Premier praises Dr Smith but faults NDP infighting for missed progress
Former Premier, Dr D Orlando Smith. (BVI News photo)
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has argued that internal power struggles within the former National Democratic Party (NDP) administration — not former Premier Dr Orlando Smith himself — prevented meaningful progress on water and sewage infrastructure in the years leading up to the 2017 hurricanes.
Speaking during debate on the Virgin Islands Energy and Water Corporation Bill, 2026, Dr Wheatley was careful to distinguish between Dr Smith’s leadership record and what he described as the actions of members of Smith’s government who, in his view, refused to follow his direction.
Premier Wheatley praised Dr Smith as one of the most successful politicians in Virgin Islands history, noting that he served 20 years as an At-Large representative without ever losing an election — a feat unmatched in local politics. “The leader is one of the greatest political careers in the history of the Virgin Islands,” Dr Wheatley said.
However, the Premier suggested that Dr Smith’s administration was weakened by internal ambition and rivalry. “If he had a more supportive team, if they allowed the man to lead, perhaps maybe there wouldn’t have even been a VIP administration to come after,” Dr Wheatley said. He argued that some within the government were “so anxious to get in the leadership chair” that they undermined the administration’s ability to execute long-term infrastructure projects.
According to the Premier, sewerage reform is a clear example of that failure. He said critical investments were delayed or sidelined, not because of a lack of ideas, but because funds were diverted elsewhere. “We couldn’t get anything done with the sewerage because the money was placed elsewhere,” he said.
He maintained that while the former NDP government laid the groundwork in some areas, unresolved infrastructure issues were compounded by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the COVID-19 pandemic, and subsequent political instability, all of which delayed progress.
As debate continues on the proposed merger of water, sewerage, and electricity services, Premier Wheatley said the legislation represents a chance to finally address problems that past administrations — despite capable leadership — failed to resolve due to internal division.
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Something is definitely wrong with Natalio. His hypocrisy is glaring at every turn. Let him speak about the infighting in the VIP. Sharie wants to be leader. That is why he recruited Mather to try to keep her in line and threatened with a ministry. Let him tell us how many times he attempted to fire her. Let him talk about how they tried to remove Vincent from a ministry to give Lorna when they were trying to work out how to get her with them and how Vincent went on like a mad man. If he think that Fraser doesn’t want him to lose election so he could become Premier he should think again. Sometimes we busy watching other people house when our own house in disarray and we don’t know.
You’ve articulated several persuasive observations, and I’m inclined to agree that, at the outset, a certain insecurity on the part of the Premier manifested itself in some of the lapses in loyalty you identified. That early uncertainty seemed to shape the dynamic. It also contributed to the situation involving Hon. Smith, although her relative inexperience clearly played a part in how that unfolded.
To his credit, however, the Premier has grown into the role and appears to understand that loyalty is a cornerstone of effective leadership — not blind loyalty, but the kind that is measured, reciprocal, and earned. That distinction matters.
Hon. V. Wheatley, for his part, seems to have been cast as the sacrificial figure in this arrangement. Yet he holds a significant political card: he is the only representative to have secured re-election to a second consecutive term in VG since the Hon. Ralph Tilford O’Neal. The electorate appears to remain firmly in his corner, and that carries weight. If the people of Virgin Gorda begin to feel that their Representative is not receiving fair consideration within any Ministry, that perception alone could generate meaningful disruption
Credit for the Premier’s evolution must also be extended to his brother Benito. He presents as precisely the caliber of adviser one would wish to have — intellectually rigorous, strategically astute, steady in temperament, and conspicuously disciplined in his emotions. He is not given to impulsiveness. He brings C-suite experience and global connections, yet remains accessible. Perhaps most importantly, He operates effectively without the need for public prominence. He understands that real power resides not in visibility, but in influence. With that caliber of guidance, the Premier is positioned to become a formidable adversary for anyone seeking office.
There might be some truth in what you are saying but at the end of the day it is the end result. Despite their issues they still find a solution and maintain stability and present somewhat of a united front.
So yes he praising Dr. Smith only because Lorna is on his side. But it is 7 years since the VIP in government and they still refuse to change the sign on the hospital to Dr. Smith’s name. You don’t hear no talk from Natalio now about the Pier Park or the plane. Guess why? And now he want to stop talking about BiWater. Guess why?
When Violet and her gang done with him he will know about infighting. LOL. Keep it up Bozo.
It’s so sad that GBM cannot get their media platform off the ground whether online or radio/shows so they have to resort to endless blogging on BVInews. Really sad.
Her flight has lift off! She is jamming.
That man was an abject failure
So Dr. Smith was the Premier and Minister of Finance but Natalio is blaming other ministers for what he called a failure but doesn’t hold the overall boss responsible? How is this possible? If there was a failure with water and sewage that would be the responsibility of the minister of works and the Premier his boss. No other minister or member of the government at that time had no authority over that ministry.
But Lorna on his side and he don’t want to hold her husband responsible cause she would get vex and stop working so he would up a creek. Instead of blaming her brother Mark who was the minister of works he tried to involve all the other ministers.
Hypocrisy at its best.
Read between the lines This is all a but Lorna!