I made promises to the people — Lorna Smith
Deputy Premier, Lorna Smith, OBE explained that one of the reasons she sought an alliance with the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) to help form the government was because of commitments she had made while campaigning during elections.
Smith gave that justification during an interview with JTV News hours before being sworn in as Deputy Premier on Tuesday, April 25.
“At the end of the day, as I said earlier, the people spoke, they elected six people [from the VIP], and there was the need to form a government with at least seven persons,” Smith explained. “I also made promises to the people to move forward as fast as possible, and as I’ve said before, in their interest.”
The Deputy Premier said she remains passionate about fulfilling her promises to the electorate in a number of areas and highlighted several issues she wants to focus on in moving forward. These include improving the cost of living, minimising crime, and revitalising the territory’s economy.
Independent thinker
Smith, who began her campaign as an independent Territorial At-Large candidate, subsequently joined the National Democratic Party (NDP) platform before emerging as the second-most successful At-Large contestant at the polls with 3,578 votes.
In joining with the NDP, Smith said she had maintained her independence throughout and further emphasised that she felt certain that independent thinking was a trait that the NDP also embraced as well.
But even as she made a special appeal for residents to continue to work with her as a member of government, Smith assured persons that nothing has changed about her sense of independence since forming that new alliance with the VIP.
“Nothing has changed about me. Nothing has changed about my independent thinking. Nothing has changed about my passion to help or to serve the people of the British Virgin Islands,” she stated.
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You were not going to get a position with the other two parties. You would have been a sitting duck. You made the right move deputy.
If the other party was to form who there is more knowledgeable than her? who there can better represents us internationally than her? What we fail to realize is that Lorna G is a well rounded person full of international experience. You think Lorna who would have done so much work over the years to see the BVI move from strength to strength would have just sit back and let the UK come take over?
I stand by her decision, country OVER self! Not like the rest of them slime balls, self BEFORE country!! Now you go sit in the back corner!!
The VIP is desperately trying to persuade one other elected member of the HoA to join them so that they can drop Lorna as Deputy Premier and Minister. Watch this space.
She made the right move FOR HER. Not for the country – but for her, to make sure SHE got a place in cabinet. This is what I can’t understand people don’t see. The only way this was the right move for the country is if it is really believed that Lorna is our one and only savior from the VIP….. The ONLY other move that would have been worse was Fraser joining the VIP and getting deputy….
Premier Wheatley now finds himself in a situation where he can be checkmated by a political rival. I suspect this is going to be a bumpy ride. Might need to sacrifice another minister. Check Mitch and\or Marlon.
You made promises to the people who voted for you too. Then broke them.
I guess you are the only one that made promises to the people. Your selfishness knows no end. You are a disgrace and a user. You used people who went out on the front line vouching for you when people hardly knew you and those who knew you had nothing good to say. You are a wicked and terrible granny.
There is always a turncoat in the group
With this unethical government (almost the same as last) promises don’t mean a thing.
WHO PEOPLE?
Looks like there is some fighting going on about Ministries.
Most countries have a finance minister separate from the Premier.
The UK has the Chancellor for example.
Lorna is very qualified to be our Chancellor.
She who controls the purse strings controls everything.
Stop LIE!, and whomever telling you the lie God will judge!
I know it hurting you but I’m happy with her decision. I’m looking forward to a brighter tomorrow. Hopefully you can get over this pain and misery soon ha ha ha
VIP need to check the license of their government members.
A premier went the states, got in an accident, and we got an accidental premier.
Ah next one come driving independently, then with a party. Caused a near miss but everyone held steady. Cross the floor even before the cement could harden for the 5th HOA. Ran the sitting deputy premier off the road causing an accident. Didn’t check to see how he was doing, took his position and now we have an accidental premier and accidental deputy premier.
I’m wondering who is posting all of this crap. The woman ran on NDP ticket. Used their base to get elected then stabbed them in the back.
HOw can that be justified. What kind of morals do these posters have? None apparently. That is why this place is going to the dogs.
Lorna Smith and her family has no scruples. It is all about them. If anyone in the NDP had deflected when her husband was Premier she would have dragged them up and down Road Town. She is a traitor and I wish she could have been recalled as a representative. I never liked her and never trusted her now I know why. She used the hard workers of the NDP to get elected only to turn around and spit in their faces. They right to expel her from the NDP.
But Fraser wanted premier in the coalition government as well and Ronnie wanted it what people don’t realize is that Ronnie and Fraser was cooking up for Marlon not to be premier or deputy but I guess he didn’t see it that way why u think Ronnie was the middle man between Fraser and Marlon if u listen the press conference how can u form a government without selecting a premier and believing that it will be possible after NDP 3 PVIM 3+1 = 4 let’s have a vote for premier NDP get out voted let’s have a vote for deputy again NDP gets out voted rather interesting that Fraser or Ronnie not revealing to the public what the negotiations was
NDP had 3 seats and needed 7 to form the government. where the other 4 was coming from? Ronnie want to be premier Fraser want to be premier go listen the press conference from yesterday or better yet tune in today Fraser forget to tell us something yesterday. #setahclowns
On the other side he can blame for any and everything as she is not one of them. Expect conflict and personality clashes…lots of it.
I think they need others to rule the house as before. They had a full slate and did not need votes from the opposition.
I don’t trust promises, just work. Crack on, Crack on. I don’t vote for photo ops, I vote for results, get on with it