Since the restoration of democracy in the British Virgin Islands in 1950, only a comparatively small number of persons have been elected to political office. Although elections are held approximately every three or four years, the small size of the legislative body[1] and the tendency to return incumbent politicians[2] has resulted in a relatively small aggregate number.
Prior to the 1967 general election legislators were elected on a non-party basis. However, many persons who were elected in those early elections later went on to form, or stand for, political parties.[3]
In addition to politicians who were elected by popular mandate, various other political positions are filled by appointment. These include:
Prior to 1967, certain members of the Legislative Council (as the House of Assembly was formerly named) were appointed rather than elected.
List of elected politicians
A total of 68 people have been elected to serve in the Legislature of the British Virgin Islands; 58 were men, and ten were women. Of those 68, twenty seven (39.7%) have only served a single term or less.
List of elected politicians in the British Virgin Islands[3]
Minister for Communications and Works (1995–2003 and 2005–2006), Deputy Chief Minister (2000–2002), Minister for Natural Resources and Labour (2003–2005)
Minister for Communications and Works (1971–1975 and 1986–1990), Leader of the Opposition (1977–1979), Deputy Chief Minister, Minister for Natural Resources and Labour (1995–1999)
Minister for Health, Education and Welfare (2000–2003), Minister for Education and Culture (2007–2011), Premier and Minister for Finance (2019–2022). Resigned in 2022.
Minister for Communications and Works (2002–2003 and 2007–2011), Minister for Natural Resources and Labour (1999–2002), Leader of the Opposition (2015-2016 and 2022-Present)
Chief Minister (2003–2007) and Premier (2011-present), Leader of the Opposition (1999–2003 and 2007–2011), Minister for Tourism (2003–2007), Minister of Finance (2011–present)
Two terms as Chief Minister (1971–1979), Minister for Education (1971–1979), Minister for Finance (1975–1979), Minister for Health, Education and Welfare (1983–1986), Leader of the Opposition (1979–1983)
^In the first general election in 1950 only four members were elected; this was steadily increased until in 1995 it grew to 13, which is the size it is presently.
^For example, Lavity Stoutt won the 1st District in 11 consecutive elections. Ralph O'Neal won the 7th/9th District in 10 consecutive elections. The 3rd District has been won by Julian Fraser, his brother Earl, or his cousin Oliver Cills, every year since 1971. In five consecutive elections from 1979 to 1995 just under half the legislature was ever-present: Stoutt, O'Neal, Omar Hodge and Oliver Cills.
^Scatliffe was elected in 1963 in a non-party election. He also ran unsuccessfully for the POP in the 1967 general election, and for the VIP in the 1995 general election.
^In terms of time spent in the legislature, Ralph O'Neal is the longest serving politician in British Virgin Islands history, having served in the House of Assembly and Legislative Council for 39 years, 280 days. Although Lavity Stoutt has won more election victories than O'Neal, Stoutt served a shorter period in the Legislature because (a) he only served a small part of his 11th and final term prior to his death, and (b) during the early part of Stoutt's career, political terms were only 3 years and not 4.
