United Party (British Virgin Islands)
Encyclopedia
The United Party is a now defunct political party
of the British Virgin Islands
.
It was originally formed by H. Lavity Stoutt
, Terrance B. Lettsome
and Ivan Dawson during the first session of the Legislative Council of the British Virgin Islands
under the new constitution subsequent to the general election on November 4, 1963.
The United Party only twice held power in the Territory, between 1971 and 1979 under the stewardship of Willard Wheatley
, and again between November 1983 to October 1986 under the leadership of Cyril Romney
. However, when Cyril Romney stepped down as Chief Minister, the party lost its overall majority and was replaced by the Virgin Islands Party
, and never emerged subsequently as a major political force.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
of the British Virgin Islands
British Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands, often called the British Virgin Islands , is a British overseas territory and overseas territory of the European Union, located in the Caribbean to the east of Puerto Rico. The islands make up part of the Virgin Islands archipelago, the remaining islands constituting the U.S...
.
It was originally formed by H. Lavity Stoutt
Lavity Stoutt
Hamilton Lavity Stoutt was the first and longest serving Chief Minister of the British Virgin Islands, winning four general elections and serving three non-consecutive terms of office from 1967 to 1971, again from 1981 to 1983 and again from 1986 until his death in 1995.Since Stoutt's death in...
, Terrance B. Lettsome
Terrance B. Lettsome
Terrance B. Lettsome was a politician for whom the main airport in the British Virgin Islands is named. Born Terrance Buckley Lettsome in Long Look to Francis Henry and Frances Lettsome, he was one of the Territory's longest-serving legislators and the ninth of 11 children.He married the former...
and Ivan Dawson during the first session of the Legislative Council of the British Virgin Islands
Legislative Council of the British Virgin Islands
The House of Assembly of the British Virgin Islands, until 2007 known as the Legislative Council, has 15 members; 13 directly elected for four year terms—nine in single-seat constituencies and four "at large"—one ex-officio member and one Speaker chosen from outside the house.The first...
under the new constitution subsequent to the general election on November 4, 1963.
The United Party only twice held power in the Territory, between 1971 and 1979 under the stewardship of Willard Wheatley
Willard Wheatley
Willard Wheatley served two consecutive terms as the Chief Minister of the British Virgin Islands from 1971 to 1979. He was the leader of the United Party.-References:*...
, and again between November 1983 to October 1986 under the leadership of Cyril Romney
Cyril Romney
Cyril Brandtford Romney served as Chief Minister of the British Virgin Islands from 1983 to 1986. He also served as a member of the Legislative Council of the British Virgin Islands from 1979 to 1995...
. However, when Cyril Romney stepped down as Chief Minister, the party lost its overall majority and was replaced by the Virgin Islands Party
Virgin Islands Party (British Virgin Islands)
The Virgin Islands Party is a political party in the British Virgin Islands, led by Premier Ralph T. O'Neal.The Virgin Islands Party has held power in the British Virgin Islands for all except for 15 years since the adoption of the modern Legislative Council in 1967. It was originally formed by...
, and never emerged subsequently as a major political force.