BVI News

Smith not surprised by selection of Julian Fraser as her replacement

Governor Daniel Pruce appointed Third District Representative Julian Fraser as Deputy Premier and government minister Wednesday morning, October 23. The governor was acting on the advice of Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley.

Former Deputy Premier Lorna Smith expressed that she was not surprised Third District Representative Julian Fraser was selected in her stead as Deputy Premier.

During a press conference on Wednesday, October 23, Smith was asked whether she was surprised that the Premier appointed Fraser, to which she smiled and responded, “I can answer that and the answer is, ‘not really.'”

Smith indicated that during a three-hour marathon live radio show that the Opposition members held earlier in October, she received indications through certain responses given by Fraser.

“I heard some of the answers and I realised it was a possibility, but I did not know,” Smith stated. “I will just say that I was not surprised that he was the person selected.”

Fraser, before his appointment as Deputy Premier, was an Opposition member.

However, following a public announcement made by Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley hours before Smith’s press conference, Fraser was also given the Premier’s Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change.

He was also announced as the new Minister of Labour and Immigration. Prior to that, Smith was the Minister for Financial Services, Labour, and Trade.

Premier Wheatley stated that his reason for removing Lorna Smith from her appointment was due to “political instability.”

“She did not give me the confidence that she would remain with my administration for the duration of this term. And this left room for uncertainty and political instability, which we cannot afford at this time,” Wheatley explained.

He also mentioned that he will be taking over Smith’s role as Minister of Financial Services.

Under his portfolio, the Premier now holds the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Financial Services, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Smith will continue to serve as Territorial At-Large Representative, and Premier Wheatley expressed hope for a positive working relationship with her moving forward.

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19 Comments

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  1. Just think about it says:

    It’s the old people in the House of Assembly who are causing the most problems and most instability. The three of them need to be retired.

    Ronnie Skelton:

    Because he did not win the NDP elections he broke up the party to make way for Andrew Fahie to cause a mess for us. He had a second chance in 2023 to join back with the NDP and he refused and he made way for Natalio to have us in more mess.

    Lorna Smith:

    She ran on the NDP ticket. She could have never won an election unless she was on that party. She crossed the floor before she even got on the floor of the House of Assembly. She gave power to Natalio to mess up our country the way it is.

    Julian Fraser:
    Fraser cares about himself alone. He helped the opposition to form up the Vote of No Confidence and then went to join the same party that the vote was against.

    Think about it. It is the old people who are messing up this country. They need to take their pension and go siddung.

    Like 23
    Dislike 2
  2. Fraser is a VIP 2 d bone says:

    FRASER TO THE RESCUE!

    Like 3
    Dislike 18
    • Highest Salary = Retirement Salary says:

      For everyone wanting to know what the DEAL is:

      – Frazer is now getting a higher retirement salary
      – He will retire shortly
      – Introduce Willock for 3rd District

      Politics in the BVI is just a SCAM..

      Like 29
      Dislike 1
      • @Highest says:

        Stop talking NONSENSE! Fraser held the post of Deputy Premier before so even if he stayed in the Opposition, he would still be paid based on the highest office held, based on the way the retirement bill is written. Stop trying to fool people with dumb bulls**t. Fraser served as Deputy Premier under Ralph Oneal and is therefore owed that higher rate of payment upon retirement. Secondly, nobody gives up power, Fraser will not retire, not now. Further, he will not endorse Willock as nobody in the 3rd are going to vote for him. He had a chance at power being the Speaker and showed is true colors. If Fraser bows out, Aaron wins handily.

        Like 7
        Dislike 7
        • Think again says:

          The money he earned then compared to the salary now is waaay different!

          • @Think again says:

            The way how the law is written, he will be paid the equivalent of the Dep Prem salary as at the time he retires. Either way Fraser was getting a pay day. Just accept that the retirement narrative is f**kry. Fraser doesn’t neeed a few extra thousand dollars. He wanted Premiership or Dep Premier and he got one. He is not going anywhere any time soon as long as he has health and strength. If you know that man, you know that he isn’t going anywhere. G* is trying to be the new V*** and it is not working. Nobody visis that site. Now she started a whatsapp group chat and people are only in there talking foolishness daily, not one of them talking the most have accomplished anything or can do anything, more of the same. The story is dead, next.

            Like 1
            Dislike 2
  3. Eldread says:

    Premiere Wheatley your fall shall be mentally emotional, with a boys Monday you squander tax payers money partying and flying worldwide while the BVI suffer infrastructure and socio economic suffer, houses repossessed with people sleeping in car like 70’s and you with no conscience secure Kartel with quarter million USD to build his new residence he is about to start in Jamaica. I yearn for the lavity stoute days, you are a wicket young man like them st thomian where you was born.

    Like 10
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  4. Grannie trafficking in HOA says:

    Who bought her,an investigation is needed ?

  5. Genip tree says:

    Look
    Saga in this little country
    Uk pleade drop
    The hammer

  6. What? says:

    How can Swowande oversee the country, ministry of finance, Financial Services, Tourism & Agriculture. No wonder we are going nowhere fast.

    Like 9
    Dislike 1
  7. YEAAAAHHHHHHHHHH says:

    PERFECT REPLACEMENT!!!!!!!!!!!

    Like 1
    Dislike 7
  8. Mustang says:

    I have been convince for a while that the Westminister system as hosed up as Hogan’s ram host. The current situation on both the government and opposition sides proves it.. Money has to be managed to maximized efficiency to deliver the best services to the most people. To that people with knowledge of and experience with and managing money. A proven expert with demonstrated money experience is needed. None of the HoA pols seem to know they’re a$$ from a hole in the ground. How do you miss a $20M hole in the budget? A leader may be at the apex of the triangle and may not get into the details S the folks at the base but he/she must know enough to ask the right questions. They must know when they are getting a 6 for a 9. The opposition is not off the books for they must know what they voting on. The Presidential system is not perfect but it is a little different from the Westminster system. The legislative arm passed policy ; executive arm appoints experts to manage functions., etc.

  9. YEAKHHHHHHĥhhhĥĥ RIteeeeee says:

    IF the zhar decide to do what the lady did ( by disagree with some of his actions or lack of ) would he be
    fired too ❓️ or will he be just like the rest of other members of his entourage ❓️ / NAHHHHHH , we know
    , HE won’t want to be schooled by this BIG YOUTHHHHHHH

  10. Toyota says:

    No stability
    Kye Rhymer get skipped over for a second time .

    Premier:
    Securing VIP Government at the peril of the country
    How can one person function effectively in such heavy portfolios?
    This is what Andrew was doing until he got caught with his pants down.

    He is going to change all the top civil servants to be yes people like his cabinet.
    Then if the Order of Council is lifted , he will fight for independence and begin ethnic cleansing . We heading in a fearful direction

  11. Go home says:

    Lorna fraser from here

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