VIP slammed over alleged Belongership handouts to party spouses

Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn has accused the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government of handing out Belongership status to spouses and associates of party affiliates without proper procedure, describing the move as a clear case of political favouritism.

Speaking during the House of Assembly’s debate on the Immigration and Passport (Amendment) Bill 2025, Walwyn said the previous VIP-led administration gave out 1,400 Belongerships without clear criteria.

“Spouses of this and boyfriends of that, who don’t do nothing for the BVI, got Belongers,” Walwyn asserted. “All manner of things happen under the same Virgin Islands Party government.”

Walwyn argued that the BVI does not belong to any party member and emphasised the importance of following procedure.

“I’m so elated, very elated, Premier, and I congratulate you for understanding the importance of procedure, that things must be done in the right way… You can’t take up Belongers and give to your friends and your family and the spouses of party members. You can’t do that sort of thing,” he argued.

The Immigration and Passport (Amendment) Bill 2025 was introduced to correct errors in the 2024 amendment, which had inadvertently extended the qualifying period for Belongership to 30 years. Clause 5 of the bill reduces that period back to 10 years, aligning with the original framework under the 2013 Principal Act.