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Premier admits to acting too hastily in firing Lorna Smith

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley.

Premier Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley has acknowledged that he may have acted too hastily in removing Territorial At-Large Representative Lorna Smith from his administration last October.

Speaking on TOLA Radio on Wednesday, March 12, following news of Smith’s reinstatement, Dr. Wheatley was asked whether he had considered her extensive experience before dismissing her last year.

“We had a situation, and I have to acknowledge that I may have acted too hastily,” the Premier admitted, referring to the vote of no confidence that the Opposition had planned against his administration.

“I won’t disclose all of our private conversations, but at that time, I didn’t really have the confidence that she was truly with me,” he added.

Dr. Wheatley also noted that Smith may have been dealing with personal challenges at the time, including the loss of her brother, which may have influenced her actions.

“That was likely a stressful time for her, and certain things may have frustrated her. Sometimes, you have to give people the opportunity to catch themselves, take a deep breath, and evaluate things,” he said.

However, the Premier explained that the fast-paced nature of politics required a quick decision, which he has since reconsidered.

“In politics, sometimes you don’t have time. You have to make decisions quickly. But when you look back, you get the opportunity to reflect on your own actions and talk things through,” he stated.

“And that’s why humility is important—because if you’re not a humble person, you can never go back and say, ‘We had a disagreement before, but I believe we can accomplish something together in unity,’” Dr. Wheatley added.

In a surprise announcement on Tuesday, March 11, Dr. Wheatley revealed that Smith had rejoined his government as Minister of State for Financial Services and Economic Development.

He explained that his decision was influenced by global economic factors that could impact the Caribbean and noted that he is seeking retroactive approval from the United Kingdom for her appointment. In actuality, Smith currently holds a junior ministerial portfolio.

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7 Comments

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  1. Cindy. Lux says:

    So Cindy was right then

    Like 5
    Dislike 1
  2. BVI is screwed says:

    Hon. Smith said that she had no confidence in your leadership when she was fired late last year. In my opinion you are a worse Premier this year than you were last year.so where did she get this full confidence in you now to fall back under your leadership?
    Both Lorna and Natalio are interested in themselves. Lorna has a big ego and likes to be in charge. She is power hungry and would betray anyone to get it. Natalio loves being Premier and is not interested in doing the work so he will do whatever political maneuvering to hold on to that job including giving away all his important subjects just to keep the name Premier. Their needs align in this respect. On the one hand you have a dangerous woman who lives for power and importance and on the other you have a young man who is not accustomed to any real responsibilities and don’t care about it but is happy to be called Premier. The sum total of this is that we are screwed as a country.

    Like 7
    Dislike 2
  3. Yeah, yeah says:

    That only shows how inco**etant and how much of a dumb pr**k you are.

    Like 6
    Dislike 1
  4. captain obvious says:

    the accidental premier strikes again

  5. Watch your back Fraser says:

    Delilah is back

  6. Life will continue with or without her says:

    All ayo making it sound like only Lorna knows about financial services

    Like 1
    Dislike 1
  7. yea right says:

    Its not no acted too hastily its that the threat has passed. the opposition was too less to even get the motion of no confidence off the ground they couldn’t even file the thing properly. frazer had enough spinning top in mud with them boy and buss off lorna did the same. The opposition problem is it leader that’s why it falling apart and cant get nothing do.

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