2023 British Virgin Islands general election

The incumbent Virgin Islands Party (VIP) was led by Andrew Fahie in the previous general election, but following his arrest on charges of drug smuggling offences,[9][10] leadership of the party passed to Natalio Wheatley. The party was the only political party to confirm a full slate of candidates.[13][14][15]

The National Democratic Party (NDP) is led by Marlon Penn (D8). They have announced nine candidates.[16]

The leader of the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM), Ronnie Skelton, failed to win a seat in the 2019 election, and so Mitch Turnbull (D2) assumed leadership of the party in the House. However, for the 2023 campaign Mr Skelton has resumed leadership of the party. The party's ranks were also bolstered when representative Shereen Flax-Charles (at-large) crossed the floor to join the PVIM.[17]

Julian Fraser, the current Leader of the Opposition by default being the only member of the House of Assembly not in the "unity government", is the leader and only sitting member of the Progressives United (PU). On 1 April 2023 the PU announced a 'soft alliance' with the PVIM. No PU candidates were announced other than Fraser.[18]

Mark Vanterpool (NDP) has confirmed that he will not be defending his District 4 seat and is retiring from politics.[19]

As often happens in British Virgin Islands politics, a number of candidates were contesting the elections for new parties having "crossed the floor" after having been elected for a different party. Shereen Flax-Charles left the ruling VIP to join the PVIM,[20] and former NDP representative, Alvera Maduro-Caines, left her party to join the VIP.[21]

Previously incumbent candidates are marked in bold where applicable.[23]

Incumbent Andrew Fahie was unable to contest the seat due to his ongoing legal issues. Outside of by-elections, only two candidates have ever won the District One seat in the Territory's history - Andrew Fahie and Lavity Stoutt.

Incumbent Melvin Turnbull defends the seat he won at the previous two general elections.

Incumbent Julian Fraser won the previous six election in District Three. He is expected to declare his candidacy on 1 April 2023.

Incumbent Mark Vanterpool stood down after winning the District Five seat five times in six elections. Newcomer Ian Smith (PVIM) takes on Luce Hodge-Smith (VIP) and Sandy Harrigan-Underhill (NDP) (each running for the second time).

Incumbent Kye Rymer defends his seat against political newcomer, Marvin Blyden.

Incumbent Alvera Maduro-Caines won her third consecutive election, but later switched parties. She now faces a challenge by former NDP party leader, Myron Walwyn.

Incumbent Natalio Wheatley faces no party-affiliated challengers in his re-election bid.

Marlon Penn, leader of the NDP, is aiming to win his fourth consecutive contest, in what has traditionally been a Penn family stronghold in District Eight.

District Nine typically attracts more candidates than other seats, and Vincent Wheatley looks to defend his seat amid a crowded field. Shereen Flax-Charles previously was elected to the House in the previous general election as a VIP candidate running at-large. In 2023 she runs as a PVIM candidate for District Nine.

The VIP candidates won all four of the at-large seats at the previous election. Three candidates return.

The NDP and PVIM conducted exploratory merger talks, but ultimately those talks were not successful.[24] The PVIM had originally been formed when a number of members of the NDP split away and formed a competing party before the 2019 election. Despite the absence of any formal alliance, it is noteworthy that in only two of the nine districts are candidates from the two parties contesting against each other.

On 1 April 2023 the PVIM subsequently announced a 'soft alliance' with the PU. No PU party candidates have been announced other than Julian Fraser in District 3.[18]