15TH LEGCO CONVENES ON THURSDAY

The 15th Legislative Council of the Virgin Islands is set to convene on Thursday July 10th at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall. 

That's when the new government and the new opposition Members will have their first sitting and officially get down to the business of representation.  It will be a new-look House as the BVI now has a new government in the National Democratic Party, following the June 16th general elections.
The NDP, a relatively new political party, served only its first term during the 14th legislature; having won a 5 seat minority to the then ruling Virgin Islands Party's eight. 

However, the VIP later revoked the appointments of two of its Members - Honourable Eileene Parsons and Hon. J. Alvin Christopher and gained a Member from the opposition, Honourable Mark Vanterpool, who crossed the floor, the VIP holding then a slim majority of 7 to 6. 

During the 2003 elections, the VIP, campaigning on its record of achievements over the past two decades and promising a brighter future, was voted out of office and the NDP, alleging mismanagement of public funds and promising a day of rejoicing if it was elected, is now in with a 2-seat majority, 8 to 5. 

So the new government Members in the 15th Legislative Council are At Large Representatives Dr. the Hon. D. Orlando Smith and Hon. Ronnie W. Skelton; District 8 Representative Hon. Lloyd Black; At Large

Representative Hon. Paul P. Wattley; District 7 Representative Dr. the Hon. Kedrick Pickering; At Large Representative Hon. Eileene Parsons, District 2 Representative Hon. J. Alvin Christopher and District 5 Representative Hon. Delores Christopher.  The opposition Members would be Hon. Ralph T. O'Neal - Representative for District 9; Hon. Julian Fraser - District 3; Hon. Omar Hodge - District 6; Hon. Mark Vanterpool - District 4 and Hon. Andrew Fahie - District 1. 

During Thursday's opening of the 15th Legislative Council, a new Speaker of the House will be elected.  He or she will then swear in the new Members, who will then elect a Deputy Speaker. 

In addition, His Excellency Governor Tom Macan is expected to deliver The Speech from the Throne, outlining the new government's policies and programmes for the new legislative term. 

Before the sitting is adjourned, the new Members of Council will be given the opportunity to say a few words. The meeting is expected to be attended by a large crowd, to include government officials, party supporters and representatives of the private sector.  

Meantime, the National Democratic Party government is planning to host a grand motorcade on Saturday and an ecumenical service of thanksgiving this Sunday 3:30pm at the Administration Complex, as the promised "Day of Rejoicing" continues.