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Premier Wheatley ‘has proven to be a political sniper’- Claude O. Skelton-Cline

- said VIP administration has 3 people who aren’t party members
The Virgin Islands Party has been able to secure the support of three opposition members, who have crossed the floor to join its government since its election in 2023. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands
Host of Honestly Speaking, Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline has said Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has proven to be a political sniper. Photo: Facebook
Host of Honestly Speaking, Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline has said Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has proven to be a political sniper. Photo: Facebook
Premier and Minister of Finance of the Virgin Islands, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7). Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands
Premier and Minister of Finance of the Virgin Islands, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7). Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- The host of Honestly Speaking, Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline, has said Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has proven to be a political sniper.

“You can accuse him of not getting anything done, you can accuse him of having the country economically constipated, there’s no movement, but he has proven to be a political sniper,” Skelton-Cline said on the final episode of Honesly Speaking for 2025, on December 23, 2025, on ZBVI 780 AM. 

3 opposition members move to VIP 

“Now the Virgin Islands Party government has 3 people in government who have not joined, and that in itself is interesting,” Skelton-Cline stated. 

Hon Stacy R. Mather (AL) is the latest member of the House of Assembly to move across to the Virgin Islands Party government from the Opposition. He crossed the floor in December 2025.

Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) was sworn in as Deputy Premier and Minister for the Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change in October 2025, after leaving the Opposition. 

Hon Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL), was also poached by the VIP government after being elected as an At-Large Representative of the National Democratic Party (NDP) at the April 2023 general elections. She crossed the floor to help form the government with the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), which had won 6 of the 7 seats in the HoA. 

She was given the portfolio of Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade. She was fired in October 2024, just before the Opposition was to bring a Motion of No Confidence against Premier Wheatley. 

Hon Smith was subsequently invited to rejoin the government in March 2025 and given the portfolio she currently holds as Junior Minister for Financial Services, Trade and Economic Development. 

“That guy can pick them off, he’s a sharp shooter, and you got to give him credit for that,” Skelton-Cline said. 

Mather trying to save political life

Skelton-Cline also suggested that Hon Mather took a chance moving to the VIP government. 

“I suspect he’s trying to save his political life, and you know all of us are motivated by a healthy self at times, and there’s a need for some self-preservation.”

He added that while it may not guarantee Hon Mather’s re-election it makes sense. 

“At least it gives him a better chance because he’s with the old party, VIP, interestingly enough, he said that he’s not joining the party, he’s joining the government.”

17 Responses to “Premier Wheatley ‘has proven to be a political sniper’- Claude O. Skelton-Cline”

  • —————————- (29/12/2025, 07:57) Like (3) Dislike (13) Reply
    Up or down the vip will win
  • lord o. (29/12/2025, 08:20) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    Why the word Sipper. ? Sounds like a killer. I will say a Poligical Brain, he is not deviding them, they are dividing themselves and he is brilliant enough to take advantage of that.
    • premier (29/12/2025, 09:35) Like (9) Dislike (17) Reply
      Premier is a very smart man. He works with his mouth shut. He is an excellent strategist. While Myron think he’s got it all figured out.. our premier is 20 steps ahead of him. Once again evil does not prevail. Until Myron starts doing things From the heart and not for power he will always fail. No weapon form against our premier shall prosper. Amen!
      • payout (01/01/2026, 16:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Up to this day not one penny he gave us for working so hard while he had the moorings base
        God don't sleep the man facial expression can say a lot about him always like a bully ready to fight.
        SMH
  • Wellsah (29/12/2025, 08:32) Like (8) Dislike (8) Reply
    All 12 will loose except Myron.
  • justin (29/12/2025, 08:48) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    do not forget Pickering who now deals with climate issues
  • who the cap fit let them wear it (29/12/2025, 08:50) Like (2) Dislike (10) Reply
    Well it seems like nobody cant work with the confusion makers from the 2nd and the 6th
  • WOW (29/12/2025, 08:51) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Fraser is looking brand new and looks like he is not retiring any time soon.
  • They all ran away from Myron (29/12/2025, 08:53) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    3 wise men
  • Dora (29/12/2025, 09:20) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    sniper or swiper
  • Pay attention (29/12/2025, 11:31) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    New World order forming right infront of your eyes. One World Government is already scripted. Churches next, One World Religion. These things will creep in bit by bit.
  • Strange (29/12/2025, 12:06) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    How they all run to the VIP for rescue after running away from the NDP and Alliance......... WHAT THAT TELL YOU?
  • Outsider (29/12/2025, 15:25) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why would I have to switch political parties so that my district or the territory on a whole have to benefit ???

    Look how politics gone down the drain?
  • yeah (29/12/2025, 18:26) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    You are right Claude. I’ve never seen such brilliance and incompetence coexist in someone before. It’s mind boggling.
  • Gabby Rat (29/12/2025, 19:27) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Get rid of Fraser and Smith if they do not join the vip party. not supporting any COALITION GOVERNMENT IN the VIRGIN ISLANDS in the 22st Century.
  • Macky (30/12/2025, 11:25) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Yes he is and with this opposition being the worst of all time he has no pressure to do better which hurts all of us. Everything around Walwyn implodes so as popular as he is, he is also a political failure. Sowande has proven to be quite the strategist at staying in power but what we need is for him to be a great strategist in administration and prioritizing where and when to spend govt money. He is still learning on the job which creates a need for an experienced leader or his willlingness to be mentored by some elder statesmen who understand economy & fiscal management better than he does. His saving grace is he is a people person who doesnt always have to be right and can get along with others. That is something that both leaders of the opposition lack. Concerning Mather, I'm not sure how he helps the govt do better right now but all hands on deck in unity is better than the alternative.


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