Smith sets aside differences with Premier for historic appointment
Territorial At-large Representative Lorna Smith declared that she set aside past differences with Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley after rejoining the government to serve in her new role as the territory’s first ever Minister of State.
“The present economic climate and global uncertainty demand that we put aside our differences for a greater good,” Smith said on Tuesday after announcing her return.
“My entire professional career has been in service to the people of the Virgin Islands. That commitment has never wavered, and it will not waver now.”
Smith expressed gratitude after receiving her new appointment and said she stood ready to do her part. “I am grateful to the Premier for this opportunity. Regardless of any past differences, I believe we share the common goal of seeing our country prosper,” she said.
Sense of duty
Smith, who was abruptly dismissed from her post as Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services in October 2024, said she accepted the new role out of a sense of duty. She highlighted the importance of unity in navigating the challenges faced by the Virgin Islands, particularly in securing economic stability.
After she was fired last year, Smith suggested that she had no interest in rejoining the government or contesting Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley’s decision to remove her from office. Smith also denounced the Premier, arguing that under Premier Wheatley’s leadership, the country was “not progressing for the good of the people”.
She also accused him of “surrounding himself with individuals he believes are more willing to go along, to get along, even if it’s to the detriment of the territory”.
“I refuse to be that person,” Smith said then. “My loyalty is and will always remain to the people of the Virgin Islands.”
The former Deputy Premier was especially critical of Dr Wheatley’s handling of government spending, specifically pointing to a controversial $220,000 expenditure on the Vybz Kartel concert set to be held this weekend. Smith said she believed the contribution was ill-timed given the pressing needs in education, infrastructure, and water supply. “For you to take up that kind of money to give for a concert… that was beyond the pale,” Smith said.
Pulling together
With a swing in fortunes, Smith has since been effusive in praise of the Premier’s leadership.
“Now, more than ever, those of us in elected roles must pull together to protect and strengthen our beloved Virgin Islands. This cannot be about individual ambition or political manoeuvring; it is about duty, about ensuring that the next generation inherits a Territory that is not just surviving but thriving,” Smith stated.
Smith recently accompanied the Premier on a mission to Asia, where she engaged with key partners in the financial services sector. “While we remain optimistic about the future of our key economic sectors, there is no denying the concerns and challenges. How we respond in this critical moment will determine our continued positive standing… not only in Asia but on the global stage,” she said.
For his part, Premier Wheatley, who previously dismissed Smith because of uncertainty over her loyalty, has welcomed her return. He has described Smith as “capable” and “intelligent,” with valuable experience that can help steer the territory through uncertain economic conditions.
Smith’s renewed focus will include ensuring greater participation of Virgin Islanders in the financial services sector. “One of my core focuses in this role will be ensuring that more Virgin Islanders see themselves in this industry, not as bystanders, but as active participants and beneficiaries,” she explained.
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The present economic climate as you described is the machinations of natalio Wheatley, $220k could have gone to hospital or road infrastructure and other party monies, now as that old fable you will be required to spin straw into gold to enjoy that ministerial power you sit in so that natalio could have more funds to spend on Vybz Kartel, if he had surrendered the ministry of finance to you then it would make a difference, but in the British system the finance minister wield the power, so power is what give natalio a h**d on, a young little boy so excited about the fall of Andrew fahie to cover his position or power, and he will be destroying any one who get in his path of power, even to destroy the BVI for power.
SHE REPRESENT HER FAMILY BUSINESSES ONLY….THAT IS WHY SHE GONE BACK
She is now officially in a rile that is not an official role in accordance with the Constitution.
The “white-washing” and virtue signaling driven narrative from both the 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 recent bad behavior.
It is FALSE and a GROSS INSULT TO THE VI CONSTITUTION and exercise in extreme Hubris to refer to a newly appointed and first ever Minister of State….this simply DOES NOT EXIST AS A MATTER OF LAW….How is it possible for this cart before the horse approach to engender the level of confidence, stability and governance required to provide the level of confidence needed especially at a time like this when the Territory is grappling with local and international disruptions?
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!!! MORE IMPORTANTLY THE PROCESS OF CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT FOR THIS MINISTER OF STATE DESIGNATION TO TAKE EFFECT HAS NOT BEEN FOLLOWED!!!!
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…..we continue to witness PARLOUS GOVERNANCE & DISRESPECT FOR THE RULE OF LAW & THE VI CONSTITUTION in plain sight!
What a tangled web we weave and now we are witnessing a gross level of misdirection, deceit, the rule of politicians and NOT the rule of law at its highest levels….Only an amendment of the VI Constitution which requires a formal process can give effect to Honourable Smith being a Minister of State….EVEN IF OR MAYBE WHEN this is done it cannot erase that the manner or way in which it was done was with blatant disregard for the proper process and regard for the VI Constitution being displayed and modeled by our leaders…Even when the Mess has been cleaned from this latest debacle the stench and stink of it will remain….
what is historic about the so-call appointment if I may ask? It is just a glorified name to sound important and ambitious.
Governments all over, from U.S right down, is just a self of self serving, self seeking people who love the taste of power. I hope people realize none of them care for any of us once they get our vote
Who needs reality tv when you have the best show going, in your own ‘back yard’! The show has twists and turns that not even the greatest writers could concoct!