2015 in the British Virgin Islands

Events from the year 2015 in the British Virgin Islands.

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Decades:
See also:	Other events of 2015 Timeline of BVI history

Orlando Smith won his third general election in 2015.

Incumbents

• Governor: John Duncan
• Premier: Orlando Smith

Events

January

• 18 January 2015 - James Taylor, the oldest living resident in the Territory, dies at the age of 101.[1]
• 29 January 2015 - Telecoms Regulatory Commission launches enquiry into poor broadband service in the Territory.[2]

February

• 10 February 2015 - Baba Aziz is confirmed as Attorney General. He had previously held the post on an "acting" basis.[3]

March

• 26 March 2015 - After years of delays, the Legal Professions Act 2015 is passed into law.[4]

April

• 28 April 2015 - The new cruise ship pier park is officially opened, even though it has not actually been completed.[5]

June

Julian Fraser.

• 8 June 2015 - The ruling National Democratic Party cruises to victory in a snap general election, increasing its overall majority. Orlando Smith remains Premier.[6] A post-election report released afterwards by the Election Observer Mission to the Virgin Islands stated that voters described the 2015 campaign as the most negative they had ever witnessed.[7]

July

• 16 July 2015 - Premier Orlando Smith, whilst affirming his traditional beliefs in marriage, indicates he is open to public consultation on gay marriage.[8]
• 21 July 2015 - After a month long political impasse, Governor John Duncan determines that Julian Fraser should be appointed Lead of the Opposition.[9]

August

• 24 August 2015 - The Telecom Regulatory Commission confirmed that it had received and rejected an application to block WhatsApp and other VOIP software.[10]

October

The BVI was affected by the 2015 Sargassum crisis in the Caribbean Sea.

• 2 October 2015 - Fisheries Department confirms that the months-long invasion of Sargassum weed is responsible for widespread fish deaths in the Territory.[11]

Footnotes

1. "James Taylor dies at age 101". BVI News. 19 January 2015. Archived from the original on 1 October 2017. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
2. "Broadband complaints prompt TRC action". BVI News. 29 January 2015. Archived from the original on 1 October 2017. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
3. "Baba Aziz appointed attorney general". BVI News. 13 January 2015. Archived from the original on 19 January 2015. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
4. "Finally – Bill passed to regulate lawyers". BVI News. 26 March 2015. Archived from the original on 28 March 2015. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
5. "Pier opens, hailed as big NDP gov't achievement". BVI News. 29 April 2015. Archived from the original on 4 October 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
6. "Breaking News: NDP Will Remain In Gov't". BVI Platinum. 8 June 2015.
7. "Most Negative Campaign - Report". BVI Platinum. 11 June 2015.
8. "BVI public to decide on gay marriage if necessary". BVI News. 16 July 2015. Archived from the original on 4 October 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
9. "Fraser declared opposition leader". BVI News. 21 July 2015. Archived from the original on 4 October 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
10. "Do not block Whatsapp, other VOIP services – TRC". BVI News. 24 August 2017. Archived from the original on 4 October 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
11. "Seaweed causing widespread fish kill". BVI News. 2 October 2015. Archived from the original on 4 October 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2017.