Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio Wheatley says that his plans for contesting the upcoming General Elections are focused on his relationship and understanding with the people, as opposed to directly campaigning against anyone.
“I don’t plan to campaign against anyone. My campaign will be a conversation with the people of the 7th district and the people of the Virgin Islands about the vision that we have for the Virgin Islands. Of course, we will be able to campaign on what we’ve accomplished while we’ve been in office and what it is we plan to do to make their lives better”, he said during a recent press conference.
At the time, Premier Wheatley was responding to a question on how the Unity Government’s efforts to implement reforms will be impacted by members campaigning against each other as the election draws closer.
The premier said he is of the opinion that this would not be an issue and that the ongoing reforms will be valuable in the government’s campaign for re-election.
He stated, “We will be able to tell the people of the Virgin Islands that we didn’t basically leave governance the way we met it and there’s some real challenges in governance, not just yesterday – for over a number of years… We were able to tackle some of the big challenges in reform even though it’s been a difficult process. Even though in some instances it is a painful process, but, it is a necessary process and that’s the type of leadership we have to present to the people of the Virgin Islands.”
Premier Wheatley said this approach will be quite different from that of candidates who make empty promises, and will instead seek to engage the people of the Virgin Islands in the necessary, tough conversations needed to tackle the issues and show real leadership.
Elections are constitutionally due by May 2023.