Smith Hopes the B.N.T.U. is Not Labeled Because of Her Recognition

Elena Smith

Senator Smith says the struggles have not been easy, with all the labeling that she has endured, and she hopes the recognition now does not lead to more of it.

Senator Elena Smith, Recipient, M.B.E. Recognition

“I think for me, Marion, while it should be a time for me to celebrate such an accomplishment, at the same time it brings a bit of concern or worry for me because I don’t want this recognition to be seen as political because we are quick to label. And people might say, “Oh, the union is P.U.P. or she is P.U.P. and that’s why she was given this recognition. I don’t think that a government or a party that I had fought so much in 2005 and then just lately would consider that “this person is from my party, I will award this person.” My work speaks for itself and I think it was based on my years of service and not on any party but people will be quick to label that and I don’t want for any negativity to come to my union on account of this honour being bestowed upon me that I had no knowledge of and I don’t know what was the process. I just know it happened.  If you fight the U.D.P. Government, you are classified as a P.U.P.  If you fight the P.U.P. Government, you are classified as a U.D.P.  So, I just made a decision and said “Listen, if I listen to people I don’t know who I am because the red says I am blue and the blue says I am red. But in my position, I have to do what I have to do regardless of which party is in power. And that is what I have tried my best to do.”