NDP hasn’t invited me back
Junior Minister for Financial Services, Trade and Economic Development, Lorna Smith, has revealed that she has not been formally invited to rejoin the National Democratic Party (NDP).
With Ronnie Skelton’s Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) now having merged with the NDP, the party has been working to strengthen its base in preparation for the 2027 general election. Reports suggest that several influential former members have already been re-invited to the NDP, but Smith said she has yet to receive such a call.
“Let’s say I have not been invited back. They perhaps are getting to it but I haven’t been invited,” Smith said recently on the Talking Points radio show. She also described herself as an “independent” currently working with the government.
It remains unclear whether the NDP leadership intends to extend an invitation to Smith. She initially entered the 2023 general election as an independent candidate, later joining the NDP before the campaign concluded.
However, following the elections, Smith broke ranks with the party and resumed her independent status, forming a coalition with the administration led by Premier Natalio Wheatley. At the time of breaking ranks with the NDP, Smith contended that she felt the territory was in a state of limbo without a government being formed hours after the elections had ended.
Her post-election alliance with the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) is widely believed to be a key factor that prevented the existing Opposition from forming the government. Smith is also credited with spearheading the push for a higher minimum wage and for pressuring local banks to improve customer service for both businesses and the wider public.
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The only place we putting u back in is your retirement. U help destroy our party and we don’t want no political snake’s in the new NDP.
New NDP with the same two deads Ronnie and Marlon. Gimme a break. Lorna you are better off without those losers.
Less all the confusion.
Accountability is not optional—it is the bedrock of leadership. And in this instance, both the NDP and the commentary in that final paragraph have fallen short of that standard.
To suggest that Hon. Smith’s decision to align with the Virgin Islands Party was the reason the Opposition failed to form a government is not only inaccurate, it is a distortion of the facts. The Opposition’s own indecision—their failure to coalesce around a clear leader is what left Hon.Smith with no choice but to chart a course she believed to be in the national interest.
Now, I am neutral where it concerns Hon. Smith, she is a capable individual who have leverage her expertise for BOTH parties prior to being elected , but I will defend her right to stand as an independent and caucus with whichever party she deems aligned with her principles and the mandate she carries. That is not betrayal. That is the essence of being an independent and of democracy in its purest form.
The NDP must mature politically. Choose a leader.It has been a Month since the reunification and we have no knowledge of who will lead the party. Articulate a vision. And move forward. Because if you cannot even do that, then you do not have the moral authority to question those who do.
And who is the leader of The Alliance? The right thinking persons in this country tired of this kindergarten bull crap, you know. The NDP must do this and the NDP must do that.
Hon. Smith left the NDP and is calling herself Independent. She was fired and then rehired with the VIP. Nobody is asking her why she is not joining VIP, but the bloggers on here asking crap about who is the leader of the NDP. Who is leading Alliance? Hon. Walwyn? Hon. Turnbull or Hon. Mather?
If I was any party I would not touch Hon. Smith. She has proven she cannot be trusted so if you can find somebody else to take in, I would. Talking season started early and to tell you the truth, I am already tired.
I apologize for raising a pertinant question that any political party understands is the foundation of their exsistence. Is this question not being asked of the democratic Party in the US?. Is it not one of the reasons that the Party is in such disarray? How can we follow if there is no one to lead? Sir I am sorry if these truths causes you discomfort . You know who the leader of the Alliance is Sir. But I understand it would be better for you if there wasnt a leader becasue you could use that as an equivalency to justfy the inaction of the NDP. I apologize for the expectation that the party needs a leader . These observations are upsetting I understand.
Corna lady need to go back in the Corna. I wouldn’t vote for her if she was only person running.
why should they, you are an opportunist
Not being invited back should be no surprise; you have not proven to be an asset to this Territory and seem to be a legend in your own mind. Please do us a favour and retire to your corner gracefully.
she will never be elected again, she only got through by her link to the NDP then she jumped ship to get a position
And they are not going to or have any intention to invite you back. You are not in anyone corner. You are only for self and family only. Come next election, you will NOT receive a VOTE from me. As bad as Marlon and Ronnie may be, I would give them my VOTE before I give you my VOTE Ms. Lorna. I will say this much, you cannot be trusted. If it is Premiership you are seeking, not with VOTE
you will. Everyone last one of you is disappointments. Go and retire from Politics like your brother and call it a day.
She needs to go in the Alliance corner where she is likely planning to go. One termer
I do not expect the NDP to invite you either. Last Elections you only tagged along with them to get Votes But next time around you are a Loser and if the NDP or any other Party would align themselves with you, they too will bear the consequences. You need to go sit in your Corner at Mac Namara. You are not a Generational Virgin Islander. Go run in Anguilla and leave BVI Politics and People alone.
Luarna is playing the game well where she keeps her name going around like musicals chairs hoping it lands on something solid besides her flip flopping skills. She gamed NDP before she ran with them from behind the curtain, she came out and used NDP last elections to gain the Deputy Premier position only to have it stripped away from her.
Luarna is back in her ‘power corner’ for now. I wager she and her broskis (NHI Kingpin & Mr. Grasshopper) are planning to take over the re-revised NDP with Archie, Kedrick, Hubert and others.
Or….
Luarna and broski run together as independents…Luce need to watch her back
When the dust clears, NDP will be:
1- Chad George
2- TBC
3- Aaron Parillon
4- Sandy Underhill
5 – TBC
6 – Myron Walwyn
7 – Pearline Scatliffe
8 – Marlon Penn
9 – Coy Levons
Atlarge:
Ronnie Skelton
Lorna Smith
Kedrick Pickering
Ingrid Moses
I have a feeling Mitch and Budha may be out to pasture without a place to call home. Not sure if they’re aware but they are technically NDP Members, along with Myron.
If this is correct, I’m good with that. I’m loving the line up.
If you know all this , and I will say your predictions seem very accurate , please tell us who will be leading the Party , I find it difficult to envision the same egos, entrenched in personal ambition, suddenly setting aside their individual pursuits for the greater good of the party.
NDP needs another strong at-large candidate besides Ingrid. Someone who would strengthen the candidate in district 2 once they get a candidate. Mitch had his terms and will get his pension. People who don’t take you around the world before telling you as it is. Also since Lorna won’t be on the ticket another strong candidate would be welcomed in her spot too.
If it is indeed she is looking to be Premier, that is out the window.Here’s why, when your husband was Premier, you were the one running the Territory undercover. They love to say who and whose turn it is well, you had your turn. I would agree that we should elect a female Premiere however, not you.
Honestly I feel like these old people who 70+ still trying to hold on to power and be in politics and be the center of everything like nothing good cant happen without them need to retire. you done make your contribution man.
Why your young behind don’t run? We can all stand on the sidelines and talk about who should retire or who is this or who is that but we would never put ourselves forward to make a difference.
Right now, I am willing to try experience over some of what I am seeing and that is what those 70 plus brings to the table. We need to settle down as a ocuntry. We have a huge loan now to pay and we are bleeding money in travel and parties while the Admin Complex sit there growing more mold because nobody knows how to complete and open it. Not to mention we are paying hundreds of thousands of dollars in rent monthly. Those 70 plusers would know how. The Disaster Preparedness Building, we spent over $10 million on that and it is still just there empty while we pay rent for that office. Those 70 plusers would know how to finish that and quickly. NHI needs help. The basic fee for a doctor visit in this country is more than in Puerto Rico and many other places. Those fees needs to be capped. The 70 plus will do it. We need a doggone library. The 70 plusers would know how. You know what the difference is, experience. All this talking that we are getting now and no movement behind it, experience people don’t work that way. Say what you want, when NDP came in they finished the hospital here and a mini one in VG. They built the Pier Park, and I don’t care how much it cost. It is there and being used. The roads were decent and the list goes on. So I am not sure I would vote to take a chance that we will stagnate like this spending all of the yearly Budget, over $400 million and all these things are unfinished and no new initiatives to show. We need a gymnasium and a cafeteria at the High School. That is a plus that the VIP did, but they needed to spread out those buildings and put in some kind of space for the children to eat lunch etc. While the young generation call the 70 plusers old, they are not moving like they are young and full of energy. Why? Their focus is not on what the country needs and what are most urgent. So everybody has their opinion, and since you shared yours, I shared mine, since it’s talking season come early.
Before the people would turn against Lorna. Even if she run at large, she will not get the votes nor will Pickering get the votes.Let her stay with Natalio and Fraser on the VIP side.
Jill in the box madam. Doc. Pickering is steady and will be fine this round.
It is best to replace Ingrid with another person. I heard the name of a stout lady in district 2 and that’s who we want, not Ingrid.
Good But I think Smith should be omitted and replaced with Flax-Charles and Ingrid needs to be introduced to the wider BVI like right Now. While I think she is a very nice pick, the wider BVI needs to see her, converse with her and get to know her true intentions for the territory and its people and the time is Now.