Beautiful Virgin Islands

Thursday, Jul 03, 2025

'We have become more unfriendly & unloving to each other'-Lesmore Smith

'We have become more unfriendly & unloving to each other'-Lesmore Smith

Former Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) At-Large candidate Lesmore Smith has urged that the core values and principles of late Chief Minister Hamilton Lavity Stoutt be upheld by the [British] Virgin Islands (VI).

Mr Smith's statement came on March 6, 2023, the public holiday to celebrate the birth anniversary of the late H. Lavity Stoutt.

“Let’s remember his mantra: ‘Where there is no vision the people perished,’" Mr Smith said.

“Our survival as a people and a nation, beholds us to become responsible, for what we say or do about and to each other.

“I’ll be the first to admit I’m not and would never be perfect in this life. That doesn’t give me the right, to look down at the other person despite their strengths or weaknesses. We organised marches to the government house, to save our democracy, but at the same time we create social media conversations to destroy what’s left of us and this is not right”, he continued.

Businessman Lesmore Smith, who unsuccessfully contested for a seat at the 2019 General Election in the Virgin Islands, had made it known since December 2022 that he would be vying for a seat at the 2023 elections.



Where is the love?

Smith said there is also a need for love and respect toward each other.

"We seemed to [have] become more unfriendly and unloving to each other...What more do we need for us to respect and appreciate each other?”

He pointed to the present climate with young people, whom he noted are crying out for help while adults constantly fight against each other.

“Where is our leadership and support in their success?

“The things we do and say are not helpful, in them making positive decisions. They’re looking up to us for directions but it seems like we’re looking at them instead. We claimed it’s the British Invasion but we are our own invaders. We asked the rest of the world for help to save us but we need to help ourselves by changing the things we say about each other. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link”, Mr Smith said.

'I'm a proud Virgin Islander'- Smith

He noted; however, that each individual has a right to democracy and they have to live with their decision.

“Our friendship or association is also a democratic process. We don’t have the right to affiliate or align it for our own selfish gains.

“I’m a proud British Virgin Islander. This country and its people have done well for me in my development. I’ve never been ungrateful in giving and helping anyone in time of need”, Mr Smith said.

Smith, who is now contesting as an Independent At-Large candidate, had initially announced last December, that he was running as At-Large candidate with the Party, only to later be forced off the ticket, after he was asked to run in the Fifth District.

He reportedly opted not to, as his slot was taken by a former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Ingrid A. Moses.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
×