Social Commentator Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline has said Anegadians’ push for their own representative in the House of Assembly (HoA) is because they want the deeds to their land, which their previous representatives have failed to deliver. Photo: Internet Source

Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline during the July 21, 2026, airing of his show Honestly Speaking on ZBVI 780 AM. Photo: Facebook

During the July 21, 2026, airing of his show, Honestly Speaking, on ZBVI 780 AM titled ‘Be careful not to hitch your futures on the wrong horse’, Skelton-Cline said he stands in solidarity with the people of Anegada. 

According to the clergyman, based on what the people of Anegada have shared with him, they just want the deeds to their lands. 

“That’s what they want. That’s why they’re rightfully pissed off. That’s why they’re crying for representation; because of the last three representatives they have had, all of whom have promised deeds to their land, have not been delivered. So they have a legitimate right to be upset, to be ticked to the high heavens.”

In June 2025, Deputy Premier and Minister for Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change, Hon Julian Fraser, RA (R3), said land matters settled with the Anegada Land Committee will soon be honoured. In June 2026, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley expressed commitment to having the longstanding Anegada land issues, dating back to 1885, be settled as quickly as possible.

The idea of Anegada Rep is ‘political pandering’

Skelton-Cline added that the answer to the issues of Anegadians is not giving them their own HoA representative for just 300 persons. 

“People of Anegada, anybody who is coming to you telling you that they’re advocating for you to have your own representation, they are trying to manipulate you; they are engaging in what is called political pandering,” he warned. 

Anegada is currently part of the Ninth District, whose representative is Hon Vincent O. Wheatley, Minister for Health and Social Development.

“The truth is, with your representative and the four At-Large, if they had the will to effectuate the change in statute and law to get you your deeds to your land, they would.”

No VI District receiving adequate representation

Skelton-Cline said he believes there is no district in the Virgin Islands receiving adequate or optimal representation. 

“I don’t know of any district in this country that is receiving the proper, certainly not the optimal representation that it should. There is one district, which, if I were to assess, is leading the pack in terms of good representation, [that] would be the Fifth District, and not even they are operating at optimal level.”

The lack of proper representation, he added, is nothing new, and said the issue has been ongoing for the past 26 years. 

“Since the institution of these districts, [they] have not been receiving proper representation.”