Dr Arlene L. Smith-Thompson has officially entered the 2026 general election race as an independent At-Large candidate, declaring that party politics has failed to put the people of the Virgin Islands first and promising a campaign focused on accountability, basic services, and inclusive representation across all islands and islets. Photo: Dr Arlene L. Smith-Thompson

Speaking during her campaign launch on Monday, September 14, 2026, Dr Arlene L. Smith-Thompson framed her candidacy as a break from the status quo. “Because I believe that if we keep doing things the same way, we will continue to get the same results,” she said, adding that she has “tried party politics” and now believes it “is no longer serving the people of the Virgin Islands in the way that it should.” Photo:Dr Arlene L. Smith-Thompson

‘People first', not party lines

Speaking during her campaign launch on Monday, September 14, 2026, Dr Smith-Thompson framed her candidacy as a break from the status quo. “Because I believe that if we keep doing things the same way, we will continue to get the same results,” she said, adding that she has “tried party politics” and now believes it “is no longer serving the people of the Virgin Islands in the way that it should.”

She positioned the independent movement as an opportunity to “put people first,” to “listen without interference,” to “speak boldly on issues that really matter,” and to “work with anyone who genuinely wants to move our territory forward.”

Dr Smith-Thompson emphasised that her At-Large bid is designed to represent residents across the entire territory, “people from Anegada, Virgin Gorda, Tortola, Jost van Dyke, and all our beautiful sister islands, and islets” without being constrained by a party line.

“I think of myself as a bridge from the fields of politics of our past, toward a brighter future,” she said, outlining a vision built on hope, functional systems, and an economy that gives residents reasons to build their lives at home rather than seek opportunities elsewhere.

Priority issues

Dr Smith-Thompson singled out three priority issues she believes demand urgent attention: Crime and unsolved murders; Fiscal accountability; and the territory’s persistent water crisis. On crime, she highlighted the homicide backlog, stating that “for a territory of approximately 35,000 people, having more than 30 unsolved murders dating back over two decades is unacceptable,” a concern echoed in recent local reporting that underscores public frustration over violent crime and perceptions of misplaced priorities in governance.

The former Acting Permanent Secretary criticised what she described as poor investment and waste of public funds that could otherwise be directed to roads, infrastructure, social services, environmental protection, and other national priorities. She also declared that in 2026 “no resident should have to turn on a tap and hope that water comes out,” calling reliable access to water a basic necessity, even as complaints continue about ageing pipes, leakages, and intermittent supply in several Tortola communities and commentators urging the government to bring in outside expertise to fix the system.

Public service experience

Drawing on her administrative background, Dr Smith-Thompson noted her service as a former acting permanent secretary in the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Ministry of Communications and Works. She said that experience gives her direct insight into public-service challenges, including “unnecessary bureaucracy” that creates delays, frustration, and poor service delivery.

Dr Smith-Thompson’s entry into the elections race adds to a growing field of At-Large aspirants, including other independents and movement leaders who have been vocal on cost-of-living relief and systemic reforms. 

In 2019, Dr Arlene L. Smith-Thompson entered electoral politics by contesting the Virgin Islands general election on the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) ticket but was unsuccessful.