Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Hon Lorna G. Smith sworn in as Jr Minister

Hon Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL) was sworn in as a Junior Minister by Governor Daniel Pruce on Friday, March 21, 2025. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands
Governor Daniel Pruce released a statement after he swore in Hon Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL) as a Junior Minister on March 21, 2025. Photo: Office of the Governor
Governor Daniel Pruce released a statement after he swore in Hon Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL) as a Junior Minister on March 21, 2025. Photo: Office of the Governor
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Hon Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL) was sworn in as a Junior Minister by Governor Daniel Pruce on Friday, March 21, 2025.

Governor Pruce in a statement released following the short swearing-in ceremony said Hon Smith was sworn in upon the request of Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) in a letter dated March 13, 2025, and following consultation with the Attorney General. 

Hon Smith will be responsible for Financial Services and Economic Development after being brought back to the government's side on March 11, 2025. 

In announcing Hon Smith's return, Dr Wheatley indicated that she will assume the role of Minister of State, although this position currently does not exist in the Virgin Islands and would require a constitutional amendment approved by the United Kingdom (UK) to be formally established.

Governor Pruce also said in his statement, "At the Premier's request, I have forwarded his letter to the Minister for Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty. In his correspondence, the Premier asked for a constitutional amendment, to allow for the appointment of two Ministers of State and two Parliamentary Under-Secretaries, for a total of four Junior Ministers.'

Temporary arrangement

In the interim, Hon Smith will occupy one of the two Junior Minister positions, which was held by Hon Dr Karl Dawson (R1), who was Junior Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries.

Premier Wheatley disclosed that the position of Minister of State was something Hon Smith was "very passionate" about in discussing her return to the government's side. 

Dr Dawson was relieved from his role as Junior Minister and will be nominated by the Premier as the next Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly (HoA) when they meet for the Continuation of the Third Sitting of the Second Session of the Fifth HoA on Monday, March 24, 2025. 

18 Responses to “Hon Lorna G. Smith sworn in as Jr Minister”

  • Eagle Eye (22/03/2025, 09:06) Like (20) Dislike (3) Reply
    Thought she was sign in as Senior Clown of State. Oh well my bad.
  • jack (22/03/2025, 09:09) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well sah
  • disappointed (22/03/2025, 09:21) Like (20) Dislike (4) Reply
    I am very disappointed in you Hon. Smith. I can never ever vote for you again. In fact, your shenanigans have me wondering if I should even vote in future elections.
  • key (22/03/2025, 09:29) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    When ayo going bring up the minimum wage... We doing everything else but that
  • good move (22/03/2025, 09:36) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    The opposition really ain't going no where, there is no future , no hope..a lot of us want to see change in the Health ministry People are doing in droves secretly at the Hill top Facility who puts money before life..This needs urgent attention..NHI needs Urgent attention..My vote next election is about one thing and one thing only, who is committed to address and fix NHI ASAP. These Private facilities Govt money is their priority not people's health. I said it because know it, I experience it. I've been to almost every Med facility on the Island, not impressed. What impress me is the satisfaction and attention I get and feel whenever I go to any of Govt clinics, private may sound better but its not better. This is what it is. PFP. Figure that out.
  • hmm (22/03/2025, 09:59) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    So we are concentrating on amending the constitution rather than fixing the infrastructure projects so that the junior minister does not need to be called junior!
  • Bunch of Clowns (22/03/2025, 11:42) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    From Deputy Premier to Jr. Minister, Lorna just can't seem to find her corner! These folks are just a bunch of clowns! What else do we need to be able to see that's they're only about self interest. I will never forget them with that GREEDY BILL!!!!!!
  • resident (22/03/2025, 12:33) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    hahahaha look comedy, she must be desperate to accept this humiliating demotion, i got too much pride to do that
  • BuzzBvi (22/03/2025, 14:37) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    How exciting she has accepted a role at the back of the classroom. What happened to the great Minister of State like the teacher standing out at the the front of the class??
  • Guest (22/03/2025, 17:08) Like (9) Dislike (6) Reply
    Leadership isn't about the seat you hold—it's about the difference you make. Even in a junior role, wisdom can lead the charge as a junior badge doesn’t lessen the senior mind behind it. Even from the back row, you can guide the whole orchestra.
    This is going to come down to influence and true influence reaches far beyond the bounds of authority or titles.
    • agreed (22/03/2025, 18:30) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      100% on point and they wil eventually get the title changed.
    • wisdom (23/03/2025, 01:43) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
      This is wisdom right here. People distracted by the noise and foolishness. The Premier bring her back in those spaces because he needs help and she's capable and well-respected in the financial services industry (which half of us know zilch about including its contribution to government coffers) internationally. The politics around this is a distraction. She's either good for the job or she's not power hungry or not. If she was a man, she wouldn't be getting so much flack for aiming to be in a position of power in which she has the credibility and authority to do her job and make a difference.
  • 4 what (22/03/2025, 18:26) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Four junior ministers?
  • SHE IS A CRICKET (22/03/2025, 21:05) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    AND HER BROTHER IS A GRASSHOPPER
  • HER BROTHERS CALLING THE SHOTS (22/03/2025, 21:07) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    SOMEBODY FROM THAT FAMILY MUST HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE...BOTTOMLINE
  • Delilah is back (22/03/2025, 21:09) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Fraser need to watch his back
  • LOL (22/03/2025, 21:10) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    Maybe she ran away from the 3 musketeers and all the confusion
  • WOW (23/03/2025, 10:43) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    So sad to think people actually believe she has expertise in Financial services, please stop repeating what others say without evidence, this lady is a sell out to our financial services. #whoknowsknows!


Create a comment


Submit comment

Create a comment

Submit comment
Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.