Opposition failed miserably after elections, Walwyn concedes

Opposition lawmaker Myron Walwyn has admitted that the divided political landscape following the 2023 general elections played a significant role in the Opposition’s failure to secure governance.

Speaking at a recent press conference, acknowledged that factionalism cost them the election and stressed the need for unity.

“The elections of 2019 and 2023 were clear indications that we failed to rise to the occasion. Particularly in 2023, based on the results, we saw that the intent of the electorate was to put a new government in place,” Walwyn stated. “While the people did their utmost as a collective, we failed miserably because of the various factions that existed.”

Walwyn pointed out that the Opposition won a majority of seats in 2023 but could not form a government because of internal divisions. In a pointed reference to former Deputy Premier Lorna Smith’s move to switch allegiance immediately after the elections,

Walwyn said: “Following that election, we were all seeking to blame one person for crossing the floor. While I was disappointed about those actions, it was not merely one person that caused the Virgin Islands Party to return to power. Collectively, we all had a part to play.”

According to Walwyn, the ruling VIP has shown that they “can’t govern to save their lives”. However, he conceded that the VIP has a structure in place that works, and said this helped to position them to form the new government.

“If we really want to form the next government, we have to get together because the PVIM and the NDP pretty much attract the same people,” Walwyn said. “Sometimes we are talking to the very same candidates to be able to run for election.”

Walwyn, Turnbull, and Mather announced yesterday that they were in the early stages of an alliance. He said this was “grounded in unity and a commitment to serving the people” with integrity and purpose. Turnbull echoed the sentiment, noting that division has weakened the Opposition for too long.

“For the past eight years, spanning two election cycles, it has become painfully clear that the separation of the two key political forces, the National Democratic Party and the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement, has not served in the best interest of our people.”

According to Walwyn, the new alliance is a direct response to the public’s demand for a more unified Opposition. While the leaders of the NDP and PVIM have not formally joined the alliance, Walwyn insisted that there is an understanding among Opposition members that unity is necessary.