Social Commentator and Host of Honestly Speaking, Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline, has speculated on the plan of former legislator and leader of the People’s Progressive Movement (PLM), Mr Mark H. Vanterpool. Photo: Internet Source

Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline during the October 20, 2026, airing of his show Honestly Speaking on ZBVI 780 AM. Photo: Facebook

According to Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline, the People’s Leadership Movement, led by Mr Mark H. Vanterpool, will not be able to form a government on its own. Photo: PLM

“I’m going to say out loud what those of you have whispered in my ear already,” he said, doubling down on previous statements that the PLM has no base in the Virgin Islands (VI), during his show on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.

According to Mr Skelton-Cline, Mr Vanterpool is banking on winning his seat in District 4 and hopes to get his former National Democratic Party (NDP) colleagues to join him after they win their seats.

'Another way to skin a cat'

“Hon Vanterpool knows that because he does not have a base in this country and because the math doesn’t work because it’s a splinter of NDP, which is now NDP 5. What he’s hoping for, at best, is that on the night of the election, no party can get to seven [elected members] if the House remains [at] thirteen, or eight if it expands to fifteen.” 

Pastor Skelton-Cline said that if that happens, Mr Vanterpool hopes to gather certain individuals to form the government. 

“That’s what the PLM is banking on. That’s political analysis, because they know they can’t get to it…you’re not going to win those seats. So what they’re attempting is another way to skin a cat.”

He added, “The question is: Do you want to be the cat being skinned?… I’m just letting the people know what the PLM is up to and not allow themselves to be politically molested. That’s the reason why I’m raising this in their hearing.”

So far, the PLM has announced only 3 candidates for the upcoming general election, including Vanterpool. The others are Clifton Forbes, who will be running in the Third District, and Juan R. Hatchett, who will run as a Territorial At-Large candidate.