Social Commentator and radio talk show host Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline said the government missed an opportunity to oust Hon Myron V. Walwyn (R6) as Opposition Leader prior to Hon Stacy R. Mather crossing over to their side. Photo: Facebook

Hon Stacy R. Mather (AL) left the opposition and The Alliance to join the Virgin Islands Party administration on December 23, 2025. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

(L-R) Current members of His Majesty's Loyal Opposition as of December 23, 2025 (L-R) Opposition Leader Hon Myron V. Walwyn (R6), Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2), Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL), and Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8). Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

In his final show of Honestly Speaking for the year on December 23, 2025, titled, ‘Are you thinking or just repeating?’, Skelton-Cline said the government, led by Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) had a lapse in judgment before Hon Stacy R. Mather’s (AL) move from the Opposition and The Alliance to the government’s side. 

According to Skelton-Cline, he understands that part of Hon Mather’s move was to unseat Hon Walwyn as Opposition Leader. 

“The current Leader of the Opposition does not see eye to eye and therefore cannot walk hand in hand with the government, specifically on this constitutional review and negotiations that’s pending. And so part of this is to unseat him.”

Skelton-Cline has shared his views that he is not in support of Hon Walwyn being part of the Virgin Islands delegation to negotiate the constitution with the United Kingdom. 

A missed opportunity 

“But if…you are intending on unsitting the Leader of the Opposition and you have picked off one of the Members of the Opposition, it would seem like to me you should have had At Large Member Mather go to At Large Member Skelton and Penn, sign a new letter, take down to the Governor, where you are empowering a new Leader of the Opposition.”

This was a critical step that should have been done before Hon Mather formally crossed the floor, Skelton-Cline said. 

According to him, the government did receive advice on the matter to do just that. 

“You could have killed two birds with one stone…Now you are left with 2-2; 2 persons in Alliance and 2 persons in NDP.”

He added that it is “mindblowing” why the government would not have taken such advice, adding, “If the Honourable member had already agreed to come before you come, let’s handle this second piece of the business and make one of them, whether it was Penn or Skelton, the Leader of the Opposition.”

Pressure is on Hon Turnbull

Skelton-Cline said right now Hon Walwyn remains Leader of the Opposition for now. 

“So now, from where I sit, the pressure is on the Member of the Second District. What does he do next? What should he do next? What might he do next? And what state does this leave the alliance? What secrets did the At Large Member Mather bring? So the pressure is on my district rep as to what he’s going to do.”

Hon Turnbull was a member of the National Democratic Party (NDP) before leaving to form The Alliance with Hon Walwyn and Hon Mather. 

The Alliance, nor its remaining members, have made any public statements following Hon Mather’s move to the government’s side on December 22, 2025.