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More confusion emerges: 3 show their heads in Opposition palace coup
The surprise was first-term legislator and Deputy Speaker Hon Stacy R. Mather (AL), who has joined with Hon Walwyn and the ever-rebellious Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) to form an “Alliance”.
This was disclosed by the three men at a press conference today, January 30, 2025, where Opposition Leader and leader of the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL), Leader of the National Democratic Party (NDP) Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) and former Deputy Premier Hon Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL), who is reportedly now switched back to becoming an ‘Independent’, were absent.
Notably, the ‘Opposition palace coup’ has not, at least publicly, received the support of Hon Smith and Hon Penn.
The three defectors jointly announced their decision to work more closely together but said the door was still open for the other Opposition Members to join.
A Response to the People’s Call for Unity
Hon Walwyn (NDP), in confirming the alliance, told media operatives that the move is a direct response to the electorate’s demand for greater cohesion within the Opposition.
“The alliance is born out of what we've heard from the people. We've made this mistake two times already. We made that mistake in 2019; we made the mistake in 2023. The people of the country did their utmost. The Opposition got seven seats, which tells you clearly that they supported the opposition and not the Virgin Islands Party. They did their part, and we didn't do our part because we were divided, and we saw the result of that.”
The Opposition Members stressed that the fragmentation of the NDP and the PVIM over recent years has negatively impacted governance, making it imperative to forge a more united front.
Not a new Party
While the formation of a new political party remains uncertain, Hon Walwyn was empathic that the focus is currently on working more cohesively within the HoA and across districts.
“At the end of the day, the overall objective is to make each one of us better legislators so that we can better serve the public in elected office. That is what the alliance is about at this juncture. We are not there at this point. We will cross that bridge when we get there. But clearly, what we have articulated to you is what our objectives are at this point.”
Definition of Insanity
Hon Turnbull, in echoing Walwyn’s sentiments, stressed that the political landscape must change for progress to be made adding, “This is an alliance. What we believe is what the definition of insanity is—doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. We have done it twice before, and it has proven futile.”
As such, “I think now is the time that we have understood the voices of the people. We have listened to people in our districts and throughout the territory; All have been saying, ‘Listen, you guys need to put this thing together.’”
Citing Matthew 6:35, he added, “A house divided amongst itself cannot stand” and expressed confidence that a unified approach would strengthen the Opposition’s ability to challenge the government effectively and prepare for the next general elections.
According to the opposition member, “When we stand together in this alliance, I believe this is the foundation upon which we will build to contest the next general elections and be the government that does the transformation needed in this territory to rise us to the top of the region and even the world.”
Many in the public; however, remain confused as to how this new alliance can be taken seriously when they are preaching unity while practising disunity.
Handshake Among Legislators
Hon Mather also offered a broader perspective on the alliance, describing it as a mutual commitment to cooperation adumbrating, “The alliance is when a handshake is made. In our society, we grew up knowing that when someone gave you their word or they shook your hand, that meant that they would work with you.”
As such, he elucidated “This is a handshake among legislators, representatives, to work together. But we also recognize… there are a lot of minds that are bigger, broader, and in some cases, have more experience than the members sitting in the House of Assembly.
An alliance brings together those in the House of Assembly and those outside for a better Virgin Islands.”
The alliance, according to Hon Walwyn, is open to broader participation and acknowledged ongoing discussions with other Opposition members, expressing hope that more would join.
“The other Members of the Opposition—it is for them to join when they are ready. We agree on one fundamental thing: we have to come together to be a more viable force for the general elections and offer a better alternative to the people of the country. We may differ in the way we get there, but we continue to talk.”
Power hungry Opposition
Pressed on whether the alliance would move to assume leadership of the Opposition, Hon Walwyn dismissed the idea as premature, telling media operatives, “That is not our focus at this juncture. Our focus right now is exactly what we have articulated to you.”
The Opposition has always been accused of having no unity, with members all hungry for power rather than putting the territory first. This disunity was blamed for the now Opposition members currently being out of power despite having one more seat than the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) following the general elections of 2023. This latest coup confirms the concerns and may just be the nail in the Opposition's coffin.
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54 Responses to “More confusion emerges: 3 show their heads in Opposition palace coup”
Three blind mice, three blind mice,
See how they run, see how they run,
They all ran after the Premier's Post,
And joined together to complain the Most,
Have you ever seen such a covetous bunch in all your life...
As these Three Blind Mice?
True the ipposi leader, Hon
Ronnie Skeleton is not a perfect person, but as far money managing and sharing more of our tax money among us, his record speaks for him.
The others opposition leaders should not follow the lead of Hon. Myron and the other two members in the hopeless quest for power. This not a good time for separation, but rather integration in perpose for the betterment of the people of the BVI.
folks running for political office in this territory needs to be very serious because there is a lot at stake: this poor political leadership is going to make the people of this country suffer
Poor political leadership brought a commission of inquiry into this land where our forefathers bled and died
In 2025 and the poor political leadership continues because the set of them just wants to be the premier
while some of you out here experiencing various challenges from day to day the 13 of them pockets fill each month
Setta crooks
They acting like the VIP didn’t lose the last election! They acting like they tired of VIP beating them every election. When the truth is that they actually beat the VIP and win the last election! It was only because of selfish thinking from Lorna and her and her brothers power hungriness, why the Opposition isn’t in power now. Same BS continues with MMM now. This move is self serving and has nothing to do with unifying or with answering the cries of the people. Myron want Premier but will never get it. He still is just a first generation VI. Mitch is a b***h and disloyal he will lose the 2nd district this time. Mather will go from most votes to not enough votes and will be a one and done legislator. Remember Myron went from most votes one election to being kicked out the HOA completely the next election! Tis Skelly bring Mather into politics and less than 2 years he already turn against Ronnie? He will learn how disloyalty is repaid by Jehovah.
The simple bottom line is that for success to sprout green shoots there must be effective planning,, organizing pooling of resources, practicing group economics, etc. An individual success is good but it does little for the group effort; effort should be about group effort and focus. Others are about group effort, even when acting individually. Scattering, dividing, etc weakens a group, making it weaker , more vulnerable and more exploitable.
Moreover, power , wealth,,etc follows the numbers. The crab-in- bucket-syndrome is a drag on progress; it is a ballast dragging the community/people under..
It is time to get behind a leader who has devised and engineered a new course, a new direction, etc, having analyzed the social, economic, political, cultural, etc needs, and have devised the goals, objectives, strategies, tactics, operations, etc., to take the community, the land, etc, to the planned destination. There is much work to be done on the infrastructure, diversifying the economy, arresting crime, improving health and education, lowering cost of living, etc,,aspiring for First World status . It will take group effort to get it done. If one cannot follow, one cannot lead.
“ It is time to get behind a leader who has devised and engineered a new course, a new direction, etc, having analyzed the social, economic, political, cultural, etc needs, and have devised the goals, objectives, strategies, tactics, operations, etc., to take the community, the land, etc, to the planned destination.”
E. Leonard,,moi boi, gone deep with your ask. Where will we find such a leader in the BVI?? The current gang has not demonstrated the leadership qualities you are asking.. The current gang is about self, power, not the public interest, the public. It pains me to say it but BVI leadership with the current lot is an oxymoron..Everybody wants to be Premier and don’t give a rat’s ass about the people, especially the the lil man, the territory.. We need a Mandela, Moses, Noel, Joseph, Angela Merkel, Eugenia Charles, Lavity, Chris Fleming, Dolph Faulkner,,etc to emerge. There is a void, a dearth of effective leadership in the BVI. We try to substitute education for demonstrated experienced leadership to our detriment.we cannot fake it till we make it..
There has been rumors of Marlon switching but I’ve learned all of that far from the truth.
I’ve heard they’re trying to convince Parillon and Coy to join them but that doesn’t seem to be gaining traction.
Any up coming person seeking to contest a seat in the next General elections should stay away from having this be the topic of discussion so early for their careers. It’s just terrible but to each his own and I wish em sense.