Hon Lorna Smith hits back @ Premier over firing
Hon Smith said in the post, “In light of recent public statements made by the Premier of the Virgin Islands concerning my termination, I believe it is essential to provide a full and accurate account of the circumstances surrounding this matter. The Premier’s remarks, while addressing his perspective, do not fully capture the facts or context of the situation.”
Refuting Premier’s reasons for her firing
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) in announcing the changes to the government and Cabinet said Hon Smith did not give him the “confidence” that she would remain with his administration for the duration of this term, leaving “room for uncertainty, and political instability, which we cannot afford at this time.”
Hon Smith has publicly dismissed the Premier’s reasoning for her firing during a press conference called shortly after her dismissal saying they have “no merit”.
According to the letter dated October 28, 2024, addressed to Premier Wheatley and copied to Governor Daniel Pruce, Hon Smith said, “The House represents democracy at work. It should never be used as a mechanism by which a Premier found wanting can choose to ignore the voice of the people, as expressed through a no confidence vote of the members of the House and remain in power.”
She added that though she was uncertain on October 14, 2024, as to how she would vote she did indicate on the morning of October 16, 2024, that “I would stand with you in the interest of stability for the country”.
Offered ministries as Junior Minister
According to Hon Smith’s letter following her public dismissal Premier Wheatley phoned her offering her the portfolios of Financial Services, Labour and Trade as a Junior Minister which she declined.
“[It is] clear that you still believe me to be the best, most appropriate, and most experienced person for those positions, and that continuity in those roles is important for the success of the initiatives underway in those ministries,” she wrote in her response.
The former government minister also said this offer also makes it clear her dismissal had nothing to do with her performance but “everything to do with your increasingly tenuous grip on power and support within Cabinet”.
She also shared that in her view, the Ministries of Financial Services, Labour and Trade are of the highest importance and therefore “cannot belong with a junior ministerial position” as they are vital to the VI’s economy representing sixty percent of the Territory’s income.
Her third reason for declining the Premier’s offer to remain in his Cabinet as a Junior Minister she revealed was because she could no longer support Dr. Wheatley as Premier due to his recent actions.
When contacted by Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) Premier Wheatley said he had no comment on the matter.
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42 Responses to “Hon Lorna Smith hits back @ Premier over firing”
“According to Hon Smith’s letter following her public dismissal Premier Wheatley phoned her offering her the portfolios of Financial Services, Labour and Trade as a Junior Minister which she declined.
“[It is] clear that you still believe me to be the best, most appropriate, and most experienced person for those positions, and that continuity in those roles is important for the success of the initiatives underway in those ministries,” she wrote in her response.
The former government minister also said this offer also makes it clear her dismissal had nothing to do with her performance but “everything to do with your increasingly tenuous grip on power and support within Cabinet”.
She also shared that in her view, the Ministries of Financial Services, Labour and Trade are of the highest importance and therefore “cannot belong with a junior ministerial position” as they are vital to the VI’s economy representing sixty percent of the Territory’s income.“
No one cares to hear the truth just keep it moving you yourself have not been truthful and now keep balling balling move on. Regardless of what he said the point is he does not want to work with you. Focus on that not what he said
Merry Christmas, enjoy your gift!
the "voice of the people"
as expressed through the house of representatives
laughable. I have nothing against Hon. Smith but that statement is ironic.
Let's have the people then vote for the Premiership then. and let the people vote for no confidence. Start the process on electronic/mobile voting. It will be simple.
This fellow trying to put her in a Junior Minister position to manage our main economic pillar…you know how that looks for the BVI???!?!!
Imagine her going away to speak on financial services as a Junior Minister…stand for something or you’ll fall for anything!!!!!!!!
Time to stop the TiT r TaT SOSo %^&&*#$.
&^$&% got fired and crying she 4got the game shes in
Can't believe that all you still with that.
Which one of you after understanding that Mrs Smith seemed to be vacilating Which have trusted her to vote in your favor if the noconfindence motion came to a vote?
If Wheatley didn't do what he did, he would be in opposition today.
The trouble is that none of us can say for certain that the premier would settle down, put a man head on his shoulders and lead the country as he should.
The BVI after all these years don't have any sort of infrastructure to be proud of, nothing.
Can Wheatley take all the blame for that?
Governments past and present must equally shoulder their portion of the blame equally.
Could showers of rain and all the roads fail, all the ghuts fail. Every piece of infrastructure which is public fail.
How do we progress if we continue to do things the same yet expect to get different results