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‘I don’t see her as a traitor’- Maris Hodge-Wright on Hon Lorna G. Smith

Local businesswoman Mrs Maris Hodge- Wright has said while there have been complaints about the decision by Hon Lorn G. Smith, OBE to team up with the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), she is happy with her decision since the Government now has a balance of youth and fresh input from someone who is older and experienced. Photo: Facebook
While some in the Virgin Islands are openly against the decision made by now Deputy Premier Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE, to align herself with the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) to form the new government, others are happy with her decision and are embracing the new coalition Government. Photo: GIS/File
While some in the Virgin Islands are openly against the decision made by now Deputy Premier Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE, to align herself with the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) to form the new government, others are happy with her decision and are embracing the new coalition Government. Photo: GIS/File
Businesswoman Maris Hodge-Wright, 2nd from right, was a guest on Talking Points on May 8, 2023. Photo: Facebook
Businesswoman Maris Hodge-Wright, 2nd from right, was a guest on Talking Points on May 8, 2023. Photo: Facebook
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- While some in the Virgin Islands are openly against the decision made by now Deputy Premier Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE, to align herself with the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) to form the new government, others are happy with her decision and are embracing the new Government.

One such person is local businesswoman Mrs Maris Hodge-Wright, who was very candid about embracing the idea of a coalition Government while a guest on the Talking Points show on May 8, 2023.

This episode of the show, which was aired on ZBVI 780 AM and live-streamed on Facebook, was centred around issues affecting the Territory in the post-election period.

‘I am glad for her expertise’- Hodge-Wright

Hodge- Wright noted that while there have been complaints about Hon Smith’s decision to team up with the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), she is happy with her decision since the Government now has a balance of youth and fresh input from someone who is older and experienced.

This, she said, is a positive collaboration for the country.

“I don’t see her as a traitor. I am glad for her expertise, for somebody who’s fresh and who’s young. I think that he [Premier] brings new ideas, he brings another generation to the table that we hadn’t had in years. So, I’m kind of happy for that,” Hodge-Wright said.

She added that while she is not necessarily happy about all of the Ministries and those who were appointed Ministers, she is particularly happy with the Premier and Deputy Premier.

41 Responses to “‘I don’t see her as a traitor’- Maris Hodge-Wright on Hon Lorna G. Smith”

  • double standard (09/05/2023, 13:21) Like (44) Dislike (19) Reply
    After Lorna joined the VIP, Marlon held emergency meetings with the NDP to throw out Lorna from the party but could not hold party meetings over the past four years to build the party and get it ready for the 2023 elections only because he intended to hold on to the leadership of the party to its downfall. I am not supporting NDP anymore. I am with Lorna and VIP.
    • @double (09/05/2023, 19:19) Like (20) Dislike (15) Reply
      You all stop giving this woman press time. She is a power hungry politicians, and nothing more. You all know it!

  • Must admitt (09/05/2023, 13:25) Like (40) Dislike (16) Reply
    VIP has always been the only political party who respect women in power and always have a few women on its ticket each election. They have a history of women being Deputy Premier and also ministers in government. They have their faults, but they are more organized than the other political parties and are usually more respectful and know how to get a good balance of common sense with book sense.
  • Amazed (09/05/2023, 13:28) Like (47) Dislike (26) Reply
    I am amazed the NDP inner circle is more upset with Lorna than with selecting a man who has been arrested and may go to jail to be a critical part of the party and its future. Talk about double standards.
  • East End woman (09/05/2023, 13:29) Like (28) Dislike (6) Reply
    The addition of Lorna to the current composition of the VIP does bring balance in experience, youth, and gender.
  • Next.. (09/05/2023, 13:32) Like (29) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who cares? Those for her would not see anything against it and those who are not for her will see everything against it, In and between time, the sun continues to rise and set, and the BVI continue to push the white powder. Let's move on
  • indeed (09/05/2023, 13:35) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    I agree ????
  • WOW (09/05/2023, 13:35) Like (36) Dislike (5) Reply
    Imagine the Opposition guys have some of the BVI public focusing on Lorna and not on their greed, ego, personal ambitions, and self before country as to why they did not form the Government. This should be the focus. We should not allow them to switch the focus.
    • Lincoln T (09/05/2023, 19:57) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
      People need to see the real picture of why the opposition could not form the government though. It has nothing to do with the descriptions in your post. They needed Lorna to do so and she was not having it with that group. In her own words, she got more votes than the leader.

      If it was based on the amount of votes one received, then Mather should be premier and she has her rightful position, as deputy. Enough talk. It is what it is.
  • Sneaky (09/05/2023, 13:38) Like (32) Dislike (10) Reply
    Some of these people coming out of the woodwork to speak on behalf of Hon. Smith only because of the position she now holds and the power she now has. Stop kissing up. Half of you fully well know you all dont care for her but now publicly making these statements. No one cares! let's get the country moving.
  • cay (09/05/2023, 13:47) Like (28) Dislike (21) Reply
    Lorna the people remain in your corner
  • time will tell (09/05/2023, 13:54) Like (21) Dislike (6) Reply
    that's the issue here in this country . too much people with low morale.
  • VIP is with the times (09/05/2023, 13:55) Like (28) Dislike (16) Reply
    Ms L Smith saved the people from embarrassment and confusion running rampant!

    She had the foresight and was able to gain the trust and confidence of the people! I support the VIP and the VI to come up with social reform and new policies to improve our lives here for our people!
  • hmm (09/05/2023, 15:09) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply
    What else she supposed to say? Next!
    • @LOL (09/05/2023, 16:04) Like (3) Dislike (11) Reply
      Not a thing less!.. The own master of her house try to undermine and axe the MAJESTIC BLESSINGS before they opened. So to agree with to be in the Corner is her specialty.
      • look good (09/05/2023, 16:44) Like (5) Dislike (8) Reply
        The same Majestic Blessing is now trying to dig a hole for the master but be care them will soon fall in.....but the old people them have a saying ..always dig two hole...them forget and dig one.....
      • Talk wat u kno (09/05/2023, 17:44) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
        The same majestic owners are threatening and demanding people to do business with them. They will axe themselves. God don’t sleep
  • herbs power (09/05/2023, 15:41) Like (17) Dislike (19) Reply
    You must be a traitor yourself. If she runs again next election we shall see if the people was please with her move. I bet not.
  • Vip for the people (09/05/2023, 15:48) Like (24) Dislike (7) Reply
    The Country is truly moveing forward whether we like it or not.
  • Fragile opposition.. (09/05/2023, 15:58) Like (12) Dislike (9) Reply
    Don't be surprise if Myron or Mitch switch, or both of them.. This opposition is like Iron links tied together with threads...
    • Huh? (10/05/2023, 09:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Is it about love of country or plain out greed plus love of position and power that make these people switch about like they playing musical chairs?

      Tired of these political grasshoppers now.
  • she say that (09/05/2023, 16:05) Like (6) Dislike (10) Reply
    But we say she aint no good
  • Rhythm up.. (09/05/2023, 16:07) Like (33) Dislike (10) Reply
    Lorna is an excellent ingredient in the Govt mix..VIP is better with her. The country has a higher standard with Lorna...
  • Observer (09/05/2023, 17:52) Like (21) Dislike (2) Reply
    Before the election NDP 1 and NDP 2 tried to merge and it didn’t happen.
    The elections results gave NDP 1, NDP 2, PU enough seats to form the government and the men went to sleep and because of the many egos they couldn’t form the government. The people voted for VIP to be the nexT government and Lorna made the best decision to join the VIP to bring balance and experience to the VIP so the country can function. People of the BVI the focus should be on those opposite member who could not form the government and ask yourselves if it is about power or country.
    • Think about it seriously (10/05/2023, 13:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      It could not happen because of her. That's why they could not form a government.
  • Blind Bartemeous (09/05/2023, 18:26) Like (3) Dislike (8) Reply
    How can she see when she is just as blind as everybody else who is in acceptance. You see this deceit, it's going to be the destruction of this country if care isnot taken.

    Let nothing happen to the Premier. Let the wicked plans for power and position die in Jesus name.
  • Tongue Fu (09/05/2023, 18:41) Like (21) Dislike (5) Reply
    Of course it was a betrayal. They were people who would have voted for her cause she was on the NDP ticket or she was not a VIP. Add to that she used the NDP umbrella so she betrayed her team. Alvera did similar and where is she now? There is no doubt in my mind that Lorna would not have garnered that number of votes as an independent.

    Be that as it may that’s politics. It’s time to move on to governance.
    • Jill (09/05/2023, 20:00) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      I agree wholeheartedly!
    • @Tongue Fu (09/05/2023, 20:57) Like (5) Dislike (7) Reply
      There are also NDP voters and PVIM voters who also voted for VIP district and At-Large candidates. This is not betrayal but democracy.
  • VOTER6BVI (09/05/2023, 19:02) Like (16) Dislike (8) Reply
    A WOMAN OF CLASS DON'T NEED TO BE IN CONFUSION. THE OPPOSITION IS POUR CONFUSION THEY CAN'T EVEN CATCH THEMSELVES FROM WHAT HIT THEM WELCOME ON BOARD WE THE VIP LOVES YOU.
  • INTRESTING (09/05/2023, 19:49) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why is this news?
  • Joker (09/05/2023, 20:04) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    People like this one would have said the same thing about a different government. That’s called ”an opportunist” who will always be on Government’s side.
  • Things have changed (09/05/2023, 21:10) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    Lorna was useful in her day but sooo much has changed in the financial services industry I wonder how much she can contribute at this time. By the time she catch up the four years over.
  • Citizen (09/05/2023, 21:39) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    I do we voted against vip and she betrayed us for power
    • Hmmmm (10/05/2023, 14:02) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      We did not vote against VIP! You are confused. VIP is the Government, so what you mean they were voted against.
  • Struupes (10/05/2023, 16:24) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    who cares what you see her as? How is this news??? sturrupes


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