Voters urged to move away from ‘hand-out politics’
Dr Arlene Smith-Thompson
Educator and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) advocate Dr Arlene Smith-Thompson is urging BVI voters to reject what she described as a culture of “hand-outs” as the territory heads into the next general election.
Speaking recently on the Talking Points programme, Smith was asked what advice she would give to the electorate who will be choosing the BVI’s next leaders in the coming months. In response, the educator urged voters to move away from political handouts.
“Sadly, we’ve become such a hand-out society,” she said, arguing that leaders should focus on creating opportunities that allow people to become self-sufficient rather than fostering dependence.
Using the analogy of teaching someone to fish instead of simply giving them fish, she said the territory must think beyond short-term benefits and place greater emphasis on building generational wealth and leaving a stronger legacy for future Virgin Islanders.
In the meantime, Dr Smith-Thompson stopped short of officially declaring her candidacy for the upcoming elections but indicated that an announcement could be forthcoming. The educator has become increasingly vocal on social media in recent months, regularly commenting on issues affecting the territory.
“I can say that I’m seriously thinking about throwing my hat in the ring this upcoming election,” she said, adding that she wants to control the timing of any formal announcement. Smith-Thompson, who unsuccessfully contested the 2019 election, said she is motivated by a desire to help improve the territory rather than remain on the sidelines.
“If I want change, then I need to be a part of it,” she said, pointing to the Virgin Islands’ infrastructure and social challenges. She said she believes she can contribute to the discussions and push for meaningful reforms.
Asked whether she would contest the election under a political party or as an independent candidate, Smith-Thompson did not give a direct answer. Instead, she noted that approximately 6,800 eligible voters did not cast ballots in the last general election and said many people have expressed frustration with traditional party politics.
She suggested those concerns are weighing heavily in her decision-making, while she acknowledged that an independent candidacy, though risky, could appeal to voters seeking a new culture in politics.
Copyright 2026 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
Hand out politics will never change when the people who suppose to uphold right from wrong continue to enable it. Favors, and using their political leverage to influence family and friends. I can’t wait for the day another COI hits our shores. Arlene you will not win with clean hands. Learn to get it muddy to win or kiss your chance good bye.
Great post! Hate to read it, as our country gets savaged by this cancer, but you write nothing but FACTS!
Big facts, set of welfare cases we’ve become. Set up people to be self sufficient. Also everthing in BVI need stop being driven only by who you are and who you are related to. Ordinary person vs a prominent figure applying for the same thing the prominent figures receives but not the ordinary individual? Not even years after the fact.
I Must Say That I Agree With What You have Said. I Must Say Thogh, Unless Or Until Politics In BVI or The Activities In Politics Or The Mindset Of Politics Changes, It Will only Get Worse And Future Generations Will Hae Absolutely NOTHING o Look Forward To. Governments Over The Many years Had Their Pluses And Minuses BUT It Is Crystal Clear To See And Say That We Have Gone To Rock Bottom Ever Since 2019. Nowadays Politicians Are Merely In It For What They Can Grab For Themselves, Their Cronies And Their Families. Nothing About Country. Can Anyone Name A District That Has Bragging Rights? No Where And No One Is perfect But, We Must Be Honest If Not With God, With Ourselves. Can Any Politician Stand Up and say Since I Have Been Elected, These Are The Things I Have Accomplished along With My people And These Are The Things We Are Working On Moving Forward If I am Re-elected? I Dare Anyone Of Them To Stand And Say That. My Questions To All Of Them Are: 1. What Is The Reasoning Behind Rejecting The Subject Of Term Limit In The Constitutional Review? 2. To The AT.Large Minister Who Singled Handedly Suspended The Consumer Protection Bill, What Was Your Reason Behind Doing That? I Have Many More Questions But Will List Them In a Separate Article. People, Don’t Be Fooled, Think For Yourselves. Don’t Let The Fancy Speeches Fool You. Y=Use Your Intelligence And Try And Save This Territory For Yourselves And For Future Generations.
Lady you going get egg on your face if you run your mouth too much. Get ready. Most of the conflict and wrongdoing go unnoticed until months or years later when somebody get their favor or reward. What can look clean on the surface may not be clean underneath. Until the adults stop taking handouts and giving and taking favours, and working off friends of convenience nothing will get better. The politicians and predators are a mastermind of preying off citizens because they know the weakness. You have professional predators throwing tithes and using their powers to get support and favorsand enabling their very cloudy wrongdoing. This can be applied very broadly to government departments, churches, nonprofit organizations, political figures and alliances, common citizens taking hands out and giving out favours in disguise of doing something great.
Please read cause victimization and wrongdoing is all over the BVI.
it is unfortunate that our elections and the governments they create are entirely based upon the Spoils System. The winners get to dole out the $$$ to their supporters, with out any kind of overriding political or economic philosophy involved.
The territory desperately needs reform in its political culture.
We working with who working just like ayo dudes.
That won’t happen this round. We want this government gone before it mash up this place.