2015 British Virgin Islands general election

none October 2020 April 2014 British Virgin Islands parliamentary 2011 British Virgin Islands general election 2011 yes 2015 6 8 2019 British Virgin Islands general election 2019 13 of the 15 seats in the House of Assembly 7 D. Orlando Smith (cropped).jpg Orlando Smith National Democratic Party (British Virgin Islands) 52.91%, 9 seats 11 2 21,523 59.66% JulianFraser.jpg Julian Fraser Virgin Islands Party 38.34%, 4 seats 2 2 10,771 28.25% Premier Premier after election Orlando Smith National Democratic Party (British Virgin Islands) Orlando Smith National Democratic Party (British Virgin Islands) General elections were held in the British Virgin Islands on 8 June 2015 to elect members to the House of Assembly.http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=1430951631 Breaking News: June 8 Is General Elections Date 6 May 2015 7 May 2015 18 May 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150518100312/http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=1430951631 dead The result was a landslide victory for the incumbent National Democratic Party (NDP) over the opposition Virgin Islands Party (VIP).http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=1433823622 Breaking News: NDP Will Remain In Gov't BVI Platinum 8 June 2015 9 June 2015 11 June 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150611165934/http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=1433823622 deadhttp://bvinews.com/new/ndp-secures-landslide-victory-at-the-polls-official/ NDP secures landslide victory at the polls (official) 9 June 2015 10 June 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150613004856/http://bvinews.com/new/ndp-secures-landslide-victory-at-the-polls-official/ 13 June 2015 dead No minor parties or independent candidates won any seats. Unusually, every single incumbent candidate who stood in their original seat was victorious.Amongst sitting members of the House, only Alvin Christopher, who elected to stand at-large rather than defend his 2nd District seat, lost. The supervisor of elections was Juliette Penn. Prior to polling day, the VIP had complained to Governor John Duncan of alleged irregularities relating to the conduct advance polling day.http://bvinews.com/new/court-action-likely-as-territory-goes-to-the-polls/ Court action likely – VIP complains about poll BVI News 7 June 2015 9 June 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150610050205/http://bvinews.com/new/court-action-likely-as-territory-goes-to-the-polls/ 10 June 2015 dead In a statement the supervisor of elections acknowledged irregularities, but indicated that they were of a minor and technical nature, and were swiftly rectified once noticed.http://bvinews.com/new/false-alarm-election-concern-rectified/ False alarm? Election concern rectified BVI News 6 June 2015 9 June 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150610050203/http://bvinews.com/new/false-alarm-election-concern-rectified/ 10 June 2015 dead The report of the international Election Observer Mission noted that the election "was peaceful and vibrant and saw high levels of public engagement."http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=1434028706 Most Negative Campaign - Report BVI Platinum 11 June 2015 11 June 2015 14 June 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150614033133/http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=1434028706 dead Background The second sitting of the House of Assembly was dissolved for the election on 1 May 2015,http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=1430397887 Update: It's Official - House of Assembly To Be Dissolved Ahead of General Elections BVI Platinum 30 April 2015 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20060110083525/http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php 10 January 2006 1 May 2015() but the election date was not announced until 6 May 2015. Former premier, Ralph T. O'Neal, had warned of the possibility of the Government calling a snap election.http://bvinews.com/new/snap-election-likely-opposition-leader-warns-while-announcing-he-will-quit/ Snap election likely, Opposition Leader warns while announcing he will quit BVI News 27 May 2014 29 March 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150402094048/http://bvinews.com/new/snap-election-likely-opposition-leader-warns-while-announcing-he-will-quit/ 2 April 2015 dead President of the opposition Virgin Islands Party, Carvin Malone, had predicted an election on 6 or 13 July 2015.http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=1427982847 VIP Predicts July Elections; Names Potential Candidates BVI Platinum 2 April 2015 'I have done some calculations myself. I am going to be bold enough to narrow it down to let's say July 6 or 13,' Mr. Malone disclosed during the VIP's Let's Talk radio programme last evening, April 1. Although it became common parlance to refer to the election as a "snap" election in local media,http://bvinews.com/new/opinion-why-snap-election-never-benefits-the-people/ Opinion: Why snap election never benefits the people BVI News 5 May 2015 11 May 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150518094013/http://bvinews.com/new/opinion-why-snap-election-never-benefits-the-people/ 18 May 2015 dead http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=1431088949 Premier Defends Snap Elections BVI Platinum 8 May 2015 it is not entirely clear that it was. The ruling party announced candidates for an "upcoming election" over a month prior to dissolution of the House,http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=1427713758 NDP Takes First Jump; New Candidates Confirmed Following High Level Meeting BVI Platinum 30 March 2015 and all parties claimed that they had anticipated the announcement.http://bvinews.com/new/early-election-has-caused-chaos-in-the-community-rymer/ Early election has caused chaos – Rymer BVI News 10 May 2015 'The election of 2015 came as no surprise to most of us,' [Alvin] Christopher further said, adding that even Opposition Leader Ralph T. O'Neal, last year, announced his retirement and suggested that early election was likely. 11 May 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150518094053/http://bvinews.com/new/early-election-has-caused-chaos-in-the-community-rymer/ 18 May 2015 dead Former Premier Ralph O'Neal stepped down and did not contest the 2015 election, the first general election he has not contested since 1967. He was the longest serving politician in the Territory's history, and had held the seat for Virgin Gorda and Anegada (now the 9th district, originally the 7th district) continuously since 1975. Although political dynasties have not been a large feature of British Virgin Islands politics, the 2015 election witnessed descendants of each of the first three chief ministers of the territory standing for office. Lavity Stoutt's son, Preston, ran in the first district as an independent candidate. Willard Wheatley's grandson, Natalio, ran at-large for the People's Empowerment Party, and Cyril Romney's daughter, JoAnne, ran in the fourth district for the Virgin Islands Party. However each of those candidates eventually lost their election bid by some distance. The 2015 also saw the largest number of female candidates in the Territory's history.http://bvinews.com/new/42-candidates-nominated-record-number-of-women/ 42 candidates nominated; record number of women BVI News 22 May 2015 23 May 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150526021302/http://bvinews.com/new/42-candidates-nominated-record-number-of-women/ 26 May 2015 dead The NDP fielded three female candidates, the VIP fielded six, the PEP fielded one female candidate, and two of the declared independent candidates were female. Main parties The ruling National Democratic Party (NDP), led by Premier Orlando Smith, sought to defend its majority in the House. They were opposed by the opposition Virgin Islands Party (VIP), led by former Minister Julian Fraser. The NDP and the VIP each fielded a full slate of 13 candidates. Two minority parties also contested the election: the People's Empowerment Party (PEP), led by sitting member of the House, Alvin Christopher, which fielded 5 candidates; and the Progressive Coalition Movement (PCM) which fielded 3 candidates in total. In addition, a number of independent candidates have declared an intention to stand, including three in the 9th District. The most notable of these was former deputy premier, Dancia Penn.http://bvinews.com/new/breaking-news-dancia-penn-contesting-election/ BREAKING NEWS: Dancia Penn contesting election BVI News 20 May 2015 21 May 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150528021150/http://bvinews.com/new/breaking-news-dancia-penn-contesting-election/ 28 May 2015 dead Only one candidate had been elected in the British Virgin Islands in the past 20 years running as an independent (Alvin Christopher). Campaign The election was noted for its highly negative tenor. A post-election report released afterwards by the Election Observer Mission to the Virgin Islands stated that voters described the 2015 campaign as the most negative they had ever witnessed. The report noted: "This consisted of personal attacks and accusations, criticism and allegations of past performance of opponents and inflammatory and defamatory rhetoric, rather than a positive discussion of the major political issues. With a proliferation of partisan politics, these stakeholders noted a heightened divisiveness of the campaign, both for society at-large and within families." Even before the election had actually been called there were complaints about the nature of party political media advertisements, and allegations of using smear tactics.http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=1429816236 Evil & Spiteful! Fraser Unleashes on NDP BVI Platinum 23 April 2015http://bvinews.com/new/fraser-blasts-ndp-for-claims-in-commercial/ Fraser blasts NDP for claims in commercial BVI News 23 April 2015 24 April 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150526122616/http://bvinews.com/new/fraser-blasts-ndp-for-claims-in-commercial/ 26 May 2015 dead There were allegations in the press of use of drones to follow candidates and film their movements,http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=1430137426 BREAKING NEWS: Drone Trails Gov't Ministers As 'Dirty Campaign' Takes Flight; Raises National Security, Privacy Questions BVI Platinum 27 April 2015 and political parties were accused of abusing powers of patronage and acting like "gangs".http://bvinews.com/new/political-parties-being-operated-like-gangs-decastro/ Political parties acting like gangs – DeCastro BVI News 1 May 2015 2 May 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150503233619/http://bvinews.com/new/political-parties-being-operated-like-gangs-decastro/ 3 May 2015 dead On the day upon which the House of Assembly was dissolved for the election, the opposition Virgin Islands Party circulated documents which they claimed meant that the minister for education Myron Walwyn should have been stripped of his seat for failing to disclose his interest in companies which secured Government contracts.http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=1430450551 BREAKING NEWS: Walwyn Asked To Step Down As Catering Companies Get Gov't Payment BVI Platinum 1 May 2015Article 67(3) of the Constitution states: "An elected member of the House of Assembly shall also vacate his or her seat in the House ... (e) if he or she becomes a party to any contract with the Government of the Virgin Islands for or on account of the public service or if any firm in which he or she is a partner, or any company of which he or she is a director or manager, becomes a party to any such contract, or if he or she becomes a partner in a firm, or a director or manager of a company, which is a party to any such contract." But this is subject to a power of the House to exempt a member where he discloses to the House the nature of such contract and his or her interest or the interest of any such firm or company in it as soon as reasonably practicable. Very little campaigning focused on specific issues or ideology, and most candidates campaigned on a mixture of core competency and criticising past performance of opponents. Numerous candidates indulged in vague and unsubstantiated allegations of corruption against rivals.http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=1432229091 NDP Gone with the Whole Cookie Jar - Fahie; They Made Thousands From You BVI Platinum 21 May 2015http://bvinews.com/new/vip-searching-for-corruption-proof-since-1999/ VIP searching for proof of corruption since 1999? BVI News 23 May 2015 26 May 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150526024808/http://bvinews.com/new/vip-searching-for-corruption-proof-since-1999/ 26 May 2015 dead Most election speeches promised further development projects,http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=1431779364 I Will Fight For You - OJ Smith; Says Harbour Development Will Happen Under Him BVI Platinum 16 May 2015http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=1431714370 Anegadians Promised Help To Own Ferry Service; New Visitor's Centre For Setting Point BVI Platinum 15 May 2015http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=1432206312 Juggy Proposes State-Of-The-Art Marina & Water Sports Park For Baughers Bay; To Generate $7M Annually BVI Platinum 21 May 2015http://bvinews.com/new/vip-promises-multi-million-dollar-pipe-project/ VIP promises multi-million dollar pipe project BVI News 1 June 2015 3 June 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150603131244/http://bvinews.com/new/vip-promises-multi-million-dollar-pipe-project/ 3 June 2015 dead and addressing the increasing cost of living was also a common theme.http://bvinews.com/new/everybody-is-concerned-about-cost-of-living-oj/ Everybody is concerned about cost of living – OJ BVI News 16 May 2015 17 May 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150518095539/http://bvinews.com/new/everybody-is-concerned-about-cost-of-living-oj/ 18 May 2015 deadhttp://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=1431870647 We Should Not Have To Wait on Rockefellers of the World - Walwyn As NDP Launches At-Large Candidates; Says Cost of Living Will be Addressed BVI Platinum 17 May 2015 The VIP suggested potentially addressing cost of living through introducing price controls.http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=1431874516 Time For Laws on Price Control - Walcott-McMillan BVI Platinum 17 May 2015 Campaigns also produced fairly routine promises of political patronage,http://bvinews.com/new/land-distribution-will-be-a-year-round-activity/ Land distribution to be 'year-round' activity BVI News 13 May 2015 17 May 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150517232507/http://bvinews.com/new/land-distribution-will-be-a-year-round-activity/ 17 May 2015 deadhttp://bvinews.com/new/several-new-promises-including-8-salary-hike/ Several new promises, including 8% salary hike BVI News 4 June 2015 4 June 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150607012425/http://bvinews.com/new/several-new-promises-including-8-salary-hike/ 7 June 2015 dead and pandering to xenophobia.http://bvinews.com/new/this-government-never-sold-land-to-foreigners/ This government 'never sold' land to foreigners BVI News 15 May 2015 17 May 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150518095500/http://bvinews.com/new/this-government-never-sold-land-to-foreigners/ 18 May 2015 deadhttp://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=1432615559 We Are Not Jealous of Your Rich White Friends - Rosan-Bunbury Shares Blows BVI Platinum 26 May 2015 At the same time, at least one politician spoke of the need for nationality laws to be reformed so that children born in the Territory would be Virgin Islanders with full equality.Virgin Islands News Online report published on 17 May 2015 concerning an election event speech by Myron Walwyn: "Children 'born here' not of VI parents must be embraced" The Government was criticised for signing a number of no-bid petty contracts with various local businesses in the last few days before the voting,http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=1432836693 Days Before Election - Gov't Gives Out Contracts To Anegadians BVI Platinum 28 May 2015http://bvinews.com/new/two-offices-relocated/ Two offices relocated BVI News 1 June 2015 3 June 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150603170142/http://bvinews.com/new/two-offices-relocated/ 3 June 2015 dead although such practices are relatively commonplace in the British Virgin Islands. Results The ruling National Democratic Party won in convincing fashion, and had secured victory early in the night solely on the basis of the district seats (results for the at-large seats take longer to count and normally only come in the next day). In the event, the NDP won all four at-large seats as well to complete a landslide victory, becoming the first party to win back-to-back elections in the British Virgin Islands since the Virgin Islands Party achieved the feat in the 1999 general election. The NDP's margin of victory (9 seats) and share of the total votes cast (60.2%) were both records for an election. The NDP held on to all four of the at-large positions, comfortably holding off the challenge from the VIP and independent candidate Dancia Penn. Myron Walwyn's 5,777 votes in the at-large seats set a record for the highest number of votes for an at-large candidate, as did his 16.0% of the votes cast.http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=1433823622 Update: NDP Retains Gov't in Landslide Victory; Walwyn Gets Highest At-Large Votes in History BVI Platinum 9 June 2015 9 June 2015 11 June 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150611165934/http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=1433823622 dead File:Iles Vierges britanniques Assemblee 2015.svg District At-large National Democratic Party 5725 7 21523 4 11 +2 Virgin Islands Party 2828 2 10771 0 2 –2 People's Empowerment Party 317 0 1521 0 0 New #FFD700 People's Coalition Movement 308 0 0 New Independents 271 0 1956 0 0 0 Speaker and Attorney General 2 0 9170 99 120 0 13585 13585 Election Centre, Election Centre District seats 1st District Andrew Fahie Virgin Islands Party 652 Shaina Mary Ann Smith National Democratic Party 277 Preston P. H. Stoutt Independent 68 11 1479 Incumbent Andrew Fahie successfully defended his first district seat, his fifth successive general election victory. The first district seat has now been in VIP hands since the 1971 general election. Shania Smith and Preston Stoutt each lost their second consecutive attempt to be elected to the House of Assembly. 2nd District Melvin M. Turnbull National Democratic Party 600 Elford W. Parsons People's Empowerment Party 290 #FFD700 Rajah Smith Virgin Islands Party 25 2 1387 Political newcomer Melvin "Mitch" Turnbull Jr. comfortably won the second district seat from a field that consisted of three candidates contesting their first election. Longtime second district representative, Alvin Christopher, elected to stand at-large. 3rd District Julian Fraser Virgin Islands Party 596 Kevin C. Smith National Democratic Party 561 23 1620 Incumbent and VIP party leader Julian Fraser successfully defended his seat with a narrow victory over Kevin "OJ" Smith for the second consecutive election, and for Fraser's fifth consecutive general election victory. 4th District Mark H. Vanterpool National Democratic Party 717 Joann Romney Virgin Islands Party 151 20 1358 Incumbent Mark Vanterpool successfully defended his seat, crushing political newcomer JoAnne "Roxie" Romney. 5th District Delores Christopher National Democratic Party 590 Zoe Walcott-McMillan Virgin Islands Party 399 Shabazz Abdul Independent 23 5 1607 Incumbent Delores Christopher successfully defended her seat, comfortably defeating Zoe Walcott-McMillan (who lost her third consecutive election) and independent candidate Abdul Shabazz. 6th District Alvera Maduro-Caines National Democratic Party 765 Elvis J. Harrigan Virgin Islands Party 237 Dion Jennings Independent 43 12 1641 Incumbent Alvera Maduro-Caines won the sixth district seat, easily defeating former legislator Elvis "Juggy" Harrigan (who lost his second consecutive election), and newcomer Dion Jennings. 7th District Kedrick Pickering National Democratic Party 607 Oleanvine Pickering-Maynard Virgin Islands Party 199 2 1272 Incumbent and Deputy Premier Kedrick Pickering easily defended his seat in the seventh district against newcomer Oleanvine Pickering-Maynard. 8th District Marlon A. Penn National Democratic Party 937 McLloyd Owen Walters Virgin Islands Party 185 12 1587 Incumbent Marlon Penn successfully defended his seat in the eight district, crushing newcomer McLloyd Walters. Penn's 943 votes were a record for a district seat in a British Virgin Islands election. 9th District Hubert O'Neal National Democratic Party 671 Elton Sprauve Virgin Islands Party 384 Albert Wheatley Independent 63 Stephanie Faulkner-Williams Independent 37 Vernon Vanterpool Independent 37 Faye Reese People's Empowerment Party 27 #FFD700 12 1634 Contesting his sixth general election (and fifth in the same district), Hubert O'Neal overcame a crowded field, and finally for the first time won the ninth district seat formerly occupied by the now-retired Ralph O'Neal for the preceding 40 years. At-large seats Myron Walwyn National Democratic Party 5777 Orlando Smith National Democratic Party 5753 Ronnie W. Skelton National Democratic Party 5333 Archibald C. Christian National Democratic Party 4660 Karl Dawson Virgin Islands Party 3420 Irene Penn-O'Neal Virgin Islands Party 2905 Sharie De Castro Virgin Islands Party 2676 Dancia Penn Independent 1837 Charmaine Rosan-Bunbury Virgin Islands Party 1770 Alvin Christopher People's Empowerment Party 894 #FFD700 Natalio Wheatley People's Empowerment Party 470 #FFD700 Khoy Smith People's Coalition Movement 158 Lorie A. Rymer People's Empowerment Party 157 #FFD700 Rawle Richard Hannibald Independent 119 Edmund Gregory Maduro People's Coalition Movement 86 Ishmael Brathwaite People's Coalition Movement 64 9170 120 13585 Aftermath Subsequent to the election, Julian Fraser as leader of the VIP congratulated his opponents and pledged to work with the elected Government.http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=1433941013 Unity - Message From VIP Candidates BVI Platinum 10 June 2015 Dr Smith echoed those sentiments on behalf of the NDP.http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=1433954696 Let's Forget & Forgive The Rancour - Dr. Smith BVI Platinum 10 June 2015 Natalio Wheatley gave a statement on behalf of the PEP pledging to continue the work of the party despite its failure at the polls.http://bvinews.com/new/this-is-not-the-time-to-rest-on-our-laurels-pep/ This is not the time to rest on our laurels- PEP BVI News 12 June 2015 14 June 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150615121047/http://bvinews.com/new/this-is-not-the-time-to-rest-on-our-laurels-pep/ 15 June 2015 dead Leading independent candidate and former Deputy Premier Dancia Penn also made a statement expressing her disappointment about how bitter and divisive the campaign was, and expressing a hope the politicians would show "more unity, fairness, respect and dignity and that they can build a happier and more harmonious country together."http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=1434041360 Election Campaign Was Highly Divisive - Dancia Penn BVI Platinum 11 June 2015 Shortly after the election fresh rumours began to circulate about Dr Smith's possible retirement, and once against Dr Smith spoke to scotch the rumours.http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=1434041852 I Have News For Them - Dr. Smith on Retirement BVI Platinum 11 June 2015 Dr Smith turned 71 a couple of months after the election. After the election political commentators also weighed in on possible reasons for the scale of the VIP's defeat. Suggested reasons included: The formation of the PEP by Alvin Christopher, which split off part the VIP's traditional political base, and took away crucial votes. The fracture of the party with Dancia Penn (who at one time was deputy premier and was rumoured to be Ralph O'Neal's favoured successor to the party leadership until her defeat in the 2011 general election). Lack of veteran leadership. In addition to losing Alvin Christopher and Dancia Penn, Omar Hodge decided not to run again. As a result, an astonishing eight of the VIP's thirteen candidates were contesting their first ever election. The personal unpopularity of newly appointed party leader, Julian Fraser.http://bvinews.com/new/vip-told-to-get-rid-of-fraser-as-chairman/ VIP told to get rid of Fraser as chairman BVI News 11 June 2015 14 June 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150614020501/http://bvinews.com/new/vip-told-to-get-rid-of-fraser-as-chairman/ 14 June 2015 dead Poor candidate selection. Irene Penn-O'Neal was facing gun possession charges whilst running as a candidatehttp://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=1428412226 VIP Could Face Dilemma; Former Legislator on Gun Charges Named As Potential Candidate BVI Platinum 7 April 2015. (she was subsequently acquittedhttp://bvinews.com/new/former-lawmaker-others-freed-of-gun-charges/ Former lawmaker, others freed of gun charges BVI News 24 July 2015 25 July 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150725214141/http://bvinews.com/new/former-lawmaker-others-freed-of-gun-charges/ 25 July 2015 dead). Charmaine Rosan Bunbury had been interdicted as Magistrate.http://www.bvibeacon.com/1/index.php/news-articles-2/1607-may-1-2014/local-news-may-1-2014/4946-privy-council-to-hear-former-magistrate-s-claim Privy Council to hear former magistrate's claim BVI Beacon 1 May 2014 3 April 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150406165915/http://www.bvibeacon.com/1/index.php/news-articles-2/1607-may-1-2014/local-news-may-1-2014/4946-privy-council-to-hear-former-magistrate-s-claim 6 April 2015 dead Rajah Smith was put up as a token candidate in the second district where he has no real ties, and garnered a mere 22 votes. After the election the embarrassment for the VIP continued when the two elected candidates (Julian Fraser and Andrew Fahie) were unable to agree which of them should be appointed Leader of the Opposition (each candidate preferring themselves).http://www.bvibeacon.com/1/index.php/2013-06-10-05-53-19/7066-editorial-opposition-should-unite-and-choose-a-leader-soon EDITORIAL – Opposition should unite and choose a leader soon BVI Beacon 8 July 2015 15 July 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150716035421/http://www.bvibeacon.com/1/index.php/2013-06-10-05-53-19/7066-editorial-opposition-should-unite-and-choose-a-leader-soon 16 July 2015 dead Governor John Duncan indicated that if no consensus was reached by 20 July 2015 then he would take appropriate advice and choose himself from the available candidates. No consensus was reached, and so the Governor appointed Fraser as opposition leader.http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=1437486350 Fraser Appointed Opposition Leader BVI Platinum 21 July 2015 Government formation As leader of the party with the largest number of overall seats, Orlando Smith was appointed premier and invited to form a government under the Constitution. He announced an unchanged cabinet, stating "in order to finish the work that have we started, the ministerial architecture will remain in tact, that is, Ministers will remain with their assigned portfolios."http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=1433977304 All VI Celebrate: Minister of State Roles For Non-Cabinet Members - Premier at Swearing-In BVI Platinum 10 June 2015 Accordingly, the post-election cabinet will remain: + Cabinet of the British Virgin Islandshttp://www.bvi.gov.vg/cabinet-members Virgin Islands Government - Cabinet Members Government of the Virgin Islands 17 May 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140522051345/http://www.bvi.gov.vg/cabinet-members 22 May 2014 deadOfficeMembersNotes Premier Orlando Smith Minister of Finance and Tourism Governor John Duncan Ministers Kedrick PickeringRonnie SkeltonMark VanterpoolMyron Walwyn Minister for Natural Resources and LabourMinister for Health and Social DevelopmentMinister for Communications and Works Minister for Education and Culture Attorney General Baba Aziz Ex-officio, non-voting Cabinet Secretary Sandra Ward References British Virgin Islands British Virgin General election Category:Elections in the British Virgin Islands British Virgin