New Political Party led by Hon Ronnie W. Skelton to be launched in weeks
The political party called the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM), started its organization about a month, following the Saturday, June 23, 2018, election of Honourable Myron V. Walwyn (AL), as the National Democratic Party (NDP) Chairman, replacing outgoing Premier, Dr the Honourable, D. Orlando Smith (AL).
Sources close to the PVIM said, the party was form based on how many of the members felt the NDP congress was allegedly manipulated, to produce a win for Hon Walwyn; the issues of trust, accountability, transparency and many of the NDP founding members not wanting to be led by Mr Walwyn, who they claim “does not listen.”
NDP code left in drove
While there has not been a formal election, Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton (AL), the current Minister for Health and Social Development, is expected to be the new party’s first Chairman, and has been named as a founder.
Many of the current NDP members have gone with Hon Skelton to the PVIM, including Honourable Melvin M. Turnbull (R2), Honourable Archibald C. Christian (AL), and former NDP Candidate, Ms Shaina M. Smith, NDP spokeswomen Eileen L. Parsons OBE, and NDP Legal Advisor, Ayana S. Hull, among others.
The party meets weekly and is currently working out, a launch date, policies, manifesto and PVIM founders, which will include, among others, James Todman, McFred Wheatley, M. Ashley Ritter, Ronnie W. Skelton, Shina M. Smith and Hon Turnbull.
The new party has hired a Public Relations Officer and is expected to launch soon, and the new group has greatly affected the Hon Walwyn led, NDP.
It is unclear, if Deputy Premier, Dr the Honourable, Kedrick D. Pickering (R7) is a part of the new party.
Word is, there were also efforts to keep the NDP together even, if it meant stripping Hon Walwyn of the leadership, however, all efforts have failed and according to one founding member ,“it’s too late now.”
Who will run come 2019?
There are also names circulating on social media about possible Candidates for the PVIM, however outside of Wade N. Smith the current Comptroller of Customs in the Fifth District and the new Party Leader, Hon Skelton (AL), no other candidate has been confirmed.
The party has been in discussions with many potential candidates over the past months, including R. Dancia Penn OBE, Apostle Curnal P. Fahie, and Elton Callwood a former member of the defunct People’s Patriotic Alliance.
New PVIM boss Hon Skelton, did not respond to questions asked from our news desk, but it is our newsroom understanding, if the PVIM comes up short after the next General Elections they have received commitment from two current House of Assembly (HoA) members, one from the NDP and one from the Opposition to join them.
Political Party history
This publication will bring more details, as the PVIM evolves.
It is important to note also that throughout the Virgin Islands political history, parties have formed through breaking away from others.
For example, the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) was a breakaway from the United Party, the NDP was a breakaway from the VIP, and now the PVIM is a breakaway from the NDP.
There has also been another splinter group from the VIP, the Progressives United, however, its future is unclear.
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29 Responses to “New Political Party led by Hon Ronnie W. Skelton to be launched in weeks”
I hope after election nobody go on pressure tabs cause this thing “turnt up” as the school children does say. I keeping lock on all media outlets.
If you want VIP win thumbs up
Get your *** home to vote or stay bleeding then.
You all knew from day 1 that NDP was corrupt! Now forming a party out of a party.
Fire burn dem!
Moreover, running around forming new parties may not be the answer. The party system needs tweaking, for it is flawed. Some members get elected by popularity and by necessity (the numbers) are appointed to lead and manage functions that often they don’t know pullet from fowl about. What is needed is a national leader who in turn will appoint qualified people to lead/manage agencies. Ok. Back to this new alphabet soup party——PVIM. I don’t know the intent nor what is in the hearts of the organizing members so I will not judge nor cast judgment. Nevertheless, I have to ask the following questions, ie, a)what is the governing/political philosophy of the PVIM, b)plan of action and milestones(POAM), c)how does it plan to engage the community d)how will its POAM be funded, e) how does it plan to address transparency, accountability and responsibility, f)what is its recovery prioritization plan, g)will it raise taxes, h) how will it address kitchen table/quality of life issues, ie, education, jobs, housing, health, economy, self-determination, environment, physical infrastructure(roads, water, sewage, ports, telecommunications, gas(natural gas), electricity), i)public safety (police, fire, national security), j)cost of living, k)food security, l)projected population growth, m)land ownership/use, n)economic diversification, o)labour and immigration policies, p)national development standards, q)drainage, r)property and causualty insurance public education and outreach, s)agriculture, t)sports, u)marijuana use policy, v) procurement policy(s), w)qualified local preferential hiring, x)brain and skill drain, y)bloated civil service, z)ferry and transportation services, aa) parking in Road Town, bb)decentralizing government services in Road Town.......etc.
The question we have to ask ourselves deep within if they can create a party for months why sitting with an administration which is so deceitful what they will do when they run the country if they win. If Ronnie and Mitch had won in the NDP election as who will be the next leader and deputy they will have stuck around.
Ronnie I have always supported you but I cant no longer that blantant lie you said on BVI PLATINUM but just speculation about you not having a party and not here to fall apart the current government PLEASE YOU REALY THINK THAT I AND THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY STUPID.
I AM SETTING THIS IN THE AIR WITH THE POWER OF GOD AND THE BLOOD OF JESUS THIS WICKED AT OF POWER YOU AND YOUR MEMBERS WANT TO CONTROL THE BVI WILL NOT PREVAIL. IT IS TIME THAT GOD TAKE CONTROL OF THESE ISLANDS AND PUT THE BEST PERSONS TO LEAD THIS COUNTRY GOING FORWARD. PEOPLE THAT WILL FEAR GOD AND HUMBLE THEMSELVES.