Premier Wheatley has the decorum to lead
Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism Luce Hodge-Smith came to the defence of Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley after her bid to revisit debate on the Opposition’s no-confidence motion was shut down by Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn.
Hodge-Smith attempted to speak on the motion, but Walwyn invoked House rules to block any effort to “rehash” his failed motion, telling her she should have debated it when she had the chance.
Acting Speaker Karl Dawson upheld Walwyn’s procedural point, forcing the Junior Minister to redirect her remarks under “other business.”
She then used the opportunity to publicly affirm her loyalty to the Premier. “I am very supportive of our leader, Natalio Wheatley,” Hodge-Smith told the House. “I am of the view that he is the leader for the times such as this, that we find ourselves in. I think that he holds the temperament to be our leader at this time. I also think that he holds the decorum to be our leader at this time,” Hodge-Smith said.
She then hit back at critics who have accused Dr Wheatley of excessive travel, arguing that the Premier’s international engagements have been necessary and beneficial.
“He is able to travel throughout the world — some may say that he’s traveling too much — but I believe that wherever he travels, he represents this territory well,” she said. “And he also comes back and gives us reports on what he has done or what he has decided to do when he’s out there representing us, whether it’s regionally or internationally.”
Hodge-Smith urged unity in a time she described as “stressful” for the government, citing the continuing external pressures on the BVI’s financial services industry.
The junior minister’s comments followed the Opposition’s bruising defeat on the no-confidence motion, which collapsed in the House with only Walwyn and one ally supporting it, pointing to clear divisions within opposition ranks.
Analysts noted that the episode highlighted weaknesses in the Opposition’s unity and strategy. At the same time, the government framed the outcome as a reaffirmation of stability and leadership.
Hodge-Smith closed her remarks by underlining her commitment to the Premier: “While he is the leader of this country, he will always have my support.”
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Does Luce even know that today is Monday? Rather than blowing smoke up Natalio she should be looking for her constituents who regret bitterly that they ever voted of her. What a waste of precious time.
She good in her head?
i see why M did not believe in her.she weak
Stockholm syndrome? One of the most feckless of a world class group of worthless elected officials.
Destroy our country and get rich in the process
Tourism plan, anyone?
she is a one termer if the opposition doesn’t run 2 people in 4th again
He needs the morals. .Heis severely lacking in moresl and common decency and respect for wethePeople and his intelligence is lacking. He is also an educated disrespectful l**r and a poor excuse of a man.
Who she?
She good in her head?
So far she has been deaf and mute collecting the salary she has in noway earned. Her word for Walwyn is a total zero keeping with her zero existence and contribution.Total waste.
Baby you girl – U GOT THE LAST 3 LETTERS RIGHT U MAY HAVE DRANK TOO MUCH BOOZE OR SOMBODY DROP SOMETHING IN YOUR DRINK ( OH AM SORRY , WE FORGOT YOU ONLY READING FROM SCRIPT , ENJOY YOURSELF
Earth to Luce! Earth to Luce! Come out of space. We are here on earth. D**ish woman!
Just declared yourself another dead donkey leader. We need people to lead not leaders that blindly follow others and ignore all that needs to be done.
Luce..Luce..you were once a favorite of mines everything from senior citizens to pension was on your mind what could have torn our great relationship was it greed, power, or was it every garbage out the Premier’s mouth? Your loyalty to VIP is second to none we know that! But please have little Decorum and stop embarrassing yourselves it has been 2 yrs and 4 months since you were elected.
I was going to ask the same things.
Does this Woman even know what day of the Week it is?
That Woman got elected as a Fluke, Don’t know Head from Tail and in our HOA chatting Thud every chance she gets.
Sandy would have done a far better job than that.
Woman go take care of your Home and stay out of Politricks.
Big up Luce for her remarks. I can agree with them however the premier and the govt still have major improvements to make. And as much as Luce is from the 4th and all that…she’s about to get replaced by the next ndp candidate if she doesn’t show something substantial soon.
But do you have what it takes to lead, your own district?
Let’s not be too hard on the lady, as a first-timer she has to learn the ropes. At least she’s not just sitting on the side complaining about everything and everyone.
What is wrong with you all. It is alledge on the street you telling your constituents something else that you can’t do things because of lack of money and support from fellow govt and now on here infront their faces singing something else. Blind allegiance take a stance.
It dont mean you have to leave party if you do but tell them and the world how you truly feel.
Them two(2) women in politics aint show me not even light with a flambo in the dark.
Shame on them both absolutely no enlighten for the century!