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Political party system has failed the people of VI- Skelton-Cline

-Shares plans to abandon political party support for 2023 elections in VI
ZBVI 780am ‘Honestly Speaking’ talk show host Claude O. Skelton-Cline has accused the Virgin Islands political party system of flailing the people of the territory. Photo: Facebook/File
In the last elections in the VI, the parties that contested included the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), The National Democratic Party (NDP), Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM), and Progressives United (PU). Photo: VI Elections
In the last elections in the VI, the parties that contested included the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), The National Democratic Party (NDP), Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM), and Progressives United (PU). Photo: VI Elections
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI– 'Honestly Speaking’ talk show host Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline has accused the Virgin Islands political party system of failing the people of the territory.

He made the remarks during the September 6, 2022, edition of his show on ZBVI 780 AM, while vowing to abandon his support for political parties in the general elections due early 2023.  

“I am a former member of the National Democratic Party. I am now a member of the Virgin Islands Party. They happened to be the two major parties of this country in recent history though there are some other parties that exist and have attempted to emerge,” he added.

System has failed people of VI - Skelton-Cline 

“The party system in our country has failed the people of the country and while there are wonderful people in both parties, the party as a system has failed the people of these Virgin Islands,” he reiterated. 

Skelton-Cline said Virgin Islanders ought to take a better look at the people they elect on an individual basis, rather than having loyalty to a particular political party. 

“I truly believe that in this era, at this particular point in the journey of Virgin Islanders… It is a time for us to give an inquisitive look at each individual and choose from amongst us 13 persons who are well able [and] capable of giving leadership to this country,” he added.

He called on the voting public to not get ‘hung up’ on the party system and show loyalty as the local political parties in the VI have little differences among them.

4 Parties contested 2019 elections 

In the last elections in the VI, the parties that contested included the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), The National Democratic Party (NDP), Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM), and Progressives United (PU).

Skelton Cline added, “The party system, be it NDP, VIP, PU… the truth of the matter is when you take a close look at all of their manifestos and their mandates, and you listen to the persons on the campaign trail, there is very  little to no ideological distinction between the parties,” he said. 

The outspoken clergyman said of the 13 individuals the VI will elect, they must therefore be elected with meaningful, prayerful, and mindful consideration to bring leadership to the VI, rather than being elected based on party affiliation.  

23 Responses to “Political party system has failed the people of VI- Skelton-Cline”

  • caller (12/09/2022, 10:35) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
    Claude this is one thing i give u credit for. It is that party system was doomed to fail the ppl. However it is the individuals in these parties fail the ppl because of greed and wickedness which u was part of. Dey steal the ppl monies feed ur cronies and left the ppl for themselves inflicting hardship which u was part of Claude.
  • yeah (12/09/2022, 10:35) Like (23) Dislike (1) Reply

    You brought more hate in this BVI more than anyone else......all for the love of Tax money......you know what, that is called S****g....yeah

  • resident (12/09/2022, 10:58) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    The members with their dishonesty and no integrity killed the VI. How come VIP under the leadership of Lavity Stoutt and upstanding individuals such as TB Lettsome, Louis Walter's, Ralph O'Neal, Oliver Cills, Paul Wattley, and others did such good for the VI? And that was a political party. The bvi needs selfless people who will put people first. Personally I have confidence in the premier, Marlon Penn ,Sharie De Castro, Mitch Turnbull, Kye Rhymer. Will wait to see who else comes forward. And that is my humble opinion.
  • Mick Mars (12/09/2022, 11:11) Like (24) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yet, he benefited by being part and parcel to the corruption of both parties, gaining hundreds of thousands of dollars in invisible consultancy contracts and other benefits...while he was a part of it.

    This man has zero integrity while claiming to be a man of God. Dangerous.
  • FLO (12/09/2022, 11:12) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    Oh no! Not him again...
    What do you want mister - a job? some position that you're not qualified for? Another opportunity to steal the country's money? Are you looking for a job for which you're not qualified??? What Claude. What is it that you want ????
  • asura (12/09/2022, 11:21) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    I agree but I want to give the blue team a chance this time
  • josiah'sbay (12/09/2022, 11:40) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    The party system is the root cause of division and is a derisiveness and disruptive component to good governance. Initially it divide the territory where no defined ideological difference exist. It ferment the avaricious climate to align with one side or the other to clamor for contractual favors. It squanders and renders the Government coffers un productive and ineffective in completing or finishing projects because of the impose whim of its current party Government. The most devastating attribute is that it inhibits logical, critical and rational thinking on the part of its members who blindly align with the party mandates and not the better interest of the territory.
  • my2cents (12/09/2022, 12:48) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply

    Your c******* got exposed and even more is getting exposed so shoot the messenger please be quiet on political matters

  • NICK (12/09/2022, 12:48) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Honestly Speaking. That is not the way you make apology. You know better than that. Just in case you forget ask bro Zaccheus. You have to return something you knew was received withot merit.
  • Huh? To josiah's bay (12/09/2022, 12:54) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    What the heck are you trying to say wid all them words misused, Mispelt and totally out of step?

    All the best to you though.
  • hungry (12/09/2022, 13:09) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    You too Claud
  • Native Senior Citizen of the British Virgin Islands. (12/09/2022, 13:34) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Fake prophet Claude Skeleton Cline, you were a member of the NDP, you were paid plenty money. Afterward you because a VIP member. You got contract or contracts (consultant) you benefited from both political parties. You have admitted that political leaders have not work in the best interest of the British Virgin Islands citizens. Who are you now trying to fool as if you recently figure this out, or lately came to the knowledge of this truth? You are a twisty hypocrite, facts. Not only that, you too much, and are disloyal tongue-twisting Talk Show Host that pretend that you are a genuine person, in mine and clear minded persons honest, and genuine opinion.
  • Mr PSYCHOLOGIST (12/09/2022, 13:38) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    SO YOU TRYING AH TING AGAIN , WITH ALL THE THEATRICS IN THAT BRAIN OF YOURS , BECAREFUL IT EXPLODE ???? ( REMEMBER YOU CANNOT FOOL THE MAN UPSTAIRS ) THE DEVIL NEEDS A CONSULTANT
  • c (12/09/2022, 14:05) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    I hope you aren’t thinking of running.
  • !!!! (12/09/2022, 15:13) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    imagine that, he was a big part of that deceptive pier park project some saying 40 million overrun jump across to fahie administration pocket another large sum that payers money not forgetting the port purcell money……
  • DeShawn (12/09/2022, 15:41) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Is it the people of the BVI or yourself u talking about now the CoI has stopped the gravy train
  • @ CALLER (12/09/2022, 19:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I MUST SAY THAT NEATLY PUT , ( @ C , WITH A TWO BULLWOOD ON HIS REAR END , YEAH , HE MIGHT TAKEOFF RUNNING AND AFTER A COUPLE OF LAPS AROUND THE ISLAND , HE MIGHT COME TO HIS SENCES, AND THAT JUST HONESTLY SPEAKING ????
  • LV (12/09/2022, 19:37) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    YOU CSC failed the BVI. YOU!
  • Get Lost (12/09/2022, 21:27) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    PLEASE go back to where you runaway from before you canme to our peaceful shores. You brought nothing but trouble to us and sucked the life blood of every Government party to fill your bottom less pocket. Keep on playing church for the Sheeps that will listen to your nonsense.
  • Why (12/09/2022, 22:20) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Am I the only person sick and tired of this man. Honestly, does anyone listen to what he has to say? Man he just need to shut the hell up.
  • Scotland Yard (12/09/2022, 22:58) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well well
    Mr man was side by side with the leader of Detroit

    Well well
    Mr man was side by side with the head coach

    Well well
    Where are both of his sidekicks

    Well well
    Mr man now making predictions as whom will lead this lands


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