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NDP with Hon Penn @helm is 'dead on arrival'- Claude O. Skelton-Cline

- said party leaders must have the financial resources to be effective
Clergyman and social commentator Claude O. Skelton-Cline has called on the National Democratic Party to change its current chairman. Photo: Facebook
Clergyman and social commentator Claude O. Skelton-Cline has called on the National Democratic Party to replace its current chairman, Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8). Photo: Facebook/File
Clergyman and social commentator Claude O. Skelton-Cline has called on the National Democratic Party to replace its current chairman, Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8). Photo: Facebook/File
Claude O. Skelton-Cline said if the national democratic party donot change its leader it is dead on arrival. Photo: VINO/FILE
Claude O. Skelton-Cline said if the national democratic party donot change its leader it is dead on arrival. Photo: VINO/FILE
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI - Clergyman and social commentator Claude O. Skelton-Cline has called on the National Democratic Party (NDP) to replace its current chairman.

Skelton-Cline made the call during his "Honestly Speaking" show on ZBVI 780 AM on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.

"If the National Democratic Party goes to a convention, and they do not change the chairmanship, the existing chairman of the National Democratic Party, and the Member of the Eighth [District] emerges as the leader of the National Democratic Party for the next upcoming general election, you all are dead on arrival," he stated.

The clergyman emphasised that he has nothing personal against Hon Penn, saying, "I like the guy, he is a nice guy. We sit, and we break bread together. We disagree on certain things, but I like him."

No money to lead a political party

Skelton-Cline also raised concerns about leaders and candidates lacking the financial resources needed to fund a party, stating, "All these people who want to be leaders of a party, none of them ain't got no money."

He explained that political leaders and parties need at least $1.3 million to operate properly. 

"You’ll be sitting up arguing about who's gonna lead? Somebody should ask a question. You got money to lead? You have money to fund this party. You got money to pay bills, previous bills, current bills, and bills to come?"

The commentator criticised the notion of relying on external investments for party funding, stating that people will not put their hard earned monies on people they don't have confidence in.

"I want to say to the good folk of the National Democratic Party and all the systems of this country, we've got to stop being stupid. I'm saying we gotta stop this nonsense," Skelton-Cline stated.

25 Responses to “NDP with Hon Penn @helm is 'dead on arrival'- Claude O. Skelton-Cline ”

  • the family (28/01/2026, 08:34) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Was Marlon self appointed?
    • A Crisis of leadership (28/01/2026, 11:00) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
      A philosopher once said, “He who cannot be a good follower cannot be a good leader.” It is usually paraphrased in the military as, “A true leader leads when appropriate and follows without hesitation when others are in command.” All of these individuals have violated this principle and, as a result, ALL are unfit to lead.
    • @the family (28/01/2026, 11:37) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      Marlon was never elected chairman of the NDP. He was elected Deputy when Myron was elected chairman. Myron resigned 7 years ago. Marlon never in those 7 years had an elected for executive positions in the party. He just seized the party as his own and called himself the chairman when he was never elected to that position. That is the problem.
    • Well (29/01/2026, 05:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      He was the last man standing, no need to self approve, matron don't settle for anything else, they need you
  • asking for a friend (28/01/2026, 08:57) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    Is this to say he wants his uncle to lead the party?
    • @asking for a friend (28/01/2026, 15:18) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
      Uncle or not, he is more fit than Marlon. Two things can be true, so yes. It is his uncle and he is more fit to lead. Say it slowly, seven more times so that you can get comfortable that a fact is not disqualified as a fact, simply because another fact is present! We are a set...
    • Rabsatt (28/01/2026, 21:21) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      Yes Ill like his uncle to lead the party.
    • Yow (29/01/2026, 05:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Bingo that sun of a gun
  • Stp bl0@k me (28/01/2026, 09:02) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Don’t care for politics at all, but with all parties, every single one of them, all I see is a fight to hold and keep Premiership.
  • Stealth (28/01/2026, 09:38) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    These gides have not proven that they can lead their own way out of a phone booth but they all want to be leader, to be Premier. It is an about self interest, not public interest. They want something for their personal , “I love me wall.” They need to put some real time and effort into the growth and development of the territory, diversifying and strengthening and sustaining the economy, improving residents quality of life, standards of living and per capita income, improving and strengthening public safety( police, fire, national security), enhancing and strengthening safety nets, improving access and availability to medical care, improving and strengthening education,,etc. The electorate plays a key and vital role in making sure these things happen. We blame politicians but politicians do what we let get away with. We must look past the dependency, political patronage, etc. Collectively, cooperatively and collaboratively working to build the country is more important than our personal benefits, interests, is it not?
    • @ STEALTH (29/01/2026, 09:43) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ Stealth, this here is a mini manifesto. It just needs some meat on it. And it is free. On the trail we need to demsnd how these issues will be addressed.
  • ok (28/01/2026, 10:10) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    So in other words he saying Ronnie is the fittest person because he has that type of money
    • Yow (29/01/2026, 05:28) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Yep stupid remark as gell, but we all know he just wants access again, let's we forget
  • Really? (28/01/2026, 10:51) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
    Be careful, Interim Stand- In Pastor. Truth is NO one really trust your views on anything since it is always YOUR agenda, with something in it for YOU. Why should we not consider Marlon to lead us forward?
    • @ Really (28/01/2026, 15:22) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      You are confused... The stand-in interim is Bishop John Cline, the host of Honestly Speaking is Pastor Claude Cline. Marlon's candidates don't want him to lead them. Who will vote for him, the eighth district delegates? You cannot lead people anywhere who don't want you to lead them. They might comply against their will to keep the peace and then not, and then you have a repeat of 2023. It's not brain surgery.
  • FACIAL EXPRESSION (28/01/2026, 11:10) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    His exelency CSC is saying )> now honestly speaking , no offense BRO , but I gotta tell you this ( YOU AINT READY , ) ( PeNNN )> , SO YO FLEXING OFF ME NOW ? - AND WE BOTH BORN HAE / SO DOES MY PARENTS AND THEIRS TOO , THE NAME MARLON - NOT - MYRON , ABD FROM OW E
    , WE AIN'T GONNA BE BREAKING OR CUTTING AND KINDA BREAD , SO KEEP FARRRRRRRrrrŕr
  • Ronald (28/01/2026, 12:39) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    Point well taken Claude but the fundamental thing is badmindedness and evilness and grandstanding. Marlon will get the diarrhea 1 million times before a vote for he. He lack the intellect to lead anybody. Let he lead he self.
  • Uncle Ben (28/01/2026, 13:03) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    My Uncle ,is the one with the Money ????
  • ... (28/01/2026, 14:42) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    Poor Smurf Myron done say he not following he so the dog deaf
    • Hon Skelton. The only one. (29/01/2026, 06:32) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      The only person in the HOA fit to be Premier is Hon. Skelton...Hope some good, decent, honest, caring young folks out there Jump into the ring...Countries are now going young at their leadership position..38 - 45 yrs.. Who we have around that age group fit for Premier, lets start looking.
  • Give leadership to a original founding member (28/01/2026, 17:11) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    I blame Dr. Smith for creating all this mess......He should've handoff the position before he departed
  • rat race (28/01/2026, 21:53) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    SEEMS MORE LIKE - DOG EAT DOG , AND THE FAKE PASTOR THROWING "SPRAT TO CATCH WHALE " / CLAUDIA IS EXPOSING HIS HIDDEN AGENDA ???? HOPEFULLY HE'S GETTING PAID , THIS DuDE LOOKS LIKE DID THE MOONWALK FROM THE SCRIPTURES , AND STRAIGHT INTO THE POLITICAL ARENA ???? ???? NOW WE ARE GETTING A LESSON IN WHO - WHAT - WHEN - WHY ETC ON HOW THE COUNTRY IS SUPPOSED TO BE RUN / AND WHAT MAKES IT EVEN MORE HAILARIOUS , IS , HE REALLY BELIEVES THAT WE ARE SWALLOWING HIS DRAMA ???? • THE DEVIL REALLY GOT HIS SEEDZ IN THE PALM OF HIS HANDS , AND SLOWLY TIGHTENING , SO " HOME BOI " FRIG.

  • The watchdog (29/01/2026, 03:44) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    We’ve got to find a different serious leader if the ndp is to have an impact
  • pelican (31/01/2026, 06:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    All 13 must go including you. You were ndp in 2011 you milky the tt and jumped over to Vip .. you should stay to help the party. You jumped out of vip , now you don't where your nose is? Frog!!!!!!!


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