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‘Be careful about alienating the old guards’- Skelton-Cline to NDP leadership

- said the ‘old guards’ have the money
Social Commentator and host of Honestly Speaking, Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline, has cautioned the National Democratic Party (NDP) against alienating veteran members. Photo: Facebook
(L-R) Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) and Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) emerged victorious as Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the party, respectively, at the National Democratic Party internal elections in April 2026. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands
(L-R) Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) and Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) emerged victorious as Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the party, respectively, at the National Democratic Party internal elections in April 2026. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands
(L-R) Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) and former legislator Mark H. Vanterpool lost their bid for National Democratic Party leadership at the internal election in April 2026. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands.
(L-R) Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) and former legislator Mark H. Vanterpool lost their bid for National Democratic Party leadership at the internal election in April 2026. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands.
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- Social commentator and host of Honestly Speaking, Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline, has cautioned the National Democratic Party (NDP) against alienating veteran members.

His advice came on the heels of the NDP’s internal elections, which were held on April 18, 2026, in which Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) and Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) emerged victorious as Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the party, respectively. 

Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) and former legislator Mark H. Vanterpool lost their bid for NDP leadership. The results of the internal election show the membership “resoundingly rejected the old guards”, Skelton-Cline opined on his show of April 21, 2026, on ZBVI 780 AM. 

‘The youth ain’t got no money’

While saying shift in leadership has its place, Skelton-Cline said, “The only thing I will caution you, be careful about alienating the old guards, the political elite, that work in the middle class and thinking that you can just mobilise the youth.”

He explained that while the youth needs to be mobilised, the party will need more than just the youth's votes to be victorious in the general election. 

Skelton-Cline also said the youth “ain’t got no money” as good intentions and no money is not enough to run a political campaign. 

“If you got 13 members, a hundred thousand dollars per member, that’s 1.3 million dollars. You expand the House to 15, a hundred thousand dollars per member, that’s 1.5 million dollars. Where y’all going to get the money from?”

‘Seasoned folk’, he said, are needed as they are the ones with the money, adding, “When you piss them off, who’s going to fund this campaign?”

12 Responses to “‘Be careful about alienating the old guards’- Skelton-Cline to NDP leadership”

  • Guest (29/04/2026, 10:06) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    Why the big emphasis on money for campaigning, like you intent on buying the elections. Let the candidates go house to house knocking on doors, meeting voters on the street corner etc., use social media as well. Get their message out without becoming beholden to vampires
    • who knows (29/04/2026, 11:30) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
      If they don't have money, the banks have. They can simply get together and get a loan. When they win, they will pay the loan from their hefty salaries.

      They have money men backing them. Don't worry, money will come.
  • Clear Vision (29/04/2026, 11:07) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Owing to the overwhelming evidence of political mismanagement of our finances, and other areas of imbalance stewardship and flip flopping unpiortized misues of monies accountability so far, and the "everyman for himself, and God for us all, except or close family members, close favored political supporters and special interest persons, as much as I really agree with Claude Skelton Cline, his topic has a high measure of cautionary weight, in at this juncture of our history, and unsteadiness of good judgment made by our present government Cabinet leaders, and the immaturity of Top leadership experience by Hon. Marlon Penn and Hon. Mitch ("the switch") Turnbull, it wold be unwise to dispell this cautionary warning as a mere tactical political plot to distract change of minds for political purposes, only., but rather embrace better options before us.
  • Old guards (29/04/2026, 11:28) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
    This means that the old guards does not want to work for the people. Its all about their personal gain. If that's the issue they should not be apart of the party
  • Clear Vision (29/04/2026, 13:31) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Age is not the wisest way to measure positions, but rather by their character and proven past services that brought good success to the people of British Virgin Islands wholisticly, especially natives, belongers, residents and people that come daily for pleasure, and others that come for meaningful business trips. Be cautious eligible voters. Be very careful.

    The opportunity before us to prepair a better place for us, our children and grand children and for all whon are living among us, visitors and potential vistors, meaningful business visitor included, will be steadily hinge on the choice to be made coming next general elections. Keep in mind eligible voters that the past has happened, the present is real, but the only wise decision made this day and those in the future determine wisdom of action for the betterment of hopefully all of the people of the British. Both yours and mine value equal to the most material posessor on this planet, otherwise cannot be proven by no one.

  • Clear Vision (29/04/2026, 16:08) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Even, Claude Skelton Cline, though wrong in speeched most times is right sometimes in his perspective on political issues pertaining to B.V.I politics, why not on this one?
  • concerned citizen (29/04/2026, 16:19) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    I've often wondered if the old hands ever get tired of the rat race and want to relax and retire. But it seems to me that money is power, and they plan to take it to the grave. Sad.
  • %100 raise (29/04/2026, 20:39) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    If Myron is not the next premier the Bvi got it wrong.
  • Deeper (29/04/2026, 22:43) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    We need a change the old guard must go!!!
    • @Deeper (30/04/2026, 09:13) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
      You need a change alright for the old guards are not running things. We need them to run things so this damn, stagnant, going nowhere, quickly deteriorating Territory of us can get back on track. It seems some of the youth are blind because they actually think that the old guards got us here. Nope. This Territory has not been in this state of flux when the old guards were in. There are only three old guards, as you might call them, and one is on the Opposition. On the flipside, however, we have had young, young guards as Premier and Ministers since 2019 and if we continue on to 2029, we may not find our way back. No focus on the important things or the priorities in this country by this yooouuuunnnnggg Government. So open your eyes, please and blame who should be blamed.
      • @@Deeper (04/05/2026, 17:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Honestly, the only one in there make sense is the Minister for Education, but schoolteachers saying she gotta go, so we shall see. Young-old guards with experience surrounding them
  • Raw and Unfiltered (01/05/2026, 13:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The HoA should be a multi-generational institution.It is important to have old guards around for their institutional knowledge to ensure smooth institutional operations.Organizational knowledge is vital to institutions operating effectively and efficiently..


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