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Decision Not About Power- Lorna Smith; New Gov’t To Be Sworn In Tonight

by pltm
Apr 25, 2023
14

(PLTM) - With Lorna Smith, elected members of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) met with Governor John Rankin to signed official documents for the formation of the new government.

“Elected members of the Virgin Islands Party and the Territorial At-Large member Lorna Smith, OBE have signed official documents in the presence of His Excellency John James Rankin CMG,” the VIP said in a statement this afternoon April 25.

The party said that the swearing in ceremony will follow later this evening.

It stated that: “The Virgin Islands Party is pleased to announce the formation of the new Government of the Virgin Islands in accordance with Section 52 of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007.”

Lorna Smith, who ran under the National Democratic Party (NDP) as an At-Large candidate switch hours after the elections to join with the VIP to form a government. The VIP was short of one seat in the House of Assembly to form the government.

Decision Not Born From A Need For Power

Meanwhile, Smith, the wife of former Premier and former leader of the NDP Dr. Orlando Smith, said that her decision to join forces with the VIP is based upon her desire to serve the people.

“I have decided that in order to ensure a cohesive, clear and dynamic government can be sworn in, that I will form a coalition with the VIP. This is no lightweight decision, nor is it born from a need for power or control. It is a decision based upon my desire to serve you, the people, to the best of my abilities and with the determination for change to start immediately in this country,” she said in a statement.

She said, the decision may shock some persons, “or make you doubt the political machinations of our country but I urge you to remain steadfast, and to remain focused on country over party. It is only by focusing upon that, that we grow as a nation with every voice heard.”

Smith said as a member of the House of Assembly, her service remains on behalf of all the people, irrespective of party allegiance, because that is the strength and purity of a democratic process.

“We may all have different voices and beliefs, but we are one people and we need a government that reflects and represents us all. I remain humbled by your overwhelming support and honoured to serve you in the House of Assembly,” Smith said.

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Reader Opinion

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Another woman

Lorna has opened the door for a woman to be Premier in the next four years. A woman is 2nd in command of the BVI y’all, yesssss, 2nd in command . I’m so loving it.

Sis. Peggy

This MAY BE the POSSIBLE FULFILLMENT of a \"prophecy\" I heard some months ago that our next Premier would be a woman.

@another woman

Fools, Dancia was Deputy Premier many years ago. This is not a first.

You bet

A woman is going to be Premier come next election. I was so proud to see so many women on the campaign trail doing their thing.

Hmm

Not about the power - but she did manage to get the deputy premiership as a condition of the deal!

smh

Well Lorna, have you considered that people voted for you because they DID NOT WANT the VIP? This is a major betrayal and there is no way to sweeten it.

All About Power

Still trying to fool the people. Its all about you. All about power. Nothing else. Used NDP and betrayed the people who trusted you, For Power.

FACTS

If Lorna left her other two NDP members and crossed over to form a coalition government with the 6 VIP Members means the 7 members of PVIM, NDP, PU which included Lorna could not agree on a way forward to form and run a government. They asked for a coalition government. They got it. Now greed & selfishness caused them to throw it away. Obviously, they had no concern for the country other than themselves.

Serving the people man’s doing what the people want not doing your own thing! You have betrayed all of our trust!

Disapointed

The people voted for you because you were not with VIP, had you run VIP you would not be in this position. You are a sheep in green clothen, power will get you but so far. The good Doc should put you out of his house. BVI politics at it worst.

Eldread

Stacy could have done the same who had the most vote, but principle over power.

Common sense

Your reading of the situation is incorrect, Lorna remains an NDP / at large candidate, she is agreeing to form a coalition government. As no party earned enough votes to form a government, a coalition was the only way forward.

Chupes

Well VIP won six seats on their own, NDP won three and PVIM won 3 so what makes you think she couldn\'t garner those votes if she ran under that party?

Yesssss

That was a powerful move. Lorna is going to stand up for what is right. She is not going to sit back and not speak up like the soft back timid men have been doing.

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IN PORT - TODAY ( 23 November )

NORWEGIAN ENCORE (3998)

7:00am

3:00pm

AIDALUNA (2500)

6:30am

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IN PORT - TOMORROW ( 24 November )

LE BELLOT (184)

7:00am

6:00pm

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