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'Our action to BREXIT should not be a reaction!'- Claude O. Skelton-Cline

- calls for more local dialogue surrounding future of VI Post-BREXIT
Commentator Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline has challenged the people of the Virgin Islands (VI) to have more dialogue regarding the issues surrounding Brexit and the future of the VI under a United Kingdom outside of the European Union. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) in statements released ahead of the official Brexit leave on January 31, 2020, has said that the Territory will be seeking to maintain its relationship with the EU and keep as many of its benefits as possible. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) in statements released ahead of the official Brexit leave on January 31, 2020, has said that the Territory will be seeking to maintain its relationship with the EU and keep as many of its benefits as possible. Photo: VINO/File
Governor of the Virgin Islands, H.E. Augustus J. U. Jaspert told reporters yesterday, February 3, 2020, that in all of VI's economic pursuits with the EU and prospect economic partners, the UK will no longer be in the room. Photo: Facebook/File
Governor of the Virgin Islands, H.E. Augustus J. U. Jaspert told reporters yesterday, February 3, 2020, that in all of VI's economic pursuits with the EU and prospect economic partners, the UK will no longer be in the room. Photo: Facebook/File
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI - Outspoken ZBVI 780 radio moderator and pastor, Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline has challenged the people of the Virgin Islands (VI) to have more dialogues regarding the issues surrounding Brexit and the future of the VI under a United Kingdom outside of the European Union (EU).

"We should not go to bed like Rip van Winkle and sleep through a revolution, they [UK] have made their stand as who and what they [are] going to be, even as they struggle with their own reassessment and realignment in the earth, and we as Virgin Islanders ought to be thinking and talking the same things, who are we going to be?" Skelton-Cline stated. 

Building a future outside of EU

"What is going to be our relationship with the United Kingdom if any? What is that going to look like? What is our constitutional review going to resolve? What kind of self-determined or independent path are we setting?" He asked.

According to the commentator, in addition to asking complex questions regarding the future of the Territory, one must also contemplate what roadmap is being created to put the future generations of Virgin Islanders on a stronger and a better footing as global citizens.

"These are the kind of conversations that needs to be heightened, that needs to be accelerated, that needs to be had and we need to be having. And we need not wait for the government to do that," he said.

Already, Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), in statements released ahead of the official Brexit leave on January 31, 2020, said the Territory will be seeking to maintain its relationship with the EU and keep as many of its benefits as possible.

The Premier also indicated that his administration will be pursuing trade opportunities that would have opened as a result of the UK leaving the EU.

Governor of the Virgin Islands, H.E. Augustus J. U. Jaspert told reporters yesterday, February 3, 2020, that in all of the VI's economic pursuits with the EU and prospective economic partners, the UK will no longer be in the negotiating room. 

More meaningful dialogue 

According to Skelton-Cline, "We as citizens in this country... ought to begin to have meaningful dialogue under the mango tree, by the well, at the taxi stands, in our kitchens, in our living rooms, on the job... these are the kind of conversations that we need to be having."

Skelton-Cline was adamant that the people of the Virgin Islands must not allow themselves to leave their faith and future in the hands of outsiders and other people.

In calling for a self-determined future for the people, Mr Skelton-Cline noted; "Our action to Brexit should not be a reaction, it ought to be an action, it ought to be proactive."

While the UK will no longer fully participate in the economic, social, political and legal arrangements of the EU, Premier Fahie noted that there would be no immediate changes regarding issues like travel, EU funding and other benefits for the VI before the end of 2020.

9 Responses to “'Our action to BREXIT should not be a reaction!'- Claude O. Skelton-Cline”

  • one eye (04/02/2020, 14:29) Like (1) Dislike (7) Reply
    tell them Pastor
  • Tired (04/02/2020, 16:01) Like (16) Dislike (2) Reply
    Claude speaking on everything except what fruits his 90k consultancy with the government is bringing for the people.
  • smfh (04/02/2020, 16:49) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply

    What you mean it cannot be reactive? Brexit was on the table how long and now that it's in effect, we still don't have a plan and we here saying we won't be reactive? Does he know what reactive means?

  • Diaspora (04/02/2020, 17:50) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    The VI should not be reacting to the Brexit/UK bolting from the EU. On 23 June 2016, the UK and Gibraltar voted in a referendum by 51.9%, a slim majority to bolt from the EU. True, since that vote the UK has been on roll-a-coaster ride in regards to the UK exiting the EU. It finally happened on 01 Feb 2020; however, the UK still needs to negotiate with the EU on the terms and conditions of it exiting. Armed with the knowledge that the UK was bolting from the EU, both the NDP and VIP governments should have been acting proactively on what happens next after Brexit. The UK will not be in the room in negotiations between the VI and EU, having exiting from the EU. The VI is an OT so how will that work? The UK is responsible for external affairs so will it give the VI and other OTs the freedom to negotiate with EU. Will the French and Dutch territories get more assistance than UK’s OTs, given that the UK is no longer in the EU? Will the VI and other OTs be treated differently because they are not independent countries? Will VI residents be able to travel to and through EU countries as easily as before?
  • Go Sit dung (04/02/2020, 19:05) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Stop quoting phrases From
    Martin Luther King speeches .And sling them
    As your own . Do not plagiarized. Give the dues
  • MSNBC (05/02/2020, 01:44) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
    The VIP got some wise men
  • josiah'sbay (05/02/2020, 07:57) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I believe that the VI should have it's own constitution created for them by them and not intermingle with the marching orders of the UK. Yes, two separate doctrines. The UK's delegated or devolved powers should be an attachment to our Constitution. Anything in their commands or demands for us that we don't agree with should be sign off with an " under protest or duress indication". Which will make it more easy to make a legal challenge to any disputed items in their attachment. As it is now we are agreeing or consenting to things that we don't necessary believe in or want for ourselves. A people that is striving for self determination should always have the means and the freedom to challenge their colonizer.


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