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Hon Smith 'stepped up to the plate when the country needed her'- Premier Wheatley

- said Mrs Smith's decision averted a national & political crisis
Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has said Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE, a Member of the National Democratic Party (NDP), should be commended for putting the territory first and averting a potential political crisis that would have seen the governor intervening. Photo: GIS/File
Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) was interviewed by Calistra Farrier of CaribUpdate. The interview was broadcast on YouTube today, April 27, 2023. Photo: YouTube
Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) was interviewed by Calistra Farrier of CaribUpdate. The interview was broadcast on YouTube today, April 27, 2023. Photo: YouTube
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- “Had we not formed the government we would have faced a crisis and the governor would have had to step in and either appoint a premier and a government, which I don’t think anyone really wants to happen.

“And also, we have the Order in Council hanging over our heads. Who knows what might have taken place if we were not able to form a government.”

This is according to Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) who said Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE, a Member of the National Democratic Party (NDP), should be commended for putting the territory first and averting a potential political crisis that would have seen the governor intervening.

Dr Wheatley shared those sentiments while being interviewed by Calistra Farrier of CaribUpdate and broadcast on YouTube today, April 27, 2023.

Deputy Premier Hon Smith’s alignment with the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) to form the new government on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, came as the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) led by Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL), National Democratic Party (NDP) led by Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) and Progressives United (PU) led by Julian Fraser RA (R3) could not reach an agreement to form the next government and oust the VIP from office.

Both PVIM and NDP won 3 seats and PU won 1, which meant they had the opportunity to take the government with their 7 seats combined.

‘Tremendous respect’ for Hon Lorna G. Smith, OBE

Premier Wheatley, during the interview, was asked whether the VIP had talks about a possible coalition government even before the elections; however, Dr Wheatley said there were none since he had a great deal of confidence in the VIP slate.

Asked how the VIP was able to find common ground with Hon Smith, Dr Wheatley said the VIP has a tremendous amount of respect for Hon Smith. He noted too that Hon Smith was once the Permanent Secretary of the VIP leader and late Chief Minister H. Lavity Stoutt, and she also served under the late Hon Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE.

Dr Wheatley continued that Hon Smith has a vast amount of experience and knowledge, highlighting that she led BVI Finance, which is the marketing arm for the VI’s financial services industry, and also worked as the Director of the BVI London Office, adding that Hon Smith is very experienced in business and the financial services sector.

Hon Smith stepped up with the VI needed her- Premier

“So we know that having someone like her on the team, she brings a tremendous benefit,” Dr Wheatley said, adding that it was “fitting” for her to sit in Cabinet and to be Deputy Premier, considering her great experience, knowledge and skills.

“So I think Mrs Lorna Smith should be commended for stepping up to the plate at the time when the country needed her and we need political stability as we seek to implement the reforms from the CoI process, as we seek to implement the National Sustainable Development Plan and as we seek to go forward with our Green Agenda, among other things,” Premier Wheatley stated.

24 Responses to “Hon Smith 'stepped up to the plate when the country needed her'- Premier Wheatley”

  • asura (27/04/2023, 10:20) Like (30) Dislike (25) Reply
    we marching with Wheatley
    • Strups (27/04/2023, 11:05) Like (36) Dislike (16) Reply
      The people voted for a coalition government. Lorna give them back VIP. She is a Frig.
    • smfh (27/04/2023, 11:36) Like (22) Dislike (12) Reply
      Andrew Fahie is very proud of you Lorna. Keep up the good work.
  • Yeah yeah (27/04/2023, 10:43) Like (49) Dislike (16) Reply
    Y'all good at deceit and using voters. And that's why I don't trust ANY Of you in office....noneeeee!!!
  • jokes (27/04/2023, 10:45) Like (44) Dislike (7) Reply
    What he should have said was :
    " LORNA stepped up to the plate when IT SUITED her need for power'
  • EVE AND THE SNAKE (27/04/2023, 10:57) Like (29) Dislike (12) Reply
    LORNA ACTED WORST THAN EVE IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN. SHE ACTUALLY PARTAKE OF THE SERPENT'S OFFER. SHE DID IT IN HER OWN WILL. SHAME SHAME SHAME FATHER HAVE MERCY ON YOUR PEOPLE. FATHER LEAD US PLZZZZZZ.
    • Lilly (27/04/2023, 12:22) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
      Lorna put an Eve on the votes of the Territory. She fed us with a whole lot of lies to get us to bite, and we did. However, if we were paying close attention, we would have noticed that she was campaigning for HERSELF.
  • again (27/04/2023, 11:11) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    She should make known she is not a member of the VIP but a member of Govt.Not to toe that party line .As corruption is the best thing about VIP.You started as independant so remain .You are here to put country first.
  • Faithful (27/04/2023, 11:16) Like (26) Dislike (15) Reply
    Lorna in we corner. Lorna was always a strong support system for the VIP Government as far back as HLS, so obviously it was the sensible thing to do by joining with them to form the Govt rather than giving the Governor the power to control; and since the other 6 greedy personas only thought about themselves rather than the territory as a whole; I hope they all enjoy sitting on the Opposition together. All the best Hon. Lorna Smith. You have certainly earned that title. Don't mind the talk from the bad minded, selfish people.
  • Sad (27/04/2023, 11:54) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply
    I think the people of the BVI should of chose which government they wanted in.
    • @sad (27/04/2023, 15:16) Like (6) Dislike (8) Reply
      They did!!! DUUUUHHH. THEY ELECTED 6 VIP REPS...WHAT THAT TELL MA BOY???!!!
  • resident (27/04/2023, 11:55) Like (20) Dislike (2) Reply
    It's not what you do but how you do it. She could have done it in a more professional way. Only those who are lawless or don't understand protocol will say that she was right. That was disrespectful to the leader of the party that she was affiliated with. They had 24 hours and the time had not expired. I guess she probably took advise from her brother. You don't walk off of a job unless you're uncouth. What do we expect from young people when we operate like this. Deception is deadly.
  • Lies! Lies! Lies! (27/04/2023, 12:04) Like (29) Dislike (4) Reply
    Don't worry. We heard the press conference from the opposition. We know what really happened. VIP was offering deputy premiership to everyone, including Mitch and the all said NO. They even tried to steal Stacy Mather and he said NO! Lorna was the only snake. NDP, PVIM and PU had already agreed to form a government but Lorna could not stand to see Ronnie as the Premier so she jump ship. Nothing to do with Amy Governor. You too lie!!!!!! Hahahaha! You cannot take these liars seriously at all.
  • ok (27/04/2023, 12:10) Like (26) Dislike (14) Reply
    After hearing the press conference from the opposition. I still feel Lorna made the right decision. They could not get it together.
  • Viper … (27/04/2023, 12:10) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
    … will destroy this government. BVI will rue this day.
  • omg (27/04/2023, 13:03) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    Two persons won the elections Davies and CSC. What a FRIG.
  • SAY (27/04/2023, 13:14) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    I dont trust her one bit you all can say what you want ..she is not the right fit...yes she stepped up but you will see in the long run.
  • WEW (27/04/2023, 14:23) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    All this political wrangling just shows that the voters are irrelevant as long as the big families stay in power. I hope Gov. Rankin and the UK are closely watching.
  • Traitor or Patriotic (27/04/2023, 14:34) Like (22) Dislike (1) Reply
    Clearly, Lorna’s trust, loyalty, etc, is less valuable than a Zimbabwean penny. She is snake, a snake in the grass, she is an Eve. VIP better beware of Eve. What goes around comes around. It better work to strengthen its position to nullify the dependence on her support that is not worth the cheap paper it is written on. Lorna’s surprising move was a shift in the political tectonic plates. It was a a 13.0 + reading on the Ritcher magnitude scale. It was felt throughout the depth and width of the BVI and beyond. Lorna is probably trust worthy to ask for time. If you do you should seek a second opinion. Is there lingering hatred among NDP 1 and NDP 2. Did the former Premier have a hand in this sordid action. Well, hell she was the de facto Premier for two terms. Lorna’s action was a torpedo across the bow of the NDP and PVIM.
  • lol (27/04/2023, 14:51) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    A coalition that couldn’t and a tie breaker from the least expected of places….or was it really? Folks who know aren’t surprised in the least.
  • Coalition (27/04/2023, 15:14) Like (8) Dislike (5) Reply
    The people of the BVI pbviously made the RIGHT decision. Lorna is a quick thinker and there is a reason she has been a distinguished public servant that has represented the BVI on the international plane. NDP, PVIM and PU was just not ready and clearly not the right fit fit or this territory at the time. We need quick and decisive thinkers. NDP, PVIM and PU clearly did not fit the bill. Natalion has proven himself able to move quickly and decisively with proven results over the last year. Everyone quick to judge but they dont know how big a shoes that is to fill. Now NDP, PVIM and PU salty. They angry and couldn't get over such a minor thing comparing to the real. Issues...they clearly were not ready to lead this Territory in this global new norm.
  • Order Don (27/04/2023, 16:23) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply
    The people has spoken, we want to see a VIP government . Thank you Honorable Lorna Smith you make it a reality. Give our young leaders a chance.
  • jah know (28/04/2023, 12:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    She will bite you in the @55 Sowande. Just like she did Marlon. watch you see.


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