BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas has told the new Premier of the British Virgin Islands that the clear mandate reposed in his National Democratic Party “is indicative of their confidence in your leadership and capacity to advance the development of the Territory.”
“You assume office during a most challenging period regionally and globally and would no doubt be acutely recognizant of your role in maintaining the social, political and economic gains made by the British Virgin Islands over these past several years,” Prime Minister Douglas told the Hon. Dr. D. Orlando Smith, who was sworn in on Wednesday after his NDP won 9 of the 13 seats in the House of assembly.
Prime Minister Douglas, who is also current Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), told Premier Smith that the sub-region, and indeed the entire Caribbean, “anticipates your active participation as we endeavour to promote and strengthen regionalism so that tremendous benefits continue to redound to our people.”
“In your pursuit of efforts to further develop the British Virgin Islands, rest assured that the people of St. Kitts and Nevis, given the strong bonds of friendship between our two countries, offer our assistance and a commitment to further cooperation,” said the St. Kitts and Nevis leader.
“I therefore offer my support and sincere hope that your service to the citizens, residents will be productive and worthy of the confidence which they have placed in the National Democratic Party. Mr. Premier, accept my best wishes for your personal well-being and profound expressions of good will and prosperity as you embark on leading the Government and People of the British Virgin Islands,” said Prime Minister Douglas.
CANA News in a profile states: Hon. Dr. D. Orlando Smith is no newcomer to government in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). The 67-year-old physician has been Chief Minister from 2003 to 2007 and will once again take over the mantle from Ralph T. O’Neal after his National Democratic Party (NDP) romped home to a 9-4 victory over the incumbent Virgin Islands Party (VIP).
Dr. Smith, who specialises in obstetrics, had been the BVI’s chief medical officer for many years before and after entering politics.
He was first elected to the Legislative Council following the 1999 general election as the head of the newly formed NDP.
In 2003 Dr. Smith led the NDP to victory, defeating the ruling VIP that lost its first election since 1971.
But the VIP regained the government in 2007 inflicting a severe defeat on the NDP that won only two seats including that of Dr. Smith.
During his political career Dr. Smith has stood in each election as an “At Large” candidate, and so is not affiliated with any individual political district.
A popular politician, he has been able to comfortably win his seat, gaining at times the most votes cast in the general election. He also retains the distinction being the only person to have been elected as a territorial At-Large candidate in each of the four elections where at-large candidates have been elected.
When he presented his NDP’s manifesto during the campaign, Smith said the beauty about it is that “It has been developed after a conversation between all of us young and old; a dynamic conversation which began 12 years ago and one in which your thoughts, your ideas continue to be the rock on which this document is founded.”
He said his party’s policies are not about making a great song and dance about laying it on the table of the House of Assembly which signifies its accomplishments over a four year-period.
“Rather we will do as we did four years ago – put all the components into a Legislative Agenda, or to break this down – a four year work plan – that forms the basis of our stewardship to you the people of this territory! In so doing we are positioning ourselves to be accountable to you.”
Photo: New Premier of the British Virgin Islands, Hon. Dr. D Orlando Smith (center) being sworn in by His Excellency the Governor McCleary as Deputy Governor Mrs. Inez Archibald (left) and Deputy Premier Hon. Dr. Kedrick Pickering (right) look on. Photo: Andre ‘Shadow’ Dawson
