Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline has said the people of the Virgin Islands are not ready for Mark H. Vanterpool or Hon Myron V. Walwyn (R6) to lead. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

Controversial social commentator Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline has said the Mark H. Vanterpool-led People’s Leadership Movement (PLM) is not going anywhere politically. Photo: PLM

Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline during the July 14, 2026, airing of his show Honestly Speaking on ZBVI 780 AM. Photo: Facebook

Skelton-Cline made this statement on his show ‘Honestly Speaking’ on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, on ZBVI 780 AM, titled ‘Brace Yourself’. 

Vanterpool, a former legislator, formed and launched the PLM soon after losing the Chairmanship of the National Democratic Party, NDP, to Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) in April 2026. Penn won the position with 65 votes to Vanterpool’s 29 votes and Hon Ronnie W. Skelton’s (AL) 17 votes. 

VI not ready for Vanterpool or Walwyn to lead

“Let me tell you why that’s not going to go anywhere, no more than the Member for the Sixth, Walwyn, stuff not going to go anywhere. The people of this country are not yet ready for neither one of those persons to lead this country,” Skelton-Cline opined. 

He insisted that he was just saying out loud what the people are saying quietly. 

“Therefore, it’s in the interest of those people, of those persons, men whom we love, men who are our own, to be on the ship but not in the leadership position; if you do the wise thing, then you have a fighting chance.”

According to the clergyman, the right thing to do would be to join an already established political party. 

He added, “The VIP is sitting strong now…only because everybody else is weak.”

Skelton-Cline has previously expressed his disappointment in the results of the NDP’s internal elections, saying, “Wisdom did not prevail.”

Vanterpool determined to run next election

Vanterpool has expressed his intentions to run in the next general election in District 4. 

“I have served my people for 25 years, and they are ready for me again. Easily. Ready for me again,” he said while addressing District 4 residents at Pussers Pub in May 2026. 

While there, he also ruled out any possibility of a future with the NDP under Hon Penn’s leadership. Vanterpool also committed to finishing his term if he ends up in the Opposition.