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‘Come run in D1 since you so popular’ - Skelton-Cline to Hon Walwyn

-Hon Fahie ignores Walwyn’s spat that Premier must be At-Large Candidate
It was last evening Saturday, January 19, 2019, while chairing the programme for the launch of Kye M. Rymer for District 5 that Social Commentator, Claude O. Skelton-Cline challenged Mr Walwyn, “if you think you are so popular then come run in District 1.” Photo: Team of Reporters
While Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) continues to ignore Chairman of the National Democratic Party (NDP 1), Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL) in what some call a weak and childish rant that one must be an At-Large Candidate to be Premier. Photo: GIS
While Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) continues to ignore Chairman of the National Democratic Party (NDP 1), Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL) in what some call a weak and childish rant that one must be an At-Large Candidate to be Premier. Photo: GIS
The four elected members from districts who head the Government of the VI over the years via the party system were, Chief Ministers Dr Willard Wheatley (D8), H. Lavity Stoutt (D1) and Cyril B. Romney (D5), along with the first Premier Hon Ralph T. O'Neal OBE (D9). Photo: GIS/VINO/File
The four elected members from districts who head the Government of the VI over the years via the party system were, Chief Ministers Dr Willard Wheatley (D8), H. Lavity Stoutt (D1) and Cyril B. Romney (D5), along with the first Premier Hon Ralph T. O'Neal OBE (D9). Photo: GIS/VINO/File
HUNTUMS GHUT, Tortola, VI - While Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) continues to ignore National Democratic Party (NDP 1) Chairman, Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL) in what some call a weak and childish rant that one must be an At-Large Candidate to be Premier, someone else has responded to Mr Walwyn.

Speaking at an NDP 1 pep rally on Wednesday, January 16, 2019 on Virgin Gorda, Mr Walwyn—who is under police investigation for a small wall he constructed around the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) with a price tag of $1.6M—called on Hon Fahie to “run in the next elections, At-Large.”

However, the Territory has a Westminster system type of government with both 9 single districts and 4 Territorial At- Large seats that make up the House of Assembly (HoA).

They are equal under the constitution and Election Act, where any of the 13 elected members could hold any ministerial position.

Practice all over the world

The type of system is used in some 53 Commonwealth countries where the Prime Minister, President or Premier all come from single district constituents and not via an At-Large System.

Countries with much bigger populations such as Canada, The United Kingdom, Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, India, Australia, Ghana, New Zealand, South Africa, Belize and St. Vincent & the Grenadines to name a few, all have their Leaders chosen via a party system and they represent single districts.

Notwithstanding this information, Mr Walwyn claimed that “if you want accountability, good governance in your Premier, the Premier must be accountable to every single voter in the country. So I issue a challenge to my opponent [Hon Fahie] to put somebody to run in the first and meet me in the At-Large arena.”

Come run in D1 – Skelton-Cline to Walwyn

It was last evening Saturday, January 19, 2019, while chairing the programme for the launch of Kye M. Rymer for District 5 that Social Commentator, Claude O. Skelton-Cline challenged Mr Walwyn, “if you think you are so popular then come run in District 1.”

This was met with very loud applause, whistleblowing, dance and music by the large crowd in Huntums Ghut. Mr Skelton-Cline further asked the crowd, “Which district can Walwyn win in? The first? The second? The third? The fourth?” to which audience reacted with loud 'NOs'!

Many in the territory have in the past made the argument that the Premier should be voted on by the public, however, that argument is weak and flawed as the VI is in a Westminster system of single district voting practised all over the world.

History tells the story

In the History of the Virgin Islands (VI) and over 46 years of Westministerial system of Government, all Chief Ministers and Premiers have come from single district except one, the current Premier Dr The Hon D Orlando Smith (AL).

Many historians—and a former Governor, John S. Duncan, OBE—has already labelled Dr Smith as the worse leader in modern VI.

They say that Dr Smith carries a legacy of alleged corruption, lack of transparency and good governance, victimization of people, divisive governance, lack of spending priority and misleading the public with outright lies.

The four elected members from districts who headed the Government of the VI over the years via the party system were, Chief Ministers, Dr Willard Wheatley (D8), H. Lavity Stoutt (D1) and Cyril B. Romney (D5), along with the first Premier Hon Ralph T. O'Neal OBE (D9).

It is unclear if Mr Walwyn will take up the challenge by Mr Skelton-Cline and find a district he can win and run in. 

26 Responses to “‘Come run in D1 since you so popular’ - Skelton-Cline to Hon Walwyn ”

  • wize up (20/01/2019, 16:12) Like (18) Dislike (21) Reply
    does it really matters if you are at large or district candidate(just curious!!!!) simple minds think simple things(listen to the levels of conversation from potential leaders of this developing society)
    • @wize up (20/01/2019, 17:45) Like (47) Dislike (54) Reply
      We are in a modern era everyone should have the right to select who we want as a leader we don't know what the people of the first is getting from Andrew so why should we allow them to select him to lead the while territory... outside of now because of campaigning have you ever seen Andrew in any other district? Skelton Cline you think you going get any big job if VIP get in hope you still have some the pier park money you is just an oppertunist blowing hot air.... Andrew have sat in the opposition for 7 1/2 years and still don't have a plan... Is he willing to launch an investigation into the 7.2 mil that went for the planes that we can't see? Is he willing to launch an investigation into the pure park? Is he willing to launch an investigation into the wall? He he looking at increasing the minimum wage? If yes how soon? Is he willing to give civil servants increment? If so how much percent? What is your road structure plan and how high on your agenda it is? What is your sewerage plans how high on your agenda it is? What is your plan for young people to become entrepreneurs other than washing cars and cutting Bush? What is your workforce plan since you want to eliminate expat coming to the bvi to work? What is your plan for prospect reef? Would all district be treated equally under your watch?
  • Hurray!!!! (20/01/2019, 16:33) Like (43) Dislike (29) Reply
    Yes Cline, tell him loud and clear. He has no rep in Dist. 1, so he should be the best man to run there and stop his crap about debate and at large.
    If he even believes in what he is saying or listening to himself, he should immediately declare is candidacy as a district 1 rep and run down there. Then let us see how many hundreds will vote him in, let alone for premier.

    Tell him, action speaks louder than words, so he needs to drop all his high level of diplomacy and politicking and come run as a district rep. In dist 1 in particular since he wants to be on the same stage as Andrew our next Premier.

    Tell him, 2019, VIP All the WAY, going one direction, Forward.
    • Go sidung (21/01/2019, 09:01) Like (36) Dislike (11) Reply
      Claude, you are just a divisive person and I am so sick of you! you are all over the place. It was not too long ago you were with NDP and against VIP! You have no credibility and I would take everything that comes out of your mouth with a grain of salt. I am no Myron fan but, the leader should be voted for territory wide. It makes sense!

      You campaigning style is outdated. Bring the issues and solutions and stop wasting bloody time. It is not a personal fight but a fight to get our country back on track. When will ALL of you see this man?
    • Urrah (21/01/2019, 14:51) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      Are you willing to follow one who seems to have lost all directions. Am not talking the politicians nope not at all. I am talking about Cloud. Last two elections he was central mouthpiece for NDP and wholla power regain and maintained. Is he hoping that his slivering tongue could turn it around. Am not shooting the messenger no not at all just a Con-flicked gabby who’s tinge holds no water once money and power is on the line. Ha ha!
  • rattie (20/01/2019, 17:04) Like (55) Dislike (25) Reply
    I must agree with Claude this man myron is crazy crazy
    • voter (21/01/2019, 09:43) Like (19) Dislike (15) Reply
      I think the NDP party should have their debates by themselves. MR FAHIE do not response to that man focus on how you can help get back our country back on track leave him spit out ////. Do not stoop to him we are better than that. MR SKELTON that goes to you also. This man for a lawyer sound like a ////. The former NDP leader bring this to our beautiful place he should be a shame of himself our fore fathers are rolling over in their grave to see this. I cannot understand why he do not call a snap election like he done before what is stopping him this time. All candidates please ignore the crazy man we do not want this kind of campaigning here we above that.
  • vex (20/01/2019, 17:25) Like (44) Dislike (9) Reply
    Muron so silly and desperate
  • Eagle Eye (20/01/2019, 17:26) Like (29) Dislike (67) Reply
    VIP is missing the whole point.a district is just some of the population while atlarge is the entire BVI.Myron would torture Andrew if he was to run in district 1.
    • district 1 (21/01/2019, 09:31) Like (69) Dislike (3) Reply
      Myron will NOT beat Fahie in district 1. It would not happen. You can take that to the bank.
    • @Eagle Eye (21/01/2019, 10:53) Like (18) Dislike (5) Reply
      Claude is a master manipulator and does not use his intelligence for good. I am not a supporter of Myron but his pong is correct. The leader should be elected by the masses and not by a particular district that he has controlled since time immemorial. He uses the tactic as he has nothing else to justify, as Myron has no connection to the 1st district to run there. Let me see him say that Andrew has no connection to the at large population to run there too.
    • Stay Woke (25/01/2019, 04:35) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      What happens if a person wins at-large but their party doesn't win? Winning at-large could fall into a popularity contest. It does not mean you were the best candidate selected for the Premier position by the people. Dr. Smith is a prime example.
  • GOOD ONE (20/01/2019, 18:24) Like (40) Dislike (12) Reply
    Tell him come run against Fahie in the First District
  • First district (20/01/2019, 18:26) Like (50) Dislike (12) Reply
    Tell bald head come, we in the First District waiting on him. He will get what the duck get.
  • run baby run (20/01/2019, 20:24) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
    Funny man should run in the second against Mitch I for that
  • Real (20/01/2019, 20:52) Like (6) Dislike (10) Reply
    It is amazing when myron said it it was a big deal.now vip saying the opposite it is all good boy the hyprocisy
  • willie t (21/01/2019, 08:33) Like (24) Dislike (1) Reply
    He missing some district candidates so tell myron just choose one district and run in it and see what happens. The boy is a fool
    And my sister told be he is some lawyer for God sake
  • VG Land (21/01/2019, 11:21) Like (24) Dislike (6) Reply
    Can someone PLEASE tell Claude go take a seat!!!!!
  • Fraud Skelton (21/01/2019, 13:40) Like (23) Dislike (3) Reply
    Mister man Claud, we know you and Andrew, Kye, John are all opportunist. You will look the best chance to steal when you can.
  • Closer (21/01/2019, 14:08) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply
    Claude dearest, you need to go take a back seat. You are damaged goods. The VIP did not want you and now they are using you to fight their nasty battle. Its downright disgusting how foolish you appear and are sounding. Do us a favour and go sit down and reflect, otherwise you seem to be a very disloyal prick!
  • facts (21/01/2019, 18:46) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    Leave Claude alone he is one of us, look you got the m & m crooks with ndp


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