Premier admits to acting too hastily in firing Lorna Smith
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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So Cindy was right then
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.
Okay Cindy…..
This is one of the best analysis I have read of the symbiotic relationship of Hon. Smith and the Premier. To add to the complexity , he has become better at self preservation and political maneuvering ; almost Machiavellian . And I am saying this as a Wheatley Administration advocate. I believe he has demonstrated periods of disloyalty that if not addressed will be his down fall. That said I will give him credit and it shows growth and development for him to accept responsibility for his actions. I do believe he was justified because she has her own ambitions and it not unreasonable to believe that she sensed vulnerability and was ready to make a move. He has the ability to be an effective Premier but he is too focused on having the title vs executing the duties.
Any action Corna Lady takes as Minister of State is unlawful and we say we learn from the COI. I hope the Governor rejects any request to allow for the creation of the Ministry retrospectively.
That only shows how inco**etant and how much of a dumb pr**k you are.
the accidental premier strikes again
Delilah is back
All ayo making it sound like only Lorna knows about financial services
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.
I wish I could like this comment a million times. Ronnie is a waste of time. Marlon is a waste of time also. The Alliance need to do what they got to do. The opposition is going no where
The alliance is a waste of time too. They are punks, not brave enough to resign from their parties and afraid to tell the people the truth, that they are forming their own party. Nobody is going to support the alliance and they will realize that when it’s too late.
Why isn’t anyone calling out the Opposition on this? Lorna, then Fraser, then Lorna again? Doesn’t that say something about the Opposition side? It was 7-6, now it’s 8-5 or is it even worst since the opposition is now split further with the alliance nonsense? The opposition supposedly had the steadier and more experienced candidates than the VIP/Government but look at how things are playing out? Clearly Sowande is out maneuvering those guys in a major way.
The “white-washing” and virtue signaling driven narrative from both the Honourable Premier and Territorial At Large Representative Smith needs to STOP. More importantly, WE THE PEOPLE need to make it pellucidly clear that we REFUSE TO ACCEPT this bad behavior….It is FALSE and a GROSS AFFRONT & INSULT TO THE VI CONSTITUTION for us to participate in this utter nonsense and exercise in extreme Hubris to refer to a newly appointed Minister of State….this simply DOES NOT EXIST!!!! The Honourable Smith would now become a JUNIOR MINISTER….YES….J-U-N-I-O-R Minister
We need to continue to emphasize that we have witnessed in plain view is a complete DISREGARD, INSULT AND REJECTION OF RULE OF LAW by this unilateral declaration of a new ministerial role of “Minister of State” in favor of the Honourable Smith and intention to unilaterally seek this being done WITHOUT any consultation with the people of the Virgin Islands!!!
As CRINGEWORTHY as this is what is even wore is that he has declared that he would seek the Governor’s RETROACTIVE APPROVAL of this new role and appointment….so we have a Premier that BINS THE CONSTITUTION at the behest of and with the enablement of a Territorial At Large Representative
Let us not get distracted by the Premier and Honourable Smith’s claim that this is in the interest of the country….NOT LIKE THIS MY PEOPLE…we continue to witness PARLOUS GOVERNANCE & DISRESPECT FOR THE RULE OF LAW & THE VI CONSTITUTION in plain sight!
What Next….Smh….truly disappointing….truly dangerous…..truly disruptive to our law and governance
A dart board with the premier picture on the dart board and I throw the darts at the picture. Always hit a bulls eye every time I toss the darts.
Makes u wonder what or who else he acted hastily about
Look at these all fighting for themselves while the people suffer. Disgusting
So I a lil bit confused if she not a Jr minister she is “minister of state” then what this have to do with carl why he couldn’t stay in his position?
because only 5 seats for Government ministers and frazer already took up the deputy premier seat so they had to remove one of the ministers to create a job for Lorna in the corner so he decided to negotiate with Carl and he agreed to give up his position
Lorna in the corner. Lorna hop over the corner fence.
Boy on the Job. Ok If i hadda know. wudda do dat. shudda done dis. and the beat goes on.
MASTER NAT-AL-EO IS A PLAYER , A D HE IS FLEXING OFF HIS SKILLS LOOK AND LEARN , AND VIBE IS ” WHATS NEXT ” ❓️ LOOKS LIKE WE NEED WIGO & CSC TO RUN THE COUNTRY / BUT THEN AGAIN WHEN WITS & TRICKS COME TOGETHER , THAT WILL BE A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN , SO WF BETTER LEAVE THEM TO TALK THEIR SH*T ON THEIR PLATFORM , AS THATS THE BEST THEY ARE GOOD AT
I will never cast a vote for anyone who is running for elections ever again. What’s the use, my one vote won’t make a difference anyway.
OUR MASTER, IS SAYING )> WHEN AH COME TO TINK ABOUT IT , AH REALIZED P THAT IT WAS JUST AN ” HONEST MISTAKE ” , I HAD TO MAKE A LIL ADJUSTMENTS , TO DEAL WITH THE ” NO CONFIDENCE DRAMA ” THAT THEY WERE TRYING ON ME / MEH PATHNER ( 3-D ) JUST KEEPING THE DEPUTY’S SEAT WARM FOR THE TIME BEING , SO I HOPE HE DOESN’T GET TOO COMFORTABLE AND SIMPLY ENJOY THE RIDE WITH US •