ROAD TOWN, Tortola — Junior Minister for Financial Services and Economic Development Lorna Smith has signalled that she intends to contest the upcoming General Election alongside the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government, further clarifying where she stands politically as the Territory’s political landscape continues to take shape.
Speaking on Talking Points, Smith said she is “very much with the government,” adding that she works with the administration, supports its efforts and “enjoys working with them.”
Smith went further, saying she believes the government is doing an “excellent job” and that she plans to contest the upcoming elections with the administration.
However, she stopped short of making a formal announcement, saying she would leave that responsibility to the chairman of the VIP — Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley.
The comments appear to settle, at least for now, questions surrounding Smith’s political direction ahead of the election.
Smith’s political relationship with the VIP Government has been closely watched since the 2023 General Election, when she joined forces with the VIP-led administration after the results failed to produce a clear governing majority. Her decision at the time became one of the most consequential political developments following the election.
Smith subsequently served as Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade before being removed from Cabinet in October 2024. She later returned to the government as Junior Minister for Financial Services and Economic Development in 2025.
The Vanterpool connection
Smith’s latest comments are also likely to draw additional attention because of her family connection to Mark Vanterpool, the leader of the newly established People’s Leadership Movement (PLM).
Vanterpool, Smith’s brother, is himself contesting the upcoming election under the PLM banner. The former Fourth District representative has said the PLM intends to field candidates across the Territory and has positioned the movement as an alternative political force heading into the election.
That family relationship is likely to remain a subject of public interest as the two siblings now appear to be heading into the election from different political camps.
The political history between the two has also attracted scrutiny.
Smith’s decision to align with the VIP following the 2023 election has continued to generate debate, with some members of the public attributing the move to Vanterpool’s influence. The perception has at times been expressed in the phrase that Vanterpool “walked her across the aisle to the VIP.”
Vanterpool himself addressed that issue earlier this year, rejecting the suggestion that he orchestrated or pressured Smith into joining the VIP administration. Speaking on Morning Facts, he said Smith was “very clear-minded” and made the decision herself. He nevertheless said he supported her decision and believed her expertise was more beneficial to the Territory from within government than from the Opposition benches.
That history makes Smith’s latest declaration particularly noteworthy.
With Vanterpool now leading PLM and Smith indicating that she expects to contest the election with the VIP, voters will be watching closely to see how the siblings’ respective political paths develop — and whether their relationship becomes a factor in the increasingly active political conversation ahead of the General Election.
For now, however, Smith’s position appears clear: she says she is working with, supporting and enjoying working with the current government, and expects to contest the election alongside it, pending the formal announcement from Premier Wheatley.