BVI kicked independence can down the road too long — Cline
Bishop John Cline has called for the BVI to stop delaying the conversation on independence and to begin preparing its people for self-determination.
Appearing on the radio programme Honestly Speaking with Claude Skelton Cline and Troy Christopher, Cline said that improving the lives of Virgin Islanders should be at the heart of the territory’s push for greater autonomy.
“My heart of course at the foundation is to see a Virgin Islands where we can improve the quality of life and the standard of living for all Virgin Islanders and also to increase economic activity on all levels that we can provide the necessary employment for our young people,” he stated.
He added that one major challenge to growth is the territory’s limited financial freedom. “One of those key components I believe is our ability to self-determine on various levels and one of those levels is our financial level… because if we go over a certain borrowing limit then the UK say we have become a contingent liability to them even though they don’t pay our bills and they have our hands tied,” he explained.
Cline argued that the territory has waited too long to take action. “We have sort of kicked the can down the street too long,” he said.
He called on the government to create a body that will help guide the way forward. “A focus group that’s dedicated to charting that course needs to be identified, needs to be put in place by the government and that will be responsible for education of the general public—what’s at stake, where did we come from… where we are presently and what the future looks like,” he stated.
Cline said the public needs to understand the implications of the current relationship with the United Kingdom. “Some of our people are still stuck with our coat string tied to the UK, not understanding what the implications are with that,” he explained.
While acknowledging that terms like independence and self-determination are often used interchangeably, Cline stressed that the ultimate goal is improving lives. “All that we do must in the end is improve the quality of life, the standard of living for our people and provide economic opportunity for now and our future generations,” he asserted.
Copyright 2025 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
The same usual suspects who believe the country belongs to them and their friends. You want independence so that when your friends are in power you could continue to reap all the benefits that you got before. There are some people who should be wayyyy in the back when certain topics come up. John Cline and his nephew Claude should be far in the back. You both have no credibility. People don’t trust either of you because you all always have an angle that benefit yourselves.
Indigenous BVIanders are not homogenized. Cline and his ilk on this issue are irrelevant and couldn’t inspire / motivate a card game. They anre only in this for the lion’s share for themselves and some morsels for their cronies and foe influencers.
Isle of Dreams or Island Denied?
They say we should—
lift anchor, cut the cord,
chart our stars beyond the colonial shroud—
A proud people, a radiant sun,
a whispered cry: “Our time has come!”
But can we?
Can we govern without governance plagued
by whispers in courtrooms,
and files half-buried, half-baked?
Shall we stand sovereign on soil
where audits die and contracts spoil?
We dream of freedom,
yet stumble on schools half-mended,
hospitals begging for breath,
our youth departing in quiet surrender
to lands with promise—
ours still pending.
And Bishop Cline speaks with fire,
with heart, with vision bold—
“To live self-determined, to break the mold!”
Yes—should, he cries.
But vision must be scaffolded
with competence and trust—
not slogans painted on rust.
We ask:
Where are the leaders unbought, unbowed?
Where is the focus group, the planning proud?
Not committees carved for patronage games,
but minds and wills to forge new names.
Do we educate to liberate,
or let mediocrity reign?
Are we building resilience—
or castles in rain?
Yes, independence is noble,
a summit high,
but do not climb with feet
untrained for sky.
So let’s not ask only should we flee,
but are we ready—honestly?
Not in prideful rhetoric
or freedom’s vague scent,
but in roads paved,
in justice lent,
in youth equipped,
in truth well spent.
For if we break the bond unwise,
we may gain a flag—
and forfeit the skies.
Kudos to my Virgin Islander friend for this brilliant prose,
amidst the thorns it blossoms like a beautiful rose,
we need more of us to ask thought provoking questions in the hope that we awaken,
it is only then we can truly connect with God and each other to rebuild and mend our foundations so we can no longer be shaken…
It is encouraging to know that an arising is taking place, maybe imperceptible at the moment. Keep writing and sharing more of your poems….reminds me of Langston Hughes…
Keep kicking that can ok, ayo can’t fix something as simple roads in a timely manner ayo want to go independent, keep kicking that can buddy, keep kicking it
Ask the people.
Time and time again it has been asked that this question be put to the people and let them vote on it. It is not the people of the BVI that kick this can down the road, it is the politicians and their associated beneficiaries that are begging for independence and greater access to the people’s purse! But for some reason this referendum of the people never comes to light. Why?
PUT IT TO THE PEOPLE!! ALL OF US VOTERS WILL TELL YOU VERY QUICKLY WHAT WE WANT!
If the majority wish to explore and execute independence then we will say so, and we will do son terms agreeable to us! I can sure as hell tell you now, without even a vote being cast, that very few of us in the voting public trust any of you!
Because the Cline Cline’s and P487 want Independence it should be now?? No matter that the VI people don’t want it and the leaders only want it so they can keep the corruption gravy train going.
Amen.to that.independence to suffer,with these corrupt leaders.and the premiere is full support of it.which explain his co**upt agenda.
All I want to know is what “spirit” driving these people
I will not support anything with those two Clines. I’m sorry. I do not trust them.
It is truly sad that a legitimate issue like this which needs to be discussed & explored is soured and even poisoned due to the credibility and trust gaps that exist within this society. The BVI elitist / indigenous / blue blood caste which these “Gentlemen” represent, have fostered and profited from entrenched inequality & inequity which has been normalized and to a large extent, institutionalized….I listened to their ‘show’ yesterday on ZBVI and realise that they struggle to think critically, analyse and even challenge their own assumptions. This is necessary if there is to be a genuine discussion on this issue to determine the way forward for the Virgin Islands.
There must also be a genuine willingness to identify fundamental truths related to self determination and independence including how to facilitate and foster this in developing the society. Then develop a strategy free from inherited assumptions, colonial inertia, or reactive politics. We must also have a vision for these Virgin Islands grounded in justice, prosperity, equity, and capability.
Alas, we are not yet hearing that tone at the top. I certainly didn’t hear it from Cline & Co on this radio show.
The discussion will be kicked down the road until the UK is satisfied, through its properganda machine, that every person that has interest in this issue is totally brainwashed and programmed in the UK’s favor.
Mr. Cline, with all due respect sir, must get from behind the mic and into the streets to. begin educating the non reading populace on the issue.
As, placing a mamerandum in effect today would be a doomed cause before the ink is dried.
The people must be educated first to the pros, cons and options. Radio chat is a great means, but even there more can be said and put forward. Even the past conderation effort and its full implications could be discussed there.
But action is needed now. Oce customs, immigration, police and finance slip from our control, we frig! We will become mere servants and third class sub humans right here in paradise.
Last, not even thos Blacklocals who would disagree with this and other notions and express suchwith a thumb down will not be spared the coming oppression.
WANT TO KNOW IF HE IS GOING TO PUT TROY TO RUN AGAINST HIS NEPHEW?
Probably. They are both terrible candidates.
BOTH AH THEM HAVE THROWN THE HOLY BIBLE IN THE GABBAGE AND IS FLEXING OFF THEMSELVES IN POLITICS OPENLY , THEY AIN’T CONCEALING THEIRS TRICKS ANYMORE , SO THEY ARD LETTING IT ALL HANG OUT NOW , THEY NEEDS TO BE CASTRATED AND STITCH UP THEIR LIEING MOUTHS / A PERSON DONE BLOGGED THAT THEY WILL BUY THE SEEDS OF ANY CRIMINAL , HOLY OR NOT FOR THEIR
PITBULLZ
I agree that this discussion needs to be had, and our goal should not be to stay stagnant in our colonial relationship. But before ppl can feel confident about moving fwd we need confidence in our society. Right now we don’t have that confidence in each other, from leadership to fellowship it is lacking.
Just look at who the characters are that keep calling for independence for bvi and you should be able so sum up the rest of the story for yourself. Them want infinite gravy.
He can stop kicking the can by keeping these islands independent of the false prophets they like to bring to this place every year, to extort the non indigenous and expats of their money. That’s the only independence the place needs right now. Let’s go!
Im for independence… be real about it. I like nothing British. Colonialism has got to go. You’re 40, 50, 60, 70 yrs old and all your life England has a SHAFT UP OUR COLLECTIVE A$$E$