According to a Government Information Service (GIS) press release, Premier Smith will join other premiers, chief ministers and officials from the Overseas Territories (OTs).

They will meet with the Minister for Overseas Territories Mr. Henry Bellingham MP, other ministers of HMG and senior officials to discuss key policy issues and the relationship among counterparts. “This meeting is critical to the direction of all Overseas Territories,”

Premier Smith told the Department of Information and Public Relations. “The Overseas Territories must build a healthy and productive relationship with the British Government within the framework of modern partnership.”

The OTs’ list of agenda items include discussions on the proposed OT Strategy and White Paper; aviation safety; financial services and economic development; good governance, financial management and economic planning; community and local government issues; culture, media and sports issues, criminal justice; business, innovation and skills issues; pension and labour issues; and environment and climate change issues.

Prior to the OTCC meeting the Premier will attend a bi-lateral meeting with Bellingham to discuss a number of pressing matters. While in London the Premier will also meet with the new chairman and members of the BVI All Party Parliamentary Group. He will also be briefed by representatives of Air Safety Support International (ASSI) on a number of aviation matters.

Hon. Smith’s delegation includes Financial Secretary Neil Smith; Assistant Secretary for External Affairs in the Premier’s Office Najan Christopher; elected representative for the eighth district Marlon Penn; advisor Lorna Smith, OBE, and from the BVI London Office, Director Kedrick Malone and Political Analyst Benito Wheatley.

The Premier and delegation will return to the Territory on Saturday November 26.

Meanwhile, in the Premier’s absence from the Territory, Deputy Premier Dr. Kedrick Pickering will be performing the duties of the premier, the press release added. According to Section 55 (1) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007 the Governor, “If the Premier is expected to be absent from the Virgin Islands for more than forty-eight hours, the Governor shall authorise the Deputy Premier to perform the functions of the office of Premier.”