Fraser explains move to join VIP-led gov’t
Deputy Premier Julian Fraser revealed that his decision to join the Virgin Islands Party-led government was driven by his aspiration to participate directly in decision-making and oversee the implementation of major national priorities.
Speaking during the House of Assembly debate on the 2026 budget, Fraser said he joined the government side fully aware of the demands and consequences of the decision.
“I came here on this side of the aisle with my eyes wide open,” Fraser said. “I came for a purpose,” he stated.
Fraser contrasted the role of opposition members with the responsibilities of serving in government, saying that remaining on the opposition benches would have limited his ability to contribute meaningfully.
“If I was on the other side, by 5 o’clock, I would clock out,” he said. “Nowadays, I’m here till 9 pm,” Fraser said.
He told the House that his decision followed a period of observing the government from the opposition, where he concluded that remaining outside the executive would amount to standing by while important work went unfinished.
“I sat on that side and I looked on this side,” Fraser said. “I saw a young government with a young leader, brand new leader, and I think it would be a waste of my time, knowledge, and expertise to sit in the opposition and watch a young leader not achieve what he’s capable of,” he stated.
Fraser said his move was directed at strengthening the government’s ability to deliver, particularly as it enters what he described as a critical period. “I came here to make sure that he gets his agenda executed,” Fraser said, referring to Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley. “The help is necessary,” he added.
The Deputy Premier also stressed the importance of unity within government, especially as the Virgin Islands prepares for future constitutional negotiations with the United Kingdom. “We could only get this done by speaking with one voice,” Fraser said. “If we’re going to negotiate this constitution with the British, we can’t go before them divided,” he stated.
While acknowledging that his decision would not please everyone, Fraser said he believed serving inside government offered the most effective platform to contribute at this stage. “I didn’t come over here for my health,” he said.
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The purpose was an Audi and business class flights. You, Lorna and now Mather are sell outs. You three will feel the wrath of we the people at the next election. The people want the vIP gone yet each of you holding them up. You will all fall down.
We must be careful not to cast all with the same brush. Hon. Lorna Smith should not be lumped together with Hon.Fraser and Hon.Mather. She has borne a level of hostility that is neither fair nor justified, particularly when it was the disorder and self-interest displayed by others that created the circumstances which compelled her to align with the VIP. Events since then, including subsequent defections, have only affirmed the soundness of that decision. She ran openly and honestly as an independent and never sought to mislead the public. If there was an error, it was her failure to publicly(I believe she did privately but was not vocal) stand with the Premier at a critical moment—but that omission speaks more to inexperience than to ill intent.
She crossed for position plain and simple.
1st she crossed and removed hon Rhymer from being deputy. Got fired, went back and got hon Dawson removed from his junior minister position.
She only hasn’t crossed back because I don’t think their is a deputy leader of the opposition and she hasn’t figured out how to get the opposition leader position.
he actually thinks we care to hear an explanation. We don’t care!!!! I think its time fraser them so just go home.
no need to explain, he wanted to be deputy premier
Fraser that is utter self serving BS. When someone contests an election, they know that one of the possibilities is that they could win their seat but not the government. You have to be prepared to serve and serve effectively in your capacity as Opposition.
If every Opposition member took Frasers angle, then we would not have any Opposition and end up with a autocracy and unchecked government. Opposition has a critical role to play and you absconded from your responsibilities there for the easier road.
All of you grasshoppers are disloyal and unethical dogs! You have no conviction! The same people you strongly campaigned against as being the worst thing for the BVI, you now teamed up with.
What does this say about YOU?
Fraser played his cards and got the DP position from a point of weakness. Whatever his ultimate goal is; he stated his desire to be more involved in the decision making process and gain an Audi in the deal. Lorna has been and always will be power hungry as her ‘special interests’ will not settle for less than that.
Mather has been offered to do more than what he has been allowed to up to now. Let’s see the man work before petty emotions start to give away to reasonable expectations of him in this role.
I would now line to see the battle for the leader of the opposition play out with those power hungry individuals on that side.
These are the worst set of candidates in the history of my counyry.
Stability
Loyalty
Integrity
Principles have been replaced with
Power
Money
Opportunity
Fame
Self aggrandizement
This is getting worse by the minute
What a snake pit
Crabs in the barrel behaviour
We as a society/ people are not stupid
To come up with a lame excuse which nobody care about or wants to know your ” nonsense” story ,LIARD
Lie Lie Lie, ” you hear Lie, that is Lie “
Lots of shuffuling and still ain’t got no stinking running water and bad roads. Keep it up VIP
.
Fraser needs to retire- the problem is who will replace him? Willock? Aaron? District three in trouble.