ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI — October 1, 2026 — Independent political candidate Lesmore Smith is making his intentions for the Fifth Electoral District increasingly visible, with a new campaign billboard outlining what he describes as his “Commitment to District 5.”
The billboard, now visible in the district, carries the slogan “Less Talk. More Work.” and identifies Smith as a candidate for District 5.
Smith’s campaign message centres on six areas:
- Support programmes for seniors
- Youth empowerment and development
- District beautification
- Economic opportunities
- Restoration of historical sites
- Community revitalization
The billboard also carries the tagline “Country Above Self. People Over Power. Results That Matter.”
Smith, a businessman and community figure, announced earlier this year that he intends to contest the Fifth District as an independent candidate in the next general election. He is seeking the seat currently held by Virgin Islands Party representative Kye Rymer, who won the district in both 2019 and 2023.
A return to district politics
Smith is no stranger to electoral politics.
He previously contested the 2019 general election as a Progressive Virgin Islands Movement candidate for an At-Large seat, receiving 1,063 votes. Official election results show that he subsequently contested the 2023 election as an independent At-Large candidate, receiving 851 votes.
His political path has since shifted from an At-Large contest to a district race.
In April, Smith said he was canvassing in the Fifth District and described himself as an independent “for now,” while leaving open the possibility of associating with a political party.
By September, however, Smith was publicly presenting himself as an independent candidate for the Fifth District.
“Our children are hurting, our seniors are suffering”
In a recent interview reported by BVI Platinum, Smith said his motivation for entering the Fifth District race is rooted partly in his own upbringing.
He recalled growing up with a mother who worked as a domestic worker and a father who was a farmer, and described experiences from his childhood in which his family sometimes needed assistance from others.
“Our children are hurting, our seniors are suffering, and we need help,” Smith said.
He has said his experiences shaped his desire to advocate for residents who need additional support.
What the billboard says about his campaign
The new billboard provides one of the clearest snapshots yet of the issues Smith intends to place at the centre of his district campaign.
Senior support and youth development appear alongside economic development, suggesting a campaign message that combines social programmes with opportunities for residents.
The references to historical-site restoration and community revitalization also place emphasis on the physical and cultural development of the district.
Smith’s campaign is ultimately framed around three short statements:
Country Above Self.
People Over Power.
Results That Matter.
Whether those themes develop into specific policy proposals remains to be seen as the campaign progresses.
For now, the billboard represents another visible sign that the Fifth District contest is beginning to take shape, with Smith positioning himself as an independent candidate promising “Less Talk. More Work.”