2019 British Virgin Islands general election

The House of Assembly normally sits in four-year terms. The Governor must dissolve the House within four years of the date when the House first meets after a general election unless it has been dissolved sooner.[5] Once the House is dissolved a general election must be held after at least 21 days, but not more than two months after the dissolution of the House. The third session of the House of Assembly first met on 23 June 2015,[6] and therefore in the ordinary course of things the latest possible date of the next British Virgin Islands general election would have been one day short of four years and two months after that date, i.e. on 22 August 2019.

However, Delores Christopher, member of the House of Assembly representing the 5th District died on 16 October 2018.[7] There was broad agreement that it was undesirable to hold two elections so close together (a by-election to appoint a new representative for the 5th District, followed by a general election). Accordingly, after taking legal advice and consulting with the Premier Orlando Smith the Governor, Augustus Jaspert, advised that it had been agreed that no separate by-election should be held, and the election would be held on or before 16 April 2019.[8]

The House of Assembly was dissolved on 23 January 2019 and an election date was immediately announced for 25 February 2019.[1]

The House of Assembly has a total of 15 members, 13 of whom are members elected by the public to serve a four-year term, plus two ex-officio non-voting members: the Attorney General and the Speaker of the House. Of the 13 elected members, nine are elected via first-past-the-post voting to represent territorial district seats, and four are elected on a territory-wide "at-large" basis via plurality block voting.

Both of the main political parties which had contested the prior election had leadership contests, and in both cases the person who lost the leadership contest left to form their own party. Accordingly, in the 2019 election, there were an unprecedented four different political parties with at least one sitting member contesting the general election.

Although no formal or scientific polls were conducted in the Territory, an unofficial online poll was conducted by VI Platinum News which suggested that a majority of voters prefer the Virgin Islands Party, and a plurality of voters prefer Andrew Fahie as leader.[27] However the highly fragmented outcome of the polling (which does not include independents) pointed to the possibility of a coalition government.

Although unscientific, previous polls have correctly predicted the outcome of past elections.[27] In this election the final results were also relatively similar to the informal advance polls, each party polling within 2.5% (the normal margin of error on a scientific poll) of the predicted result.

Myriad political promises were made and publicised by each party. Manifestos for each political party were launched before the election date of 25 February 2019 as follows:[28]

• The National Democratic Party (NDP) launched their election manifesto Manifesto 2019: Better, Stronger Together on Friday 15 February 2019.
• The Virgin Islands Party (VIP) launched their election manifesto Restoring Hope & Prosperity for All: Virgin Islands Party Manifesto 2019 on Tuesday 19 February 2019.
• The Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) launched their Business Plan of the People of the Virgin Islands[29] by Friday 18 January 2019.
• Progressives United (PU) launched Our Vision.
• NDP. Promised to increase scholarships for Virgin Islands to include postgraduate studies,[30] and to make $10 million available to support local businesses.[31]
• PVIM. Promised to cut tax by increasing the tax free allowance on payroll taxes from $10,000 to $15,000 and promised to introduce a bonus scheme for public sector employees.[32] They also suggested legalising gambling.[33]
• PU. Promised free legal services, elderly healthcare and free school lunches, as well as pledging to give $1,000,000 a year to research into chronic diseases.[34] Also pledged to introduce "American black history" into school curriculum.[35]
• VIP. Promised to introduce 'district councils', reduce the need for imported labour and introduce whistleblower laws.[36] They also advocated laws mandating the purchase of local foods before importing food from overseas, and providing subsidies for farmers.[37]

As the leader of the party with a majority, Andrew Fahie was appointed Premier and invited to form a government.

In appointing his Cabinet, Fahie reshuffled various ministerial portfolios from the traditional division of responsibilities. Unusually, every member of Cabinet except for Fahie himself is a political newcomer entering the House of Assembly for the first time.

In addition, Shereen Flax-Charles was appointed a junior minister for tourism.

Following the shock defeat of Myron Walwyn, Marlon Penn was appointed Leader of the Opposition.[39] After initially prevaricating, Walwyn confirmed that he would not be quitting politics.[40]

As is customary, the opposition pledged to work with the new government.[41]

Eight days after the election, the successful District 4 candidate and former Cabinet Minister, Mark Vanterpool shocked the country by announcing he was resigning from politics and stepping down from his seat.[42] He subsequently withdrew his resignation and alleged it was invalid as it was sent to the Cabinet Secretary and not the Speaker of the House as required by the Constitution.[43] The Speaker has insisted that the seat is vacant, but in subsequent legal proceedings the court eventually ruled in favour of Mr Vanterpool.[44]