Smiths breaks from NDP, aligns with new party
Shaina Smith
By Davion Smith, BVI News Staff
Former First District candidate for the National Democratic Party (NDP) Shaina Smith has cut ties with the party.
She submitted a formal letter of resignation this week, stating that hers and the NDP’s goals were no longer the same.
She told BVI News on Thursday evening that she has now aligned with a new political organisation.
“I felt that it was necessary to basically partner with a team of like-minded persons who are more progressive. We are looking at the success of the Virgin Islands as a whole as our focus. That’s basically one of the fundamental reasons … that I made the decision to move on.”
Smith did not disclose the name of the new party which she is migrating to but said she will make an official announcement in the coming weeks.
“We’re just finalising some details now in terms of what our plans are,” Smith said, adding that she will not be contesting the First District seat for this new party in the upcoming General Election.
“I’ll be going out as an At-Large candidate,” Smith told BVI News.
Notably, there are at least four political organisations expected to present candidates in the next General Election — the Andrew Fahie-led VIP, the Julian Fraser-led Progressives United, another party reportedly being established by Ronnie Skelton, and the Myron Walwyn-led NDP.
BVI News, in the meantime, asked Smith whether the new Walwyn leadership had anything to do with her cutting ties with the NDP.
She did not give a direct response.
“I’d go back to my original statement and say that — yes leadership matters — but it’s important to be aligned with a team that we have shared values and a shared vision for our country,” she replied.
When BVI News contacted Walwyn for comment, he wished the now-former NDP member well.
“We would like to thank Shaina for her contributions made to the National Democratic Party and wish her all the best in her future endeavours,” he said.
Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
No body wants to run with mvw he e—
Talk about loyalty. Shaina none whatsoever. Don’t know who more jumpy. No sah all you make people fearful ???? of all you. My future is not a rollercoaster ride. Get out of politics. She not f——y and clearly not a problem solver.
Myron Walwyn, Andrew Fahie, Sowande, Ronnie Skelton or any of the others offering themselves for political leadership have all been aligned with another party or association than the one with which they currently affiliate. If that’s the only thing you can throw at Shaina, it won’t stick. She represents stability and consistency.
The truth is, Shaina is interested in building a better BVI and has stood solidly on that platform and worked to achieve progress for the BVI in whatever capacity she has served.
I don’t think that’s true – neither Myron nor Andrew have ever run for any other party. Shaina is on her third already. Sowande is now on his third or fourth – I can’t keep count.
Andrew ran against Lavity Stoutt (VIP) the first time he contested district one. Myron was previously an ardent VIP affiliate before running with NDP.
Andrew ran against Lavity Stoutt (VIP) the first time he contested district one. Myron was previously an ardent VIP affiliate before running with NDP. Didn’t say they ran necessarily, but were associated otherwise. Both Mark and Juggy have been yo-yos between NDP and VIP. NDP was founded by break-away disgruntled VIP supporters. Unlike their constituents, who often get caught up in the political rhetoric, the politicians themselves have shown no real loyalty to party. They go where it’s expedient.
Collecting Gov money for year and can’t see a darn thing she does Waste of good time and money!!!
i totally agree with you. Shania formed her own party and left after her views and those of her own party were no longer aligned. what a thing.
4 political parties is a lot to be running to and from. I wish her all the best in her endeavors.
Never elected and in how many different parties? Is this really the kind of stability we need?
Next! Moving right along.
eh!
Sheza politikal ha–t
“since myrun took over that party, all the thrushies flew away”
Look closely at who are leaving or have left, and what they all have in common. They didn’t get their way so they are gone, but somehow people should elect them?
Some in the party not saying their names, we watching and waiting.
Claude the miserable did the same thing. A lot of them are trigger happy for power and ready to throw they party away. Them acting like dam selfish brats.
EVERY ELECTION CYCLE SHE RUNNING WITH A DIFFERENT PARTY. SHE IS WORST THAN A—— {LOL}
She gone where the bishop gone
3 elections; 3 parties.
Thank you Shaina…2 good moves…not running in District 1 which is a definite loss… and leaving NDP!!! I think you should have stayed the course with your own party…but I can work with you leaving NDP
She has been in more parties than a popular DJ. What’s next? Tune into the next episode of “Confused wannabe politician!”
Myron Walwyn, Andrew Fahie, Sowande, Ronnie Skelton or any of the others offering themselves for political leadership have all been aligned with another party or association than the one with which they currently affiliate. If that’s the only thing you can throw at Shaina, it won’t stick. She represents stability and consistency.
The truth is, Shaina is interested in building a better BVI and has stood solidly on that platform and worked to achieve progress for the BVI in whatever capacity she has served.
Shaina, have some class and stop writing comments on article about you. Shameless.
I wrote those comments and the last time I checked, my name is not Shaina. You want your negativity about her to remain unchallenged, but it will not. We know Shaina as a woman of class and integrity and will continue to support and stand with her. Deal with it!
A real political (bleep) for true
She broke up the — now the NDP
“…there are at least four political organisations expected to present candidates in the next General Election — the Andrew Fahie-led VIP, the Julian Fraser-led Progressive United, another party reportedly being established by Ronnie Skelton, and the Myron Walwyn-led NDP.”
———————————————
Interesting. What a mess. Everyone wants to lead but no one want’s to follow.
Mr. Fahie and Mr. Fraser fought over leadership of the VIP, and the fight led Mr. Frasier creating his own party.
Likewise, it appears, the internal divisions within the NDP for leadership has led to Mr. Skelton forming his own party as well.
These people once worked with each other with a common vision on the surface so it seemed, but it appears behind the scenes they were just backstabbing and backbiting each other.
In my view, they are all placing themselves above country. I personally do not trust people who behave this way.
It appears some cannot work within their political parties and resolve their differences, so they would rather pick up their marbles and go play elsewhere.
The thirst for power is on full display.
The fact that you have potentially four parties contesting the next election increases the odds that there will be a coalition government. If that becomes the reality, they had better learn to work with each.
The same differences they have with each other today will be manifested tomorrow, and the electorate can expect nothing but political gridlock, with the people of the British Virgin Islands being the biggest looses.
As for Ms. Smith, that’s my girl. I really like her. She is one of the few up and coming young women in politics that I would like to see succeed. I wish her well.
Clearly, the NDP is a dysfunctional hot mess. The electorate gave the NDP an 11-2 mandate in the June 2015 general election. How has the NDP manage to fall so low from such a mountain top high? Elections are about improving people’s lives and advancing the progress of a country/territory/region…..etc. A dysfunctional government cannot deliver on either.
Consequently, in the best interest of the people and the territory, Dr. Hon Premier D. Orlando Smith (AL) needs to dissolve the HOA and set an election date now. Further, there is no need to hold a special election in D-5 at this time, given that a general election is so near. Neither the legislative process nor effective governing will be harmed by maintaining the D-5 vacancy for a few weeks longer, for the government has an 11-2 advantage in the HOA. Spare residents the unnecessary hourly pain, shame and disappointment and let them vote and now.
with an 11 to 2 majority the fact that 2 ministers chose to leave and form their own party because they were passed over for leadership is quite telling.
She and Natalio are the same – change parties every single election trying to gain power.
We sometimes misunderstand the reasoning behind things, decisions, actions etc. When fishermen set their traps, they set them where they believe their chances are best. Same thing with opening a business. As an entrepreneur, you want the best possible location, traffic, parking etc.
If you really want to serve and believe you have what it takes to make a difference, you will want to run with the party where you believe you have the best chance. Though parties usually have money or money behind them, political aspirants must or should also have money. A certain political aspirant some years ago went all out with a certain thinking that his chance was very good. But when it was all over, his party lost with some winning their seat, but leaving him ut in the cold. The government job he held before and while campaigning was stripped away from him and given to a supporter of the same NDP government. His economic situation got bad for him; (bills and obligations from the campaign etc). In America and I believe other more democratic countries make moneys available to the parties; and of course big donors Bet on the parties in hopes of cashing in when the party they supported win the election.
The point I am trying to make is that while an aspirant might be moving around in search of his/her best chance, the switching and jumping can be sincere. Staying where one is, (party loyalty) does not necessarily guarantee better or more sincere politicians.
Look at the terrible and unbelievable situation we are in with the current group. Only 1 or 2 did the grasshopper thing and jumped around from another party.
Lot of words but miss da point. These poltrixers supposed to lead and are elected based on delivering promises. The promises within a party or individual are often the positions on various issues and challenges. You don’t vote a face or name in a real democracy, vote the positions the candidate states. This girl had no positions. Opportunist. Give me power and money. Sad thing is bvi is kleptocracy and nobody blinks. We do t even know what democracy is. Bunch of prisoners paying to keep their cuffs on. Strupes
How did this become news? I’m sure other people left before her and will leave after her. Many will also come to join as well.
There will always be contestants, but where are the generic leaders?
It is believed and probably has much truth to it that, politicians today use statements that they think will resonate well, such as we believe in will work for country, but most now know that new paradigm is about me and my pocket first, power second, and if country tags along after, so be it.
In this cycle, Virgin Islanders do not be fooled by personal likes, favoritism or parties. Vote, but vote for those individuals that you have some confidence in that will truly take our country at heart and forward. Do not be fooled by empty rhetoric anymore. As ONE VIP straightly forwardly pointed out in cyber space, ” I am in it or me. The others before me did it so i could do it to.”
The cost of everything, from delivery at birth to delivery back to the earth, food and other basic commodities are rising weekly, and for decades the poor, common to middle income earner struggle, but hide it because of pride, to live a satisfied existence.
When will, for example, government workers get an increment increase? When will businesses in general give their employees some relief? When will exploitation of human resources ever stop?
And, even if some economic reliefs are in the future, as it is released, the business community will grab it all back for itself, leaving the economic oppressed and poor just where they have always been.
So, bread and butter issues should be championed by want to be politician hopefuls. Many are suspicious of the language being used today. It is hallow and has no sincerity to it.
So, if he/she is espousing that he/she will look out for country, here is where she/he should focus/ start, with the economic interest and prosperity of the people and not the continued exploitation thereof.
She needs to go sit down to bully with her self
she surely cant get my vote.
Strongly been saying that Council needs to be Dissolved ASAP!
The “Switch” seems to be the new dance craze in BVI political arena. Let’s do the Switch is hot; the Switch is offering some serious competition for the Twist by Chubby Checker. Seriously, with all the switching, one has to be careful so as not to get whiplash. All the grasshopping tarnishes the credibility, loyalty…….etc of all these switchers. These switchers are just about self, not the public, are they not? Should we expect people seeking public office to stand strongly for something? On the other hand, if the ship is taking on water and sinking, does one go down with it or donned a lifevest, launch the liferaft and head for shore?
It is because she knows she will never win the 1st District and the NDP already has a full line up of At Large candidates. So her only option is to go where she feels she has a better chance to get elected. This is all about her. But she could at least give the people some more credit for our intelligence to figure it out
Is she one of them who don’t like down island people? Thank yuh for showing us. We will vote accordingly. AYo will find out!!!
ain’t got enough of ayo
Stop spewing this hate in my beloved country. That was never the BVI and your divisive rhetoric should not be a platform for the future of this country. We are an inclusive and united people – that’s all of us down Island and up Island – One BVI. Stop spreading those lies to forward a political agenda; it has no place here.
I am a BVIslander who has no problem with down island people and the majority of us are that way. What we don’t like are silly people of any creed or colour who cannot think for themselves and are easily led into the ditch. So vote away. The very same persons you keep calling stupid and happy to jump in will through you a line.
I see nothing more than bad-mindedness here. There was an election and Ronnie and Mitch lost. They got up and left to form their own party. Those who were supporting them got up and let with them too including Shaina who by the way was supervising the internal elections. This smacks of this personal love for power to me. If you didn’t like what was happening with the NDP you all should have left long time and certainly before the internal elections. You ran and lost and all of a sudden it’s a problem. The NDP has been making mistake after mistake for years now and Ronnie and Dr. Pickering were apart of the problem from way back in 2003. Do you remember Ronnie’s awful behavior when he was finance minister? Do you remember Dr. Pickering who he treated people except his rich friends? Myron got elected in June, what alignment of vision Shaina can’t have all of a sudden? Just plain out bad-mindedness as far as I can see. Myron’s family isn’t from here and that’s the bottom line right. It’s a shame! But Shaina will love to a next political party next election after she loses with this one. She is like a rolling stone but she full of moss.
Don’t put that nonsense on Shaina. That tactics of divisiveness and “who from here and not from here politics” is being spewed by the current leadership of NDP to gain political points. You’re bottom line is nothing but a lie! Shaina has always been about inclusiveness and that’s the truth! She’s a high-minded person that’s full of integrity and eithics!
As far as am concerned everyone is looking power.
My question is if Myron did not win would they have broken up their party? in a race only one winner is there. In my book Myron is a leader he gets his work done and he’s everybody choice, look at your election results.
TOO MUCH BAD MIND AROUND.
see them fighting for power but they known not the hour trying to belittle our integrity bob marley
Everyone has they own right
Love you, Shaina Girl. Great move. You got my vote and a whole lot of others. Hope you are successful in your at-large bid for a seat in our upcoming elections. Good luck. I am praying for you and your running mates daily.
Ronnie W. Skelton will be a wonderful, awesome Premier. He will know just what to do to rebuild our little Nation. Prayers up.
Ronnie would make an awesome Premier you say. Good leaders act with integrity. He is senior Minister in government by day and a traitor by night undermining his government and forming his own party. If he had any integrity he would resign as Minister and from the party as well to pursue his agenda. The BVI needs strong,bold and honest leadership at this time and he certainly does not represent this.
Yes. Ronnie W. Skelton with Shaina onboard as well will give us strong, bold and honest leadership now and into the future. Blog all you want to the contrary. Hon. Walwyn, Hon. Fahie or Hon. Skelton for Premier? The choice is pretty easy for me and as far as forming his own party goes, well, Party A, Party B, Party C. Doesn’t matter. Hon. Fahie ran against Hon. Lavity Stoutt the First District VIP Rep. his first bid for a seat in the House. He certainly wasn’t a VIP then. Nobody is calling him weak and dishonest for that. The measure of the man and his capabilities and love for his country. That is what it is going to come down to this election. Strong and blinding lust for power by any means necessary will not win as that is my prayer each and every night.
It would be nice to know what those values are so that people can see if they are aligned with them. Are they are secret? If so it will not be so progressive. Just more private agendas that are no so good for the public good.
SHE’S A ROOKIE, IT’S NOT THAT IMPORTANT. WHAT HAS SHE EVER DONE FOR THE COUNTRY???
Every cycle we defend who we believe in. The issue is unfair elections and when people learn the truth they did what they felt was best.How do you have a fair election and conveniently have the only other candidate dragged to Asia for weeks under the guise of BVI business? The Premier never took the health Minister anywhere before. All the While the other candidate is at home campaigning. After the election all the conspirers were are Mulligans toasting and giving high fives. That’s fine because its politics. If that’s the case it’s also fine for people to leave. Voters will decide what and who they want on election day.
Rubbish! If the Asia trip was an issue, why not ask for elections to be postponed? They went along, campaigned and because they lost it’s an issue. That’s the lamest bunch of nonsense I have ever heard in my entire life and I’m over 50!
Well to be perfectly honest, in my humble opinion, of course without offending anyone who thinks differently from my point of view, but also by looking into this matter in a different perspective and without being condemning of one’s view’s and by trying to make it objectified, and by considering each and every one’s valid opinion, I honestly believe that I completely forgot what I was going to say.
Go Shaina, my set with you. Keep focused and stay the course. #Movement
she sexy sah
ya she could get it
She is fully aware that she cannot stand against Andrew and NDP has not other slot for her with the exception of the First District.
Shaina you were with the PPP and totally against the NDP until they gave you the Project Manager position of the new hospital then you were in their pocket. Now you jumping ship again? What is your problem? You made a fool running against Fahie because the people in the first district know who you truly are and now look at you. Always running around like a chicken without a head, why dont you leave politics alone as you have no loyalty and cannot be ——. I will never vote for you ever…you are too unpredictable and too savy for your own good.