Henry Bellingham, the United Kingdom’s minister for the overseas territories, congratulated Premier Dr. Orlando Smith on his win in the general election last week.
“I look forward to meeting Dr. Smith soon at the Overseas Territories Consultative Council and working together to strengthen the close ties between the UK and the British Virgin Islands,” Mr. Bellingham said.
The minister also sent a message of thanks to the outgoing premier, Ralph O’Neal, recognising his long service and encouraging him to remain engaged in the issues affecting the territory, according to a statement from the Governor’s Office.
The minister also commented on the conduct of the elections, which, for the first time, were observed by a team provided by Caricom and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. During a press conference on Nov. 8, the observers praised the territory’s election process.
“I am delighted that the election observer mission has found the BVI elections to be fair, free and transparent,” Mr. Bellingham said. “This conclusion and the presence of the observer mission have shown that the British Virgin Islands have upheld the highest standards of democracy and that the result was a fair reflection of the wishes of the people of the British Virgin Islands.”