Commentator Douglas Wheatley related on his Speak Out BVI show aired last evening, September 17, 2013 that he was confronted by a resident who asked that he 'ease off' of Premier Dr The Hon. D. Orlando Smith (above). Photo: VINO/File

The commentator said he felt it was important that as a citizen of this Territory he should be able to bring something to the attention of the Premier or any other Member of the House of Assembly or Cabinet if he notices something that is amiss or is not right. Photo: VINO/File

According to a press release issued by the Government Information Services (GIS), Premier Smith met with other leaders of Overseas Territories in Gibraltar on September 9, 2013 in a planning meeting for the upcoming meeting of the Joint Ministerial Council with the United Kingdom in November 2013. Photo: www.malagaweb.com

Wheatley related on his Speak Out BVI show aired last evening, September 17, 2013 that he was confronted by a resident who asked that he "ease off" of Dr Smith.

According to Mr Wheatley, the resident asked: "Doug, why don't you ease off Dr Smith? Whatever he does you seem to criticize."

Mr Wheatley said he couldn't tell whether the person was serious or just "pulling his legs", but he felt it necessary to clarify that it was not a case where he did not "love" Dr Smith, but he felt it was important that as a citizen of this Territory he should be able to bring something to the attention of the Premier or any other Member of the House of Assembly or Cabinet if he notices something that is amiss or is not right.

Wheatley said the resident's query was premised on a comment he made previously in relation to a trip taken by the Premier to Gibraltar. "What I did say that gave rise to the comment was that the Premier, Dr Smith, was in Gibraltar and he said that he was there to strategise with the other OTs [Overseas Territories] on getting a unified position on [a Ministerial meeting] scheduled for some time in November."

According to a press release issued by the Government Information Services (GIS), Premier Smith met with other leaders of Overseas Territories in Gibraltar on September 9, 2013 in a planning meeting for the upcoming meeting of the Joint Ministerial Council with the United Kingdom in November 2013.

The Joint Ministerial Council or JMC is a group comprising Premiers /Chief Ministers of OTs and members of the UK Government.

According to the release, discussions were had in the areas of investments and economic diversification, financial services, employment and vocational education, governance and governors. It is expected that these are some of the areas that will be included on the agenda with Her Majesty's government for further discussion at the JMC.

Wheatley expressed that he simply said he was not aware that the Premier had sought the views or ideas of his constituency back here in the Virgin Islands and that to go over to Gibraltar to agree on a position with other OTs for a presentation to the UK without any reference to the Virgin Islands "I thought that was a little dangerous to do".

Premier Smith, he reminded, is everyone's Premier and he wants him to succeed as does everyone else, "When he succeeds it means that we will all succeed and that is what we want," Wheatley said.

He related that Premier Smith reportedly comes from a very religious background and should be familiar with the biblical scripture, Hebrews 12:6 which states "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth."

"If I find or we find that they are slipping in any way, inadvertently or otherwise, I think we have a responsibility to bring it to their attention," Wheatley said.

He added that he was simply saying to Premier Smith that leaders are the best when people get behind them.