List of political parties in the British Virgin Islands


The British Virgin Islands has a two-party system, which means that there are two dominant political parties, creating difficulty for anybody to achieve electoral success under the banner of any other party. In none of the previous four elections has a candidate who was not standing for any party other than one of the two main parties won a seat. Prior to 1999 there were a number of multi-party elections with four or more parties contesting and three or more parties winning seats.

Active parties

There are four main parties active at present in the Territory, and between them they hold all of the seats in the legislature. Two of them were formed in 2018, the other two are much older.

Defunct parties

Several parties have previously held seats in the British Virgin Islands legislature but are no longer current or active.
PartyComments
United PartyGeneral election victories in 1967, 1975 and 1983. Last candidate elected was Andre Penn in 1995. Last candidate to stand was Conrad Maduro in a 2005 by-election.
VI Democratic PartyWon the 1971 general election. Contested each general election from 1967 to 1979 except for 1975. Formed main opposition party after 1967 general election. Last won seats in 1971. Last candidate to stand was Q.W. Osborne in 1979.
People's Own PartyNever won a general election. Only contested the 1967 general election, winning one seat.
Independent People's MovementPut forward two candidates in the 1990 general election; one was elected. No other electoral appearances.

Unelected parties

A number of political parties have been formed but failed to win any seats. Only one of these parties has ever contested more than a single election.
PartyComments
Virgin Islands Progressive PartyContested the 1975 general election but failed to win any seats.
Virgin Islands National MovementContested the 1979 general election but failed to win any seats.
People's PartyContested the 1986 general election but failed to win any seats.
Progressive People's Democratic PartyContested the 1990 general election but failed to win any seats.
Concern Citizen Movement
Contested the 1995 general election and 1999 general election but failed to win any seats.
Concern Citizen Movement
Contested the 2007 general election but failed to win any seats.
People's Patriotic AllianceContested the 2011 general election but failed to win any seats.
Party of the PeopleContested the 2011 general election but failed to win any seats.
People's Empowerment PartyFormed by sitting member of the House, Alvin Christopher and contested the 2015 general election but failed to win any seats.
People's Coalition MovementContested the 2015 general election but failed to win any seats.

Electoral history of main parties

History of the political parties who have won at least one seat at a general election.
PartyElections contestedElections won
Virgin Islands Party13
1971 - 2019		7
1979, 1986, 1990, 1995, 1999, 2007, 2019
United Party9
1967 - 2003		3
1967, 1975, 1983
National Democratic Party6
1999 - 2019		3
2003, 2011, 2015
VI Democratic Party3
1967, 1971, 1979		1
1971
People's Own Party1
1967		0
Independent People's Movement1
1990		0
Positive Virgin Islands Movement1
2019		0
Progressives United1
2019		0