Territory Over Party Says Lorna Smith

National Democratic Party (NDP) Territorial-At-Large elected member Lorna Smith says she put the territory first by forming an alliance with the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) to secure a majority in the Fifth House of Assembly.

“I campaigned on putting the people of the BVI first,” Smith said in an exclusive interview with jahphixtelevision.com Cathy Richards today, April 25.

The VIP won six seats, just one short of having a majority in the House of Assembly. VIP seats were secured by Karl Dawson in the First  Electoral District, Luce Hodge-Smith in the Fourth  Electoral District, Kye Rhymer in the Fifth Electoral District, Chairman Dr. Natalio Wheatley in the Seventh Electoral District and Vincent Wheatley in Ninth Electoral District.  Sharie De Castro won one of the four Territorial-At-Large.

Smith’s party – NDP won three seats: Myron Walwyn in the Sixth Electoral District and Marlon Penn in the Eight Electoral District. Lorna Smith won one the four Territorial-At Large seats.

Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) secured three seats  – Mitch Turnbull returned as Second Electoral District Representative and Skelton and Stacey ‘Buddha’ Mather won two of the four Territorial-At-Large seats.

PU Chairman Julian Fraser was re-elected as the Third Electoral District Representative.

Before 11pm on Monday, the Supervisor of Election Scherrie Griffin announced the final results for the territory’s nine electoral districts at the Multi- Purpose Sport Complex.

With no clear winner, political parties held discussions hours into the early morning with an aim to forge a workable alliance.

Smith, the wife of former NDP chairman and retired Premier, said she was approached by the VIP and decided to forge an alliance which will return the incumbent party chairman Dr Wheatley to the position of Premier.

Reports are that Smith will be the territory’s Deputy Premier.

Governor John Rankin earlier today received a letter supporting the appointment of Dr. Wheatley as Premier and for him to form the Government of the territory  in accordance with Section 52 of the VI Constitution Order, 2007.

In accordance with Section 52 of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order the Governor will swear in Dr. Premier, and his Ministers, at 6.30 p.m. at Government House.

A total of 42 candidates contested the April 24 polls. Advance Polling was on April 20.