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‘I agree with Ms P; Give Ronnie MF & Dr Smith should listen’- John I. Cline

- said Premier Smith should listen to Mrs Parsons who is one of the strongest NDP supporters over the years & endorsed Hon Ronnie W. Skelton to be the Minister of Finance!
Bishop John I. Cline (left), an NDP supporter and second term Chairman of the BVI Health Services Authority agrees with the view that Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith (right) should re-assign the portfolio of Finance to the current Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (centre). Photo: VINO/File
Bishop Cline’s shocking response was made On the Morning Ride Show today January 6, 2017 on ZROD 103.7 FM, when host Paul ‘Gadiethz’ Peart (right) asked him his views on the infamous letter written to the National Democratic Party (NDP) by former legislator Mrs. Eileene L. Parsons OBE (left). Photo: VINO/Social Media
Bishop Cline’s shocking response was made On the Morning Ride Show today January 6, 2017 on ZROD 103.7 FM, when host Paul ‘Gadiethz’ Peart (right) asked him his views on the infamous letter written to the National Democratic Party (NDP) by former legislator Mrs. Eileene L. Parsons OBE (left). Photo: VINO/Social Media
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- In another bombshell and candid answer, there has been yet another call for new leadership of the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP), along with an immediate switch in portfolio, giving former Finance [2003-2007] Minister Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) the portfolio of Finance.

On the Morning Ride Show today January 6, 2017 on ZROD 103.7 FM, Bishop John I. Cline, an NDP supporter and second term Chairman of the BVI Health Services Authority, was asked by host Paul ‘Gadiethz’ Peart about an infamous letter- first and accurately broken on this news site- written by former legislator Mrs. Eileene L. Parsons OBE. Mr Cline’s response sent shock waves throughout the territory.

Mrs Parsons, in a letter first obtained by our news site from our senior NDP sources, called on Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) to give up the Ministry of Finance portfolio and turn it over to Hon Skelton, who is also the Minister for Health and Social Development.

Hon Skelton is best positioned for this portfolio- Cline

The cultural icon told the NDP in her letter dated November 28, 2016 “as for instance it is being said louder and louder that our Finance portfolio would be better served by being moved from the Office of the Premier to his Minister of Health.”

When Mr Peart, on his International Morning Ride Show, asked the BVI Health Services Authority Chairman Mr Cline to respond to Mrs Parsons’ opinion, he responded “I think people need to stay within their skills. Ronnie, if you have seen what he has done with his family business out in Fish Bay…the leadership of Ronnie Skelton…remember when he was Finance Minister we did not have complaints about anything, Finance is one of his strengths”.

In further endorsing the idea that Hon Skelton should become the new Minister of Finance, taking away the portfolio from Premier Smith, Mr Cline told the public that “if you have a particular strength that benefits the country then we elect you to find the best strength in each person and let them use those strengths to help the country, and I think Ronnie Skelton is very positioned, very experienced in being Finance Minister,” according to Cline.

The religious leader and senior Pastor of the New Life Baptist Church in Duffs Bottom, Tortola went on to say, “he is a very astute business person, he thinks on this feet, he makes decisions and that is the kind of person you need in this type of environment.”

In other words, Mr Cline was implying that Premier Smith does not possess those qualities.

Dr Smith should listen to the calls- Cline

When asked what is his view on the notion that the NDP needs new leadership, meaning Dr Smith should be replaced, Bishop Cline told the popular talk show that if Mrs Parsons “one of their Premier supporters…hands down she has supported that party and if she has seen it fit to write such a letter that means it has reached a climax to the point where it has become unbearable for even their supporters and I think they should listen.”

He also made reference to the possibility that the United Kingdom (UK) could take over the Virgin Islands “as they are always looking for an opportunity to come in…as the moment you sneeze they will come in and play doctor...” referring to the UK possibly taking over the Overseas Territory and imposing direct rule.

49 Responses to “‘I agree with Ms P; Give Ronnie MF & Dr Smith should listen’- John I. Cline”

  • zoe (06/01/2017, 12:53) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    The heat is on
    • the rock (06/01/2017, 19:29) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
      John you are being hypocritical, then why not ask for Kedrick to head the ministry of health, which should be his strength!
    • the rock (07/01/2017, 07:30) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
      Mrs Parson needs to take a chill pill, instead of here talking crap about government needs to do this and do that, she should be pleading on behalf of the dis-abled community to the government to send some special love and attention to them, like they did to her, who doesn't need Diddley!
  • Basic wisdom is something ain working try something else.. (06/01/2017, 13:02) Like (23) Dislike (3) Reply
    Smith is my friend. I like him. He too soft..Avery nice man. Politics is not for him...if he had control and back bone he would done switch up the thing. Then at lease people can say he try... Ronnie finance.. Myron Health.. Kedrick education.. Put Marlon Labor, Culture and Agriculture.. Who don't want to go long mash up the thing.
    • too soft (06/01/2017, 13:30) Like (17) Dislike (9) Reply
      You too soft yourself. If it were me Mark and Myron were free to sit back bench, bring forward Marlon for sure and with hesitation another.
    • I agree (06/01/2017, 14:31) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Doc is a very nice person. But, he have to put his foot down. Doc, at the end of the day, it is not personal, it is business. Doc, it is time to switch up everything. You do, the only thing we the public can say is you tried. I always tell my kids try and do the best you can. Once you do that it is ok in my book.
  • musaimposing direct rules pastor u will b in jail (06/01/2017, 13:04) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    musa
  • I'm so sorry for Doc. (06/01/2017, 13:06) Like (27) Dislike (23) Reply
    I think Smith is listening. But he can't get them boy handle.He is caught between a rock and a hard place... I'm so sorry for Doc. Honestly I prefer NDP any day... I really want to see them try something different.
    • ...... (06/01/2017, 14:27) Like (19) Dislike (25) Reply
      I so agree with you......He might be caught between a Wife who wears the pants and the brother in law. I prefer NDP any day over those other clowns. They will come in and do worse. Come on Doc, let's give this a try. Honourable Premier of the Virgin Islands......Hon. Roonnnnnnie....Skeltoooooooon....Leh we do this thing. Time to correct the ship mid channel.
  • margaret thatcher (06/01/2017, 13:20) Like (33) Dislike (0) Reply
    Remind me how the how Peebles Hospital and NHI finances are looking.
  • v (06/01/2017, 13:20) Like (16) Dislike (2) Reply
    Finally some sense. Yes of course I am sure there were problems when Hon. Mr. Skelton was the Minister of Finance, but I never understood why a medical professional is the Minister of Finance and a successful entrepreneur is the minister of health!! That is beyond backwards and with a set up like that it's no wonder that the finances of the territory are failing
  • foxy (06/01/2017, 13:21) Like (13) Dislike (4) Reply
    WE ALL AGREE WITH MS P...MORE SALT ON THE CUT
  • $100.00 (06/01/2017, 13:24) Like (29) Dislike (19) Reply
    This is the same lady that say first time people see a hundred dollars is when them come to Tortola. She forward @ss. Why she don't go and sit down............ vote Andrew Fahie...... all in favor I's
    • let go (06/01/2017, 15:44) Like (9) Dislike (11) Reply
      ayo backside don't know how to let go things... you darm well know its was the first time some ayo see $100
    • Really (07/01/2017, 15:45) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Since you bring it up i will comment it is the truth
  • dog (06/01/2017, 13:29) Like (26) Dislike (0) Reply
    How they say only the vip does fight in public? Now you all talk that!
    • @dog (06/01/2017, 23:26) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      When and where did NDP fight in public/ Tis is a controlling ex politico now a private citizen who is miffed because the "too soft leader" wont cave in to her demands. Must be that Johnny Walker told her that she is in charge and she running the ship but she losing face with her one sided attempt to humiliate. You cannot throw filth and remain smelling like a rose even if you missed the intended target.
    • dog (07/01/2017, 00:37) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      this is not dog. why do people take others' ID? It is confusing when making a point.
      people become identified with points of view. This one is not great.
  • Hmm (06/01/2017, 13:41) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ron and Jon is close family
  • Yes (06/01/2017, 13:48) Like (19) Dislike (2) Reply
    The rats eating the "Parasitic Political Oligarchy" from the inside out, lol. Look at this little man with his fast self. Why doesn't he stick to taking easy money off of suckers in Duff's Bottom and collecting porky money for supplying government with stuff they can by cheaper elsewhere?
  • Music (06/01/2017, 13:53) Like (19) Dislike (2) Reply
    Comment from the man in charge of the hospital who doesnt know how many ambulances we have, and whether they are working!
  • whatever (06/01/2017, 14:00) Like (32) Dislike (4) Reply
    It doesn't matter who switch where, they have already spent, robbed and bribed off most of the public purse.
  • wow (06/01/2017, 14:01) Like (28) Dislike (1) Reply
    I TOTALLY DISAGREE. GET RID OF THE FS AS HE IS PROVIDING ABSOLUTELY NO FINANCIAL GUIDANCE. RONNIE, LIKE ALL THE OTHER MINISTERS, SPENDING OUT OF CONTROL.
  • one eye (06/01/2017, 14:12) Like (24) Dislike (0) Reply
    Civil war in the ndp gone live.....get out the pop corn
    • HAHA (06/01/2017, 15:24) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      LOLOLOLOL one eye you making me laugh!!!!
    • I Guess.... (06/01/2017, 17:51) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
      I don't know if I would call it a Civil War though. With VIP the players were fighting for power. In this case the supporters are the ones who are complaining.
      • @ i guess (06/01/2017, 19:42) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        But is it not the politican who leaking and causing the confusion?
  • Let the People Say Amen!! (06/01/2017, 14:51) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    What man meant for evil, God intends for good. It's a good thing this letter was leaked so if that person meant it for evil, we thank you and hallelujah anyhow!! Its time for NDP to move and we the public must force them to do so and if they don't do so within the next few months, we have enough time to register our disgust publicly and find a new set of people to replace them in two years because there is no current alternative available. What we need now is not really a change of party, we need to help this party get their act together and to let them know we are serious about it. If they don't listen, then we go to Plan B (finding another set of people we can trust collectively and who are able, capable and not lacking in integrity) as we must remember the golden rule that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely - they are all only human.
  • vip (06/01/2017, 14:55) Like (22) Dislike (1) Reply
    ndp asked for 2 terms and they got them...time to get rid of them now
  • cay (06/01/2017, 15:17) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    Lord vino easy
  • Me Too (06/01/2017, 15:29) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ok mr zzzzzzz time for a cabinet shake up
  • wello (06/01/2017, 15:45) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Three docs in a party and we all know which two are d soft candles........
  • road dog (06/01/2017, 15:52) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    we need to eat some of there food we here starvin an these chips stayin one place .
  • Reason for the season (06/01/2017, 17:10) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    So he could make more money supplying government
  • resident (06/01/2017, 18:13) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Doctor Hon. Smith stop allowing pride to guide you. It best to bow out while there is still some dignity left. Or the history books will tell the story.
  • Move What? (06/01/2017, 18:20) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dr. Smith is the best of them NDP politicians.He is intelligent, fair, balanced and deliberate. You cannother replace a man like Dr. Smith with Ronnie. Ronnie does not listen.and think he knows everything. He ain't know any more about finances than Dr. Smith. The shit he did with NHI and the hospital and Dr. Smith stood behind him is one of the reasons we in this mess with finances. All of them set of .... want want want and spend spend spend in their Minisiteries ...and all of a sudden it's Dr. Smith is not a good finance Minister. If any of them had any conscience they will come out and back the Premier from the set of piss Ms. P and John Cline talking.
  • Real Deal (06/01/2017, 19:43) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Get rid of the ndp is the real solotion ronnie for china to get rich?
  • Thinking out Loud! (06/01/2017, 22:29) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    If given the portfolio of MOF, is RS and JC willing or even able to face the music of what really took place over there on Wickhams Cay and why Port Purcell is now hand to mouth. RS brace yourself your nephew is not telling the truth about what really took place, trying to throw the other men under the bus is only part of it. Tell him to come clean. The records are shouting, The salaries screaming, the illegal scholarships and unfair salary hikes has the building shaking. Let lying dogs sleep.
  • Abraham (06/01/2017, 23:08) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Get rid of all of them. Our Premier is weak. We took pity because he's a nice doctor and that's it. So we went with nice but didn't think of his ability. NDP is his party he found it but his colleagues so ungrateful they get to be a part of it. If you betray your leader ain't nothing good will come. I ask that we don't be fool by evil and greed for power. The NDP party failed miserably time to give some other persons a try. I see Fahie fighting and he's respectful he's not the betrayal type. He's for the people not for Europe China and wherever else Orlando and his team being trying to take us. Get rid of the NDP there will always be fighting, stealing, disrespect, cronyism and jealousy in the party. We send our children to school to dream big. Life is short give Fahie and others that haven't served in government a chance. If Orlando goes, Ronnie is not good at finance and he's stubborn not sure who's more stubborn him or Fraser. Myron same thing, Pickering serve so long he could care less, others not capable a few with really terrible ways and self interest ruled by cronism and criminal and disrespectful conducts. I hope we have the courage to take our country back and don't be bought by any politician. Let them keep their petty cash. Our future is more than their self interest and bad management of our country. Get rid of them all. Ain't no way in hell Fahie would do any worst. Fahie has the best record to send back to the hoa. He was good for education. At a minimum there will be transparency and respect restored. Don't say we were not warned.
  • chad (07/01/2017, 00:40) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ronnie had it already and what he done nothing what is worng with Cline he need to keep this to foot inside of the church instead of one in and out you cannot serve to Master at the same time the whole NDP need to go
  • Dr Doctor (07/01/2017, 03:44) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Dr Smith was favored into politics because, generally people like him. We have seen our mistake. He is a good doctor but politics is not his calling. These other guys, instead of working together for the common good, they take advantage.
  • Stop complaining! (07/01/2017, 04:50) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    PAUL Wattley was the Brain of NDP to this day The road that he built relieves traffic very well. The people of the Virgin Islands complained about the crusiship project when the Disney company was going build it and then give it back to the people of the Virgin Islands after x amount of years with 100% functionality (not like the ocean conversion transition)........ and as I was saying the government listens to the people and took up 75 million to build the peer and broke the government with expenditures cause they listened to the people so now cause they listened to the people now y'all want to throw this crap y'all going reap what you looking Direct Rule from the Queen!
  • Political Observer (PO) (07/01/2017, 05:28) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dr. the Hon Premier and MoF D. Orlando Smith is leader of NDP and government and therefore has ultimate responsibility for whatever happened or what did not happened but should have happened. Whether he is in London, Timbuktu, Macnamara, Admin Bldg..............etc and something happened he is still responsible. Doc delegated a lot of responsibilities to his ministers and this is all good but responsibility cannot be delegated away. He is still responsible for what is happening in the MoF, along with MHSS, MCW, MEC and MLNS. From the outside, it appears as if Doc empowered ministeries to be separate governments within the central government. Perhaps a mistake.

    Nonetheless, a lot of political ammo is being aimed at and fired at Doc. He is experiencing rapid and heavy fire. The incoming is constant. He signed up for this so it is all. But it seems as if his supporting cast who he has given free rein to is not taking care of the boss. Under heavy fire ( Doc) from Ms. P, Biahop Cline.......etc, they are letting him twist in the wind. You would think by now they all would be racing to the mic supporting the boss. Instead it drop
  • tha-time (07/01/2017, 12:07) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    as this topic been heavily blogged i had to wait a while, let my thoughts marinade before joining the discussion. I am a friend of history, of event of the past, ancient, modern and recent. i say tht to ssay this that of the NDP history with the first election where the NDP was successful I'm reminded that the minister of health was given the ministry of finance 2003. What was the outcome of that tenure many will say a whapping grade F if there was such to be had. It was during his tenure that the massive dept of the Peebles hospital started. That has had a cascading effect on financing in the BVI ever since as the VIP had this stone tied around their necks especially at a time of economic downturn. if that was not the case why was he not given that ministry to run when the NDP regain power in 2011? So I am fervently opposed to him being the minister of finance as his party does. Who would make a good finance minister? I will leave that question for some of our esteemed bloggers.
  • Rightie (07/01/2017, 23:19) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Listen up people! Stop! Stop! Stop! Tortola is the only place everybody want to do everybody job, you all put the people to work, let them do their job, they cannot do their job your way. If you were qualified for the job you still would not get it cause you did not apply. So chill.
  • Mento D (08/01/2017, 07:02) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    “I think people need to stay within their skills".
    Really!!!!. So why you back Geraldine Ritter going to immigration again? Put a sock in it cline.
  • Boo (08/01/2017, 21:44) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    let the jackdonkey bray. Not a soul taking him on
  • ausar (09/01/2017, 14:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I think the good Bishop should not have commented.

    There are some things you must leave alone and I think this is one of them.

    Keep your dirty laundry in the washer room Ivan and leave the politics out of it.

    This sounds like treason and if I was the good doctor, I would start to reevaluate his position within government!


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