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Hon Lorna G. Smith, OBE is Acting Premier!

- Hon Vincent O. Wheatley to take on role when Hon Smith travels to UK
Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE is now Acting Premier of the Virgin Islands. Photo: GIS/File
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) departed the territory on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, to attend the Coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey in the United Kingdom scheduled for May 6, 2023. Photo: GIS/File
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) departed the territory on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, to attend the Coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey in the United Kingdom scheduled for May 6, 2023. Photo: GIS/File
Once Acting Premier Hon Lorna G. Smith, OBE departs the Territory for London, Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9), right, will be the Acting Premier. Photo: GIS/File
Once Acting Premier Hon Lorna G. Smith, OBE departs the Territory for London, Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9), right, will be the Acting Premier. Photo: GIS/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- For some, it may be a prophecy come to pass that Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE is now Premier of the Virgin Islands, albeit in a very brief acting capacity.

Honourable Smith was appointed Acting Premier by Acting Governor Mr David D. Archer Jr on May 3, 2023, until May 4, 2023.

This comes as Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) departed the territory on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, to attend the Coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey in the United Kingdom scheduled for May 6, 2023.

Hon Smith to join Dr Wheatley @ JMC in UK

Acting Premier Hon Smith is expected to travel to the UK on Friday, May 5, 2023, to join Dr Wheatley at the Joint Ministerial Conference (JMC) in the UK scheduled for Monday, May 8, 2023.

Dr Wheatley during a press conference on May 2, 2023, had said Lorna Smith, who has a wealth of experience as a former Director of the BVI London Office and Executive Director of BVI Finance, will add great value to his delegation.

“Honourable Smith and I will also resume engagement with our United Kingdom partners to continue the process of building a new modern partnership that is stable and supports the aspirations of the people of the Virgin Islands.

“Among other things, we will meet UK OT Minister Lord Goldsmith, other UK Ministers and the BVI All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) in the United Kingdom Parliament to discuss how the UK Government can support my Administration's agenda on reform, economic resilience, infrastructure, sustainable development, climate change, environment, education, health and security,” Dr Wheatley had stated.

Hon Vincent O. Wheatley to act as Premier when Hon Smith departs VI

Meanwhile, once Hon Smith departs the Territory, Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) will be the Acting Premier.

Dr Wheatley, during the press conference, was asked why the Deputy Premier in the then Unity Government, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), was not asked to hold the post, given his experience.

“Honourable Rymer has personal business that he has to attend to, so he is going to be travelling briefly for a few days. I believe his daughter is having a graduation.

“Quite naturally Hon Rymer would have been Acting Premier but because he is travelling it wasn’t possible,” Dr Wheatley had responded, adding that he has confidence that any one of his Ministers can step up to serve as Acting Premier.

26 Responses to “Hon Lorna G. Smith, OBE is Acting Premier!”

  • In Yuh Carnah (04/05/2023, 12:18) Like (31) Dislike (9) Reply
    You think she didn't calculate this without a calculator?

    She knew what she was doing!
  • ok (04/05/2023, 12:19) Like (23) Dislike (3) Reply
    So far, good going.
  • smart (04/05/2023, 12:33) Like (26) Dislike (5) Reply
    Mrs. Smith is smart, very smart.

    I see why she stitch side.
  • Team players (04/05/2023, 12:34) Like (64) Dislike (3) Reply
    May God be with Hon Premier N.Wheatley & Hon Lorna Smith! May you have a safe return as well in Jesus name Amen!
  • Randi (04/05/2023, 12:37) Like (17) Dislike (24) Reply
    Please help us to understand how did archer get to be deputy governor.
    How do you qualify for this position.
    • lodger (04/05/2023, 13:33) Like (15) Dislike (3) Reply
      Head of the Civil Service is Deputy Governor and acts as Governor when governor is away. Where have you been these past several years, right back to Elton Georges and before.
    • Dummy, (04/05/2023, 15:48) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
      The governor is out of the country, so the deputy governor acts in his absence
      • @ Lodger and Dummy (04/05/2023, 17:04) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
        Randi is asking how Archer got the post of Deputy Governor; not how he got to be Acting Governor.
  • WEW (04/05/2023, 13:08) Like (8) Dislike (7) Reply
    OOO boy , scary isn't it ?
  • asura (04/05/2023, 13:18) Like (21) Dislike (5) Reply
    love it women power
    • @asura (04/05/2023, 19:37) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply
      Yesssssss, Women Power, love it. Don’t you ladies feel good? As a Woman I sure do. And I want to thank the Honorable Deputy Premier Lorna Smith for opening the door for Women with political aspirations. Don’t hate, 2027 we will, I repeat, have the first Woman Premier in the BVI.
  • Interested (04/05/2023, 13:27) Like (22) Dislike (43) Reply
    It is too scary to think of Vincent Wheatley as acting Premier.Hell,it’s scary to think of Natalio Wheatley as Premier,but there you have it ! Go figure lol
  • SB (04/05/2023, 13:43) Like (11) Dislike (21) Reply

    This entire UK style of government is modern day slavery. Any system where the WH***S control almost every decision is doomed.

  • Voter6 (04/05/2023, 14:01) Like (33) Dislike (12) Reply
    THERE'S NOTHING YOU HATERS CAN DO HON LORNA SMITH IS IN OUR CORNER. WHAT GOD DON'T WANT NOT EVEN HIS ANGEL CAN CARRY
    • @Voter6 (04/05/2023, 16:25) Like (17) Dislike (7) Reply
      Totally agreed, and guess what? Let the haters continue to marinate in the hater/stupid sauce. Let this be a lesson to the four disgruntled men that got caught with their pants down and sleeping, you snooze you lose.
    • Lucifer morningstar (05/05/2023, 08:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      God has nothing to do with government nor do I. We deal with souls and o boy I can't wait to add to my army.
  • Wha? (04/05/2023, 14:49) Like (5) Dislike (16) Reply
    Pure comedy.
  • It’s written (04/05/2023, 15:21) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Matthew 5:33
    “Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old times, 'Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths.'.
  • lol (04/05/2023, 15:50) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Ain't Miss P alone who does pepper
  • Progress (04/05/2023, 16:10) Like (24) Dislike (4) Reply
    One of these days, and not too far, we will have the first woman Premier and also, we will have one of our own as the Governor. We are getting there.
  • Prophet (04/05/2023, 16:54) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    So CSC was right after all..... The man is good. Still you all were calling him crazy and telling him to shut up.
    • The Prophet (04/05/2023, 20:01) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      He did not believe his own words, so he discredited himself. If he had faith, in the word, of what he was saying, he would've understood that GOD does things in mysterious ways we cannot always comprehend, therefore we must accept his visions as gifts and lean not on our own understanding. GOD's will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.
  • one eye (04/05/2023, 19:26) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    Lorna all the way love vip
  • Hmm (04/05/2023, 22:19) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Please Mrs. Smith deal with those noisy bike issues please. I don't know how people living in those noise all hour in the day and night.
  • Josiahsbay (05/05/2023, 09:23) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    There is more fervor, ambition, and enthusiasm for a woman premier than for self-determination, self-rule, and self-governance. A willing slave will always have a willing master.
  • something strange over here (05/05/2023, 09:43) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Its impossible to have all good comments without some bad ones ...IMPOSSIBLE!


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