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VI should reject ‘throne speech’ as a relic of colonial past – Skelton-Cline

- says persons underestimate how colonial practices reinforce codependence to UK
Consultant and commentator Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline has called on the people of the Virgin Islands to reject relics of colonial past like the Speech from the Throne, which he says undermines the territory's spirit of independence. Photo: Facebook/File
The Speech from the Throne was delivered in the House of Assembly by Governor John J. Rankin, CMG on January 18, 2022. Photo: YouTube
The Speech from the Throne was delivered in the House of Assembly by Governor John J. Rankin, CMG on January 18, 2022. Photo: YouTube
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI – Consultant and commentator Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline has called on the people of the Virgin Islands to reject relics of colonial past like the Speech from the Throne, which he says undermines the territory's spirit of independence.

The Speech from the Throne is a speech written by the Government of the day and given to the sitting Governor to read on invitation to the House of Assembly.

“The UK still has a grip on this country constitutionally, a grip on our minds, and it is this kind of institutionalised speech that reinforces the position of the coloniser to those who have been colonised,” he said on the Tuesday, Jan 18, 2022, edition of his radio show, Honestly Speaking.

“I for one want us to rid ourselves of these kinds of relics,’ he added while revealing that he boycotted the 2022 speech, ‘and that was by choice.”

Goal is independence – Skelton-Cline

The man of the cloth added that the goal for himself and the territory is to be a part of a free and independent country.

“I am not at all happy and I'm not at all will participate in anything that attempts to affirm, reaffirm, celebrates all of these colonial-type relics,” he added.

Skelton-Cline added that institutional practices like the Speech from the Throne have the ability to reinforce the VI’s dependence on its former colonisers.

“We underestimate and if we are not keen in our discernment, we will miss how these practices have been programmed into our systems, into our institutions, that reinforce our codependence on our former colonisers.

“It is, is out of my spirit, out of my conviction that I reject these kinds of things,” he said.

14 Responses to “VI should reject ‘throne speech’ as a relic of colonial past – Skelton-Cline”

  • christ like (20/01/2022, 16:53) Like (24) Dislike (3) Reply
    Can't see the Christ in this man!
  • FOR SALE (20/01/2022, 17:12) Like (8) Dislike (13) Reply
    You better hope the uk does’ not sell the bvi to China.
  • home boy (20/01/2022, 18:43) Like (3) Dislike (18) Reply
    I Agree with you Sir.
  • INFESTED (20/01/2022, 18:57) Like (37) Dislike (2) Reply
    GUNS , MURDER , AND DRUG ARE SLOW BECOMING THE NORM IN OUR COUNTRY THESE DAYS , AND THE ONLY THING THIS HOLY WHATEVER CAN FIND TO YAP OVER , IS A ( SPEECH ) DUH
  • Sit (20/01/2022, 20:50) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Misson for heaven sake go sit down take a break.
  • Native Senior Citizen of the British Virgin Islands (21/01/2022, 01:37) Like (24) Dislike (0) Reply
    CSC, are you not tire of exposing your stupidity?
  • E. Leonard (21/01/2022, 05:45) Like (2) Dislike (8) Reply
    The VI is supposedly a self-governing territory with a unicameral legislature that develops and approves its own laws, albeit the Crown has assent to laws before they become law, and for the most part, it (VI) has been financially self-supporting since the late 1970s. The Throne speech appears to be a misnomer, for the local government develops the speech (Throne Speech) delivered by Governor. The situation is awkward. Is the Throne speech actually the priority(s) of the Crown? Is the Crown/Parliament funding the annual VI Operations and Maintenance, and Capital budgets noted in the speech? The Governor in essence is parroting the projected plans of the local government that he/she (to date VI has yet to be assigned a woman or a person of color Governor) may be at best only remotely connected to. The Throne Speech as currently structured is a misnomer and a colonial relic, which is as flawed as the westminister system.

    Moreover, the Premier should deliver a state of the territory speech; whereas, the Governor, the local Crown rep, should, if desired and its preference, deliver a Throne Speech. The Throne Speech should tell VI residents about the state of affairs in the UK and UK’s plan of action and milestone support for the VI for the current year and in the near-term. The Throne Speech should be an interest item on the upcoming constitutional review.


  • WHY? (21/01/2022, 06:16) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ur rational and reasoning ain making sense....I can understand the fear you and others feel of the unknown. Not knowing what the COI report will recommend....It is what it is CSC, u have to work with it until it change...
  • Correction (21/01/2022, 09:31) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    “VI should reject CSC speech”
  • Oy vay (21/01/2022, 09:32) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ohhhh good old CSC, what are we going to do with you. It never ceases to amaze me. I’m CSC out.
  • sir (21/01/2022, 09:36) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    I have to tone you out because you are giving me anxiety. Give it a rest already.
  • josiah'sbay (21/01/2022, 09:43) Like (0) Dislike (9) Reply
    Some slaves will never leave the plantation. Some of us can't show any significant contribution the Queen is making to the development of this OT. Some of us are so entrench with the past greatness of the UK that we can't see the detriment that it has cost us as a people. Some are so blind that all they see is a loving relationship with their former masters. Some are so ignorant too believe that surviving and forgetting the degradation, inhumanity and brutality of the colonizer is a badge of honor to identify with the oppressor despite his past atrocity. For those who glory in the history of "Empire" take a retrospect look through the lens of your ancestors and not through those of your former and current oppressor. Time has broken the chain but some of us have been so thoroughly indoctrinated that we see the door open but our minds wont let us go through it.
  • for a friend (21/01/2022, 10:05) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    CSC maybe you should hand back your UK passport first Sir. rid yourself of those shackles and ties to the colonial evil and all of those who follow your words and support what you say and do should do the same...show just how committed you are to being independent and separating from UK.
  • @ FOR A FRIEND (22/01/2022, 09:21) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    agreed. also...csc swore under oath the pledge of allegiance to the queen...if indeed he has a uk passport
    if he did that..then he is not a man of his word and should not be trusted at all...it would mean he says only what he needs to do to get what he wants.


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