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| Politics of the British Virgin Islands |
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Since the restoration of democracy in the British Virgin Islands in 1950, only a comparatively small number of persons have been elected to political office. Although elections are held approximately every three or four years, the small size of the legislative body and the tendency to return incumbent politicians has resulted in a relatively small aggregate number.
Prior to the 1967 general election legislators were elected on a non-party basis. However, many persons who were elected in those early elections later went on to form, or stand for, political parties.
In addition to politicians who were elected by popular mandate, various other political positions are filled by appointment. These include:
- The Governor of the British Virgin Islands (Daniel Pruce since 29 January 2024)
- The Attorney General of the British Virgin Islands (Dawn Smith since 1 October 2020)
- The Speaker of the House of Assembly of the British Virgin Islands (Corine George-Massicote since 26 May 2022)
- Prior to 1967, certain members of the Legislative Council (as the House of Assembly was formerly named) were appointed rather than elected.
List of elected politicians
A total of 68 people have been elected to serve in the Legislature of the British Virgin Islands; 58 were men, and ten were women. Of those 68, twenty seven (39.7%) have only served a single term or less.
| No. | Name | Year(s) elected | Party (ies) | Offices held | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Anthony, Alban Ulric | 1979, 1983 | VIP | Deputy Chief Minister (1979–1983), Minister for Communications, Works and Industry (1975–1983) | |
| 2. | Black, Lloyd | 1999, 2003 | NDP | Minister for Education and Culture (2003–2007) | |
| 3. | Brewley, E. Walwyn | 1983, 1986, 1990, 1995 | UP, Ind, CCM | Leader of the Opposition (1995–1999), Minister for Communications and Works (1983–1986) | |
| 4. | Brudenell-Bruce, John Charles | 1950 | None | First/only white person to be elected. | |
| 5. | Christian, Archibald | 2011, 2015 | NDP | Junior Minister (2015–present) | |
| 6. | Christopher, J. Alvin | 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011 | VIP, NDP, Ind, PEP | Minister for Communications and Works (1995–2003 and 2005–2006), Deputy Chief Minister (2000–2002), Minister for Natural Resources and Labour (2003–2005) | |
| 7. | Christopher, Delores | 2003, 2011, 2015 | NDP | Died in office (2018) | |
| 8. | Cills, Oliver | 1971, 1975, 1979, 1986, 1990, 1995 | VIDP, VIP | Minister for Communications and Works (1971–1975 and 1986–1990), Leader of the Opposition (1977–1979), Deputy Chief Minister, Minister for Natural Resources and Labour (1995–1999) | |
| 9. | Dawson, Ivan | 1957, 1960, 1963, 1967 | UP | Member for Trade and Production (1963–1967), Minister for Natural Resources (1967–1971) | |
| 10. | Dawson, Karl | 2023 | VIP | ||
| 11. | de Castro, Carlton L.E. | 1950 | Member of the march of 1949. | ||
| 12. | de Castro, Sharie | 2019, 2013 | VIP | Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs and Sports (2022-present) | |
| 13. | Fahie, Andrew | 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019 | VIP | Minister for Health, Education and Welfare (2000–2003), Minister for Education and Culture (2007–2011), Premier and Minister for Finance (2019–2022). Resigned in 2022. | |
| 14. | Faulkner, Theodolph H. | 1954, 1960 | Member of the march of 1949. | ||
| 15. | Flax, Keith L. | 2007 | VIP | ||
| 16. | Flax-Charles, Shereen | 2019 | VIP | ||
| 17. | Fonseca, Isaac Glanville | 1950, 1954, 1957, 1960, 1963, 1967 | POP | Member for Works and Communications (1963–1967) | Member of the march of 1949. |
| 18. | Fraser, Earl P. | 1983 | UP | ||
| 19. | Fraser, Julian | 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023 | VIP, PU | Minister for Communications and Works (2002–2003 and 2007–2011), Minister for Natural Resources and Labour (1999–2002), Leader of the Opposition (2015-2016 and 2022-Present) | |
| 20. | Frett, Alred | 1995 | VIP | Minister for Health, Education and Welfare (1995–1997) | |
| 21. | George, Reeial | 1971, 1995, 1995 | VIP | ||
| 22. | Harrigan, Elvis J. | 2007 | VIP | ||
| 23. | Henley, A. Austin | 1971, 1975 | VIDP, UP | Leader of the Opposition (1975–1977) | Died in office (1977) |
| 24. | Hodge, Omar Wallace | 1979, 1983, 1986, 1990, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007 | Ind, VIP, IPM, CCM | Minister for Natural Resources and Labour (1986–1988 and 2007–2011) | |
| 25. | Leonard, Edwin Harris | 1954 | Stepped down in 1955. | ||
| 26. | Luce Hodge-Smith | 2023 | VIP | ||
| 27. | Lettsome, Terrance Buckley | 1963, 1967, 1979, 1983, 1986, 1990, 1995 | UP, VIP | Minister for Communications and Works (1967–1971, 1979–1983, 1990–1995) | |
| 28. | Maduro, Conrad Antonio | 1971, 1983, 1986, 1995 | UP | Minister for Natural Resources, Public Health and Labour (1972–1975), Leader of the Opposition (1988–1990) | |
| 29. | Maduro-Caines, Alvera | 2011, 2015, 2019 | NDP | ||
| 30. | Malone, Carvin | 2019 | VIP | ||
| 31. | Malone, Leslie Franklin | 1954, 1957, 1960 | Member for Trade and Production (1957–1960) | ||
| 32. | Malone, Vernon | 2007 | VIP | ||
| 33. | Mather, Stacey | 2023 | PVIM | Deputy Speaker (2023–present) | |
| 34. | O'Neal, Hubert | 2015 | NDP | ||
| 35. | O'Neal, H. Robinson | 1967 | VIDP | Died in office. | |
| 36. | O'Neal, Ralph Telford | 1975, 1979, 1983, 1986, 1990, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011 | VIDP, Ind, UP, VIP | Chief Minister (1995–2003) and Premier (2007–2011). Leader of the Opposition (1983–1988, 2003–2007 and 2011-2014). Various Ministerial posts. | Longest serving member of Legislative Council / House of Assembly (39 years, 280 days) |
| 37. | O'Neal, Waldo E. | 1957 | |||
| 38. | Osborne, Qwominer William | 1963, 1967, 1971, 1975 | VIDP, VIP | Leader of the Opposition (1967–1971), Minister for Natural Resources and Public Health (1971–1972) | |
| 39. | Parsons, Eileene L. | 1995, 1999, 2003 | Ind, VIP, NDP | Minister for Natural Resources and Labour (2005–2007), Minister for Health, Education and Welfare (1997–2000), Deputy Chief Minister (1999–2000) | Joint first woman elected. First female minister. |
| 40. | Penn, Andre | 1995 | UP | ||
| 41. | Penn, Howard Reynold | 1950, 1954, 1957, 1960 | Member for Trade and Production (1954–1957 and 1960–1963) | ||
| 42. | Penn, Marlon | 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023 | NDP | Junior Minister (2015–2019), Leader of the Opposition (2019-2022), Minister for Health and Social Development (2022-present) | |
| 43. | Penn, Ruth Dancia | 2007 | VIP | Deputy Premier (2007–2011), Minister for Health and Social Development (2007–2011) | |
| 44. | Penn-O'Neal, Irene | 2007 | VIP | ||
| 45. | Kedrick Pickering | 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 | NDP | Deputy Premier (2011–20??) | |
| 46. | Romney, Cyril | 1979, 1983, 1986, 1990 | Ind | Chief Minister (1983–1986), Leader of the Opposition (1990–1993) | |
| 47. | Rymer, Kye | 2019, 2023 | VIP | Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities (2019-present) | |
| 48. | Scatliffe, Arnando | 1963 | POP, VIP | ||
| 49. | Scatliffe, Vincent | 2007 | VIP | ||
| 50. | Skelton, Ronnie | 1999, 2003, 2011, 2015, 2023 | NDP | Deputy Chief Minister (2003–2007), Minister of Finance (2003–2007), Minister for Health (2003–2007 and 2011–present) | |
| 51. | Smith, Angel | 1995 by-election | VIP | ||
| 52. | Smith, Daniel Orlando | 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 | NDP | Chief Minister (2003–2007) and Premier (2011-present), Leader of the Opposition (1999–2003 and 2007–2011), Minister for Tourism (2003–2007), Minister of Finance (2011–present) | |
| 53. | Smith, Ethlyn E. | 1995, 1999 | Ind, CCM, VIP | Joint first woman to be elected | |
| 54. | Smith, Leopold E. | 1967 | UP | ||
| 55. | Smith, Lorna | 2023 | NDP | ||
| 56. | Smith, Neville | 2019 | VIP | ||
| 57. | Smith, Wilfred Wilson | 1954 | Member for Works and Communications (1954–1957) | ||
| 58. | Stoutt, Elmore | 2005 by-election | NDP | Minister for Communications and Works (2006–2007) | |
| 59. | Stoutt, Hamilton Lavity | 1957, 1960, 1963, 1967, 1971, 1975, 1979, 1983, 1986, 1990, 1995 | UP, VIP | Five terms as Chief Minister (1967–1971, 1979–1983, 1986–1995). Leader of the Opposition (1971–1975 and 1983–1986). Various Ministerial posts. | Highest number of election victories (11). Died in office (1995). |
| 60. | Stoutt, Prince MacDonald | 1977 by-election, 1979, 1990 | VIP | ||
| 61. | Turnbull, Melvin M. | 2015, 2019, 2023 | NDP, PVIM | Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration (2022-present) | |
| 62. | Vanterpool, Mark | 1999, 2003, 2011, 2015, 2019 | NDP, VIP | Minister for Communications and Works (2011–present) | |
| 63. | Walters, C. Louis | 1986, 1990 | VIP | Minister for Health, Education and Welfare (1986–1995) | |
| 64. | Walwyn, Myron | 2011, 2015, 2023 | NDP | Minister for Education (2011–2019) | |
| 65. | Wattley, Paul | 2003 | NDP | Minister for Communications and Works (2003–2005) | Died in office (2005). |
| 66. | Wheatley, Natalio | 2019, 2023 | VIP | Premier and Minister of Finance (2022-present) | |
| 67. | Wheatley, Willard | 1971, 1975, 1979, 1983 | Ind, VIDP, UP, Other | Two terms as Chief Minister (1971–1979), Minister for Education (1971–1979), Minister for Finance (1975–1979), Minister for Health, Education and Welfare (1983–1986), Leader of the Opposition (1979–1983) | |
| 68. | Wheatley, Vincent | 2019, 2023 | VIP | ||
| Main parties Concerned Citizen's Movement (CCM) BVI United Party (UP) Independent People's Movement (IPM) National Democratic Party (NDP) People's Own Party (POP) Positive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) Progressives United (PU) VI Democratic Party (VIDP) Virgin Islands Party (VIP) | |||||
Longest serving elected politicians
Twelve people (all men) have served five or more terms in the British Virgin Islands Legislature.
| Number of Terms | Name | Years elected | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | H. Lavity Stoutt | 1957, 1960, 1963, 1967, 1971, 1975, 1979, 1983, 1986, 1990, 1995 | Five terms as Chief Minister. |
| 10 | Ralph T. O'Neal | 1975, 1979, 1983, 1986, 1990, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011 | Three terms as Chief Minister/Premier. Includes one uncontested election. |
| 8 | Omar W. Hodge | 1979, 1983, 1986, 1990, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007 | |
| 7 | Terrance B. Lettsome | 1963, 1967, 1979, 1983, 1986, 1990, 1995 | Includes two uncontested elections. |
| Julian Fraser | 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023 | ||
| 6 | Oliver Cills | 1971, 1975, 1979, 1986, 1990, 1995 | Includes two uncontested elections. |
| Isaac G. Fonseca | 1950, 1954, 1957, 1960, 1963, 1967 | ||
| Andrew Fahie | 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019 | ||
| 5 | J. Alvin Christopher | 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011 | |
| Kedrick Pickering | 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 | ||
| Orlando Smith | 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 | Three terms as Chief Minister/Premier. | |
| Mark Vanterpool | 1999, 2003, 2011, 2015, 2019 |
See also
Footnotes
- In the first general election in 1950 only four members were elected; this was steadily increased until in 1995 it grew to 13, which is the size it is presently.
- For example, Lavity Stoutt won the 1st District in 11 consecutive elections. Ralph O'Neal won the 7th/9th District in 10 consecutive elections. The 3rd District has been won by Julian Fraser, his brother Earl, or his cousin Oliver Cills, every year since 1971. In five consecutive elections from 1979 to 1995 just under half the legislature was ever-present: Stoutt, O'Neal, Omar Hodge and Oliver Cills.
- ^ "BVI election and information results 1950–2011" (PDF). BVI Deputy Governor's Office. pp. 47–63. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 April 2014.
- Brudenell-Bruce was also appointed to serve an additional part-term when E.H. Leonard stepped down shortly after the 1954 general election.
- ^ "HISTORY: Christian, Penn appointed Jr Ministers". BVI News. 16 December 2015.
- Scatliffe was elected in 1963 in a non-party election. He also ran unsuccessfully for the POP in the 1967 general election, and for the VIP in the 1995 general election.
- In terms of time spent in the legislature, Ralph O'Neal is the longest serving politician in British Virgin Islands history, having served in the House of Assembly and Legislative Council for 39 years, 280 days. Although Lavity Stoutt has won more election victories than O'Neal, Stoutt served a shorter period in the Legislature because (a) he only served a small part of his 11th and final term prior to his death, and (b) during the early part of Stoutt's career, political terms were only 3 years and not 4.