Ralph T. O'Neal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ralph T. O'Neal
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O'Neal being appointed Premier by Governor David Pearey.
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| Premier of the British Virgin Islands | |
| In office 23 August 2007 – 9 November 2011 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor | David Pearey Inez Archibald (Acting) William Boyd McCleary |
| Preceded by | Orlando Smith (Chief Minister) |
| Succeeded by | Orlando Smith |
| Chief Minister of the British Virgin Islands | |
| In office 15 May 1995 – 17 June 2003 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor | Peter Alfred Penfold David Mackilligin Frank Savage Elton Georges (Acting) Tom Macan |
| Preceded by | Hamilton Lavity Stoutt |
| Succeeded by | Orlando Smith |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Ralph Telford O'Neal
15 December 1933 Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands |
| Died | 11 November 2019 (aged 85) Tortola, British Virgin Islands |
| Political party | Virgin Islands Party |
| Spouse | Reverend Edris O'Neal |
| Alma mater | University of Oxford |
Ralph Telford O'Neal was a very important politician from the British Virgin Islands. He was born on December 15, 1933, and passed away on November 11, 2019. He received an award called the OBE for his service.
Ralph O'Neal was the person who served the longest as an elected leader in the British Virgin Islands. He was the head of the government three times. This role was called "Chief Minister" at first, and later it was changed to "Premier."
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Ralph O'Neal's Political Journey
Ralph O'Neal started his political career by being elected to represent the areas of Virgin Gorda and Anegada. This happened on September 1, 1975. He kept this important job without a break until the election in 2015.
How Long Did He Serve?
Ralph O'Neal holds the record for being the longest-serving elected politician in the history of the British Virgin Islands. He worked in the House of Assembly for about 40 years! He won 10 elections, which is a lot. Only one other politician, Lavity Stoutt, won more elections than him. In 2014, Ralph O'Neal announced that he would not run for election again in 2015.
Becoming Chief Minister and Premier
Ralph O'Neal first became Chief Minister on May 14, 1995. This happened after the previous Chief Minister, Lavity Stoutt, passed away while in office. O'Neal served as Chief Minister until the 1999 election, which he won.
His political party lost the election in 2003. However, he made a big comeback in 2007. He won by a lot of votes and became the Premier. The title of the leader had changed from Chief Minister to Premier by then. He stayed in this top job until November 7, 2011. His party, the Virgin Islands Party, lost its majority in the 2011 election.
In total, Ralph O'Neal led the government for 12 years. This is the second-longest time anyone has been in charge in the British Virgin Islands, after Lavity Stoutt.
Serving as Leader of the Opposition
Ralph O'Neal also served as the Leader of the Opposition three times. This is more than any other politician in the British Virgin Islands. The Leader of the Opposition is the head of the main party that is not in power.
He first held this role from 1986 to 1988 for the United Party. Then, he was the opposition leader for the Virgin Islands Party from 2003 to 2007. His final time as Leader of the Opposition was from 2011 to 2015.
Changing Political Parties
For most of his time in politics, Ralph O'Neal was a member of the Virgin Islands Party. He became the leader of this party after Lavity Stoutt died. He led the party until Julian Fraser took over.
Like many politicians in the British Virgin Islands, Ralph O'Neal did change parties sometimes. He first ran for election in 1971 with the VI Democratic Party, but he didn't win that time. After that, he ran twice as an independent candidate before joining the Virgin Islands Party.
In 1983, he left the Virgin Islands Party to join the ruling United Party. He ran for election with them in 1986. But in 1988, he rejoined the Virgin Islands Party. He became a Minister in Lavity Stoutt's government and stayed with the Virgin Islands Party ever since.
Ralph O'Neal's Life Outside Politics
Ralph O'Neal was a smart person who studied economics at the famous University of Oxford. Besides his political work, he also owned properties and developed land in the British Virgin Islands. Before he joined the House of Assembly, he had other business interests through his company, the Ralph O'Neal Group of Companies.
In October 2016, Ralph O'Neal had to travel overseas for urgent medical care. He passed away at his home in Tortola on November 11, 2019.
Images for kids
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O'Neal being appointed Premier by Governor David Pearey.
