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The Premier & the Broom! Social media gone wild!

August 13th, 2017 | Tags: D. Orlando Smith broom clean up UK relief damages
The Premier & the Broom! This photo of Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith (AL) holding a broom upside down on Waterfront Drive Tortola, has been trending on social media. Photo: Facebook
A blocked ghut following the tropical wave on August 7, 2017. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson/Facebook
A blocked ghut following the tropical wave on August 7, 2017. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson/Facebook
A ghut in Road Town that needs cleaning Photo: Facebook
A ghut in Road Town that needs cleaning Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- It was yesterday Saturday August 12, 2017 while the Rotary Clubs in the Virgin Islands had a clean-up in Road Town, the Capital City, that Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) was on the ground helping.

Pictures of Dr Smith helping to clean up mud on Tortola with a broom held upside down close to the area of Clovers store were circulated on social media throughout the Territory.

Many residents on social media made fun of Dr Smith with the broom turned upside down, with Facebook and WhatsApp users having a field day.

Some came to the Premier's defense, saying that is the way the broom is to be used, as it is turned that way to break up the dry mud before flipping it around to sweep. 

Others said the Premier was just in it for a photo opportunity and it was clear to them that he had not held a broom in years.

No ship needed, I can do it with a broom! 

Well after Premier Smith rejected support in the clean-up efforts from a British ship that offered help to the Virgin Islands (VI) after the devastating floods of August 7 to 8, 2017, and Dr Smith refusing to call a State of Emergency knowing the gravity of the situation, with millions in damages, collapse of infrastructure, homelessness, dust and mud everywhere, many are not sure his broom photo opportunity cuts it.

The debate on the proper use of the broom will continue on social media at least for two days; however, one thing is clear, Premier Smith’s critics and supporters will agree that all the photos and Facebook posting cannot ease the pain and loss faced by residents and business owners due to what can be accurately described as one of the worst natural disasters to hit the British Overseas Territory of the VI.

38 Responses to “The Premier & the Broom! Social media gone wild!”

  • cant clean (13/08/2017, 12:27) Like (13) Dislike (21) Reply
    Obviously some dont know how to use this broom. How are you going to get the dried mud up if you dont have a shovel. Be innovative
    • @ cant clean (13/08/2017, 14:04) Like (30) Dislike (1) Reply
      The man next to him has a shovel.
    • Hmmmm (13/08/2017, 15:21) Like (18) Dislike (6) Reply
      PRIMIER..... Y IS YOUR BROOM UPSIDE DOWN? ..DWL...
      • ... (14/08/2017, 21:55) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
        Too little, too late. Too forced, too fake.
      • Stopit!! (15/08/2017, 12:18) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
        Because many don't know how to use the broom they are on here talking piddle. Give the man some credit, man. He went to school, he cut open many tummies, more complicated surgeries, and people, lawless, rude, disrespectful of elders, and without a second sense of reasoning, on here cutting down the Doc. Now, all those who blogging did not go to hold a broom in Road Town. If all you don't know what to blog about, go bathe in the ghut and tell us later how cold or stink the water is. All you make the dog sick.
    • Really (13/08/2017, 18:33) Like (37) Dislike (15) Reply
      People are really stupid you know. I have used push brooms and we did the same thing to move hard dirt that the bristles cannot move......GROW UP PEOPLE
    • Can't clean (14/08/2017, 08:06) Like (2) Dislike (8) Reply
      How he staying so far to scrape the floor a man of his age needs to be closer plus the man next to him has a shovel NOEXCUSESFORTHEPREMIER
    • Hmmmm (14/08/2017, 20:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Thats y d guy next to him should have used his shovel dwl..
  • one eye (13/08/2017, 12:28) Like (18) Dislike (6) Reply
    From the zzzzzz man to the broom man
  • HMMM (13/08/2017, 12:34) Like (15) Dislike (5) Reply
    fake .... look at the broom
  • DON Q (13/08/2017, 12:34) Like (13) Dislike (5) Reply
    Normal NDP spin
  • PPA (13/08/2017, 12:35) Like (24) Dislike (5) Reply
    NDP refused to clean ghuts
  • Just saying (13/08/2017, 12:59) Like (9) Dislike (5) Reply
    Him and that show with the broom i will rather the uk help boss
  • 123 (13/08/2017, 15:26) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    do not dis the doctor
  • HAHA (13/08/2017, 15:59) Like (30) Dislike (7) Reply
    Lol he turned down 800 hands and cant even hold a broom. Even if he was being innovative to try and break up the mud Juggy was right there with a shovel. A good leader would say you break up I sweep. This was just a photo opportunity and a distraction from all the crap he do for almost 8 years.
  • wize up (13/08/2017, 16:01) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    in moder day BVI if you spit to hard you are labelled either NDP or VIP.....in the past we were all one people but guest time have changed and change is inevitable........
  • Proud (13/08/2017, 16:26) Like (30) Dislike (19) Reply
    I must say, what a bunch of ignorant folks. Come on people, what is funny about that. He is the leader of your Country, he got out there and help with the cleanup process and all you guys can do is pass stupid remarks.
    • chupes (13/08/2017, 21:21) Like (18) Dislike (4) Reply
      Go sitdown somewhere. Laughter is good medicine and we are entitled to laugh. Afterall NDP have us under too much stress with their bull droppings and foolery
      • true development (14/08/2017, 08:51) Like (8) Dislike (5) Reply
        The Premier just turned the broom around to break up the hardened and dried out dirt into smaller granules which makes it easier to clean the area. At least he is doing something about the mess and not you "chupes." Now "Chupes" you are the butt of this joke.
  • I love him (13/08/2017, 19:08) Like (8) Dislike (14) Reply
    Leave that nice man alone!!!!!!!!!!! Wonderful soul
  • Foolywangs (13/08/2017, 21:25) Like (16) Dislike (4) Reply
    So you mean to tell me you missed the Facebook post/pic with him first sweeping before that pic was taken of him turning it over to scrape the dirt back for shoveling.

    I'm convinced some people choose to stay stuck on stupid!
  • ................ (13/08/2017, 22:02) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    They should put that broom on sale
  • Pride smh (13/08/2017, 22:15) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Out of pride you didnot call a state of emergency or accept the help from british navy ship you need to run the island your self doc your such a humble and kind soul .but your teammates making you lok bad
    You really care about us with all this after the mud dusk wow!something not right who does take help after disaster ?
  • Charley Rose (13/08/2017, 23:02) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    There must be some humour to ease the stress of the situation and the Premier provided that much needed humour. On a more serious note the Premier has no authority to declare a state of emergency. Only the governor or the acting governor could declare a state of emergency.
    Those persons who are rejoicing over the Premier's refusal to allow the Naval ship to provide the necessary assistance will not like to see the outcome. After all you do not insult the British and go to bed and sleep comfortibley. That is the worst mistake one can make. Look at history and you will see.
  • sugar apple (14/08/2017, 02:06) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Pride comes before a fall. Jamaica and Trinidad were the two richest countries in the West Indies. and they fell. So let NDP keep up this ignorance. Personaly they a.nd their families and friends are being taken care of but for the rest of us we will continue to hear how resources are stretched. Resources are stretched. but help is refused.
  • Smart observation (14/08/2017, 05:42) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Obviously he was posing. Dark blue shirt..lots of sweat. Light blue shirt.zero sweat..
  • true development (14/08/2017, 08:27) Like (9) Dislike (8) Reply
    I am not into the political bashing. I am just going to point out the facts. The person who took that pic was bias, untruthful and disrespectful. The Premier only turned the broom around in order to the loosen up the hardened and dried out dirt into smaller granules. This action now made it easier for him to sweep the dirt up for disposal. Therefore, the circulating of this pic was unwarranted. Obviously, none of you joke pokers and supporters were out there cleaning up and the Premier was. He knew exactly how to use the broom appropriately to do a thorough cleaning. Bad karma will follow you for this distasteful joke. How low could the taker of the photo and those who have joined the throng could get ! You are now the laughing stock of the world while trying to make the Premier look bad. YOUR JOKE DID NOT WORK. The joke is on you ! You were so busy being rude and disrespectful and did not realize the error in your assessment of the Premier's actions. Again, I say, you and supporters are the butt of jokes around the world. Kudos to the elected leader of this territory who demonstrated leadership by example while joke pokers stood by the sidelines and become butt of jokes around the world.
    • @ true development (14/08/2017, 10:10) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      Wha fake News nonsense this. Im willing to pay double they pay you for the truth. lol lol yea right
    • @True Development (14/08/2017, 10:19) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
      There are other pictures with him using the broom properly, so him turning the broom upside down was clearly intentional. So I don't know why they are making a big deal about this.
  • @True Development (14/08/2017, 11:33) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    Thank you for stating the obvious. The ignorance and disrespect of some of our people is truly concerning.
    Our Premier is also a medical doctor who has performed surgery on many of us, how can one even fathom the idea that he would not know how to use a broom. To the person who took that picture and tried to make a mockery of our Premier, shame on you! Karma is a bitch and while it may not come back and hit you, those close to you might get the blunt of the blows. Be mindful of your actions and behavior.
  • Mr Shovels (14/08/2017, 11:55) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    patiently waiting for the cartoon...
  • Harry Potter (14/08/2017, 15:25) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    you're all going to find out what i can do with a broom! ingrates!
  • the king house (14/08/2017, 15:42) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    No matter wat u do people of negative could only see negative .nice motivation doc.lift the spirit of the land strong leader start .haters just follow and stop hating u aint making shit better.think also about the air with ur foul mouth.
  • Honour (14/08/2017, 21:11) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dr. Hon. Premier knows how to clean! This is a true and genuine display of the values taught to Virgin Islands. Doc., you make your parents and Virgin Islanders proud!
  • ms poppy (15/08/2017, 19:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    doc leads by example
  • HMMM (16/08/2017, 23:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The NDP and Dr. Smith is trying to rise up from the dead by seeking relevance. Poor we the people.


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