Mather urges unity as he joins VIP
Hon Stacy R. Mather MBE used his first broadcast interview since joining the Virgin Islands Party to wish residents a hopeful New Year and call for unity. He said he will work with Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley on the RATED programme, agriculture and fisheries, and community empowerment initiatives in 2026.
Mather MBE has urged residents of the Virgin Islands to put aside division and work together as he begins a new role within the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government. Speaking in his first sit-down interview since crossing from the Myron V. Walwyn-led Opposition and The Alliance to join the VIP on December 22, 2025, Mather told JTV Channel 55 host Cathy O.
Richards on December 31 that he hopes 2026 will be a year “filled with hope” and success for the territory. “Genuinely that all of us find a way to come together, push our Virgin Islands forward, put away any hatred, any areas of confrontation,” he said. Mather said his immediate focus will be working closely with Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D.
Wheatley (R7) on the Registration, Apprenticeship, Training, Employment, and Development (RATED) programme. He also highlighted planned initiatives in agriculture and fisheries and the development of community programmes aimed at empowering community-based organisations to deliver projects that uplift citizens and residents.
During the press briefing announcing his move to the government, Mather said he expects to draw on his experience to support community empowerment and to bolster the work of non-governmental organisations and small community businesses. “These have become the backbone of the Virgin Islands,” he said, noting the importance of strengthening local capacity.
For BVI residents, the government’s focus on RATED and community-led programmes could mean new opportunities for training, apprenticeships and local employment, particularly for young people and those seeking skills development. Emphasis on agriculture and fisheries may also align with broader aims to improve local food security and support livelihoods in rural and island communities, though Mather did not outline a detailed timetable for specific projects.
Mather’s move from the Opposition to the VIP government is a notable political development. He framed the change as a chance for a fresh start in 2026, urging colleagues and constituents to prioritise constructive work over partisan conflict. As the year unfolds, residents will be watching for concrete plans and funding details for RATED and the community programmes Mather has pledged to champion.
The comments were made in the December 31, 2025 interview on JTV Channel 55 and follow Mather’s December 22 announcement that he had joined the VIP government.
Primary source: VINO