Ralph T. O'Neal
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Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE served as chief minister of the British Virgin Islands from 1995 (on the death of Lavity Stoutt). He won the subsequent election in 1999 as leader of the Virgin Islands Party, but then subsequently lost power to National Democratic Party in 2003. He remains the elected representative for the 9th Electoral district (Virgin Gorda and Anegada), and is presently leader of the opposition in the Legislative Council.
Educated at University of Oxford, Mr O'Neal is a member of the British Virgin Islands bar, although he has never actually practised law within the Territory.
In the 1991 general election, Ralph O'Neal stood against his nephew in the 9th District, who (confusingly) was also named Ralph O'Neal. The senior Ralph O'Neal narrowly won the election, and benefitted from a number of absentee ballots.[1] The younger Ralph O'Neal made a number of public allegations suggesting impropriety, and senior Ralph O'Neal sued for slander. The case came before Mr Justice Georges, sitting without a jury, who dismissed the claim. However, partly as a result of the controversy, absentee ballots were later abolished in the British Virgin Islands.
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- ^ It should be noted that the 9th District does traditionally have the highest number of absentee ballots, due to the large number of Anegadians who have emigrated over the years.
