Premier defends Smith, upholds trashing of Trade Commission

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has defended the government’s decision to scale back the powers of the proposed Trade Commission, a decision proposed by Junior Trade Minister Lorna Smith and staunchly criticised by the opposition.

Speaking recently during the debate on the Consumer Protection Amendment Bill 2026, Premier Wheatley responded to criticisms from Opposition Leader Marlon Penn and Second District Representative Melvin Turnbull, both of whom raised concerns about removing the commission’s independence and returning several powers to the Trade Department and minister.

The Premier said statutory bodies have a role to play, but insisted governments cannot hand over their constitutional responsibilities to outside entities. Dr Wheatley also strongly defended Smith, saying she carefully reviewed the proposed Trade Commission model before recommending changes.

“Minister Smith did her due diligence. She looked at it carefully and closely, and determined some of these powers need to stay with the ministry, and with the department and with the director,” the Premier stated.

He also joked about the previous approach to consumer protection that was proposed by Penn under the former NDP administration led by former Premier Dr. D Orlando Smith.

“Dr Smith tell you one thing and Dr Smith’s wife tells me something else,” Dr Wheatley quipped while addressing Penn in the House. “I’m gonna take his wife’s word over yours.”

The Premier added that Junior Minister Smith’s decades of experience in public administration convinced him the revised approach was the correct one. Dr Wheatley also acknowledged complaints that government bureaucracy often slows down progress, noting that some supporters of the Trade Commission believed an independent body would operate more efficiently than the central government.

The proposed Trade Commission and consumer protection have been contentious issues since the Virgin Islands Party administration took office in 2023.