BVI may not accept Wheatley or Penn as Premier at next polls — CSC
The BVI may not be inclined to select either current Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley or former Opposition Leader Marlon Penn as its next leader at the upcoming general elections.
This was the view expressed by outspoken clergyman and political commentator Claude Skelton Cline on a recent airing of his Honestly Speaking radio show.
Skelton Cline has for months argued that the political party system has failed the BVI and is in need of redemption, and according to the host, it is going to take some time beyond the next general elections for this to be rectified.
According to the clergyman, the BVI will have to choose individuals based upon a set of criteria that can be agreed on collectively at the next polls. “I do believe that the next 13 elected officials need to be hand-picked by the people of this country,” Skelton Cline said.
He further argued that neither the Virgin Islands Party, nor the National Democratic Party will lead the country to victory at the next general elections.
Skelton Cline prefaced some of his comments by stating that he likes Penn and would vote for Penn if he was a resident of the Eighth District, but not for leader or Premier of the country at this particular time.
“I believe that the country has already made up their mind relative to Honourable Penn’s leadership, and I do not believe that this country is going to accept the National Democratic Party as the next government with Honourable Penn as the leader.”
Skelton Cline said he felt Penn is a good representative and has the resources and tools necessary for the job, but has certain areas that need improvement. “Might he become the Premier at some future time in the country? Certainly,“ Skelton Cline said.
He continued: “Right now, for where we are, even amongst the rank and file for the National Democratic Party – which have not declared anything officially as yet – I think the country has already made up their mind about leadership coming out of the National Democratic Party.”
In the meantime, Skelton Cline said he likes Dr Wheatley, whom he considers a ‘bright fellow’ and an academic. “I stood on the stage in 2019 and helped him to get elected, as a collective. But I do not believe that the country is going to accept and vote a Virgin Islands party ticket to victory in the next elections. I do not believe that.”
The talk show host argued that he was merely speaking what he described as some uncomfortable truths and what some persons were already thinking.
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None of them would do at a time like this. Both inexperienced and just not leadership material for the BVI now.
We wouldn’t accept you either Mr.Detroit
Fraser was a better pick than those 2 jokers
I would not even put pen to lead a chicken. Bvi need trustworthy politicians not another Andrew Fahie.
The BVI is dead in the water…We need somebody business oriented to make things happen
NONE OF THE ABOVE
Drugs in the East and drugs in the west. The west got incarcerated. The UK waiting to catch the East. Get rid of all them rep there more than two terms. Them enable and participate in the drug trade and then family and friends know this.
The only person that makes those two more likeable and electable is this very same ‘clergyman’. Because the moment I hear his name, read his words, or listen to his poisonous rhetoric, anyone instantly becomes much more likable.
The key question is what’s his new game plan here and who is hiding in the closet with him? We all know he’s plotting something self-serving!
Just ‘honestly speaking’.. 😉
I will not accept neither one of them. They are too d**n soft. Especially the one that appoint himself as Premier. I bet if the public had to vote for this Unity Government, he would have not been Premier. Mitch got the power he was seeking, he has now gone GHOST/ROUGE. Every last one of the Unity Government is GETTING KICKED TO THE CURB. Just watch, this place is going to go up in flames soon if the people don’t take it to the streets. Keep playing games with people.
The point is that we need to become a part of the USVI. This UK relationship doesn’t work. The current situation with our local leaders is untenable. Independence is a NO! Let’s try being a part of the USVI.
We need an election not another less man from the east
please stop quoting this man… he not relevant and his opinions are for sale just like our port… we don’t care
Examine this – Natalio is Premier because Andrew got in trouble. Marlon was leader of the opposition because Myron lost in the election. That should tell you everything. These man just ain’t ready. None of them
Ronnie
Well if that happens then all the island people got to go back home
Neither Marlon nor Showonde never sold a bag of popcorn yet so aryo go figure
Ronnie Skelton or Myron Walwyn should be our leader at this time. We need people who will get things done. Many will disagree and we will go back to electing persons based on who we like and other nonsense. The BVI is in a very bad place at this time.
No thanks. Leave he where he is. Over the last three and half years with all that’s going on you haven’t heard a word from him. We need more assertive, youthful like , energetic leadership. We don’t need another 70 year old Premier. Not now.
Huff, puff, get mad if you like. The UK is coming for the BVI and is going to restore law and order. So please don’t sit back and think the UK IS NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING. THEY ARE LETTING YOU HANG YOURSELVES. THEY GIVE YOU ALL A CHANCE TO FIX THINGS AND THE BS STILL PLAYS ON. WHEN THEY STEP IN, NO ONE CAN SAY THE UK DIDNOT GIVE THE BVI A CHANCE TO CORRECT THINGS. Y’ALL BETTER GET YOUR HOMES IN ORDER.
there are people out there who can lead this country:
Ronnie, Willock, Frazer, Dancia, Janice Geroge Creque, Collin Oneal and the likes
Brain Teaser:
1st District: To be determined.
2nd District: To be determined.
3rd District: To be determined.
4th District: Henry Creque.
5th District: Hon. Kye Rymer.
6th District: Hon. Alvera Maduro Caines.
7th District: Pico Moff or Shaq or Perline
8th District: Hon. Marlon Penn.
9th District: Allen O’Neal.
At-Large: Ronnie Skelton (Premier)
At-Large: Archie Christian
At- Large: Shaina Smith
At- Large: Kedric Pickering.
Kedrick Pickering did nothing for 20 years and you still calling his name? You must be a rich white friend of his. Name one thing this man did for the last 20 years besides flying all over the world.
You right they never do nothing but tear down what others build. Now they want tear doing we BVI.
2023 puppet show is about to begin. Bevis and butthead in the news more clowns to follow.
I completely agree with you. The only two I could see leading us out of this is either Ronnie or Myron. It would be even better if we could get them both on the same team. We need people who could get things done
???????????????????
Pure Foolishness you did chat bout.
Why are they blaming the governor for our bad state of affairs..Since O’Neal took over things being going down corruption and victimisation blossom,that’s some 40 yrs ago every govt get elected after that promise to do better what we got . Higher expenditure in rental office space, a Money furnace call NHI. With billions of $ passing through this treasury, not even a state of the art government building not even a lunch programme for new entry to primary school children 4-6yrs of age. Nada. With Fahie and this new VIP taking it to a new low and Britain said enough is enough, these fools find it convenient to publicly defame and blame Britain. I blame Britain for one thing, they should have come with the hammer, suspend, take over and put things in order..
Allen O’Neal who? that man that always have a new … every weekend liming eating his money and down pressing the youths in vg who can vote?
To me it couldn’t be more clear that he is trying to position some puppet candidate (likely a woman) whose strings he can pull. Don’t buy it.
If you think Willock should be allowed anywhere near government ever again you are not a serious person.
@Voter, NOPE, I agree with your comment. none of those two is qualified or have the know how to lead a Territory. They are to darn soft, no backbone to stand up and say hey, this is enough. We don’t want any soft no backbone men running this Territory. I’m begging you women to step up so we can get this crumbling Third World Territory together.Come election, I will only vote for the women that is on the ballot. It is time for the soft no backbone men to step aside, YOU ARE THE WEAKEST LINK IN THE FENCE. THE FENCE CANNOT HOLD UP STRAIGHT WITH A WEAK LINK.
@Preliminaly Listing, The only one for AT-LARGE IS SHANIA SMITH THAT WILL BE GETTING MY VOTE IF SHE DECIDES TO RUN. DON’CARE TO SEE ANYMORE TOUGH OLD RAM GOATS THAT WAS SITTING IN OFFICE FOR YEARS. BY THE WAY, MITCH, I WILL SEE YOU AT THE END OF THE CURB COME ELECTION.YOU ALLOW THAT BIT OF POWER JUICE CLOUD YOUR …….
I am not voting for any politician that was part of the old guard that the very CoI uncovered with careless governance and no checks & balances! We need real men/women with integrity and aggression to make the tough decisions to change “the system”. Look at ALL 9 districts; every environment is dilapidated.
This is pure nonsense. Half of those names make no sense
Do nothing Kedrick and Archie Christian? You smoking something man. You want the rich white friends take over the BVi for true. You cannot be serious.
Why has BVInews run a story based on what CSC says? Must be taking payment from him. Any journalist worth their salt wouldn’t cover CSC’s baloney.
I always look forward to voting at large because that is where I think my vote matters most to the country. The four that I would like to see in win in the next election are:
Myron Walwyn
Ronnie Skelton
Sandy Harrigan
Ingrid Moses
We want Frazer
Those 2 give away 7 million dollars
FRASER
@one word, FRASER NEEDS TO GO AS WELL. I WOULD HOPE EVERY LAST ONE OF THEM IS READING THESE BLOGS, WHICH I AM QUITE SURE THEY ARE.
We getting catch every election… time for some new intelligent people who not already set in our backward bush politics favor system. A lot of these voters only looking people they can beg for things.
We in this popularity context mode for years and it will forever affect the country if we don’t change. We need a mixture of new blood with some of the experienced politicians. I see some of the comments mentioning Dr. Pickering and Archie Christian. Tell me one thing that either of them two have done while in the government. Dr. Pickering only did things for his white friends. Look at the state of district 7. Archie Christian was absent in his head for the time he was there. The only two from before that I would like to see back is Myron and Skelton. I want Myron because he could work and I saw progress with him. Skelton could have done a lot better in my opinion but he is good to have around.
Let us elect people who are competent and have real leadership ability this time around.
@You Joking, I thought Archie was working on his line of hair color for men gray hair and hair plugs for the men that are losing their hair in the BVI. LMAAAAAO.
@SMH!, you and I are on the same exact page. Thank you so kindly for your transparent comment.
To be honest from the alumni class of 1999; I have not seen much of anything in all the 9 districts. No value for money and no forward advancement on a major scale. If projects were done they were grossly over budget.
It had to be Wi**ock put this post. How that ratchet Wi**ock name get in the midst of those other names. No body in their right mind would put his name there with that group.
I honestly like Marlon but he just doesn’t have it. That thing that leaders are made of he just doesn’t have. He tries but its just not there. Natalio has it more than he does but he seems lazy and full of excuses and pure talk. I also notice that he learned some bad ways from his former leader. Neither one of them in my view is what the country needs now. I am sorry.
@SECREAT BEAR, NAWWW MY FRIEND A REAL STRONG WOMAN WILL NEVER FALL INTO ANY MAN’S OR ANYONES PUPPET BAG. MAYBE HE MAY FALL INTO A WOMAN’S PUPPET BAG BECAUSE MEN ARE WEAK CREATURES. YOU MEN TEND TO FORGET HOW POWERFUL WOMAN ARE. STOP UNDERESTIMATING US AS WOMEN THINKING WE ARE WEAK AND FRAGILE.
Let’s be real here! Which of these guys know what it is to manage a business, have a payroll etc. NONE! This is why they cannot run a country. Let’s stop playing games and elect proven people to move the Territory forward.
None of these guys ever run anything in their lives. Zero business experience. Government is a big business. If this was your business would you hire someone who had no prior experience in managing a business or having any extensive leadership or managerial experience. Wheatley was a barely decent lecturer at the community college and Penn was in the IT department at FSC. Guys let us get serious about our country.
Willock got my vote so go to the bank with that
you all well know that Myron cannot hold a ministry so where you all going with him? He is caught up in the coi with that wall corruption
D 1 Karl Dawson
D 2 Janice Stoutt or Mitch Turnbull
D 3 OJ Smith, or Julian Willock
D 4 Luc Hodge-Smith
D 5 Kye Rymer
D 6 Alvia Maduro-Caines
D 7 Perline Leonard or Slowanda
D 8 Marlon Penn
D 9 Vincent Wheatley
At Large: Flax-Charles, Carvin Marlon, Ronnie Skelton, Myron Walwyn
Bull
All ayo full of s**t England need to take over the country, since ayo see none of them fits
I think what we really can’t accept is Cline milking the party politics and treasury dry anymore. Of course this is his own self interest trying to get a new party to feed him or tax $$$.
@LMAO, that was a good one for real.
West side got clipped because the Drew got clipped. East side is going to get clipped next. The chain is losing links.
The lying seems it start already. Seems like you all ain’t realize is all the lying that cause the UK to have us where we are. Carry on. God is wide awake in this season.
STOP IT. NO ONE CARE WA CSC SAY. HE A F**L AND A CR**K. YOU COULD PRINT WA MY DEAD DOG SAY AND IT MEK MORE SENSE
Looks like you want Irma pass our way again..
Brain Teaser Pt.2
1st District: Karl Dawson
2nd District: Jan
ice Stoutt
3rd District: To be determined.
4th District: Ronnie Skelton (Premier)
5th District: Hon. Kye Rymer
6th District: Hon. Alvera Maduro Caines
7th District: Picko Moff or Perline
8Th District: To be determined.
9th District: Dr. Cassender Titley O’Neal
At Large: Sandy Underhill
At Large: Dancia Penn Sallah
At Large: Kedric Pickering
At Large: Shaina Smith Archer
Lest we forget it was Ronnie Skelton in 2003 when minister of Finance who moved the payroll tax to 10K exempt.
It was Ronnie Skelton in 2003 when minister of Finance who implemented the policy of Tuition Fee for Tertiary education.
It will take a Ronnie Skelton Gov’t to move the payroll tax exemption to 15K.
It will take a Ronnie Skelton Gov’t to raise the minimum wage from $6.00 to a livable figure.
It will take a Ronnie Skelton Gov’t to raise All Social Security Benefits.
It will take a Ronnie Skelton Gov’t to re-evaluate the NHI Scheme.
It will take a Ronnie Skelton Gov’t to modify our Labour Code.
It will take a Ronnie Skelton Gov’t to develop Community Gardens in every Community in the Virgin Islands for Food Security.{From the Garden to the table}
It will take a Ronnie Skelton Gov’t to establish a “Trade School for our Youths.
It will take a Ronnie Skelton Gov’t to establish a program to empower our Youths to become Entrepeneurs by Budgeting funds towards that initiative.
At large – Myron , Sandy, Ingrid , Flax Charles
D8 – Marlon
D9?!!?
D7- Scatliffe
D6 ????
D5 ???
D4???!
D3???
D2 Mitch Turnbull
D1 – Sylvia Moses
Time to elect a female Premier in the BVI.
Those who are subjects of the COI should, for the good of this territory, refrain from contesting seats. This is not about you. I see a suspension if you decide to actually contest. You are asked to please pull back. Former Minister for education while you did well in education and we miss you you also messed up big time on the wall which is under investigation. If you love this territory pull back. People if those who are under question contest we must ensure we prove to the UK that we do not agree with anything that made our integrity questionable. Former minister for education pull back. Those with ears will hear.
The men are causing the rocus. We need more women in there who are no yes people to lead us out of this mess that we are in. Those who are not afraid to say no
Stop chosing straight party – independents is the way to help fix this. They must work together if they are sincere about fixing this territory
Why vote if you want put all the options up. Add UK takeover as an option on the ballots and prove that you truly are interested in democracy. I’m sure the politicians don’t have the guts to do that.
But they help put us in this mess.
The question to ask is sometime in the 90s before Lavity passed Ralph was found guilty of a very serious crime in a civil court involving elections. The British should have banned him from running and charged him criminally and save this country a lot of pain.
Just like they had enough on Andrew but allow him to be involved in politics for 19 more years before the almighty stepped in to save this country. So don’t patronize the BVI people like their current state is solely their fault and the UK is innocent.
EVERY ONE OF THEM GOTS TO GO. THE TERRITORY CAN NO LONGER RUN BASED ON POPULARITY AND HANDING OUT WHITE ENVELOPES FOR A VOTE.
first learn to spell the people names
2nd why would Karl DAwson rep D1? he is from D2..chups
NOT SHE!!! SHE AIN’T READY NO MATTER HOW HARD SHE TRYING…GET OUT THERE AND DO NOT BEING HEARD ON WHAT COULD BE DONE!!!
It really has some stupider than stupid people in this place. I recall hearing the Crabb girl with this uneducated statement. The USVI is a territory of the United States. What do you plan to do? Go to Joe Biden and ask him if he is willing to buy BVI from the UK? But the reality is BVI just need to have people in leadership position that know how to manage international affairs. As long as we are not independent there are rules to be followed. Even if we could be independent there are rules to follow.
Well, you got ONE name right … but he won’t run!
I do not agree with you. If people have done anything wrong then bring your case against them. We cannot be condemning people without the facts. That is wrong. I listened keenly to those interviews and I fully support Myron and his team. The evidence from Steve Augustine was very clear as to what happened and highlighted a lot of inaccuracies in the audit report. Myron hold your head up. You have nothing to be ashamed of. Anybody who know how government works know that ministers do not get involved in procedures of projects. This is is the job of the civil service. This is all a bomb job to try to hurt Myron. Why after all these years all we hearing is talk and no action. I want to see Myron back in government. He was one of the best we had.
It was Ronnie who have NHI the mess it is and allowing the doctors to charge what they want.
it was Ronnie who caused the hospital to over run by nearly a million dollars
It was Ronnie who was of no help to people who were trying to fix their homes after the hurricane.
It was a Ronnie that none of us in Virgin Gorda saw over here to lift a finger to help us.
Ronnie is an old man with no energy. We getting blows for 3 1/2 years and not a peep out of him.
If the former minister did something where is the evidence? I am trying hard to understand what we could possibly blame that man for?
As I understand it:
A project went to cabinet by the Finance Minister for the building of the wall. It was approved by the cabinet to be done by petty contract and work orders.
The ministry of education with the project manager and civil servants executed the project based on the decision of cabinet.
This is what I gathered from listening to the COI interviews.
What did the former minister do again? The same way we want to hold our people accountable which is right it’s the same way we should hold other accountable to. You can’t just smear a man name with talk and that’s it. If you have something against the person bring forward what you have and let them have their day in court. Anything short of that to me is nonsense.
Myron is bad news for locals plus his wall scandle
Too old these 70 plus guys have no energy plus part head needs rest .his decisions was not the best then never mind now
Myrin for premier
And where do you think you will find these “real men and women with integrity”? If there are any that would be willing to handle the BVI clown show they would never be elected because then there would be no mor ‘pay back’. Can’t have it both ways folks.
Wait!!! WHAT!!!? Who the h**l is this guy and what world does he live in!!?