No-confidence vote ‘a paltry attempt’ at instability — Smith
Junior Minister for Financial Services Lorna Smith has described the opposition’s failed attempt to pass a no-confidence motion in the House of Assembly as “a rather paltry attempt” to divide the territory and create instability.
The motion, brought by Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn, was defeated late last month by seven votes to two, with one abstention and two members absent. It sought to remove the government led by Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley, but did not gain the numbers needed to succeed.
“I saw this vote of no confidence as an attempt, a rather paltry attempt, because there was no way that it could succeed,” Smith stated. “I saw it as a very paltry attempt to divide this House, to separate our people, and to create instability in this country.”
Smith said her decision to vote against the motion was influenced by the territory’s current challenges, including the ongoing implementation of reforms stemming from the Commission of Inquiry (COI) report and heightened scrutiny from the United Kingdom over the BVI’s financial services sector.
“We are emerging… from about three years of a commission of inquiry when the proverbial gun was at our heads for direct rule,” she explained. “It was the premier who negotiated successfully for us to maintain the democracy that we are now under.”
Smith argued that at a time when the financial services industry – which contributes a significant portion of the territory’s GDP – faces “a relentless campaign” from UK politicians and NGOs, the focus should be on unity and stability.
“What message are we sending to the industry? What message are we sending to investors? What message are we sending to the people of this country? It is only one of instability,” she asserted.
The no-confidence motion was based on a range of criticisms, including government spending priorities, infrastructure challenges, and governance concerns. However, Smith dismissed the move as politically motivated and potentially damaging to the territory’s reputation.
She also criticised the Opposition Leader’s appeal to the Governor to intervene in the Bank of Asia matter, noting that the House already has oversight mechanisms such as the Public Accounts Committee and the Auditor General.
Smith concluded that while the government is “not perfect”, it remains “genuine, united, and committed to helping the people of this territory to advance.”
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Somebody tell this opportunistic and power hungry woman to siddung please. When Natalio fired her she was all over the media speaking about how incompetent he was. She now beg back for a position and all of a sudden everything in the country is fine. I want back my vote. I didn’t want to vote for you in the first place but I was convinced to do it. Big mistake. Never again!
@ Move Delilah
Not a man or woman could ever make me put an X next to the corner woman’s name. A lady that don’t have time for the small man or woman should not expect the small man or woman to have time for her. Let her have several seats please.
Ministers hiding Millions of the people’s money in private bankrupt banks may be more destabilising.
Especially if there was conflict of interests between directors and leading people in the Financial Services Ministries or Commissions.
Imagine how that would destabilize our nation were that to happen.
Ms. Smith with all due respect, you and your Government has made the VI look unstable, from neglecting the basic needs for the people to putting family business before all, then having a major hand in the destabilizing of the Bank of Aisa. so with all due respect you of all People should be quiet, enjoy your remaining time and get your greedy bill package after your 1 term!.
It’s the wig for me
It’s a simple enough question voters deserve to know.
Wasn’t it this same vote of no confidence that caused Natalio to fire her because he wasn’t sure how she would vote? Now, it’s an attempt at instability? The very same vote of no confidence from before and nothing has improved since then. Lorna is in her own corner. Anything to hold on to her Junior Minister job…. Oh sorry.. Minister of State LOL. Clown soup
GBM on every story blogging not realizing that nobody cares about the petty foolishness. Not even the other two members voted with the power hungry man. When will you blog on them?
Didn’t Mitch Vote? Yes he did
Mather was absent
Marlon was in his car hiding
Ronnie was there in his feelings and abstained.
All government members were blowing smoke up
Natalio
That’s what I remember
The three old people over 70 years- Fraser, Lorna and Ronnie are the main problems in the HOA. They only interested in power and position.
This woman has absolutely no shame, no integrity and no morals! Stained her legacy over greed and power. WOW!
Y’all really slow anytime she get vote back in next election.
Should not have been there in the first place.
Unfortunately, the will buy their way back in. Those white envelopes and crookedness are poweerffulll.
Wondering why all the millions keep disappearing without a trace, aand million dollar institutions that are supposed to be insured keep failing?
While everyone knows it does not make sense, and it smells to high heaven still keep their mouths shut. So how can you blame the wrong doer if he and she is not brought to accountability?
Lord, look what our politics have come to.
It would be penny wise and pound foolish to think the opposition has any interest in creating unstability of our country.
Power is power. He ho has it not, seeks to gain it, but the opposition of the country is not the by any means necessary kind of folk.
Hence, more political verbish while the elders and their monthly income suffer while the politrickans are banking thousands a day.
Old news. Useless whining.
Stop the political BS. Where’s our $ 5 million ?
Where have all the millions gone? Gone to hiding everyone.
The VI has become the bastion of open white thiefing collar crime, and their is nothing that can be done about it by the people.
she really have no shame, the premier fire her and threw her away like garbage and she gone back in a lower position and glazing him like he doing the best job ever, anything for power
Your betrayal and switching sides created instability and confusion in the place..the source of the fountain of despite…hatred and anger has to flow from somewhere to get to where it is now and u r apart of the problem.