British Virgin Islands Election Results

Wikipedia

The British Virgin Islands general election, 2011 was held in the British Virgin Islands on 7 November 2011.^[1] The result was a decisive victory for the opposition National Democratic Party (NDP) led by Orlando Smith over the incumbent Virgin Islands Party (VIP), led by Premier Ralph T. O'Neal.^[2] No minor parties or independent candidates won any seats.

Contents   [hide]  1 Background 2 Results 2.1 District seats 2.2 Territorial At-Large Seats 3 New Government 4 Sources 5 Footnotes

[edit]Background

The House of Assembly was dissolved on 13 September 2011, by the Governor, Mr William Boyd McCleary, on advice from the Premier. However, the date of the election was not announced until 23 September 2011.

Premier Ralph O'Neal confirmed that he would lead his party at the 2011 general election, even though he would turn 78 shortly after the election, and would be 82 at the end of the term of office (if re-elected).

Second district representative, Alvin Christopher (who received the highest percentage of votes for a territorial candidate (75.9%) in the 2007 election) announced that he will run for the Virgin Islands Party. Mr Christopher has formerly run for the VIP, the NDP and as an independent candidate.

Although the ruling Virgin Islands Party had a huge majority following the 2007 election the intervening years had been characterised by difficult economic times, and a series of natural disasters had hit the Territory damaging its infrastructure. Both of these events led to criticism being directed towards the ruling Government.

[edit]Results

e • d Summary of the 7 November 2011 Legislative assembly election results

Parties	Votes*	%age	Seats
National Democratic Party	22,858	52.5%	9
Virgin Islands Party	16,998	39.0%	4
People's Patriotic Alliance	2,204	5.1%	0
Independents	1,491	3.4%	0
Speaker and Attorney General			2
Total (turnout 68.8% (est.))	43,551	100.0%	15
* Each voter has 5 votes; 1 district vote and 4 territorial "at-large" votes
Source: BVI Platinum News

[edit]District seats

The early (unofficial) results of the voting for the district seats were as follows:

• First electorial district

Candidate	No of votes	Percentage
Andrew A. Fahie (VIP)	611	65.8%
Preston Stoutt (IND)	317	34.2%

• Second Electoral District

Candidate	No of votes	Percentage
J. Alvin Christopher (VIP)	423	52.4%
Claude Cline-Skelton (NDP)	339	42.0%
Leall Rhymer (IND)	38	4.7%
Allewine Smith	7	0.9%

• Third Electoral District

Candidate	No of votes	Percentage
Julian Fraser (VIP)	613	52.4%
Kevin Smith (NDP)	557	47.6%

• Fourth Electoral District

Candidate	No of votes	Percentage
Mark Vanterpool (NDP)	661	68.5%
Vincent Scatliffe (VIP)	209	21.7%
Collin Scatliffe (IND)	95	9.8%

• Fifth Electoral District

Candidate	No of votes	Percentage
Delores Christopher (NDP)	727	55.0%
Elvis Jerome Harrigan (VIP)	596	45.0%

• Sixth Electoral District

Candidate	No of votes	Percentage
Alvera Maduro-Caines (NDP)	612	61.4%
Omar Hodge (VIP)	385	38.6%

• Seventh Electoral District

Candidate	No of votes	Percentage
Kedrick Pickering (NDP)	535	70.1%
Ronnie Lettsome (VIP)	156	20.5%
Allen Wheatley (IND)	72	9.4%

• Eighth Electoral District

Candidate	No of votes	Percentage
Marlon Penn (NDP)	524	48.1%
Dancia Penn (VIP)	423	38.8%
Bevis Sylvester (IND)	112	10.3%
Nolan Davis (IND)	30	2.8%

• Ninth Electoral District

Candidate	No of votes	Percentage
Ralph T. O'Neal (VIP)	565	49.4%
Hubert O'Neal (NDP)	537	46.9%
Lorie Rymer (IND)	20	1.8%
Devon Osborne (IND)	11	1.0%
Rheudell Samuel O'Neal	11	1.0%

(IND) = Independent candidate
(NDP) = National Democratic Party candidate
(VIP) = Virgin Islands Party candidate

In the early polling, one of the bigger surprises was the defeat of Government minister and veteran politician, Omar Hodge, in the 6th district by political newcomer, Alvera Maduro-Caines. Early counts showed incumbent Premier, Ralph O'Neal, trailing his challenger, Hubert O'Neal, in the 9th district, but he eventually overhauled the challenger to retain the seat which he has held since 1971.

In the Territorial seats, the highest percentage of votes and greatest margin of victory (nearly 50 points) was Kendrick Pickering in the 7th district. The largest number of individual votes however was Delores Christopher in the 5th district. The lowest percentage of votes by a winning candidate was Marlon Penn (48.1%) in the four way race in the 9th district. The lowest total number of votes by a victorious candidate was Alvin Christopher (423) in the 2nd district.

[edit]Territorial At-Large Seats

The results for the at-large seats were as following. The top four vote receiving candidates are elected to the at-large seats.

Position	Candidate	Party	Votes
1	Orlando Smith	(NDP)	(5,081 votes)
2	Myron Walwyn	(NDP)	(4,605 votes)
3	Ronnie Skelton	(NDP)	(4,475 votes)
4	Archibald Christian	(NDP)	(4,205 votes)
5	Irene Penn-O'Neal	(VIP)	(3,764 votes)
6	Zoë Walcott-McMillan	(VIP)	(3,335 votes)
7	Vernon Malone	(VIP)	(2,960 votes)
8	Keith Flax	(VIP)	(2,958 votes)
9	Shaina Smith	(PPA)	(889 votes)
10	Natalio Wheatley	(PPA)	(785 votes)
11	Bertrand Lettsome	(IND)	(476 votes)
12	Elton Callwood	(PPA)	(332 votes)
13	Khoy Smith	(PPA)	(198 votes)
14	Edmund Maduro	(IND)	(122 votes)
15	Lionel Penn	(IND)	(99 votes)
16	Eileen Baronville	(IND)	(81 votes)

(IND) = Independent candidate
(NDP) = National Democratic Party candidate
(PPA) = People’s Patriotic Alliance
(VIP) = Virgin Islands Party candidate

Orlando Smith, being the leader of the victorious National Democratic Party, will be invited by the Governor to form a new Govenrment as the Premier.

Orlando Smith also retains his record as being the only politician to be elected as an at-large candidate at every single election in the British Virgin Islands since at-large candidates have been allowed to stand.

[edit]New Government

On 9 November 2011, the Governor, Mr Boyd McCleary officially appointed Orlando Smith as the Premier under section 52(1) the constitution. He becomes the third person in BVI political history to serve two non-consecutive terms of office as Chief Minister/Premier, and the fourth to win more than one general election as party leader

On the same day the first cabinet was sworn in under Orlando Smith.

• In addition to serving as the Territory’s Premier Honourable Orlando Smith was appointed Minister of Finance and Tourism.
• Honourable Kendrick Pickering was appointed Deputy Premier, and Minister of Natural Resources and Labour.
• Honourable Myron Walwyn was appointed Minister of Education and Culture.
• Honourable Mark Vanterpool was appointed Minister of Communications and Works.
• Honourable Ronnie Skelton was appointed Minister of Health and Social Development.

[edit]Sources

• Virgin Islands News Online - 2011 General Election
• Platinum News BVI - 2011 General Election

[edit]Footnotes

1. ^ "Premier Announces November 7 As General Elections Day". Platinum News BVI. 2011-09-23.
2. ^ "Loud celebration begins in Road Town!". Virgin Islands News Online. Retrieved 2011-11-08.

Abuses in Papua and Moluccas persist

Pacific Media Centre

17 November, 2011

ANALYSIS: Overall, Indonesia has made great strides in democracy and human rights since Suharto's day. Sweeping reforms have freed up the media, wiped repressive laws off the books and led to the direct election of leaders in the predominantly Muslim nation, making it a potential model for Egypt and other Arab Spring countries. But abuses still copntinue in West Papua, reports Michael Holtz from Jayapura.

Indonesia, hosting President Barack Obama and other world leaders this week, has earned praise for democratic reforms achieved since longtime dictator Suharto was ousted a decade ago. A man serving 15 years in prison for raising a flag wants the dignitaries in Bali to know how far the nation still has to go.

In remote corners of the archipelago, dozens of demonstrators have been killed in recent months, and anti-government activists continue to be thrown in jail for peacefully expressing their views. There are least 100 political prisoners, most in Papua and the Molucca islands, many of whom complain of being tortured.

"Indonesia says, 'We're brothers, we're equal,' But you see? It's meaningless," said Filep Karma, a prominent political prisoner with nine years left on his sentence for raising a pro-independence flag. He said he has endured severe beatings by guards who mock him for his Christian faith and spit out insults like "dog."

The 52-year-old spoke to The Associated Press on October 23 from a location that he insisted remain secret, after he was granted a brief reprieve from prison to get medical attention.

Outside, convoys of troops rumbled down the road and soldiers stood on street corners with rifles dangling from their shoulders. Inside, others in the room nervously checked doors and windows.

Overall, Indonesia has made great strides in democracy and human rights since Suharto's day. Sweeping reforms have freed up the media, wiped repressive laws off the books and led to the direct election of leaders in the predominantly Muslim nation, making it a potential model for Egypt and other Arab Spring countries.

Obama arrives

Obama arrived in Indonesia for the East Asia Summit today. To the US, the nation of 240 million where Obama spent part of his childhood is a potentially powerful counterweight to China's growing military and economic influence in the Asia-Pacific region.

The US has launched an aggressive wooing campaign, ending a ban last year on working with an Indonesian special forces unit accused of some of the worst atrocities during East Timor's 1990s-era independence struggle. The ban, hugely embarrassing to Jakarta, was the final obstacle to normalising military ties.

Abuses continue, however, in areas including West Papua, where the government has struggled to put down a low-level insurgency that has claimed tens of thousands of lives, most at the hands of the military, according to human rights workers.

"It's Indonesia's dirty little secret that they still put people like Filep Karma behind bars," said Elaine Pearson of the New York-based Human Rights Watch.

The international community shares some of the blame, she said, because of its eagerness to present the nation as a democratic success story.

Since late July, 34 people have been killed in Papua and five have been arrested and charged with treason, which carries a maximum sentence of life, according to police and rights workers.

Days before Karma's interview, security forces broke up a pro-independence gathering in the nearby town of Abepura, opening fire on the crowd and beating participants with batons and rattan canes. Three people were killed and dozens injured.

'Same rights'

Bambang Sulistyo, a spokesman for Indonesia's legal and security affairs ministry, said Papuans enjoy the same rights as everyone else to stage rallies, protest or hold a congress. But the government will not tolerate any movement to separate from Indonesia or provocative acts like raising a flag known as a symbol of separatist group.

For that reason, he said, the gathering in Abepura was illegal.

"It was deliberately provocative," Sulistyo said, adding that police fired several warning shots to control the crowd. Authorities are still investigating the circumstances around the deaths of the three civilians.

Karma and others who have been imprisoned complain of severe abuse.

"They treat us like animals," said Yusak Pakage, a Papuan activist who was arrested in 2004 for killing a government official during a protest, a crime he says he didn't commit.

Pakage was blinded in his right eye after being brutally beaten by jail guards, and was released from prison after accepting a conditional pardon last year.

Liberti Sitinjak, current chief at Abepura prison, denies that inmates are beaten or otherwise abused.

Open letter

On Monday, 50 members of the US House of Representatives sent Obama a letter urging him to raise the issue of abuses in Papua with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during his visit. But during his own Indonesia trip last month, US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said that the US would keep a watchful eye on rights abuses, but largely supports the government's strong stance against the pro-independence movement.

Papua is the most remote region in Indonesia and the last to be relinquished by its Dutch colonial masters a half century ago. It was incorporated into Indonesia in 1969 after a UN-sponsored ballot of tribal leaders that has been widely dismissed as a sham.

Activists are regularly given 10 years or more in jail for anti-government rallies, unfurling banners or raising pro-independence flags, while soldiers who commit abuses have received much less time, if any. Even those captured on video burning genitals of one suspected separatist in Papua last year and running a sharp knife across the neck of another were sentenced to just a few months for "disobeying orders."

The seeds of dissent were sown into Karma - who comes from an upper-class family of civil servants - in 1965 when Indonesian soldiers arrived at his home just after midnight and kicked in the door. He was 6 at the time.

"They were shouting, 'Wake up! Wake up!' as they overturned furniture, smashed everyone in sight," said Karma.

"It hurt, deep in my heart," he said. "This is where it began for me. I started to believe if Papua didn't get away from Indonesia, we'd all spend the rest of our lives suffering."

Even so, he remained largely removed from the independence movement until 1998, when he got involved in nationwide protests that eventually helped sweep Suharto from power. It was only after taking part in flag-raising ceremony in his hometown of Biak in July that year that it dawned on him that Papua might not benefit from the dramatic changes yet to come.

Opened fire

He was injured in both legs when Indonesian troops opened fire at a rally, and was thrown in jail for a year on charges of sedition.

His second arrest, the one he's now serving time for, came in 2004. His Christian faith was openly ridiculed in court, and his 15-year sentence was three times what prosecutors had demanded.

Karma's daughter, Audryne Karma, said the blood-drenched head of a dog was dropped off on the doorstep of his lawyers, with a note attached: "We will kill Karma."

"We thought that the Indonesian authorities, wary of martyring my father, would grant him an early release," she wrote in a letter that appeared last month in The Wall Street Journal. "Instead, they transformed a humble civil servant into an icon of political persecution."

Some longtime observers remain hopeful, however, that momentum is shifting and that Karma could be freed early.

"There's a sort of critical mass of key players who are coming together behind the issue," Eben Kirksey, author of an upcoming book about the Papuan independence movement, said of Karma.

Karma has rejected several offers to be set free, saying he will accept nothing short of unconditional release.

"I also want an apology to the people of Papua," he said, "because many civilians have been killed by Indonesian soldiers."

Michael Holtz is an Associated Press reporter. 


See also: 

New Papuan protests demand Indonesia take responsibility for human rights abuses

U.S. can’t stand by while racism ravages Libya

By : Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.

Chicago Suntimes

Before leaving the G-20 meetings in Cannes, France, President Obama joined with French President Sarkozy to pay tribute to the two countries’ alliance and celebrate the successful intervention in Libya that ended the rule of Moammar Gadhafi.

“Every man and woman in uniform who participated in this effort can know that you have accomplished every objective,” Obama said. “Today, the Libyan people have liberated their country and begun to forge their own future.”

Obama, who launched the Libyan mission amid widespread Republican criticism, had good reasons to greet Gadhafi’s overthrow with relief. And all hope that democracy can take root. But once the U.S. intervenes in an internal foreign dispute, we bear greater responsibility for the outcome. Before the “war of choice” on Iraq, former Secretary of State Colin Powell warned President Bush about the “Pottery Barn rule: If you break it, you own it.”

That’s why the U.S. and its allies must respond to the credible reports of terrible violence being wreaked on dark-skinned Libyans by the victors. According to Human Rights Watch, “It is a dangerous time to be dark-skinned in Tripoli.” Reports abound that black Libyans are being subjected to beatings, torture, rape, killings — and, in several instances, horrific public lynchings.

Racism in Libya has a long and complex history but has grown fierce since the uprising against Gadhafi began in February. Under Gadhafi, foreign workers accounted for about one quarter of Libya’s 6 million population. Most came from Africa, poor immigrants seeking jobs in Libya’s oil, agriculture or other sectors. They live predominantly in the southern part of the country and many were naturally loyal to Gadhafi.

Now towns like Tawergha in the southern region previously loyal to Gadhafi are reported to be ghost towns, with entire populations having “disappeared.” The revolutionaries claim that many of those arrested or killed were “mercenaries” hired by Gadhafi to defend the regime. While some, no doubt, fought on Gadhafi’s side, independent analysts say the rumors about mercenaries are wildly exaggerated and are used as an excuse for trampling rights.

Libya’s National Transitional Council has denied the allegations, telling the U.N. Human Rights Council: “We do not make any distinction among people on grounds of color.” But independent organizations like Amnesty International confirm the reports that refugees and other dark-skinned Libyans are filling detention centers, with allegations of torture widespread.

The U.S. and its allies intervened in the Libyan conflict on the basis of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1975, which called for the international community to use all necessary means to protect civilians. The abuse and ethnic cleansing of dark-skinned people mock that authority.

It is vital that there be an immediate United Nations investigation of the reports of ethnic cleansing and violence against dark-skinned people in Libya. The allied nations should work with the new authorities in Libya to strengthen the rule of law, stop ethnic violence and end human rights abuses. The Obama administration should independently investigate the atrocities and bring international attention to the situation.

No one knows what comes next in Libya. But the United States and the other NATO allies involved in the intervention are not simply onlookers. They can’t simply celebrate the end of Gadhafi regime. They bear responsibility, in part, for what comes next — and cannot stand silently by as racial division becomes deadly.

Our sovereignty in our own home - the case of Guam

*****

by Peter J. Santos

(now serving with the U.S. military in Afghanistan)

Letter to the Editor

Marianas Variety

MY DEAR Chamoru people, history has its lessons to teach. Just because we live in a world of relative security, comfort and individual freedom, history’s lessons must not be lost on us. Have you ever wondered why the Europeans went on to dominate the rest of the world? How did they conquer Africa, South and North America, Australia, etc.? How did they use the few to dominate the many? To answer the how, we must examine the more important question: why?

The reason why is because they had a self-importance to them. They believed they were the chosen race and that other uncivilized peoples were placed on Earth to be conquered and subjugated for their benefit. This mode of thinking was so pervasive for centuries that the subjugated races were made to believe this. The “inferior” races were made to believe, and did believe they were less important and indeed inferior in mind and body. The historical development of laws through the centuries illustrates very clearly that these notions of inequality were accepted and abided. Under this legal framework and mindset, the white man was able to exploit and subjugate the other races.

In the 19th and 20th century, there was an awakening and shift of belief. Human beings, regardless of race, color or creed, are considered equal. The United States was behind the power curve of other Westernized societies, but we eventually caught up. Yes, it may surprise many to know that the United States was late to this party, although we were not the last.

Guam and the Chamoru people were definitely affected by this reality. Spain, Japan and the United States all administered Guam and its people with the mindset and attitude of their self importance to the detriment of the Chamoru people. The Chamoru people and the Chamoru culture suffered immensely because of this. Yet today, the Chamoru people and culture still exist. We have evolved tremendously as a people and a culture, which is natural. It is ridiculous for anyone to assert that the Chamoru people and culture are non-existent.

Mindful of our painful and atrocious history, there are those of us who advocate restoration of what was stolen so long ago: Chamoru sovereignty. Those who oppose this notion argue that it was so long ago and so much has changed, we must just let it go. They claim that to do this, you must necessarily exclude others. To do this would be unfair and racist even. 

Well isn’t it funny how it is framed now that the Chamoru people wish to assert self-importance? But it is different what the Chamoru people are demanding. We are not seeking to take away anyone’s property or interests. We are not proclaiming that we are better than anyone else. We are not venturing to the territory of another group of people to subjugate and exploit them and their natural resources. We just want back what was taken so long ago: our sovereignty in our own home.

Puerto Rico - Virgin Islands discuss possible electrical connection; wider Caribbean expansion eyed

*****

Discussions held between Virgin Islands Governor and Puerto Rico Secretary of State

DeJongh Talks Electrical Connection With Puerto Rico Secretary of State

St. Thomas Source

The next steps forward to advance an electrical interconnection project between the territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands dominated a productive meeting between Puerto Rico's Secretary of State, Kenneth McClintock, and Gov. John deJongh Jr. Monday on St. Thomas, according to a statement from Government House.

The 50-mile submarine interconnection between Puerto Rico and St. Thomas, as well as other potential phases of the project, has already undergone a technical feasibility study, and officials from both governments are preparing task forces to outline their mutual needs and consider funding sources.

"We had extremely positive talks today, and both governors’ offices are fully committed to connecting our power grids," deJongh said in the statement. "Together, Governor Luis Fortuno and I will reach out to the White House to ask for assistance in identifying additional federal assets to advance our goal of an electrical interconnection between St. Thomas and Puerto Rico,” deJongh said.

Both U.S. territories rely heavily on imported petroleum products and are seeking alternative energy solutions to reduce costs and protect their natural environments. The small, isolated energy markets inhibit efforts to efficiently employ the Caribbean's abundant wind, solar, and geothermal resources.

By connecting the electrical grids via undersea cables, however, the islands will expand the size of their energy markets and make the development of renewable energy more economically feasible, according to Government House. Puerto Rico could sell its excess capacity to the Virgin Islands, reducing electrical costs for both territories while improving the stability of the grid in the event of a natural disaster.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton both acknowledged the benefits of the project and the even greater potential of a Caribbean-wide electricity grid in remarks they delivered at the 2010 Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA) Ministerial.

At Monday's meeting, deJongh and McClintock discussed suitable funding levels and possible sources—private capital, federal grants, or financing. Officials from both territories have also met with federal officials in Washington, D.C. over the last month and a half to discuss possible technical assistance and funding.

“We need this. Puerto Rico wants it. Now we have to work with all our partners to initiate the process that will one day yield this important, game-changing infrastructure,” deJongh said.

The project is currently being studied by the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority, the Puerto Rico Electrical Power Authority, and both governors’ offices, and officials are in the process of establishing a joint USVI-PR task force, according to Government House. Plans may ultimately include the British Virgin Islands and other Caribbean island nations, deJongh said.

OECD Global Forum Publishes Peer Review Report on Anguilla

*****

Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information publishes its Peer Review Report on Anguilla.

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information has published its Peer Review Report on Anguilla.

The Review, which examined Anguilla’s legal and regulatory framework for transparency and the exchange of information for tax purposes, reported that Anguilla has a strong anti-money laundering regime and, with respect to availability of ownership and identity information, that Anguilla has clear requirements for ordinary companies, international business companies, partnerships and foundations to maintain this information. The assessment team determined that, of ten essential elements tested in accordance with the Global Forum’s Terms of Reference for Peer Reviews, only one, relating to accounting records, was found not to be in place.

The Review noted that Anguilla formally committed to the international standards on exchange of information in 2002 and has rapidly developed its exchange of information network since 2009. Anguilla has signed 17 bilateral Tax Information Exchange Agreements.

Speaking following publication of the Review Chief Minister Hubert Hughes said “I am delighted that Anguilla’s progress in this important area has been recognised by the OECD’s Global Forum. The Government of Anguilla remains committed to meeting international standards on transparency and the exchange of information and recognises that this is essential for our success as a financial services centre”.

The Report was approved at the Peer Review Group meeting in the Cayman Islands in July, where Anguilla’s delegation was led by Perin Bradley of the Ministry of Finance, before being formally adopted by the Global Forum.

The delegation also included Lead Negotiator for Anguilla’s Tax Information Exchange Agreements and General Advisor Mrs Lorna Smith, Director of the Financial Services Commission Eleanor Astaphan, Ms. Tina Bannister - Head of AML/CFT and Legal Services for the Financial Services Commission, Parliamentary Counsel Kellie Bailey, Head of the Governor’s Office Catherine Firth, and Comptroller of Inland Revenue Gecheal Richardson.

Colonies or territories? Pacific territories knock at the Forum’s door

*****

by Nic Maclellan

 Islands Business Magazine (Fiji)

When the Pacific Islands Forum was created in 1971, only Cook Islands, Nauru, Fiji and Western Samoa (now Samoa) were independent nations. Forty years on, the Forum has evolved into a 16-member body, linking Australia, New Zealand and the 14 independent islands states (with Fiji currently suspended from Forum activities).

But today, the Forum is no longer just an institution of the independent nations of the region. Over the last decade, the Forum has granted associate membership or observer status to a range of Pacific territories that are still administered by France, New Zealand and the United States.

The regional organisation now has two associate members—the French dependencies of New Caledonia and French Polynesia—while Tokelau and Wallis and Futuna have observer status. The government of Timor-Leste has access since 2002 as a special observer.

At their September 2011 meeting in Auckland, Forum leaders also granted observer status to the three US dependencies in the region: the territories of American Samoa and Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). 

Today, only the tiny British territory of Pitcairn, the island of Rapanui (under Chilean administration), the US state of Hawai’i and Indonesian-dominated West Papua remain outside the Forum’s embrace. 

Read the full article here .

Inaugural Address of British Virgin Islands Premier D. Orlando Smith

*****

Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall

I greet you the people of our beloved Virgin Islands with a humble and grateful heart. I thank God on whose advice you depended to allow us to gain victory at the polls on November 08.

Today is a new day for this country. We all, no matter our party affiliation, must with one agreement work to improve the quality of life in our country. As I said in my victory speech last evening: at the end of the day this is our beloved home and we all want the best for it. So let the healing begin today. Let the journey of recovery begin for our territory in an atmosphere of goodwill. Let us put our country first, under God, and let us work together to reclaim and restore the greatness of our territory.

Our beloved territory needs the ideas and assistance of all its people. Today, I therefore call on all who care about our Virgin Islands, no matter your party affiliation, your ethnicity or country of origin to join with us in moving this country forward. There is much work to do and we will need your help, your input, your ideas and your involvement.

With your vote of confidence you have given us an overwhelming command to work for you and to work with you. As we did at our many campaign rallies we once more make a solemn promise to you that we will not make decisions in seclusion or exclusion. We will strive to always seek your advice, we will welcome your input in decisions we will have to make on your behalf.

To rebuild the BVI together we must and will keep the lines of communications open. I truly believe that we all want a better Virgin Islands but we all have different opinions and ideas on how to get where we need to be. We will keep you apprised of plans and activities that we carry out on your behalf. We hope in turn that you will continue to respond to us and to let us know what we’re doing right and what you think we’re doing wrong. We learnt the hard way of doing other wise four years ago and will not repeat that error again.

Ladies and gentlemen, as of today we only have a vague idea of what financial condition our country is in. We are asking every person in this Territory to have patience with us as we try to unravel the spider’s web our Government has become.

We will reacquaint ourselves with you the loyal and hard working public Civil Servants on whom we have to depend for the next four years and hopefully beyond. We rely on you to help us to help the people of this country under whose mandate we will serve.

Some hard decisions may have to be made concerning decisions made by the last Government especially those in recent weeks that were purely self serving and not in the interest of the BVI. Whatever we do we sincerely promise to do our best on your behalf, always keeping in mind that we all have to live here and that we want peace and harmony to be the hallmark of our administration.

Ladies and Gentlemen, our road to victory was paved with promises that we will fix the economy. I reiterate that promise today. We will keep that promise. Our first priority therefore is the economy and to get it right. We will rely on our Manifesto and your further ideas to do so.

We have taken careful note of the ills that had beset our country: from poor infrastructure, including our road network which is in dire need of resuscitation, to the individual needs of our citizens including the need for better access to health care, better education for all including our children with special needs, better care for our seniors, and the need to give more attention to the needs of our young people – our future.

Ladies and Gentlemen change must come, given the last four tough years we have faced.

This morning a BVI voter sent me one page from an article about another Caribbean territory that found its economy in a state of decline, until it changed course. It identified five problem areas that needed fixing:

1) Attitudes: a service economy where a large part of the population resent serving

2) Prices: in relative terms, value for money was in decline for many years

3) Labour, management, race, politics etc: the country no longer worked as a team

4) Environment: Loss of pride

5) Greed: Unrealistic expectations

Do any of these sound familiar? We have got to roll up our sleeves and fix these problems and fix them now. Ladies and gentlemen, we must fix them now, if we are to regain our competitive advantage.

Another friend’s congratulatory note read in part as follows: ‘We need to remember that the rest of the world owes us nothing and that it is our responsibility to offer services that make us relevant.’ I could not have said this better.

People of the Virgin Islands, together we will rebuild a sustainable economy around the twin pillars of tourism and financial services where we will return BVI to our state of full employment for all the people of this territory. I call on each citizen of this territory to join us in this great work.

We will actively encourage investment in both our tourism and financial services sectors. And let me be clear: when I talk of investment I speak of investment by BVIslanders as well as investment from international sources that does not compete with or strangle local investment. Investment is the key to our economic strength.

Further Ladies and Gentlemen, we will work together with you to build an economy that will provide opportunities for you to create your own businesses, and will further work with you to make sure that once you have seized those opportunities that you will be successful.

My victory message of yesterday was in part to the Youth of this territory and I repeat some of what I said then:

The youth of this territory represent the future. During the campaign and in the elections they spoke loud and clear about the future they wish to see. I remain full of admiration for their talent, creativity, enthusiasm and energy.”

I was happy to use all the social media available to me during the campaign. I found the relationships I established on Face Book with young people especially rewarding. last night I gave a special shout out to my many Face Book friends who really kept me buoyant throughout the campaign with their positive vibes and good humour. I do so again today and as I said then I won’t put any of you on blast but you know who you are!

I also said yesterday that it is clear that this government will not pay lip service to the needs of our young people. They will play a vital role in the development of our territory. Four of them were on our slate in the recent elections. And what a huge impact they made. We will always be proud of them and they will continue to be a part of the team that will put our country first.

We campaigned on a youth Agenda. Let me say this to the young people of the BVI regardless of your political persuasion: A dynamic Youth Agenda will remain central to this new Government’s Agenda.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Our Government will be a people’s Government where each one of you will have access to your nine representatives and you will be able to make your concerns and opinions known and expect to have them acted upon wherever possible. By the same token we must also take into account the views of all the representatives of the people. We can only commit ourselves to work for you and with you and we ask you to help us to serve as your very good servants over the next four years.

Continue to take us to the throne of grace in your prayers and the nine of us in turn ask God’s blessings on each and every person in this beautiful country. Once more our grateful thanks for your support. With God’s help and your prayers we will not let you down.

Thank you and we pray that God will continue to bless you and may he continue to bless our beloved Virgin Islands.

November 9th, 2011

British Virgin Islands elections yield victory for opposition

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by Merrick Andrews, Editor

 BVI News 

“We will not make decisions in seclusion or exclusion” – Premier Smith

The members of the National Democratic Party government. The Premier Dr. D. Orlando Smith (centre) was sworn into office along with four other ministers at a ceremony held at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. * Photo credit: BVI News

Newly sworn-in Premier of the British Virgin Islands Dr. D. Orlando Smith has promised the people of the territory that his government will not make any decisions without the input of the people – a mandate he admitted his 2003-2007 government failed, thereby leading to their devastating 11-2 defeat at the polls four years ago. But given that the people have overwhelming given the National Democratic Party (NDP) a second chance after the Party’s 9-4 victory in Monday’s general elections, Smith said the NDP has learned their lesson.

“As we did at our many campaign rallies we once more make a solemn promise to you that we will not make decisions in seclusion or exclusion. We will strive to always seek your advice, we will welcome your input in decisions we will have to make on your behalf,” Smith said in front hundreds of supporters during a swearing-in ceremony Wednesday, Nov. 9 for the new government ministers.

Smith said to rebuild the BVI together “we must and will keep the lines of communications open”.

“ I truly believe that we all want a better Virgin Islands but we all have different opinions and ideas on how to get where we need to be. We will keep you apprised of plans and activities that we carry out on your behalf. We hope in turn that you will continue to respond to us and to let us know what we’re doing right and what you think we’re doing wrong. We learnt the hard way of doing otherwise four years ago and will not repeat that error again,” Smith said.

Premier Smith was sworn in as the Minister of Finance. Other ministers sworn in were:

Deputy Premier and Minister of Natural Resources – Dr. Kedrick Pickering, the seventh district representative

Minister of Health and Social Development – Ronnie Skelton, territorial at-large representative

Minister of Education and Culture – Myron Walwyn, territorial at-large representative

Minister of Communications and Works – Mark Vanterpool, fourth district representative

Another Protest against British Governor in Anguilla

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Special from 

United Anguilla for Transparency

Anguilla - 5PM Saturday November 5th 2011, a large crowd of employees of Cap Juluca Hotel converge on Government house in Old Ta Anguilla protesting the Governor again.

Governor Harrison, who's young daughter had just return from medical attention in a neighboring island found the paved yard of Government House inundated with a large number of members of staff. They were protesting his involvement with a number of investors on the island in particular, his close relationship with Mr. Adam Aron, owner of Cap Juluca hotel and CEO of the Philadephia 76ers and his General Manager, Mr. Gary Thurlander.

Everything came to a head after the staff learned that Aron's Partner, Mr. Marc Rowan, Anguilla had come up with an elaborate scheme to auction off everything in the hotel. What complicated matters was that Mr. Aron had in essence depleted the working capital of the hotel so much so that normal day to day expenses is jeapardized. Some of the payments included some $45,000 to his person, $15,000 each to his General Manager Mr. Thurlander and the CFO Ms. Lumly who are co signataries on the Cap Juluca accounts. Some payment went to law firms in the BVI and London among others. This, while owing the Government of Anguilla in excess of  six ($6) million dollars, $945,000 in Social Security contributions and $700,000 to the local electrical company; ANGLEC.

The Staff of the hotel was extremely upset and demanded answers to the developments at the hotel and the Governor's unusual behaviour on the island. There have been many questions on his behaviour but repeatedly, representatives of the FCO has stood by his side. Both Mr. Colin Roberts, Director of the Overseas Territories and Mr. Simon Fraser has said, "Governor Harrison has the fullest support of Her Majesty's Government". These statements have caused the people of Anguilla to question the motives in the small Caribbean island.

The Governor met breifly with the staff and after repeated jeers by the crowd, he left. Many are calling for for the removal of both Adam Aron and Governor Harrison from the island.

After many hours, the Chief Minister of the Island, Hon. Hubert B Hughes came out and spoke to the crowd and they dispersed.

Governor Harrison was born in 1954 and has been a career diplomat. He has worked in Warsaw Poland in 1979, New York 87 , again in Warsaw 95, another stint in New York in 2000, London in 03 and even Lusaka, Zambia.

Aron attended Abington High School, where he played hockey and is the new CEO of the 76ers.