'There is a difference between real friends & deal friends'- Claude O. Skelton Cline
His remarks, made during the March 18, 2025, edition of the popular Honestly Speaking broadcast on ZBVI 780 AM—March 17, 2025—were directed specifically at the members of His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition members and the evolving relationship between Honourable Myron V. Walwyn (R6) of the National Democratic Party, Honourable Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) of the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM), and political newcomer Deputy Speaker Hon Stacy R. Mather (AL) also of PVIM.
Skelton-Cline believes the getting together of the three Opposition legislators is part of a calculated political strategy rather than a natural alignment of shared values.
"There is a difference between real friends and deal friends," Skelton-Cline asserted. "I'm gonna tie this to the politics, I'm gonna tie this to the alliance. Sometimes we say that politics makes strange bedfellows, and that is a truism; Sometimes you see some things emerge, some relationships emerge, you see people get together who swore they’d never get together. You see people join up and cross floors and cross parties and do all kinds of gymnastics, and you never imagined they themselves probably never imagined that they would be together."
As such, he suggested that the newly formed Alliance within the House of Assembly is rooted in political self-interest rather than a genuine commitment to the Virgin Islands' progress, qualifying this position, adumbrating, "When you see strange or opposite or polar spirits coming together, always be suspect and know that this is about self-interest and not necessarily your interest.”
Alliance 'is going to evolve' into a political party- Skelton-Cline
While extremely aware of the motivations behind the Alliance, Skelton-Cline nonetheless acknowledged its trajectory towards becoming a full-fledged political party.
According to the man of the cloth, "You know the Alliance, in my view, is going to evolve into a party, a political party. And I don't think there’s anything wrong with it—that’s what’s going to happen, and probably that's what should happen.:
His main concern, as he put it candidly; however, was not the existence of alliances but rather the destructive infighting that has plagued Virgin Islands politics and called on the people of the VI to rise above the divisiveness that has long undermined progress.
"We as a people, as Virgin Islanders, I want to encourage us to stop falling out with each other over politics, over anything; We are too small a community to be at odds with each other, to be player-hating on each other, to be wishing ill for each other."
'It's not worth all the drama & trauma'
Skelton-Cline in his scathing condemnation of the recent public machinations by the Alliance membership, nonetheless called for a shift in how alliances, separations, and political disagreements are handled.
"As these political parties form, as you jump in here, cross the floor, re-emerge with the NDP or PVIM or whatever it is you're doing, for God's and heaven’s sake, haven’t you noticed it's not worth all the drama and the trauma?"
He instead proposed a more civil approach to political transitions, positing, "If you're going to separate, just separate amicably. Just say, ‘We've come to a place where we can no longer walk together. I wish you well, God’s blessings, God’s speed.’"
According to Skelton-Cline, politicians and the public alike must immediately adopt a spirit of respect and professionalism rather than resorting to personal attacks. "Let your private tongue be consistent with your public tongue. Let your public tongue be consistent with your private tongue. Stop changing tongues!"
Meanwhile, influential clergyman Bishop John I. Cline previously lambasted the political alliance, calling it a slap in the face of the electorate and one that sows seeds of discord.
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