Smith-Thompson Urges End to Hand-outs
Educator and TVET advocate Dr Arlene Smith-Thompson is urging voters to move away from a culture of political hand-outs and push for policies that build self-sufficiency and generational wealth. She says she is seriously considering a run in the upcoming general election but has not yet announced whether she will stand as an independent or with a party.
Dr Arlene Smith-Thompson is calling on Virgin Islands voters to reject what she described as a growing culture of “hand-outs” and to demand leaders who create opportunities for self-sufficiency rather than dependency. Speaking on the Talking Points programme, the educator and long-time Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) advocate urged the electorate to think beyond short-term benefits. “Sadly, we’ve become such a hand-out society,” she said, arguing that leaders should focus on building generational wealth and leaving a stronger legacy for future Virgin Islanders.
Using the familiar analogy, she said it is better to teach someone to fish than to keep giving them fish. Smith-Thompson, who unsuccessfully contested the 2019 general election, stopped short of formally declaring a candidacy for the next poll but told listeners she is “seriously thinking about throwing my hat in the ring.” She said she wants to control the timing of any announcement and is weighing whether to run under a party banner or as an independent.
The question of independence is significant: she pointed to roughly 6,800 eligible voters who did not cast ballots in the last election and noted growing frustration with traditional party politics. Her comments come as conversations about post-hurricane recovery, infrastructure, youth employment and social services continue to shape public debate.
Smith-Thompson framed her potential candidacy as driven by a desire to be part of practical solutions rather than remain on the sidelines. She has become more vocal in recent months on social media and in public commentary, often highlighting the role of education and vocational training in addressing unemployment and creating career pathways for young people.
For BVI residents, her call touches on enduring questions about the best way to use public resources: immediate relief versus investment in skills, business growth and homegrown industries that can produce long-term returns. Advocates of TVET argue that targeted training, apprenticeships and support for small businesses can reduce reliance on periodic assistance and help build sustainable incomes across communities.
As the territory approaches its next general election in the coming months, Smith-Thompson’s remarks add to a broader chorus urging voters to prioritise structural reforms and opportunity creation. She says a formal decision on candidacy will come in due course, with the strategy shaped by how voters express their appetite for a different political culture.
Primary source: BVI News