Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

'No Belonger' should be allowed to vote on independence referendum- Skelton-Cline

- said it's a matter only for Virgin Islanders
Outspoken commentator and clergyman Claude O. Skelton-Cline, who is a proponent of independence, is of the view that Belongers should not be allowed to vote if a referendum on independence is called in the Virgin Islands (VI). Photo: VINO/File
Claude O. Skelton-Cline during his show ‘Honestly Speaking’ on ZBVI 780 AM on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. Photo: Facebook
Claude O. Skelton-Cline during his show ‘Honestly Speaking’ on ZBVI 780 AM on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. Photo: Facebook
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- Outspoken commentator and clergyman Claude O. Skelton-Cline, who is a proponent of independence, is of the view that Belongers should not be allowed to vote if a referendum on independence is called in the Virgin Islands (VI).

“Unless you are a Virgin Islander by blood and birth, with the proper requisite of the [British] Nationality Act, you cannot be allowed to vote in a referendum on the political status and future of this country, that will not be for you to do,” Skelton-Cline stated on his show, ‘Honestly Speaking’ on ZBVI 780 AM, on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.

The clergyman, who also said there is no law that requires the Virgin Islands to have a referendum on independence, but he is in favour of one, said Belongers should, nevertheless, be in full support of the Virgin Islands aspiring to independence.

‘How you get in that argument?’

“No Belonger! Oh Lord, look at you, your eyes just rolled…No, no, you cannot, you cannot, you will not, I will not support, I will not be an advocate for you voting on a referendum for our self-determined path for Virgin Islanders.

“And I dare any Jamaican to come and tell me why we’re not ready for independence. I dare anything Vincentian, any Grenadian, any Guyanese, any Kititian, any Nevisian, any of our regional neighbours, come closer and listen to me with the politics of tenderness, now you are arguing with Virgin Islanders about why we ain’t ready for independence. How [did] you get in that argument? No. You should lend nothing but your support,” Skelton-Cline argued.

The commentator said countries like Saint Kitts and Nevis, Antigua, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Jamaica, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana are independent, yet some of the Belongers originally from those countries are now opposing independence for the Virgin Islands.

‘That is specifically our business’

“How you gonna come to the Virgin Islands and then want to set the tone, temperature and tenor for us Virgin Islanders? Nope, that is specifically our business.”

Skelton-Cline said he loves those persons he is speaking about to death, and he knows most of them understand his position, but there is a “handful” who are not going to understand.

“I love you to death, but on this matter, about what happens in the master bedroom, that’s for us. Now you can sleep in all other beds in the rest of the house, but that particular piece on the referendum, about our self-determined path, that’s for Virgin Islanders, not Belongership,” Mr Skelton-Cline said.

“No, no, no, I can’t go to the Philippines and tell you what [to do]. I can’t go to Spain, I can’t go to Australia, no, no, so I know you understand.”

36 Responses to “'No Belonger' should be allowed to vote on independence referendum- Skelton-Cline”

  • Lb (09/09/2025, 11:46) Like (16) Dislike (2) Reply
    Does he know that there are BVI Belongers who are Belongers by blood? Belongers who may be 5th generation Virgin Islanders who lived in the BVI all their lives but were born outside of the territory to unmarried parents, one of whom may not be a Virgin Islander? Their navel string buried here just as much as his or any "born here" Virgin Islander.

    Does he know that there are different classifications of Belongers? So while i agree with him in principle, he needs to be mindful of painting everyone with broad brush strokes.
    • @Lb (09/09/2025, 13:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      This is why we need to push for the recognition of 5th generation+ VIslanders in the constitution rights, so that people don't lump us in with Belongers... yet hardly any of us are willing to advocate for your ancestral rights to our OWN home, choosing instead to just comment on blogs. Everywhere else in the Caribbean, the 'world' fight for their birthright ...but we don't want to offend those who want to take it from our children. PURE IDIOTS!
    • Billy (09/09/2025, 16:16) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      So , tell me Mr Cline. What is your status when you lived in the States ? Were you just a half citizen that could only vote on limited things ?
  • FLAT FISH (09/09/2025, 12:02) Like (11) Dislike (25) Reply
    I am a belonger and agree with you sir some of the islands get independence when they had sugar and bananas that was exporting to UK it dont happen anymore and they still standing and striving i agree with you let the born here decide independence in a referendum not we belongers
  • Dave (09/09/2025, 12:18) Like (41) Dislike (3) Reply
    Errr... actually, when you go to those countries and become a citizen, you can vote on what to do. That's the definition of citizenship not some tribal bloodline BS.
  • Not news (09/09/2025, 12:25) Like (28) Dislike (3) Reply
    Please delete this article. Thank you
    • Strictly A VG Man (09/09/2025, 13:23) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ Not news WELL SAID! I agree. This article brings all of us down. So Sad. We must be better than this.
  • M.D. (09/09/2025, 12:25) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    “How you gonna come to the Virgin Islands and then want to set the tone, temperature and tenor for us Virgin Islanders? Nope, that is specifically our business.”

    But Claude, that's what ure trying to do in a way. You ran away from Detroit some years ago and now wanna set the tone for us. I know u from here and all but d...MN..
    Hold it down. Everyone with rights here, belongers included have a rightt to their future. Basically you want rightful belongers who will be living here forever,, so to speak, to not have the right to vote on it, but you want all Virgin Islanders, those of whom don't live here and will probably fly in to vote and fly back out one time, to have such right..
    But I understand, u wanna shorten that list to increase your chances of a pro independent result.
  • Transparent (09/09/2025, 12:25) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    Reduce to voting pool to a minimum, then bribe those remaining with the $100 million they borrowed. A sure way to ensure the ruling families and their friends remain rich and in charge.
  • Double barrel (09/09/2025, 12:29) Like (4) Dislike (26) Reply
    He is right unless you are indigenous you should not be allowed
    • @Double barrel (09/09/2025, 13:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You all killed off the indigenous for a copper mine...so we Afros who you brought here as your slaves will have to vote by default.
    • @Double barrel (09/09/2025, 15:00) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
      None of us are indigenous. We were all brought here one way or another.
  • This dude ?? (09/09/2025, 12:35) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
    That makes no sense, if you are a legal belonger you can vote in the referendum. "Belonger" has a legal definition.
  • OK Then (09/09/2025, 12:36) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is statements like these that voters take into consideration before casting their vote in a general election. If I am a candidate in the bvi general election, I will not associate myself with this guy. Period….
  • ronnie (09/09/2025, 12:46) Like (17) Dislike (4) Reply
    You are so wrong ! When a Virgin Islander moves to another country they can become a FULL citizen within a reasonable time , where they have the same rights as anyone else. Also , most belongers have lived here longer than the average " born here"
  • BVIslander (09/09/2025, 12:55) Like (3) Dislike (19) Reply
    I TOTALLY AGREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • BuzzBvi (09/09/2025, 12:56) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Or only if you Born in VI or a Belonger should you vote.

    Or as above and have no outstanding criminal charges against you.

    Or only those Born in Vi and have a job in the VI.

    Or only those in the living in the VI that have a job or registered as unemployed or married to someone living and working in the VI.

    Or all people on the census excluding Pastors (real or fake).

    Or just Natalio.
  • A voter is a voter (09/09/2025, 12:58) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
    As per above... but more importantly How come the belonger/citizen line at the airport is so compromised. now they let BVIslanders stand in line with work permit people which makes the process much slower. People with a BVI passport are much quicker to process, and this is their home & country. Why subject us to a long wait to arrive home? let residents and work permit holders have their own line.
    • @A voter is a voter (09/09/2025, 15:03) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Erm... there is a separate line for them. At least, there has been every time I have flown back in. One for tourists, one for work permits, one for BVIslanders.
  • Macky (09/09/2025, 13:00) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    Belongers should have a right to vote also, belongers belong here and Virgin Islanders are belongers. But there should also be a few months of open dialog discussing the factors, pro & con. The reason why it is an issue. Education on the level of autonomy that is being sought. How the UK helps us and how they hurt us. Of course they want our financial services (we charge companies a fee to incorporate here) to be crippled and they do not contribute to our treasury but there are advantages to being associated with them in our current capacity. So they must be months long debate and some lectures by those educated in this matter. I think we would still have right to use the global trading currency that we already use and would still have UK military support but what else would remain the same and what would change.
  • Prejudice? (09/09/2025, 13:02) Like (20) Dislike (2) Reply
    If a belonger can vote in a general election that can influence the direction of this country, then they should be able to vote on that. Else you ate excluding and being a dictatorship.
  • BUSY BEE (09/09/2025, 13:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    So very, very Orwellian.
    Some BVIslanders are more equal than others.
  • hmm (09/09/2025, 13:44) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    the funny thing this is the same mind set of most BVI landers!! that is why this place has no real growth. This is the same man who went to america bleed them and return to the bvi smh
  • White noise from him again (09/09/2025, 13:53) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    We hearing too much nonsense from this man.

    Is he running for Premier or something.

    Struggling to stay relevant so spouting rubbish everyday
  • Yes to UK (09/09/2025, 14:01) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    If a Belonger cant vote on whats going to happen with his countery tell us who should vote on it on what happens to our country. I think you need to shut TFU.
  • Wow. Here Craziness. (09/09/2025, 14:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    So a belonger is here 50 yrs all his life has no righrs, what about those belongers who are employers and investors...This man business needs an Island pwople belongers or not boycott, the kind of hate he pushing, that may happen
  • RedStorm (09/09/2025, 14:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well, Well in analysis this topic was well discussed in his master bedroom, and he came up with this filth, that others can have the other rooms, just in time to influence the next election. Well its not hard, because I think I lost my voters card. Mr. see what else you can come up with for the next election , its obvious that you are one influnzer that might get your way with the expat/belonger and his/her born here husband and expat wife, they soon will get tired of the BS. The days are getting shorter.
  • Yo (09/09/2025, 14:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I guess that means he can't vote either, but he's always in the news and on the radio talking on residents' behalf. On Independence Dayum that's crazy, mehson.
  • PUT YOUR FOOT DOWN CSC (09/09/2025, 15:01) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    WELL THE CITY SLICKER IS MAKING SOME NOISE AND FLEXING OFF HIS ENTITLEMENT ON THE ISLAND PEOPLE DEM ( ITS A CLEAR EXAMPLE OF ONE HAND ON THE BIBLE AND THE
    OTHER HOLDING AN ( AK 47 ) • WE GOT TO KEEP AN EYE ON HIS BIBLE , BECAUSE THERE MIGHT MIGHT BE A GUN IN IT TOO / HE HAS ALREADY PROVEN HIMSELF AS A FALSE PROPHET / WHICH IS JUST ONE OF HIS
    HIDDEN TALENTS HE SAID " IN HIS FATHER'S HOUSE , THERE ARE MANY ❓️???????????? THERE •
  • Seriously? (09/09/2025, 16:17) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is like Trump telling only people born in the US can vote on whether or not to destroy the constitution. If you are allowed a cote you are allowed a VOICE!!
  • LOL (09/09/2025, 16:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We have politicians either not born in the BVI or don't have BVI parents. Yes of the one's not born in the BVI they are VIslanders by decent, but they are legal to sit in the HOA and make laws.
  • smh (09/09/2025, 17:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    So what you saying if you are a Virgin Islander you can vote even if you don't live in the VI you have the right to influence the referendum and you dont live here. And persons who live and work here with belonger cant vote. Just like general elections people coming from aboard to vote and influence elections for others and they dont live here, but voted just because they have right.
  • Stop It (09/09/2025, 17:16) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    You preach and incite nothing but division. People take note. ALL who you deem unfit to vote should boycott all businesses that you're associated with.
  • Deport Claude Cline (09/09/2025, 17:23) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Put his behind in the boat and get him back to Detroit where he BELONGS!
  • Skelton Cline (09/09/2025, 17:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    He is like a black Nazi telling Jewish people cannot vote
  • guy hill (09/09/2025, 17:42) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    This headline must be a typo. Please fix right now.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.