I have never admired or respected Premier Dr. Orlando Smith more than I do as I write this letter on June 19. Of all the options he could have chosen in response to the public challenge to his leadership posed by the rank and file of his National Democratic Party, he chose to be the bigger man. He announced his decision not to seek re-election in the upcoming general elections, and in so doing he has paved the way to restoring the dignity of leadership for the sake of the Virgin Islands.
The public challenge to his leadership was a sign of disrespect from the highest levels of authority that unfortunately could set an example for everyone to follow. If legislators don’t show respect for their leader, why should children respect their parents and older people? Why should children obey and respect their teachers? Why should the public have regard for the law enforcement authorities? Example set, example followed!
This disrespect is not something that started just yesterday. A review of the records of the meetings of the House of Assembly will show that other members of the House have at times, in not the most subtle way, arrogated to themselves the prerogative which belonged to the premier. A less tolerant kind of premier would have fired one or two of the ministers, and that might have kept the others in line. It is now left to be seen if dignified leadership is to be replaced by rabble rousing and the cancer of impatient lust for power.
And why should anybody care? All of us who intend to continue living in these Virgin Islands should care because the territory is caught in a downward spiral which must be arrested. We have to open our eyes and recognise that we have lost our way. We have to humble ourselves and repent of our wicked ways if we want God to heal our land. If we can find our way back to righteousness it will exalt our little nation. Let us begin with respect for authority.