BVI’s elite class must get involved, Skelton Cline urges
Commentator Claude Skelton Cline has called on what he described as the Virgin Islands’ “upper” or “elite” class to step out of silence and become actively involved in the territory’s political discourse, warning that comfort and distance from public debate could prove costly.
Speaking on his Honestly Speaking radio programme, Skelton Cline argued that a section of society he described as economically secure and socially influential had remained largely absent from public discussion at a time when the country faced significant political and constitutional challenges.
“Comfort is the cage that you’ve been locked in,” he said, warning that those who believed they would remain unaffected by national upheaval were mistaken. “You think that no matter what happens you’ll be fine. You’re mistaken,” he stated.
Skelton Cline said the territory was at a critical stage in its political development and required wider participation beyond elected officials and party loyalists. He argued that meaningful national progress required voices with experience, gravitas and credibility to engage publicly and help shape debate, rather than remaining silent observers.
“You are going to have to get actively involved with your voice, with your presence,” he said, adding that the moment demanded engagement from those with influence and standing in the community. “You’re going to have to get involved,” he repeated.
He suggested that the Virgin Islands needed leadership and public participation grounded in strong communication, clarity of thought and authority, particularly as the territory navigated ongoing constitutional discussions and broader governance issues. According to Skelton Cline, the quality of public discourse mattered as much as electoral outcomes.
The commentator also revisited earlier remarks he said he had made over the past two years, arguing that the territory required individuals with proven competence and stature to help elevate national conversations.
“If we don’t have someone who can change the very conversation that’s taking place now, we’re going to keep going around in that death spiral,” he warned, likening the current trajectory to exhaustion brought on by repetition without progress.
Copyright 2026 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
Why doesn’t Trump just come and take this dude back to Detroit? He has the loudest mouth and among the least to even do anything to help the BVI. What is going on with us court case on the neighborhood project? He need a dose of hush! Sick of him and his family.
Which other elite class he’s talking about? I thought they were already deeply involved…with conflicts of interest Bethenny it comes to serving the public and serving self.
Who created a class system here? Since when is there an “elite’ class? These set of poor a** people who somehow got some little money so desperate to be “elite” boy some of us remember your roots. Don’t get too big for your britches with your nonsense. They way you think about yourselves is THE problem.
“..“upper” or “elite” class to step out of silence and become actively involved in the territory’s political discourse…”
Most of those ‘elites’ or ‘upper’ are not even smart or qualified enough to even think
The monied ones already are. Who do you think corrupts our politicians and buys them out?? These people are already directly influencing our Government in bad ways to help themselves.
Instead of trump go down to Venezuela for Nicolas maduro i 100 % agree they should come for that lunatic csc
We don’t want you, your elite buddies or the greedy HOA13 involved thanks.
We have turned our radios off AND BVINEWS should also or people will be looking elsewhere to get real news.
The fake pastor forgot to include ” WANNABE ” UPPER OR ELITE / OR AS “WIGGIE” WOULD SAY “POPULAR ” BUSINESS MEN ■
@ ALREADY ARE ~ THAT WAS SIMPLY PUT AND WE ALL KNOW ITS TRUE .
you be having lunch with some of those “elites” sir
I’m not a fan of his. But I have to say he is not wrong.