22^nd October, 2024

Statement

Premier and Leader of Government Business Dr. Hon. Natalio D. Wheatley

Announcement of political changes to the composition of Government

Good morning to the people of the Virgin Islands.

I hope that everyone had an enjoyable Heroes and Foreparents Day yesterday and that you had the opportunity to reflect on our nationally recognised heroes, the heroes in our community today, and those in your own family.

I come to you this morning to announce political changes to the composition of the Government in the House of Assembly of which you should be aware.

I am pleased to announce that the Honourable Julian Fraser, Member for the Third Electoral District, is now a member of my government, who will sit on the Government front benches going forward.

He remains the Chairman of the Progressive United Party (PU), but is now in alliance with the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) of which he was formerly a member for many years.

Additionally, I am pleased to announce that His Excellency the Governor Mr. Daniel Pruce, upon my recommendation, and acting in accordance with the Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007, has appointed Honourable Fraser as Deputy Premier and Minister for Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change. He will also be the Minister with responsibility for Labour and Immigration.

This appointment was made a short while ago, following Hon. Fraser’s signing the instruments of appointment, and being sworn in by Governor Pruce.

This is a necessary change to the composition of the Government that provides my administration with political stability and a wealth of knowledge and experience which will serve us well over the course of the remainder of this House of Assembly.

Political stability is critical at this time to ensure we finalise completion of governance reforms, effectively address the recommendations of the mutual evaluation report ; continue to rebuild our infrastructure with the loan funds now secured for hurricane recovery, accelerate the growth and diversification of our economy; improve healthcare, education and security; pursue sustainable development; build climate resilience; and prepare for constitutional negotiations with the United Kingdom (UK).

Hon. Fraser brings much to the table, as a former Cabinet Minister and the House of Assembly’s most senior member today, having served as a parliamentarian for over 25 years.

Among other things, he previously served as a member of the Government’s negotiating team, that agreed the 2007 constitution. His political experience will be invaluable in our future constitutional negotiations with the United Kingdom in which the Virgin Islands must become more self-determined.

He is highly qualified to serve as Deputy Premier and will be an excellent Minister for the Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change having led this Ministry previously.

In addition to Honourable Fraser’s new Ministerial portfolio, which was previously held by me, I will now serve as Minister of Financial Services and Trade.

I continue to retain my other Ministerial portfolios, including Agriculture and Fisheries that has been transferred back to the Premier’s Office, where I will continue to be assisted in managing these subjects by the junior minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Hon. Karl Dawson, who continues to do an outstanding job.

However, I want to reassure the public, private sector, ministry personnel, and all other stakeholders, that I am fully committed to the Financial Services and Trade which critical areas of the economy. Since the creation of a Ministry of Financial Services, I have remained informed and engaged on this major subject.

I am well aware of the industry’s vital importance to government revenue and will ensure it receives the attention it deserves so that we remain a successful jurisdiction.

In advance of this statement, I informed Territorial Representative Honourable Lorna Smith, OBE that she will no longer serve as Deputy Premier and Minister of Financial Services, Labour and Trade, nor hold any other Ministerial portfolio at this time.

I did so with a heavy heart, because I enjoyed working with Hon. Smith, and she was a very capable Minister.

However, she did not give me the confidence that she would remain with my administration for the duration of this term and this left room for uncertainty, and political instability, which we cannot afford at this time. We must ensure that the Order in Council is lifted, we repair our infrastructure, deliver public services at a much higher level, grow our economy and continue to build a sustainable nation.

I thank Hon. Smith for her hard work and dedication as Deputy Premier.

My Ministerial colleagues and I hope to maintain a positive working relationship with Hon. Smith, in her capacity as Territorial Representative so that together, we can improve the lives of the people of these Virgin Islands.

I again want to reiterate that the political changes in the composition of the Government announced today, were made in the interest of political stability which is needed at this time to move the Territory forward.     

Finally, I thank my Ministers and Junior Ministers for their continued confidence in my leadership as Premier.

As your Government, we thank you the people of the Virgin Islands for your continued support, and look forward to engaging with you on the steps we are taking to move our bourgeoning nation forward.

God bless you and God bless these beautiful Virgin Islands.