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article under the tag
lorna smith

May 8, 2025

EDITORIAL: $7.25 per hour is not enough

We are disappointed that Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley has decided to sidestep the advice of his own Minimum Wage Advisory Committee and increase the baseline hourly wage only to $7.25 …

Continue reading “EDITORIAL: $7.25 per hour is not enough”

by BVI Beacon
April 17, 2025

HOA blasts UK security review as guv stays tight-lipped

A proposal to give the governor sweeping new powers over areas including customs, immigration and financial investigations has been roundly condemned by both sides of the House of Assembly. HOA …

Continue reading “HOA blasts UK security review as guv stays tight-lipped”

by Allison Vaughn
April 9, 2025

EDITORIAL: ‘Minister of state’ plan is half-baked

Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley appears to be getting ahead of himself in his haste to lure opposition members to the government bench. He should slow down. When announcing recently that …

Continue reading “EDITORIAL: ‘Minister of state’ plan is half-baked”

by BVI Beacon
March 27, 2025

Skelton: ‘He stabbed me in the front’

A new rift has reopened old wounds in the House of Assembly. Ronnie Skelton said this week that Myron Walwyn “stabbed” him “in the front” to replace him as leader …

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by Shaun Connolly
March 13, 2025

Lorna Smith crosses aisle again

After less than five months on the opposition, At-Large Representative Lorna Smith has once again crossed the floor in a surprise move that strengthens Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley’s government by …

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by Shaun Connolly
February 27, 2025

Asia trip hit back at hit job on Virgin Islands, premier says

A top-level trade delegation to the far east has succeeded in combating recent international “media attacks” on the reputation of the territory’s financial services industry, according to Premier Natalio “Sowande” …

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by Shaun Connolly
February 6, 2025

Opposition trio launches ‘alliance’

In a cramped room last Thursday morning at Maria’s by the Sea, three opposition members pitched a new solution to the stagnation they said has bogged down both sides of …

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by Rushton Skinner
January 23, 2025

No-confidence vote still in works

On Friday, opposition members repeated a claim they have been making for four months, insisting that Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley should be ousted over his alleged failure to tackle rising …

Continue reading “No-confidence vote still in works”

by Shaun Connolly
January 9, 2025

Throne speech pegged to plan

The first Speech from the Throne in two years emphasised the elected government’s determination to push ahead with the six broad goals laid out in the territory’s National Sustainable Development …

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by Shaun Connolly
January 6, 2025

Premier blames wage-boost delay on cost-of-living concerns

Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley has acknowledged that low-paid workers were let down by the government’s sudden decision to delay a minimum-wage increase just before Christmas, but he said the planned …

Continue reading “Premier blames wage-boost delay on cost-of-living concerns”

by Shaun Connolly
Lorna Smith and Natalio Wheatley
December 18, 2024

EDITORIAL: Raise the minimum wage already

Government’s recent decision to suddenly postpone the long-planned minimum-wage increase was not acceptable. The $2.50-per-hour increase to $8.50 per hour, approved by the House of Assembly earlier this year, was …

Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Raise the minimum wage already”

by BVI Beacon
December 5, 2024

Government to review cost of living

A review of duties on essential items imported into the territory is likely to come soon, according to Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley. Responding recently to concerns about the high cost …

Continue reading “Government to review cost of living”

by Shaun Connolly
December 5, 2024

Base wage increase delayed

A surprise move this week saw the long-heralded boost to the minimum wage indefinitely delayed without an explanation from Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley. The announcement, which drew fire from the …

Continue reading “Base wage increase delayed”

by Shaun Connolly
November 25, 2024

Lorna Smith launches project series

A painting project, cultural gatherings and tree planting are among the activities planned as part of a community initiative launched this week by opposition member Lorna Smith. The at-large representative, …

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by The BVI Beacon
November 4, 2024

EDITORIAL: Smooth transition key amid minister shakeup

Sudden shifts in leadership are an occasional feature of any democracy, and dramatic Cabinet reshuffles are not unprecedented in the Virgin Islands. But after the latest shakeup, it is imperative …

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by BVI Beacon
October 24, 2024

Premier fires Lorna Smith

A dramatic shake-up of the government yesterday saw Lorna Smith ousted as deputy premier and opposition member Julian Fraser crossing the floor of the House of Assembly to replace her. …

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by Shaun Connolly
September 19, 2024

Financial services reforms continue

The House of Assembly suspended its usual rules on Monday to introduce and pass two financial services bills designed to avoid international sanction by bringing the territory in line with …

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by Allison Vaughn
September 19, 2024

House tackling last COI reform

The House of Assembly began tackling its final Commission of Inquiry reform this week as legislators debated the first of five bills designed to improve the governance of five statutory …

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by Allison Vaughn
September 4, 2024

12 bills laid days before COI deadline

Two days before the missed Saturday deadline for completing the sweeping reforms recommended by the Commission of Inquiry, the House of Assembly suspended its usual rules to introduce 12 bills. …

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by Allison Vaughn
August 23, 2024

A $13 million mistake

In the 2024 Budget Address last November, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley announced a Cabinet decision to include about $10 million in this year’s budget to ensure that all public …

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by Allison Vaughn
August 15, 2024

HOA okays vetting law enforcers

Certain prison, customs and immigration officers could soon be subject to new vetting requirements under a bill the House of Assembly passed recently in accordance with a Commission of Inquiry …

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by Allison Vaughn
August 2, 2024

HOA limits Cabinet’s power over contracts

Despite dissent from five opposition members, the House of Assembly narrowly voted on Tuesday to dramatically limit Cabinet’s discretion over contract awards in keeping with recommendations from the 2022 Commission …

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by Allison Vaughn
March 15, 2024

HOA votes to up penalties for withholding stats

As part of efforts to help government collect information as the census continues, lawmakers have passed a bill designed to impose harsher penalties on people who withhold statistics they are …

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by Allison Vaughn
August 23, 2023

VI mission strengthens Guyana links

Representatives from the Virgin Islands private sector joined leaders including Deputy Premier Lorna Smith, Junior Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Dr. Karl Dawson, and BVI Finance CEO Elise Donovan in …

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by Dana Kampa
August 3, 2023

17-member delegation visits Guyana

Deputy Premier Lorna Smith is leading a 17-member delegation on a trade mission designed to strengthen ties between the Virgin Islands and Guyana. The mission’s “packed agenda” — which is …

Continue reading “17-member delegation visits Guyana”

by ZARRIN TASNIM AHMED

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