Corruption no excuse to block BVI independence — Skelton Cline
Talk show host and political commentator Claude Skelton Cline has criticised those who cite corruption as a reason to oppose independence for the Virgin Islands, insisting that the argument is both misleading and harmful.
Appearing on his Honestly Speaking radio programme this week, Skelton Cline argued that corruption exists in every nation and should not be used to deny Virgin Islanders their right to self-determination.
“There is no place on the earth, any governments on the earth, any country, nation that has ever existed on the earth where there wasn’t some percent of corruption. Show me that country and I’ll show you a place where nobody lives,” he said.
He pushed back against the perception that the Virgin Islands is more corrupt than other jurisdictions.
“I don’t want to hear you using it as some piss poor excuse, talking about corruption. Especially when other people make you believe and think that you are any more corrupt than they are until you believe yourself that you corrupt for something that you haven’t even done anything,” he explained.
The comments come as public debate continues over the territory’s future relationship with the United Kingdom. Calls for independence have grown in recent years, particularly in the wake of the Commission of Inquiry (COI), which exposed widespread governance failings and led to a series of reforms enforced by the UK.
Some residents and political figures have argued that corruption concerns make independence risky, while others have said those concerns should not prevent the Virgin Islands from pursuing greater autonomy.
Skelton Cline described self-determination as an “inherent right” and independence as “simply a vehicle in which you are able to more freely exercise your inherent right.”
He insisted that Virgin Islanders must not allow fear or external pressure to dictate their political future. The issue of independence has also been tied to constitutional review talks between the UK and the Virgin Islands.
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has previously said the territory is “ready for mature conversations about self-determination,” while opposition members have questioned whether the government is genuinely prepared to take such a step.
Skelton Cline urged Virgin Islanders to focus on leadership and long-term planning rather than leaning on corruption as a stumbling block.
“This is no toy. This is no game. This is not your piggy bank. This is people’s lives, generations, nations hangs in the balance,” he said.
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Yes Detroit,you corrupted as you are.you need to decide wether you want to be a pastor or involve in politics.
The corrupter in chief. Waiting for his uncles to run the country so he could fleece again.
HIS EXELENCY , IS SAYING )> HEY THIS IS YO BOI CSC , LEH ME INTRODUCE YA’AL TO MY LIL FREN ( AKA ) 357 MAGNUM – JUST IN CASE ANY ONE OF YA’AL TRY TO BE DISRESPECTFUL ( GO AHEAD , MAKE MAH DAY ■¿■ •
These leaders are so obsessed with independence. They are trying to force it down people throats.look at most third nations,that went independent,right now they are now regretting. They are still depending upon these same countries that they run from despite ,having vast resources.for their own national security, they have to import weapons and and training from these same countries.they also need these countries to buy their products.their passports has also been devalued, and so is their currency.their health system,education,economy etc.guys let’s independence be the last thing on our agenda.we still has a very long way to go.we are small and with no recourses.these countries with so much resources are suffering,let’s not be quick to make these same mistakes.st,kits is doing well yes,but selling passports under the citizen by investment program.which can be dangerous in the long run.
The Chickens are All Coming Home to Roost Today!!!
It’s Not even Friday The 13th. It’s Not even Halloween. I Don’t expect anything Different from this Nipple Sucker. He Milked our Coffers with nothing to show for it and It’s Still Not Corruption. What was it Mister?? I have to agree on your Last Statement. Was it Your Piggy Bank? You can’t wait to get your Fingers back into the Piggy Bank BUT Hell will freeze over before you do. Cart your Corrupt, Money Grabbing B.S and crawl back under your Rock…
I think he has made it clear.
A vote for INDEPENDENCE is a vote for CORRUPTION.
A vote for INDEPENDENCE is NOT PATRIOTIC it is only to benefit our greedy politicians and elites who thrive from CORRUPTION.
INDEPENDENCE and CORRUPTION will go hand in hand.
Remember the COI revealed enough about corruption to have C.O.S-C charged on Friday, May 17, 2024.
Claude desperate to keep the corruption going and if it takes Independence to ensure corruption offers him and his corrupt buddies the best options, he and the W* gang are going to keep pushing for Independence to ensure they can keep their corrupt systems in place.
I think he has made it clear.
A vote for INDEPENDENCE is a vote for CORRUPTION.
A vote for INDEPENDENCE is NOT PATRIOTIC it is only to benefit our greedy politicians and elites who thrive from CORRUPTION.
INDEPENDENCE and CORRUPTION will go hand in hand.
And those that believe the lies that the COI failed to unearth any large-scale corruption in the Government of the Virgin Islands continue to be conditioned by C.O. S-C and certain media.
Remember the COI revealed enough about corruption to have C.O.S-C charged on Friday, May 17, 2024.
Why do we hear from this guy?
Even when you speak some sort of truth, you yourself sound corrupt.
You sound like a Moo-Moo Sir. It affects your S and P ratings meaning our Sovereign ratings along with ability to do business with US Banks…I dont think earth is a place for him..Mars is more up his alley. The Financial Action Task Force would downgrade the VI and its reputation as a country or island would be tainted.
The time when Church and State becomes ONE!.
This is the best statement made on BVI News..
Why when he put on that clothes it doesn’t catch fire on him
Time to stop the nonsense, from the comments every time this subject is raised, it’s clear the people are not in favor of independence So, do a referendum and get it put to bed once and for all.
I’m at a loss here… Gobsmacked really
“I don’t want to hear you using it as some piss poor excuse, talking about corruption.”
Trust rushes out the door.
that likes saying a criminal who has track record of robbing banks and doing inside jobs on fraud should still be able to work at banks and finance institutions………………who you hire him to work at your bank claud? will any of you hire claud to do work with the youths and develop a plan for them after seeing what coi revealed?
Corruption might not be an excuse to block independence, but it is no pathway to independence either.
This man is so desperate and hungry for power that he gets irrational and spew demonic hate out of his mouth .
He is futher causing chaos and confusion in the population creating division
He already said no representation of a population that the government had allowed to outnumber its indigenous people
Now it is a different story
How can this man help to create peace !!! Population do not remain static.
Jealousy, hate and division is synonymous with him
His name sake is now foremost of NDP with Penn chairman until convention
This is a set up. Marlon will get pushed to the side .This is a bad move Marlon . You would have had more support if you had join forced with Alliances.
Your decision is pulling strong supporters of NDP to take sides
Sad but true !!
VIP is benefiting from every opportunity of division in the party .
Well with that thinking might as well let the drug man them run the banks as well don’t yah think?
AUSAR, IS, of the belief, that no ClINE- their family, friends, intimate partners, and others closely allied with them, HAVE THE MENTAL, NOR MORAL APTITUDE , to lead, this country into independence!
Don’t you dare, Virgin Islanders, make the mistake to assume that they can,and put them- their ideas, and desires- in such a position,of such importance, that could cause the death knell, of this nation!
The people are not more corrupt, but the system is. The people may deserve independence, the system does not.
There’s a big difference.
I wouldn’t expect a professional grifter like Mr Skelton Cline to understand that, however.
bvi ppl have no respect for themselves if they keep having this barker on media. one eyed man truly king if we think we all blind. we acting like it.