The Honourable Myron Walwyn was sworn in by Governor Daniel Pruce today as the new Leader of His Majesty’s Opposition. The move comes after a letter was delivered to the Governor on Friday March 21, 2025, signed by all three (3) Members of the newly united Alliance Opposition team which consists of Walwyn (D6), Turnbull (D2), and At large Representative Mather.
The ceremony was attended by members of recently formed opposition alliance Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (D2), and Hon Stacy R. Mather.
Not A New Move
The move made on Friday however, is not new or unheard of. In December of 2018 when then Premier Dr D Orlando Smith fired the Honourable Ronnie Skelton from his Government, Skelton sent a request to then Governor Augustus Jaspert, signed by himself, Mitch Turnbull and Archie Christian, both of whom had crossed the floor, to make Honourable Skelton the Leader of the Opposition, clinching the position from then Opposition Leader Andrew Fahie. It signaled then, as it does now, that the majority of the Opposition agreed with the move, and it was constitutionally correct.
Section 70 of the Constitution, requires the Governor to appoint an opposition leader recommended by “a majority of the elected members of the House who are members of any opposition party whose numerical strength in the House is greater than that of any other opposition party.
Formidable Opposition Now Formed
Following the 2023 General Elections, the Territory expressed an overall consensus that the new Opposition would have been the strongest the Territory had ever seen. Instead, an unprepared Opposition showed up to the HOA at each sitting. There was obvious disunity, and lack of prior preparation and communication between the Members.
The Territory in turn, kept calling for unity amongst the Opposition members.
In early February, a joint press conference was held where Hons, Walwyn, Mather and Turnbull announced their willingness to honour the wishes of the people, and unify to work together under what they announced as an ‘Alliance.’
Following the announcement of the Alliance, the evidence was clear in the HOA session following, that the Alliance would be a formidable opponent for the sitting Government.
Honourable Myron Walwyn will perform his first duties in his new position as Opposition Leader at today’s HOA session scheduled for 1pm today March 24th, 2025.