Orlando Smith

This article is about the BVI politician. For the basketball coach, see Tubby Smith. For the American philosopher, see Orlando J. Smith.

Daniel Orlando Smith, OBE (born 28 August 1944) is a British Virgin Islands politician who served as Premier of the Virgin Islands from 2003 to 2007, and 2011 to 2019. As leader of the National Democratic Party he Leader of the Opposition from 1999 to 2003, and 2007 to 2011.

The Honourable Orlando Smith OBE
Premier of the British Virgin Islands
In office 9 November 2011 – 26 February 2019
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
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	(1944-08-28) 28 August 1944 (age 81) Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Party	National Democratic
Spouse	Lorna Smith

Early life and education

He was educated at British Virgin Islands High School from 1955 to 1961. He attended the University of the West Indies from 1963 to 1969, the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh from 1971 to 1974, The Royal School of Public Health from 1972 to 1973, and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine from 1984 to 1985.^[1]

At Peebles Hospital Smith was a medical officer from 1970 to 1971. He was a medical officer in London from 1971 to 1974. He was a senior registrar of surgery in the British Virgin Islands from 1975 to 1975, and worked as a surgeon from 1979 to 1999.^[1]

Career

Smith was a founding member of the National Democratic Party (NDP).^[2] As head of the NDP Smith was the Leader of the Opposition after winning a seat in the House of Assembly of the British Virgin Islands in the 1999 election.^[1]

From 2003 to 2007, and 2011 to 2019, Smith was the Premier of the Virgin Islands. He was leader of the opposition from 2007 to 2011.^[1] Smith led a trade mission to South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria in 2018; it was the first trade mission the British Virgin Islands sent to Africa.^[3]

Smith declined to seek reelection as leader of the NDP on 23 June 2018,^[4] and was succeeded by Myron Walwyn.^[5] Smith did not contest the 2019 election.^[6]

Personal life

Queen Elizabeth II included Smith in the New Year Honours list in 2000. The Order of the British Empire was awarded to him.^[7] Peebles Hospital was renamed in honour of him in 2019.^[8] He is married and is the father of three children.^[1]

Electoral history

D. Orlando Smith electoral history

Year	District	Party	Votes	Percentage	Winning/losing margin	Result
1999	At-large	National Democratic Party	3,094	12.93%	+1,997*	Won (1st)
2003	At-large	National Democratic Party	4,300	14.72%	+1,026*	Won (1st)
2007	At-large	National Democratic Party	3,549	12.29%	+18*	Won (4th)
2011	At-large	National Democratic Party	5,117	14.7%	+1,247*	Won (1st)
2015	At-large	National Democratic Party	5,753	15.95%	+2,333*	Won (2nd)
* For at-large candidates (general elections) who won, this is the vote differential from the 5th placed candidate (i.e. the candidate with the highest number of votes who was not elected). For at-large candidates who lose, this is the vote differential from the 4th placed candidate (i.e. the candidate with the lowest number of votes who was elected).