Walwyn: Dawson Should Keep Agriculture Post
Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn says Dr. Karl Dawson should have remained Junior Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, arguing his District One roots make him the best representative for farming and fishing communities. The move to replace Dawson with Lorna Smith, Walwyn says, weakens District One’s voice as residents press the government for a clear agriculture strategy and greater investment.
Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn has criticised the government’s handling of the agriculture portfolio, saying Dr. Karl Dawson should not have been removed as Junior Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries because he better represents District One’s farming and fishing communities. Speaking in the House of Assembly, Walwyn referenced Dawson’s candid admission on a public talk show that the government at the time did not have an agriculture plan — a statement that prompted public criticism and, soon after, an announcement that a strategy was near finalisation.
Dawson was then asked to step down from the junior minister role to allow Lorna Smith to assume responsibilities in government. Walwyn argued the move weakened District One’s representation on a subject central to its local economy. "If you’re looking for a district that has agriculture and fishing, it’s District One," he said, noting that District One residents have been accustomed to strong representation and had high expectations after having a minister and, briefly, the Premier among their ranks.
The Opposition leader suggested removing Dawson from the portfolio would make it harder for him to effectively serve West End and other communities that rely on agriculture and fisheries for livelihoods and food security. Natalio Wheatley has publicly praised Dawson for his service, saying the former junior minister put "country first" and will continue to support government work as a parliamentary focal point on agriculture and fisheries.
The Premier's remarks underscore that Dawson will still have a role in the sector, albeit not as junior minister. The debate comes amid renewed calls from Opposition members and sections of the public for stronger government attention to agriculture. Farmers and fishers have urged significant financial allocations for infrastructure, improved water supply, storage and transportation, and targeted support programmes to boost production and resilience.
Community leaders say a clear, funded strategy is essential for local food security and for maintaining livelihoods in rural areas such as West End and Cane Garden Bay. With the government signalling a near-final strategy after Dawson’s on-air admission, residents and political opponents alike now want to see concrete timelines, budget commitments and visible projects that benefit producers across the Territory.
As the change in personnel is digested, the agriculture portfolio remains a live political and practical issue for the British Virgin Islands, where many expect action rather than further reshuffling before the next planting and fishing seasons.
Primary source: BVI News