Cyril Romney
Encyclopedia
Cyril Brandtford Romney served as Chief Minister of the British Virgin Islands from 1983 to 1986. He also served as a member of the Legislative Council of the British Virgin Islands
from 1979 to 1995. He was the first BVIslander to hold the post of Financial Secretary, and was also a business leader in the Territory and the region.
After an early career as a teacher, he studied economics at Inter-American University in Puerto Rico and then pursued a master's program in economics and political science at Syracuse University in New York.
Cyril Romney's first foray into politics was in 1975, when he stood as an independent candidate in the First District against Lavity Stoutt
. He lost, but was subsequently elected in 1979 as the representative for the Fifth District and became a member of the opposition. He served a second political term from 1983 to 1986 and was Chief Minister of a coalition government with the United Party led by Willard Wheatley
. During Romney's term as Chief Minister the International Business Companies Act
, which was responsible for so much of the Territory's economic success, came into force.
In 1986 Romney's ruling coalition lost power, but he was re-elected and continued to serve on the opposition benches for two more consecutive terms. In both 1995 and 1999, he tried unsuccessfully to recapture the Fifth District seat standing on a pro-independence platform.
Romney was a permanent justice of the peace
, a founding member of the Rotary Club of Tortola and a member of the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association.
Romney had wide ranging commercial interests, including commercial and residential real estate development, and various aspects of the tourism industry. He was closely involved in the BVI's cruise ship industry; he founded a local travel agency, Travel Plan, in 1969 and a taxi company in 1979. He also purchased one of the Territory's major hotel chains, Prospect Reef, and opened a local franchise of Dolphin Discovery
. He also opened the British Virgin Islands franchise of Colombian Emeralds International.
In addition to his commercial interests, Romney was for many years an active member of the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board and he initiated several strategies for promoting the Territory.
Romney died on 19 July 2007 in a Florida hospital after a long battle with cancer
. He was survived by five daughters and several grandchildren. On his death he was given an official government funeral. Chief Minister Orlando Smith
said Romney's death marked the end of an era for the British Virgin Islands, stating: "Our community lost a leader and a hero today."
Legislative Council of the British Virgin Islands
The House of Assembly of the British Virgin Islands, until 2007 known as the Legislative Council, has 15 members; 13 directly elected for four year terms—nine in single-seat constituencies and four "at large"—one ex-officio member and one Speaker chosen from outside the house.The first...
from 1979 to 1995. He was the first BVIslander to hold the post of Financial Secretary, and was also a business leader in the Territory and the region.
After an early career as a teacher, he studied economics at Inter-American University in Puerto Rico and then pursued a master's program in economics and political science at Syracuse University in New York.
Cyril Romney's first foray into politics was in 1975, when he stood as an independent candidate in the First District against Lavity Stoutt
Lavity Stoutt
Hamilton Lavity Stoutt was the first and longest serving Chief Minister of the British Virgin Islands, winning four general elections and serving three non-consecutive terms of office from 1967 to 1971, again from 1981 to 1983 and again from 1986 until his death in 1995.Since Stoutt's death in...
. He lost, but was subsequently elected in 1979 as the representative for the Fifth District and became a member of the opposition. He served a second political term from 1983 to 1986 and was Chief Minister of a coalition government with the United Party led by Willard Wheatley
Willard Wheatley
Willard Wheatley served two consecutive terms as the Chief Minister of the British Virgin Islands from 1971 to 1979. He was the leader of the United Party.-References:*...
. During Romney's term as Chief Minister the International Business Companies Act
International Business Companies Act
The International Business Companies Act, 1984 was a statute of the British Virgin Islands which permitted the incorporation of International Business Companies within the Territory...
, which was responsible for so much of the Territory's economic success, came into force.
In 1986 Romney's ruling coalition lost power, but he was re-elected and continued to serve on the opposition benches for two more consecutive terms. In both 1995 and 1999, he tried unsuccessfully to recapture the Fifth District seat standing on a pro-independence platform.
Romney was a permanent justice of the peace
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
, a founding member of the Rotary Club of Tortola and a member of the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association.
Dolphin Discovery
Dolphin Discovery is a Mexican company which offers interactive programs with dolphins, sea lions and manatees in six locations in Mexico: Puerto Aventuras , Cozumel, Cancun-Isla Mujeres, Six Flags Park Mexico City and Puerto Vallarta...
. He also opened the British Virgin Islands franchise of Colombian Emeralds International.
In addition to his commercial interests, Romney was for many years an active member of the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board and he initiated several strategies for promoting the Territory.
Romney died on 19 July 2007 in a Florida hospital after a long battle with cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
. He was survived by five daughters and several grandchildren. On his death he was given an official government funeral. Chief Minister Orlando Smith
Orlando Smith
D. Orlando Smith, OBE is the current Premier of the British Virgin Islands. He also formerly served as Chief Minister of the British Virgin Islands from 2003 to 2007...
said Romney's death marked the end of an era for the British Virgin Islands, stating: "Our community lost a leader and a hero today."
External links
Sources
- British Virgin Islands Government Information Service - Press Release No 299R/07.
- Virgin Islands Daily News obituary