Events from the year 2018 in the British Virgin Islands.
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Incumbents
Events
January
- 16 January - the opposition Virgin Islands Party states in a press conference that former leader, Julian Fraser, would not be named as a candidate for the party in the next general election.[1]
- 18 January - Government announces proposals for the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport to be privatised for a period of 20 years as part of a wider redevelopment under a Public–private partnership.[2]
February
- 10 February 2018 - two people are gunned down in a double murder, the Territory's first of the year.[3]
- 19 February 2018 - Deputy Premier Kedrick Pickering announces the Government is actively considering legalising medical marijuana.[4]
- 17–28 February 2018 - a rapid succession of shooting incidents occur in Tortola, including one fatality.[5][6]
March
- 1 March 2018 - David Archer succeeds Rosalie Adams as Deputy Governor.[7]
- 28 March 2018 - After a threatened "backbencher revolt", the House of Assembly passes the Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency Bill, paving the way for £300 million in loan guarantees from the United Kingdom to assist rebuilding after Hurricane Irma.[8]
April
- 6 April 2018 - A 5.2 magnitude earthquake hits the Territory. No damage or injuries are reported.[9]
- 12 April 2018 - Kyron McMaster wins the gold medal in the 400m hurdles at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, the Territory's first ever medal at the games.[10] This followed the death of his longtime coach, Dag Samuels, late the previous year during Hurricane Irma.
May
- 1 May 2018 - The United Kingdom House of Commons votes in favour of an amendment to the Sanctions and Anti-money Laundering Act 2018 mandating public registers of beneficial ownership in all British Overseas Territories by 31 December 2020.[11]
- 24 May 2018 - A public rally - the "Decision March" - protests against the British Parliament's decision to unilaterally impose legislative changes on the Territory.[12] Opposition leader Andrew Fahie called for an immediate constitutional review,[13] and Deputy Premier Kedrick Pickering referred to "entering a divorce" with the United Kingdom.[14]
- 25 May 2018 - The immigration department announces that the population of the Territory has dropped by approximately 11% since Hurricanes Irma and Maria struck the previous year.[15]
- 30 May 2018 - The Territory is plagued by Sargassum blooms.[16]
June
- 8 June 2018 - A march organised to protest against the incumbent Government attracts fewer than 50 demonstrators.[17]
- 19 June 2018 - Premier Orlando Smith announces he will be stepping down.[18]
- 23 June 2018 - Myron Walwyn is elected as the new President of the governing National Democratic Party, although Orlando Smith remains Premier.[19]
- 25 June 2018 - A 3.6 magnitude earthquake hits the Territory. No damage or injuries are reported.[20]
- 29 June 2018 - A judge rejects the extradition of Bob Hodge and Tico Harrigan, overturning a previous ruling.[21] The extradition proceedings have now been ongoing for nearly a decade.
July
- 18 July 2018 - One person is killed in a plane crash taking off from Beef Island airport.[22]
- 20 July 2018 - A House of Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee announces an inquiry on the future relationship of the United Kingdom with the British Overseas Territories, including the British Virgin Islands.[23][24]
August
- 10 August 2018 - A man is gunned down in Purcell Estate, the Territory's fourth murder of the year.[25]
- 19 August 2018 - A 3.2 magnitude earthquake is felt in the Territory, the third minor earthquake in the past five months. No damage or injuries ar reported.[26]
- 24 August 2018 - House of Assembly member Julian Fraser launches a new political party, the Progressives United.[27]
September
- 10 September 2018 - The Financial Services Commission publishes statistics for Q1 2018, which should a 12% jump in company incorporation rates.[28]
- 12 September 2018 - A 4.3 magnitude earthquake is felt in the Territory, the fourth minor earthquake in the past six months. No damage or injuries ar reported.[29]
October
- 11 October 2018 - The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force issued a report indicating that crime had fallen 23% over a 5-year period. The report also indicated that during 2017 (the year of Hurricane Irma), crime fell by 8% despite the widespread perception of a spike in criminal activity during that period.[30]
- 22 October 2018 - Two people are murdered in separate, but possibly connected, incidents. They are the fifth and sixth murders in the Territory during the year.[31]
November
- 3 November 2018 - Another minor earthquake affects the Territory,[32] the fifth of the year.
- 19 November 2018 - Ronnie Skelton is fired as Minister for Health after stating proposals to form a rival party to the Government.[33]
- 26 November 2018 - An explosion leads a massive fire at the Pockwood Pond incinerator.[34]
December
- 7 December 2018 - A new party, the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) launches under the leadership of former Cabinet Minister, Ronnie Skelton.[35]
- 22 December 2018 - Ronnie Skelton is officially appointed as the Leader of the Opposition, by virtue of leading an opposition party with three sitting members of the House of Assembly.[36]
Deaths
- 4 April 2018 - Elton Georges, long time Deputy Governor.[37]
- 16 October 2018 - Delores Christopher, politician and member of the House of Assembly representing the 5th District.[38]
Footnotes
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