LANDSLIDE VICTORY FOR NDP
DR ORLANDO SMITH IS THE NEW CHIEF MINISTER

By Angela Burns Piper
It was a ceremony with a difference as the new Ministers for the 15^th Legislative Council of the Virgin Islands were sworn in during a ceremony at the Central Administration complex on Tuesday around 4:30pm.
The ceremony was different because it was not held as usual in the Governor’s office and attended by a handful of persons. It was held out in the open and attended by hundreds of supporters of the new National Democratic Party, government workers and other public and private sector individuals. “This was at the express wish of the new Executive Council,” stated Deputy Governor Mr. Elton Georges, who chaired the ceremony.
It was also an historic occasion because a musical selection was part of the programme, rendered by local recording artist Ouida Nisbett, who sang a popular campaign song for the NDP “I Can See Clearly Now the Rain is Gone” at the end of the programme.

Before performing his duties of inducting into office Her Majesty’s new Ministers in the British Virgin Islands, His Excellency Governor Thomas Macan used the opportunity to congratulate new Chief Minister Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith and his NDP colleagues on their victory at the polls on Monday June 16^th. “This was no mean achievement,” he stated, wishing them every strength and success in carrying out their duties.
The Governor, who was seen visiting all but two of the polling stations and two of the counting stations on Election Day, pointed out that it was a long and well-fought campaign with few cries of foul. He quoted and agreed with former Chief Minister Ralph T. O’Neal, who said that this was a tribute to the BVI approach to democracy.

His Excellency placed on record his thanks to the Elections Office, commenting that this was a well-planned exercise.
“I have a strong aversion to litter and general untidiness, so I also want to say thanks to all those persons who removed every speck of election material from throughout the islands before Monday,” he continued.
As for the programme of the day, the Governor then administered the oaths of allegiance by the various Ministers  Chief Minister Dr. Hon. D. Orlando Smith (Minister of Health & Welfare), Deputy Chief Minister Hon. Ronnie W. Skelton (Minister of Finance), Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Paul P. Wattley, Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Lloyd Black and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Hon. J. Alvin Christopher.
The backbenchers will be Hon. Eileene Lucia Parsons, Dr. the Hon. Kedrick Pickering and Hon. Delores Christopher, while the Members of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition will be Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal, Hon. Julian Fraser, Hon. Mark Vanterpool, Hon. Omar Hodge and Hon. Andrew Fahie.
“Wow, what a feeling!” were the first official words from the new Chief Minister Dr. the Hon. Smith as he prepared to give remarks following his swearing.

He said on Monday June 16^th, 2003, the people spoke and their message was clear, they wanted a change. He agreed that it was a long and hard fought campaign, thanked leader of the Virgin Islands Party Ralph T. O’Neal for a strong campaign and wished him well as the re-elected Representative for the 9^th District.

Chief Minister Smith also publicly thanked his NDP colleagues. “You have done me proud and the nation a great service.” He also thanked party chairman and campaign manager Russell Harrigan, who helped to propel the party to victory, all of the NDP supporters and his family.
“I extend my gratitude to the people who have taken the courageous step of putting optimism above doubt; you boldly called for a new direction and we rejoice in the change and are humbled by your trust,” he declared.
The new Chief Minister said his government is aware that this victory is not the end but just the beginning. However, he said collectively, no problem will be too big to solve. “We can and we will accomplish great things together.”

He said the NDP has pledged to listen to the people and will hold themselves to that beginning immediately with a series of meetings throughout the districts to introduce the new government and hear the hopes and needs of the people.

“We all can be proud with the way this election was conducted, we now have new leadership, it will be a transition, but all in all, we must put party differences aside and come together to address the shared challenges,” Chief Minister Smith said.

He said the coming years will present enormous opportunities requiring the input of all. He said politics must give way to governance and rhetoric to action. “We pledge to reach out to all to join us in meeting the needs of the people.”

The NDP leader said this has been a victory for change, but it is only one step in a long journey. He said the issues that divide us are smaller than the fundamental values that unite us and we must set ourselves to the task of building a better day.

At the end of the ceremony, Deputy Governor Elton Georges invited the new Ministers to enter the Administration Complex to meet their staff. And concomitant with the occasion, scores of persons took the opportunity to congratulate the new Ministers through hugs, handshakes, words of encouragement and the like.