Hons Skelton & Pickering best suited to lead VI – Claude O. Skelton-Cline
Mr Skelton-Cline, a former General Manager of the BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA) and former political candidate with the National Democratic Party (NDP), has been vocal and public about his displeasure with the current leadership of the Territory.
According to Mr Skelton-Cline, Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) and Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr The Hon Kedrick D. Pickering (R7) are the two persons who are currently best suited to take over the reins from Dr Smith as the leader of the NDP.
Businessman Hon Skelton is also a former Minister of Finance and, according to Mr Skelton-Cline, his best years could be in the “transition phase” of Government.
As for Hon Pickering, Mr Skelton-Cline believes that for the fact that he (Hon Pickering) sits now as Deputy and, though there has been private and public complaints about Honourable Pickering, he believes at the end of the day, with the proper people around him, the Deputy Premier would make an excellent candidate for Premier.
According to Skelton-Cline, Hon Pickering has a healthy world-view understanding as one of his strong qualities. “Kedrick came to power because Kedrick was the mouth piece and the champion. He was unapologetically, unashamedly would stand up and fight.”
“I still believe he is the lion that he is but he needs to be reminded that he is a lion and he needs to become who we know him to be and champion and fight the cause of the people of this Virgin Islands.”
‘Hon Walwyn a lion but needs more time’
On the other hand, the question was asked whether Honourable Myron V. Walwyn is a “Lion with a mane?” Mr Skelton Cline responded, “Myron is a Lion, make no mistake. Myron is an intelligent charismatic fellow and certainly he has a leadership quality that is of a tremendous asset to any government.”
But as it relates to leadership, “I believe that that requires some more time given my personal assessment of what I have seen unfold.”
Visionary needed, not shop keepers
Expanding on the wider scale of leadership that’s needed for the territory, Hon Skelton-Cline said a visionary is needed. “Someone who can paint a picture for the preferred future of the BVI, cast that vision, share with them how we can go about getting there…We need visionaries, we don’t need shop keepers.”
Asked by co-host Ms Cathy O. Richards if he sees himself as one of the visionaries that can take on that role, Mr Skelton-Cline responded, “I certainly believe that I have a certain skill set in which I intend to offer my services in whatever capacities with a team of persons because none of us can do this alone……this requires a team effort where we can check our egos at the door and do what’s in the best interest on principle for the BVI.”
23 Responses to “Hons Skelton & Pickering best suited to lead VI – Claude O. Skelton-Cline”
It is still, believed, however, that the good Doc. has a great deal of sound intellect left of which to contribute! If mistakes were made during his tenure-ship, they must be looked at relative to the party's' vision.
It is believed, based on the party vision that its visionary track for the country is on track. Mistakes among the micro details? Perhaps. But to err is human.
I also concur with the thoughts and ideas expressed by Mr. Skelton-Cline.
Evidently, there are hidden talent and leaders still among us. There are times when one wonders who and or what party will replace the governing one. From astute political observation, one is yet to emerge.
However, our people are a fickle folk.
So that makes your views personal and not objective.
We want dancia penn, karl dawson or julian willock