Alliance says it has formed a political
The three-member group known as The Alliance has moved to formalise its parliamentary arrangement as a political organisation, but leaders told local media they do not want the label "party" and say their loyalty is to constituents rather than to party structures. The announcement on JTV’s The Big Story prompted both clarification and criticism, leaving questions about Opposition unity and next steps ahead of the next election cycle.
The group known as The Alliance has moved to formalise its status, announcing the creation of a political organisation while stopping short—according to its leaders—of adopting the label "political party." The trio, Opposition Leader Hon Myron V. Mather (AL), first presented themselves publicly as a parliamentary alliance earlier this year and have since offered mixed signals about their long-term intent.
The Alliance was first unveiled in January 2025 and at that time was described as a parliamentary arrangement rather than a party. In June 2025, Mr Turnbull had publicly spoken of an "Alliance government" on the radio programme The Pulse of the People, fuelling speculation about a deeper political realignment.
That speculation culminated in mid-October coverage of an on-air announcement that the group would take formal organisational steps. On JTV Channel 55’s The Big Story, hosted by Cathy O. Turnbull said the move to formalise was driven by public demand. "With all the challenges that are facing the territory, we have been listening to the people of the Virgin Islands and they have been asking what is the Alliance’s position," he told the programme, adding that constituents sought clarity about plans and leadership. "So we are moving through the steps where we have formed a political alliance organisation named The Alliance… it is a political formed group," Turnbull said.
But reporting by Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) the same week stressed that Alliance leaders are avoiding the term "party." VINO quotes Hon Myron Walwyn saying the group does not "believe in the concept of loyalty to a party" and that the Alliance wants its allegiance "first and foremost to the people it represents." Asked directly if they were a political party, Walwyn told host Cathy Richards he and his colleagues were trying to "avoid the word party," arguing that the label carries entrenched loyalties that should not come before constituent interests.
Mather echoed that position to VINO, saying, "My loyalty is not to a political party; a political party is a vehicle to get to an election," and adding, "If you cut me, I bleed country." Turnbull also told VINO supporters want something different from the "same recipe," and said the Alliance would remain people- and development-focused.
The announcement has drawn criticism as well. Skelton-Cline warned in February 2025 that continued splintering risks repeating past failures, and pundits have suggested the move could be a vehicle for Hon Walwyn to seek another run at the premiership after losing his at-large seat in 2019.
For many residents, the Alliance’s formalisation—whether as a political organisation or something deliberately not labelled a party—raises immediate questions about Opposition unity, legislative strategy and positioning on key issues such as economic recovery, public services and governance.
Leaders signalled they will now outline next steps for organisation, structure and public engagement, according to VINO, and attention will turn to how other parties and independents respond and whether this realignment alters voter calculations ahead of the next election cycle.
Primary source: VINO