Factions Urged To Merge Ahead Election
Political commentator Cindy Rosan is warning that a growing number of new political groups preparing for the next general election risk splitting the vote and helping established parties. She urged emerging organisations — including the VIIA, PLM and the All 13 movement — to consider uniting if they truly seek change in the Virgin Islands.
Political commentator and Morning Facts host Cindy Rosan has warned that the proliferation of new political groups in the British Virgin Islands could fragment opposition support and unintentionally strengthen established parties at the next general election. Speaking on her programme, Rosan said she sees “an absolute fight for power” among hopefuls and emerging factions.
She argued that if the new entities — several of which have already begun organising publicly — genuinely want political change they should consider joining forces rather than contesting separately. Rosan named the Virgin Islands Innovative Association (VIIA), the People’s Leadership Movement (PLM) and the All 13 movement as examples of groups positioning themselves as alternatives to the current administration.
She said the All 13 movement is clearly staking an anti‑establishment claim by rejecting anyone who has previously served in the House of Assembly. “They don’t want any person who has sat in the House of Assembly before,” Rosan said. “They feel like they’re a part of what we are feeling now.” She warned that the presence of multiple new parties — plus likely independent candidates — could “shoot yourselves in the foot” by dividing votes and giving established parties a better chance unless challengers run exceptionally dynamic campaigns and candidates.
Rosan’s comments tap into a growing public conversation about whether the political landscape outside the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) is becoming too fragmented. In the 2023 general election several parties and independents split the vote across the territory; the VIP emerged as the largest single party and was ultimately able to form government after post‑election negotiations.
For residents, the practical risk is familiar: when opposition votes are spread across several candidates in the same constituencies, an incumbent or better‑organised party can win with a smaller plurality. Rosan suggested that a united coalition or merger of emerging groups could improve their electoral prospects by coordinating candidate selection, pooling resources and presenting a coherent platform to voters.
She acknowledged the challenges to such unity — personality clashes, leadership ambitions and differing policy priorities — but urged serious reflection. “These entities could really mess things up,” Rosan said. “They can all review themselves and really and truly come together to make one entity that they feel is in the best interest of moving the BVI forward.” As the next election approaches, the debate over consolidation versus competition among new political actors is likely to intensify, with residents watching closely for how opposition groups organise themselves against established parties.
Primary source: BVI News