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NDP Co-Leader Hon Walwyn ‘trying to side-track with smoke & mirrors’- Skelton-Cline

-blasts him for trying to violate House rules to keep information from the public
In his commentary on the radio programme Honestly Speaking, on Tuesday 24, July 2018, he encouraged the public not to “allow politicians to reduce what should be meaningful discussion and debate to the current personalities and their personal preference.” Photo: VINO/File
Claude O. Skelton-Cline was the latest to blast the new Chairman of the NDP. Photo: VINO/File
Claude O. Skelton-Cline was the latest to blast the new Chairman of the NDP. Photo: VINO/File
There has been push back from all quarters of the society, after government co-leader, Honourable Myron V. Walwyn (AL) the Minister for Education and Culture, proposed to change the HoA rules, to keep the public away from information on names of companies who receive contracts from tax-payers money. Photo: VINO/File
There has been push back from all quarters of the society, after government co-leader, Honourable Myron V. Walwyn (AL) the Minister for Education and Culture, proposed to change the HoA rules, to keep the public away from information on names of companies who receive contracts from tax-payers money. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - There has been push back from all quarters of the society, after government co-leader, Honourable Myron V. Walwyn (AL), the Minister for Education and Culture, proposed to change the House of Assembly’s (HoA) rules, to keep the public away from information on names of companies who receive contracts from tax-payers money.

Claude O. Skelton-Cline was the latest to blast the new Chairman of the National Democratic Party (NDP). 

In his commentary on the radio programme Honestly Speaking, on Tuesday July 24, 2018, he encouraged the public not to “allow politicians to reduce what should be meaningful discussion and debate to the current personalities and their personal preference.”

The former Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority noted that the government co-leader, Mr Walwyn, “is seeking to render the HoA and the Standing Orders that governs the ‘House’ ineffective” and that Hon Walwyn’s “recommendation is misguided.”

The people’s right to know

The radio commentator warned the public on his show that, “the HoA is an institution in our maturing democracy…The HoA is the peoples’ house where the peoples’ business and the peoples’ interest is attended to.”

He said, “elected officials are elected to the HoA, not the Cabinet or any other ‘body’…the HOA is one of the limited spaces and places where the public can receive accurate information as to the affairs of the Territory.”

Skelton-Cline added that “the rationale behind the HoA being live on radio, televised and recorded is so the public can participate from various points of access giving the limited space in the gallery of the ‘House’ and the public schedule(s).” 

Many residents, civil society and the media already accuse the NDP government and the Cabinet in particular, of already demonstrating their unwillingness to be timely, honest and accurate with disclosing information to their very own Back Benchers.  

Mr Skelton-Cline stated “we must not then be surprised when we hear these kinds of proposals.”

NDP Government in the darkness lies & secrecy  

The radio show commentator demanded that the existing Ministers and members of the ruling Government needs to go on the record publicly and state their position on their co-leader’s position.

“Are they in support of their new leader’s position,” he questioned.

The man of the cloth noted, “after all they are still the governing party and have the power and numbers to pass such a measure.” 

The NDP campaigned in 2011 that they will be a government in the sunshine, however they have been hostile to the press, tell lies in the public and the HoA in answers to questions and brought Legislation  to crack down on press freedom and put journalists in jail.

Skelton-Cline said on Tuesday July 24, 2018, in his commentary “this is a matter of Freedom of Information…This is a matter of Freedom of the Press which plays a critical role in a democratic society."

"This is an institutional checks and balance matter of which the HoA is central…Let us not be side-tracked with smoke and mirrors,” the man who is now a Virgin Islands Party (VIP) member noted.

17 Responses to “NDP Co-Leader Hon Walwyn ‘trying to side-track with smoke & mirrors’- Skelton-Cline ”

  • Jim (28/07/2018, 14:30) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    tell up Brother
  • Just stop already (28/07/2018, 17:28) Like (46) Dislike (23) Reply
    Really Skelton ? Now that you hâve switched sides you are acting like your closet is squeeky clean. You all are trying to break Myron but it is not going to happen. See it for what it is, Myron is thé hardest working man in Politics on this Island. I don't care what any of you think or say, I am voting for Myron.

    • big (28/07/2018, 21:45) Like (28) Dislike (28) Reply
      I second you .....while everybody else laid back Hon. Walwyn goes out of his way ...look for the people make aure they are ok ...no other politician does that....keep.off Hon. Walwyn case with yiyr foolishness ...I dont cate what any of you respond and say .
    • Ms. Diva (29/07/2018, 00:00) Like (15) Dislike (79) Reply
      @Just stop already, I agree with you 100%.

    • ReX FeRal (29/07/2018, 08:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      So what?
  • tola (28/07/2018, 18:15) Like (34) Dislike (35) Reply
    I wonder how claude feels preaching to people about god and is one big devil
  • Interesting (28/07/2018, 19:40) Like (22) Dislike (31) Reply
    @just stop already

    I wonder how much white envelopes was slipped to you? Or maybe you’re in on the cronyism! Don’t worry when he gets what he wants out of you, you would be tossed aside just like some of those who were hell bent in siding with his antics rather than looking out for what is best for the country.

    And another thing, it doesn’t matter who was used to bring forth the message, it could have came from a cattle, as long as it is truth and bring light to the question at hand it is warranted. Stop nip-picking at the little things, stop thinking about self, but think about the effects on the future generations!
    • Just stop already (28/07/2018, 21:39) Like (19) Dislike (7) Reply
      @interesting, when you produce recipts about the white envelope allergation that you just tossed at me, please post it. Untill then, go F**k off.
  • The Hooded Claw (28/07/2018, 19:43) Like (46) Dislike (16) Reply
    Fahie continue to make poor questionable decisions. He has Claude talking about SECRECY when he said he knows what happened at the port but is only telling 9%. Where is the transparency? How will your Whistleblower Act work when your comrades are the prime offenders?
  • bad news (28/07/2018, 20:05) Like (21) Dislike (32) Reply
    Myrun is bad news anyway you put it
  • tretretrete (28/07/2018, 21:50) Like (19) Dislike (28) Reply
    Myron the DICTATOR
  • musa (29/07/2018, 07:59) Like (19) Dislike (9) Reply

    i think myron trying his best and the pastor need to be in...

    • whatever (29/07/2018, 12:21) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
      That pastor is not saying what is really up. He cannot sit and put someone on blast when he was upholding and being part of the click when things were sweet.
  • ReX FeRal (29/07/2018, 08:49) Like (4) Dislike (6) Reply
    Any G individual in position of power that suggest the government cannot do anything for BVISLANDERS are an insult to this country.
  • A VOTER (29/07/2018, 12:28) Like (15) Dislike (7) Reply
    Myron you stay strong. They are doing and saying everything to bring you down.


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