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Glaringly dysfunctional VI Gov’t demands elections be held now—Skelton Cline

-says, “we are witnessing the death & burial of the NDP as we know it”
Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline says, “it is time for an election, now…We need an election, now.” Photo: VINO/File
“Imagine, receiving a letter and WhatsApp messages—as duly elected officials and founders of a party (NDP)—being asked to declare your allegiance to the new leader, Minister Myron V. Walwyn (in picture) by a certain date, or face the alternative, whereby I will proceed without you…What gall, what dishonour,” said Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline. Photo: VINO/File
“Imagine, receiving a letter and WhatsApp messages—as duly elected officials and founders of a party (NDP)—being asked to declare your allegiance to the new leader, Minister Myron V. Walwyn (in picture) by a certain date, or face the alternative, whereby I will proceed without you…What gall, what dishonour,” said Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The rapid erosion of ‘democracy’ in the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government and unprecedented circumstances facing the Territory—even as one man manipulates his way to more power—demands that General Elections, be held in the Virgin Islands (VI) now, since the current administration can no longer be trusted to remain in power.

This, according to, Honestly Speaking’s, Claude O. Skelton-Cline, in pointing to a recent edict handed down by the recently elected Chairman of the ruling NDP, Honourable Myron V. Walywn (AL).

Mr Skelton-Cline was at the time addressing listeners tuned to his Tuesday, August 14, 2018, Honestly Speaking, radio programme.

Death of NDP

He posits, “we are witnessing the death and the burial of the NDP as we know it,” and justified his position saying, “imagine, receiving a letter and WhatsApp messages—as duly elected officials and founders of a party (NDP)—being asked to declare your allegiance to the new leader, Minister Myron Walwyn by a certain date, or face the alternative, whereby I will proceed without you…What gall, what dishonour.”
The former Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority was adamant during his radio broadcast, “leadership by proclamation and not process, is a throw-back to colonial regimes which ignores individual and communal democratic rights.”

He suggests, “clearly the Premier, Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, has surrendered his powers to the newly elected leader of his party.”

Mr Skelton-Cline said too, its “equally amazing,” the “deafening silence of the men who once stood as the voices and lights on behalf of the people…Their voices have been muted and their lights have gone dim.”

Elections Now

As such, Skelton-Cline disclosed, “it is time for an election, now…We need an election, now.”

Elections in the VI is constitutionally due by June 2019 but according to Mr Skelton Cline, “the people should be allowed the opportunity to make another choice, given the unprecedented circumstances facing our Territory and the glaring dysfunction and failure of this NDP Government.”

Addressing “NDP Supporters” directly during his broadcast, Mr Skelton-Cline said, “I can empathize, as it must be extremely painful to be such close eyewitness to the unfulfilled promise and potential of what could have been. But we/you can I’ll afford to accept things as they are.”

He has since called on NDP supporters to, “let’s all go to the polls and make another choice, forward.”

11 Responses to “Glaringly dysfunctional VI Gov’t demands elections be held now—Skelton Cline ”

  • Xxx (17/08/2018, 12:21) Like (21) Dislike (9) Reply
    I agree 100%
  • Outsider (17/08/2018, 12:46) Like (26) Dislike (1) Reply
    It's unfortunate that greed has brought the BVI to the state that it is in now. As my grandmother used to say the pot is not telling the kettle its bottom is black.
  • Lemon Lime (17/08/2018, 13:02) Like (38) Dislike (8) Reply
    Its hard to take any advise from Mr Skelton Cline. His hatred for the NDP is obviously soo rife that his programme lacks any objectivity.
    • @Lemon Lime (20/08/2018, 17:59) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      I too find it interesting that he is now bashing and distancing himself from the folks he once was affiliated with. Was he not over the port authority when the infamous pier overrun took place?
  • Political Observer (PO) (17/08/2018, 13:05) Like (15) Dislike (4) Reply
    It is painful to watch. But the NDP is governing like a lame duck government. It seems to be slow walking things. An example of this slow walking is its slow as molasses response to the UK-VI reltionahip inquiry. Is the NDP calling it in? If yes, the Premier needs to set an election date and let the electorate vote for a new government. However, I doubt this will happen, for these fellows look like they want to milk governing to the last microsecond. Nonetheless, if government truly love these Virgin Islands and Virgin Islanders let the people vote now.
  • Law Abiding citizen (17/08/2018, 13:39) Like (165) Dislike (5) Reply
    Claude. You’re nothing more than a parasite who clings to whichever host suits you. You’re cut from the same cloth as those NDP delinquents. It’s an absolute shame the people of the BVI doesn’t have a better option. Corrupt VIP vs. Corrupt NDP.
  • Lemon Lime (17/08/2018, 13:48) Like (59) Dislike (4) Reply
    Can anyone take Mr Skelton Cline advice seriously? His hatred for the NDP Is soo obvious that his programme lacks any objectivity. Its difficult to take the message from the messenger whom is entwined in the very corruption he professes.
  • CRICKET (17/08/2018, 21:29) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    He’s dead weight for VIP.
  • facts man (17/08/2018, 21:50) Like (6) Dislike (48) Reply
    Speak the truth claude, the people are with you
  • Windy (18/08/2018, 15:06) Like (4) Dislike (18) Reply
    Don't kill the messenger Claude is on to something others are talking about in the NDP


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