“I will not be running with the NDP” - Shaina M. Smith
Ms Shaina M. Smith, speaking exclusively to Virgin Islands News Online, confirmed that she would not be running in the next elections with the NDP, neither At-Large nor in any district, or has she joined that party.
In fact she said, “The PPA is in the process of organising a team to contest as a viable option in the next elections.”
When pressed about allegations that she has been approached by the NDP to run in the first district, she neither confirmed nor denied that she was approached, however, Ms Smith, an Engineer and a former civil servant, told our newsroom “I am with the PPA. How can I run on two slates?”
Candidates for the PPA?
When asked if the current members Elton Callwood and Khoy Smith of the PPA will be back on the team, Ms Smith, now a government consultant, told our newsroom “I can’t comment on confirmed candidates apart from myself at this time”.
Last year one of The PPA’s founding members who contested the 2011 general elections, Natalio D. Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru, bolted and joined the newest political party in the Virgin Islands- the People’s Empowerment Party (PEP) of Honourable J. Alvin Christopher (R2). Mr Wheatley is now the party president.
Ms Smith gave no indication on when her party ticket will be confirmed for the election expected to happen this year-2015; however, she said “when the slate is confirmed there will be an official statement in a couple of months.”
She was the highest vote getter among the PPA’s four candidates that all ran At-Large with 889 votes in 2011.
NDP must go?
When asked if she believes the current NDP deserves another term in office, she said “We need a new policy direction in the BVI and that is why I am running.” She also said it remains the plan to have a full slate of candidates ready for a new direction for the Virgin Islands.
So far four persons have announced they will be looking to contest the Virgin Islands’ next general elections that cannot go beyond February 2016.
The first to come out the box to indicate they are running in the next elections was Dr Hubert O’Neal, who plans to contest for the ninth district seat. Dr O’Neal’s party affiliation as a candidate in the next election is unknown at this time; however, he has always contested with the NDP.
Youth Leader and Master, businessman and political activist Mr Rajah A. Smith announced over a week ago that he plans to seek the Virgin Islands Party’s nomination at its congress to run At-Large.
Devon U. Osborne is also seeking the consideration of the VIP congress to contest the elections on its slate.
Ms Smith, Dr O’Neal and Mr Smith first approached this news site to announce their candidacy.
55 Responses to ““I will not be running with the NDP” - Shaina M. Smith”
You all got jokes, but time will tell. That reverse bull@#$%^ will not work. VIP are dead and ready for burial.
I SUPPORTING SHAINA AND PPA.
NDP PLAYING WITH HUBERT AND WANT TO PUT UP MR. ELITE TRE**R GRANT. OPPS DID THEY HAD A CONTESTANT SHOW WITH THAT NAME? HE WILL WIN FOR SURE BUT NOT IN AN ELECTION! HAHAHAHA!
We need people who can hit the ground running and do stuff, not sit around talking about what they think needs to be done. Dancia Penn was a very good talker. What are her accomplishments as Deputy Premier and Minister of Health for 4 long years? She is a perfect example of why we shouldn't elect people because they look and sound good. What are Shaina's accomplishments? Why should we trust her to lead this Territory? Until she answers those questions nobody will take her seriously. I'm voting for people who have demonstrated that they can handle the pressure and make the hard decisions. The only way VIP get one of my votes is if they get some strong people on board. PPA are a waste, PEP are a bigger waste, but I will wait until the full slates are in before commenting further. If any of you tuned in to Shaina's show on Channel 51, all you hear is a lot of round about talking points but nothing with real substance to chart the way forward. Anybody can say things like "The country needs a new direction and opportunities for all...". That sounds good, but HOW? It takes guts, grit etc. to get these things done, not emotional banter.
She talks a good talk but so far no evidence of energy, strength and ability.
Appears as if she is filling in the blank on a slate of candidates.
I can appreciate her subtle honesty in this matter.