Describing it as her own proverbial elephant in the room, Smith said the BVI’s crime situation has been on the increase. “It looks to me like an increase in organised crime, and sadly not only the young people but some families get lured in,” Smith stated at a National Democratic Party (NDP) rally over the weekend.

“I say to you, gang violence and gun deaths must end. While we also ensure our beautiful country does not become a garage for the global drug trade,” Smith said.

According to the former First Lady, if elected into office, the NDP commits to working with residents, the governor and the UK “to stamp out this plague in our territory”.

She added: “We must also reach out to those young people because a strong and resilient community will resist such temptations.”

Smith described the upcoming elections as the most important in our lifetime and said this was not only because of the events which have occurred over the past two years, but also because of the poor condition in which the territory finds itself.

Among the priorities Smith promised to address once elected are the BVI’s high cost of living, crumbling infrastructure, and the poor healthcare system. She also noted that she intends to press for a more sustainable future for young men and women.