'It's not about power for us, it's about empowering our people'- VIP Chairman
Gear up for a "very strong 2023 election campaign" was just part of the message to members and supporters at the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) 52nd-anniversary celebrations on March 11, 2023.
It was a gala night at Manhattan Bar and Lounge in Slaney for the annual fundraiser, which featured the honouring of three persons and one business: Lynette L. Harrigan, MBE, who was represented by her partner Ryan Geluk in her absence; former legislator Irene F. Penn-O'Neal, Shirley Rhymer-Abednego and Caribbean Cellars Ltd.
Former legislator Irene F. Penn-O'Neal,
left, receives her award from Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Chairman and
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley
(R7).
'It's not about power for us'
Closing out the celebration, Chairman of the VIP and Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable Natalio D Wheatly (R7) said, "Gear up for a very strong 2023 election campaign, but it is not about power for us, it's about empowering our people."
Premier Wheatley told the gathering that the party had a very difficult four years but the Virgin Islands needs strong leadership that can secure the future of the Virgin Islands and to build on the foundation established by H. Lavity Stoutt and others.
"So despite the fact that things have been tough, I want us to have hope. I want is to have optimism, I want us to have a positive perspective on our future because I certainly believe that our best days are ahead of us and that we have everything we need here in the Virgin Islands to solve all the challenges and problems we face."
The Virgin Islands Party (VIP) is the
oldest active political party in the (British) Virgin Islands. It has
won more general elections (seven) than any other political party in the
[British] Virgin Islands.
'VIP is bigger than any one individual'
Premier Wheatley paid special tribute to the founders the Virgin Islands Party especially its founding Chairman, the Late Hamilton Lavity Stoutt.
"The reason why the Virgin Islands Party has been able to survive so long, to the point where we have a Virgin Islands Party Government in power right now, is because the Virgin Islands Party is bigger than any one individual, bigger than H.L. Stoutt, bigger than Ralph O'Neal, bigger than Natalio Wheatley, bigger than Andrew Fahie, bigger than any one Individual.
“The Virgin Islands Party is based on a vision, a very strong vision established by our founding Chairman, who believed that the Virgin Islands could develop from way back when it did not have roads and we had to get around by sailing on sloops, where we did not have the commodities like roads and water," Dr Wheatley stated.
