of Tory Members on Party Leadership
UK Plans Major Overhaul of Employment Rights
UK Food Industry Lobbying Delays £1.7 Billion Plastic Packaging Tax
New UK Tipping Law Sparks Confusion Among Restaurant Staff
Debate Heats Up Over Assisted Dying Legislation in the UK
New Personalized Cancer Therapies Undergo Extensive Clinical Study
UAE Energy Minister: OPEC+ Doing a 'Noble' Job in Balancing Oil Market
Call for Wealth Tax Hikes to Curb Reform UK's Rise
Labour MP Supports Chancellor's Rejection of Wealth Tax
Debate Intensifies Over VAT Introduction for UK Private Schools
Israel Plans Retaliation Against Iran Amid Rising Regional Tensions
Norwegian Police Conclude 'Spy Whale' Hvaldimir's Death Due to Infection
Dominica Sells Citizenship to Boost Climate Resilience
Greta Thunberg Detained in Brussels During Protest Against Fossil Fuel Subsidies
UK Returns Chagos Islands to Mauritius After Decades-Long Dispute
UK Reaffirms Commitment to Overseas Territories Amid Falkland Islands Dispute
France's Silent March Supports Gisèle Pelicot: A Shocking Case
Robert Jenrick's Leadership Prospects: Challenges from the Right
Declining Interest in Grammar Schools Amid VAT Concerns
Emirates Bans Pagers and Walkie-Talkies on All Flights
Malaysian Father Burns Son's Motorbike to Prevent Racing Accidents
Donald Trump Urges Israel to Hit Iran's Nuclear Facilities First
Private Schools Face Enrollment Decline Due to Impending VAT on Fees
Wetherspoon’s CEO Criticizes Smaller Beer Glass Proposal and Licensing Hour Reduction
Starmer Defends UK Chagos Islands Decision Amidst Tory Criticism
Naomi Campbell Banned from Charity Work After Fashion for Relief Mismanagement
Sky News Cancels Boris Johnson Interview Over Recording Restriction
Hurricane Kirk's Remnants to Bring Stormy Weather to UK
Toyota Postpones US Electric Vehicle Production Amid Slowing EV Sales
EU Imposes Tariffs on Chinese Electric Vehicles
Royal Navy Submarine Service Exposed for Misogyny and Bullying
UK Government Organizes New Evacuation Flight for Britons in Lebanon
EU Car Industry Faces Severe Downturn
UK to Return Chagos Islands to Mauritius After Long Dispute
EU Imposes Tariffs on Chinese Electric Vehicles
Antarctica's Rapid Transformation: From Ice to Green
Boeing Starliner's Delayed Mission Extends NASA Astronauts' ISS Stay
Spanish F-18 Fighter Jet Crash Claims Pilot's Life
US Army Tests Armed Robot Dogs in the Middle East
Israeli Family Adopts Niece After Hamas Attack
French Court Allows Public Viewing of Video Evidence in Mass Rape Trial
Elon Musk's X Faces Fines and Account Error in Brazil
Boris Johnson Claims He Found Listening Device in Bathroom After Netanyahu's Visit
Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei declared today: "If Israel retaliates, we will raze Tel Aviv and Haifa to the ground."
Scott Jennings leaves CNN panel speechless as he tears apart Tim Walz's flimsy excuse of being "too dumb to tell the truth."
×