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Eileene L. Parsons throws support behind ‘blood relative’ Lesmore Smith

- Former Legislator says her political leaders gave her the greenlight because ‘when blood calls, blood answers’
March 19th, 2023 | Tags:
Cultural icon and former legislator Ms Eileene L. Parsons, OBE, left, has endorsed Independent At Large candidate Lesmore Smith, right. Photo: Facebook/GIS/File
During Lesmore Smith’s campaign launch on Friday night, March 17, 2023, at the Watch Tower in Fahie Hill, Tortola, Ms Eileene L. Parsons, OBE said her endorsements came not only because of Mr Smith’s professional accomplishment and experience but because when blood calls, blood has to answer. Photo: Facebook
During Lesmore Smith’s campaign launch on Friday night, March 17, 2023, at the Watch Tower in Fahie Hill, Tortola, Ms Eileene L. Parsons, OBE said her endorsements came not only because of Mr Smith’s professional accomplishment and experience but because when blood calls, blood has to answer. Photo: Facebook
FAHIE HILL, Tortola, VI – Independent At Large candidate and businessman Mr Lesmore Smith has received sweeping endorsements from his relative and outspoken former legislator Mrs Eileene L. Parsons, OBE in his bid to win an At Large seat in the 2023 General Elections in the Virgin Islands (VI).

During Mr Smith's campaign launch on Friday night, March 17, 2023, at the Watch Tower in Fahie Hill, Tortola, Ms Parsons said her endorsements came not only because of Mr Smith’s professional accomplishment and experience but because when blood calls, blood has to answer.

“I am Katie Benn's grandchild, and Lesmore is her great, great-grandchild. I am her second generation, and Lesmore is her 4th. When blood calls, blood answers,” she said.

Ms Parsons added, “Furthermore, I ain’t come here just so, I spoke to my political leaders and they, knowing how I feel about family, were generous enough to give me the green light. So here I am.”

The cultural icon has been a long-time member and supporter of the National Democratic Party (NDP).

Lesmore has experience to steer 'Ship BVI' - Parsons 

Ms Parsons said "Ship BVI" is ready to sail on its next political trip, but with rough storms ahead, the territory needs 13 strong, experienced, honest and sea-wise sailors to take it forward.

“Is Lesmore ready to apply for a job on Ship BVI? I will say yes. Lesmore has proven that he has what it takes to be a good sailor. Lesmore knows what hard life in the BVI is like. Lesmore knows what it means to walk against the odds and come out successful,” she said while listing his professional developments. 

Mr Smith, who was originally running with the Ronnie W. Skelton-led Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM), was reportedly forced off the ticket, leaving him no choice but to either go with another party or run as an Independent.

Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) had previously reported that Mr Smith was asked to run in the Fifth District but opted not to, as his slot as a PVIM At Large candidate was taken by former Speaker of the House of Assembly Ingrid A. Moses, whom the party felt was a better political candidate.

18 Responses to “Eileene L. Parsons throws support behind ‘blood relative’ Lesmore Smith ”

  • (19/03/2023, 06:57) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
    Pvim once Mitch is there look out for confusion
    • street reporter. (19/03/2023, 09:04) Like (20) Dislike (2) Reply
      Coming From the streets, from the Ghettos, from work places, PVIM and Lesmo would have done better with Lesmo at Large than Sheena at Large, Sheena had stand a better chance this time around in #1.. Its either someone is fooling them,, or they are fooling themselves into all these bad decisions ..
  • to be honest (19/03/2023, 07:03) Like (11) Dislike (10) Reply
    Les more Smith will get the work down! Many of our leaders just Blah Blah Blah and nothing is done.
  • Josiahsbay (19/03/2023, 09:37) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    What exactly is the mandate for the AT-Large position? Without a clearly defined mandate and an adequate budget, they have no accountability to the territory. They should be chosen from the independent pool and not party affiliated. If we don't get rid of the party system we must have something in place to check them. Vote for an independent At-Large slate!
    • @Josiahbay (19/03/2023, 10:18) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      The same thing many people are saying about the Governor especially where he is not accountable to the people.
  • one got to be very famous and likable (19/03/2023, 09:40) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    I think its a rough ride trying to win as an at-large independent candidate.
  • Familia (19/03/2023, 09:52) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is commendable that family support family but sometimes we have to have to gut check our family. Ms. P is supporting Lesmore because of the bloodline but I didn’t hear a strong focus on policy(s) chops and how he bring that experience to bear to float the grounded ship. A political party puts candidate(s) in races that they a good chance of success in. Clearly, Lesmore didn’t want to face off against Kye in D-5 and feels he has a better opportunity at large as an independent. We will see.
  • When blood calls blood answers?!? (19/03/2023, 09:56) Like (23) Dislike (7) Reply
    Why not call on him to support his child then? …. The hypocrisy of this man and now this whole family is outrageous! As a community we need yo stand up for what is right and call out what is wrong…. Not ignore what is wrong because of who you for or who they for. How can we make positive change in the BVI if we cant even do that?!?
  • blood (19/03/2023, 10:05) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    The majority of the nationals of the Virgin Islands, are blood related.Outsiders, be careful with your mouth.!!
  • East End woman (19/03/2023, 11:33) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wrong jockey on this horse.
  • Recent Former NDP supporter (19/03/2023, 13:10) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    Lesmore Smith found out what I am telling you now and he did the best thing. Take it from me, there is an inner old boys and girls club within both the PVIM & NDP that meet regularly in secret from the other members behind closed doors. Their aim is to use all these newcomers on both tickets to help who all they really want to be elected to get elected by the people and then when they win, they reunite the two inner circle members of the two parties which really is the old NDP. I hope the newcomers as candidates on both parties wake up and realize the game within the game. It is all about power. It is so sad. It is not about country nor the people although they are promoting it that way. VOTERS BE FULLY AWOKE & AWARE!!!
  • A view from a youth (19/03/2023, 13:32) Like (18) Dislike (5) Reply
    What I have noticed is the NDP and their supporters and some of PVIM are more verbal and aggressive than VIP supporters, so their propaganda gets out quicker and more dominant, so people tend to believe them but when their side is placed under a microscope, they also rush to defend the undefendable. When I sit back quietly and block out all the noise, I have decided to weigh all the facts and vote VIP all the way this time. The NDP has robbed us over and over and over again and somehow always gets away with it and become rich on the backs of the people. They avoid audit reports. They avoid COI reports. This is mysterious. The only NDP that ever got in trouble is Myron. This is indeed mysterious. Look at the $8 million dollar plane heist. Look at NHI and millions of dollars gone in friends and families' pockets while we the people are left to suffer or die due to no proper health insurance locally and abroad. Look at SSB land ridiculous land purchases. Look at who all they bought lands from and the ridiculous purchase prices. Look at the ridiculous contracts of over seventy thousand dollars a month at pasea to house our teachers and students to make a rich NDP friend supporter get even more money at the health and safety expense of our children. Now look at whenever they blame the VIP for questionable actions it is always where many residents legitimately benefit whether they support VIP or not. No one is perfect but it is for this reason I will not fall for their rhetoric anymore and vote for the lesser evil of them. VIP is the better option.
  • PVIM (19/03/2023, 16:04) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    The issue with Eileene and the whole PVIM except three candidates is that they are loyal to Ronnie and not the country.
  • Lesmo (20/03/2023, 09:20) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    We all no lesmo wicked dnt put him in he don't know how to treat his own and workers if u put he in you'll regret trust
  • Big Richard (20/03/2023, 14:14) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The gene pool is so small on these BVI everyone is a blood relative
  • x (20/03/2023, 15:08) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    What makes us believe that any one party is good for the country? People, we need the 13 best candidates to run the country, regardless of party affiliation. 13 people who are willing to put the country first.


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