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by pltm
(PLTM) - On November 8, the world will witness the United States elect a new President, with the potential to impact the Virgin Islands, but another election in November, although void of the global media coverage, will also directly impact the election of the Territory's next Premier.
The Opposition Virgin Islands Party's (VIP) congress is meeting on November 30th, where a little over 80 persons will decide the future leaders of the party. While there are other positions such as President to be decided, the big question is who will be nominated to the post of Chairman (party leader).
Current Chairman, Hon. Julian Fraser faced an avalanche of dissatisfaction after leading the VIP to the worst defeat under the new 2007 Constitution, which provides for 13 elected members in the House of Assembly. Although the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) won re-election 11-2 in 2015, Hon. Fraser, who survived a close race for his Third District seat, shows no sign of relinquishing the reigns. All of this as the majority of the party's candidates who contested the last election wouldn't support him as the Leader of the Opposition.
"I am not going in to lose," Hon. Fraser told BVI Platinum News when asked about accepting the results of the congress.
His foremost challenge comes from First District Representative, Hon Andrew Fahie, who comfortably retained his seat in the House of Assembly in a district that heavily favours the VIP.
Prior to the 2015 elections, Hon. Fahie was defeated by Hon. Fraser for the post of Chairman as long-serving political icon, Hon. Ralph T. O'Neal retired.
"After deep prayers and consultation with family members, my district committee, residents of the First District and with voters throughout the entire Virgin Islands and abroad, I have decided to contest the seat of Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party," Hon. Fahie told BVI Platinum News.
He explained that this course of action is to put the power back in the hands of the members of the party, as well as the voters of the wider Virgin Islands so that the will of God, through the people, can be realized and sustained through fair, steady, innovative, caring, firm and God fearing leadership.
"I always live life with the philosophy to never let anyone's opinion of me become my reality," Hon. Fahie stated.
The X-Factor
Nominations can come from the floor on the night of the VIP congress. Among VIP insiders, there is a strong likelihood that Dr. Karl Dawson, who secured the most votes for the party's At-Large team, will be nominated. There is the view that the former President of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) may present the most viable alternative to the two front runners.
Dr. Dawson, who is occupied with a personal matter overseas, could not be reached for a comment.
"Dr. Dawson has a good track record at the college and is just the candidate that can lead the party to victory. We have seen that both Andrew (Fahie) and (Julian) Fraser doesn't seem to unite our party. We have deep wounds, but no one is willing to address them and if a good alternative is presented, we might just see the congress lean that way. Both of the top guys have good support," a VIP congress voter explained.
The supporter also mentioned former Deputy Premier and Health Minister, Ms. Dancia Penn, who contested the 2015 elections as an Independent Candidate. According to the supporter, there are some who want to see her return, claiming that she may feel like an outsider and may have been unfairly treated while the party was in government.
"Once she is a paid member of the party, she can contest once nominated. She could influence the outcome. There is a feeling that she was forced out and was never given a fair opportunity. How best she can work with the current leadership remains to be seen. She did not show up for the last congress and decided to contest outside the party, which did not speak well for her," the supporter explained.
Efforts to contact Ms. Penn were unsuccessful.
Keeping The Party Together From all indications the VIP is solidly split between Hon. Fraser and Hon. Fahie.
"I have a simple principle; I never dealt in the negatives. I never talk about it; if I lose, I never talk about it. I never get into anything to lose, so I don’t talk about…I don’t give hypothetical answers; its not going to happen, I am not going talk about it," a stern Hon. Fraser told BVI Platinum News.
Hon. Fahie explained that the party's election is constitutionally due and it is anyone's--who is a member and is in good standing--democratic right to contest for Chairman as well as any of the other executive posts of the party.
He said, "I firmly believe that this democratic process allowed under our party's constitution is healthy and transparent. I am confident that as Chairman of the VIP, together we will rise again as a party.
Hon. Fahie is optimistic that despite the party's 11-2 loss and leadership challenges, "Together we will rise again as Virgin Islanders."
"Together we will build a stronger VIP. Together we will build a better VI for you and I. As a leader, I want to empower my people so that long after my tenure in politics, generations present and future can say with conviction that despite the criticism in certain quarters, Fahie left the VIP and the VI better than how he met it," he related to us.
"I am confident that with God's help as Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party, together we will achieve this goal. The best days of the VIP and our beloved Virgin Islands are not our yesterdays, but rather our tomorrows," Hon. Fahie stated.
