Virgin Islands Party Celebrates Its 29th Anniversary

It was a grand celebration in grand style and there was plenty to celebrate about! It was indeed a most auspicious occasion, as the ruling Virgin Islands Party (VIP) celebrated its 29th anniversary with a recognition dinner at the Long Bay Beach Resort on Saturday March 4th, under the theme Planning for our Future while Honouring our Past. The VIP was established March 2nd, 1971. Its founding members were Hon. H. Lavity Stoutt, Hon. Terrance B. Lettsome, Mr. Leopold Smith, Mr. Bienvenido Callwood, Mr. Eurman Fahie, Mr. Randolph (Mose) Malone, Mr. Donald Pickering, Mr. Joseph Skelton and Miss Naomi Turnbull. "Tonight, while we honour the members whose names appear on the official document, we are mindful that there are others who were effective in the formation of this party and to let you know that your efforts have not gone un-noticed," said Party President Carvin Malone. He said 29 years in the life of any organization is a very long time. "Twenty nine years of leadership and stalwart accomplishments, as with the Virgin Islands Party, are both exemplary and commendable."

Mr. Malone said he stands on the conviction that the VIP is a party of ordinary people with exemplary vision and will. "As a party of people, it is a party that is rich in history, rich in tradition and built on a foundation that will never and should never be destroyed." The ceremony was attended by the Right Honourable Sir James Mitchell, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, members of the local Executive and Legislative Councils, senior government officials and supporters and well-wishers of the Virgin Islands Party. The Chairperson for the evening was Mrs. Grace Flax-Waters, the invocation delivered by Mr. Birton Lettsome, a poem was recited by Mr. Sendrick Chinnery and a song rendered by Miss Nicole Donovan.

Chairman of the Party, Hon. Ralph T. O'Neal, in his remarks, said he is convinced that the founders of the party themselves were convinced that there was an iron curtain descending on the BVI and they were the ones who had the foresight and the vision and the guts to do something about it and stop it. "If you look at the biography of these men (and woman), these were salt of the earth people, and that is one of our party's strengths," he noted. Mr. O'Neal noted that they were not University graduates, but graduates of the world of work and experience.

"This celebration here tonight didn't come about by accident. As you know, we have now declared the birthday of the late Honourable H. L. Stoutt to be a public holiday in the territory," he declared. He also noted that Mr. Stoutt was born in Long Bay and it was fitting that the ceremony be held in Long Bay. According to Chief Minister O'Neal, one can write volumes of the achievements made in the territory and the Virgin Islands Party. He said some of the major achievements include the construction of public schools, the establishment of the Community College, the cruise ship dock, the introduction of the Social Security Scheme, the development of the Beef Island Airport, the road system, the encouragement of agriculture and the introduction of the Senior Citizens Programme. "In 1980, there was only $25,000 voted for scholarships abroad when the Virgin Islands Party took over the government," he continued. "When we left in 1983, that was increased to $250,000," Mr. O'Neal said mention must be made of the attention given to our Financial Services. "Today, these services form one of the main pillars of the economy and combined with tourism, made for a strong and vibrant economy." The VIP Chairman said his party is on a membership drive to bring in members from the far corners of the globe. He said this party must be strong and be able to fight against the enemies. "Believe it or not, there are those who would want to see us divided, but we must unite and be strong," he challenged. In providing a condensed history of the Virgin Islands Party, government Member of Parliament Hon. Reeial George took the audience back to the march of 24th November 1949, when the late Theodolph Faulkner and I.G. Fonseca demanded constitutional reform and the re-institution of legislative assembly for the ordinary representatives of the people in these islands.

"In 1957, seven years after the re-birth of the Legislative Council, a flamboyant young man in the person of Hamilton Lavity Stoutt from Long Bay, contested and won a seat in the 2nd Legislative Council," he recalled. Mr. George said the late politician, who went on to become the BVI's first Chief Minister, demonstrated a new dimension of political representation, not limited only to his own district, but indeed to the Virgin Islands as a whole. In 1971, Mr. Stoutt organized this political party. "As leader of the party, Lavity's mission was to build support from throughout the entire BVI, with special emphasis on bringing the women and young people into the mainstream of political participation and leadership." The VIP Legislator recalled that as the VIP put together a slate of candidates to contest the upcoming elections, Mrs. Millicent Mercer of Baughers Bay was the first woman in recorded history to face the electorate and run with a political party. By 1975, the Virgin Islands Party was given the privilege to lead this territory, after capturing three of the five seats. The VIP ruled until 1983, was ousted for a short period, but was "back in power to stay" from 1986.

"The party's first task was to rebuild confidence in the people of these islands and to portray an image of stability and responsibility abroad," said Hon. George. He said with this in place, the party was able to forge ahead with its carefully planned social and economic programme, which is solely responsible for the success we enjoy today. Since the inception of the Ministerial System in 1967, the VIP has led this country for almost 20 years, including the last 14 consecutive years, bringing tangible and enviable development to the people. Under the VIP's leadership, the BVI has raised more than $1.5 billion in revenue and invested more than $600 million in capital projects, education and health, to ensure economic, social, environmental, political and physical development in the islands.

"The expansion of the Beef Island International Airport and the support facilities, attest to the party's commitment to the industry," Hon. George stated. But he cautioned that the VIP should not rest on its laurels, as the future demands leadership with a vision, commitment and sacrifice. On behalf of the honourees, retired Legislator Terrance B. Lettsome thanked the committee for organizing this event for the founding members of the Virgin Islands Party. "I also want to say how thankful we are that we could have worked together with the other members of the public to develop and bring the British Virgin Islands to what it is today," he said. The vote of thanks was delivered by Mrs. Irene Penn-O'Neal, Chairperson of the Anniversary and Recognition Dinner Committee and after a long but wonderful evening, the ceremony came to a close.