Orlando Smith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Orlando Smith
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| Premier of the British Virgin Islands | |
| In office 9 November 2011 – 26 February 2019 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor | John Duncan Augustus Jaspert |
| Preceded by | Ralph O'Neal |
| Succeeded by | Andrew Fahie |
| In office 17 June 2003 – 23 August 2007 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor | Tom Macan Dancia Penn (Acting) David Pearey |
| Preceded by | Ralph O'Neal |
| Succeeded by | Ralph O'Neal (Premier) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 28 August 1944 Tortola, British Virgin Islands |
| Political party | National Democratic Party |
| Spouse | Lorna Smith |
Daniel Orlando Smith (born 28 August 1944) is a well-known politician from the British Virgin Islands. He served as the Premier of the British Virgin Islands two times. His first term was from 2003 to 2007, and his second was from 2011 to 2019.
Before 2007, the leader of the government was called the Chief Minister. Orlando Smith was the Chief Minister from 2003 to 2007. He first became the leader when his political group, the National Democratic Party (NDP), won the election in 2003. This was the first time the NDP had ever won a general election.
Contents
Early Life and Career
Becoming a Doctor
Orlando Smith first trained to be a physician, which is a doctor. He specialized in obstetrics, which means he helped deliver babies. For many years, he was the main doctor for the British Virgin Islands. He worked as the chief medical officer both before and after he started his career in politics.
Entering Politics
He began his political journey later in his career. In 1999, he was first elected to the Legislative Council of the British Virgin Islands. This group is now called the House of Assembly. He became the leader of the newly formed National Democratic Party (NDP).
Political Journey
First Election Victory
In 2003, Orlando Smith led the NDP to a big win in the general election. They defeated the Virgin Islands Party. This was the first time since 1983 that the Virgin Islands Party had lost an election.
Challenges and Comeback
However, in the 2007 election, Smith and his party lost. They only won two seats out of 13. Orlando Smith himself barely kept his seat. He stayed in the legislature as the leader of the opposition, which means he led the group that was against the ruling party.
In the 2011 election, Smith and the National Democratic Party made a strong comeback. They won enough seats to form the government. The governor then asked him to become the Premier again.
More Wins and Stepping Down
Orlando Smith won another election in 2015. This made him one of only two politicians in the British Virgin Islands to win three general elections as a party leader. He became the third longest-serving head of government in the territory's history in 2016.
Throughout his political career, Smith ran as an "at-large" candidate. This means he represented the whole territory, not just one specific area. In most elections, he received more votes than other at-large candidates. In 2018, Orlando Smith announced that he would not run in the next general election.
Images for kids
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Orlando Smith
See also
In Spanish: Orlando Smith para niños
