Party (led by Marlon A Penn). The newly formed People's Empowerment Party (which has never held power), led by Alvin Christopher. Defunct parties There are a number of former political parties in the British Virgin Islands, but only four have ever succeeded in having a candidate elected to the legislature: The United Party (originally called the BVI United Party), which won general election victories in 1967, 1975 and 1983. Defunct since approximately 2005 by-election. VI Democratic Party, which won the 1971 general election (together with Willard Wheatley (Ind)). Contested each general election from 1967 to 1979 except for 1975. Defunct since 1979. People's Own Party. Only contested the 1967 general election, winning one seat (Isaac Fonseca) in a seven-seat legislature. Defunct since at least 1971. Independent People's Movement. Put forward two candidates in the 1990 general election; one was elected (Omar Hodge). No other electoral appearances. Defunct shortly after formation. Electoral issues Elections in the British Virgin Islands are rarely conducted on an ideological basis, or even in relation to specific local political issues. Instead, voters are generally asked to choose between two primary parties (and a host of independent candidates) and vote on the basis of a combination of: party loyalty competence to govern political patronage Most election campaigns are usually conducted on the basis of each candidate who is affiliated with a party pointing to their own successes in government, and criticising the performance of the other party. Each party will typically try to present itself as the party who fights for the "common man", and accuse the other party of financial mismanagement or corruption, as well as alleging that they only act in the best interests of limited pool of well connected wealthy persons. Independent candidates will typically argue that neither party is competent or trustworthy, and that unaffiliated politicians should be elected. British Virgin Islands politics have become highly polarised since the mid-1990s. Since the 1999 general election, no party won consecutive terms in office until the NDP secured victory in the 2015 general election. Prior to the 1990s independent candidates were a common feature of legislatures in the British Virgin Islands, but more recently politics have become party dominated, and independent candidates and candidates for minority parties are rarely successful. Latest elections Past elections General elections 1950 - 1963 Prior to 1967 elections were held on a non-party basis. Relatively few records survive in relation