Talk show host Claude O. Skelton-Cline has said he is 'with the people' on matters such as the Premier of the Virgin Islands being elected via the ballot. Photo: VINO/File.

Social commentator and host of Honestly Speaking, Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline, has called on the officials to inform the people of the Virgin Islands (VI) what it would require for some of the constitutional changes the public wants. Photo: Facebook

Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) will lead a team to the United Kingdom for constitutional negotiations later this year. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

Speaking on the April 14, 2026, episode of his show titled, ‘We will not be fooled again’, Skelton-Cline referred to the deliberations report of the Constitutional Review Commission (2022 to 2023) Report, A Report of the Committee of the Whole House, which was laid in the House of Assembly by Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), on April 9, 2026. 

Premier Wheatley described the document as the “collective position of the democratically elected members of the House of Assembly”. 

Skelton-Cline said it is acknowledged and recognised that there is a desire for change in the country and constitutional advancement to be more self-determined and autonomous. He said some of the things he has seen “uproar” about, such as voting for the Premier, among some other things, are the right changes that should be made, but they do not come easy. 

“I too are with the people of this country on matters such as voting for Premier. Somebody needs to say to the people of this country, from the officialdom, that some of these changes you are asking for will require changes in the very system in which our constitution is set down.”

Systemic & structural changes

He added, for these things to happen, it would require systemic and structural changes, which means “we cannot do some of these things in the Westminster system and continuing to be under the constricted and restraining forces of the United Kingdom, who is supposed to be our partners, but more often than not, does not behave in that way”. 

Skelton-Cline said he is “delighted” that the public is asking for these kinds of changes, but he has not heard anyone say that it would require structural and systemic change. 

“This requires an executive system, this requires two houses, this requires some redrafting of some boundaries.”

Muster up the courage

He continued that while some things can be done under the Westminster system, there is a challenge. 

“Why are you continuing to purchase a nine-inch shoe when your feet have grown to twelve inches and then shocked and surprised when your foot no longer fits the shoe that you are trying to wear? And when are we going to muster the holy courage, the boldness to take the bull by the horn and come and speak clearly and concisely to the people with the regards to the change they are asking for, say to the people here’s what needs to happen, here’s the role we will play, here’s the role we would need you to play and when we do this collaboratively, here is how we will get our desired results.”

That, he said, is not being done.