NDP must convince voters their unity is genuine
As news circulates that the National Democratic Party (NDP) has reunited ahead of the next general election, talk show host Claude Skelton Cline is warning that unity alone will not be enough to secure victory at the polls.
Speaking on his Honestly Speaking programme this week, Skelton Cline argued that while a united NDP poses the most significant political threat to the governing Virgin Islands Party (VIP), the real test will be whether voters believe the reunion is sincere.
“The problem is going to be, can the National Democratic Party convince the people of this country that they are, in fact, genuinely back together?” Skelton Cline noted. His remarks come amid the NDP’s announcement of a reunited party, following “a period of constructive dialogue and shared reflection on the future of the territory.”
However, Skelton Cline made it clear that public scepticism remains a major hurdle.
“The challenge that NDP is going to have is how they’re going to overcome the believability that they are back together in the best interest of this country, and not just back together because they want to be in power,” he said.
He stressed that the central issue for voters will not simply be political alignment, but intent. “The key question in this upcoming election is who and what is in the best interest of the Virgin Islands? Not who and what is in the best interest of your political faction.”
Beyond optics, Skelton Cline pointed to deeper internal issues within the party that must be addressed if the unity is to resonate with the electorate.
“One of the things about coalescing… is that we don’t want you to come together out of political convenience just to get power,” he said. “Relationships… have to be attended to, repaired, repented for, and restored.”
In the meantime, the NDP said it is combining the institutional strength of current party members with “the fresh perspectives of “The Alliance” and sees itself as a definitive alternative to address upcoming constitutional and economic challenges facing the territory.
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If Claude Cline had any shame whatsoever he would hide himself. This man has done nothing but take from the people of the BVI. He hangs his mouth wherever he could be fed. Stop paying this opportunistic, deceitful man any attention.
Claude is 100% correct!
The ndp so called back together is a fraud. once Myron and Mitch there pure confusion and fight for power you watch
Any f–l can see this fake unity is simply a drive for power. Especially that power madman in the sixth. I hope he gets voted out. In any event I doubt that this fake unity will hold. Time for a brand new 13 to fight the next General Election- we have had enough of these failures.
But I believe that much will depend on the elections for the Chairmanship of the Party on April 18th. It cannnot be any of the previous 4 ,they can have a secondary position but a new Leader must to chosen if they want to impact the negative public perception. A good leader knows when to follow and when to lead. If they are able to support that new leader they will demonstrate growth and that they are capable of putting country before self. That new leader must be someone who can influence down ballot voting. if that is done they will have a shot.
they already selected a leader and the future looks bright for the NDP
we have been waitng for 6 months, please do tell
It’s just a show….Nothing genuine….Who is fooling who?
Let’s see if we can get to April 20th, 2026 intact. That might be the first test.
The NDP is coming back together because the Territory needs forward thinking, progressive leadership and genuine innovation. The VIP Administration has had eight years to show results, but we have seen mostly concerts, excuses and cronyism. The NDP is not perfect, but the current VIP administration has left our Territory stagnant and in an chokehold. Especially the treatment to our Sister Islands. If you all want four more years of cronyism, no innovation, excuses, concerts, etc then it’s certainly up to you. However, for me enough is enough.
Well said. Truth be told, there will always be infighting. But are the people benefiting from your plans or are we worse off than when we started???? That is what matters at the end of it all.
Wigyie , we know thats you / leave myron and mitch alone and go and play with your wig and stay on your yello racist site xoxo ‘ ••• LB ETC
when marriages always in counselling and half way divorce, chances are that only a matter of time they get back together to break up again and ultimately divorce.
To make it worse, whatever dishonestly speaking have a hand in, he is just for himself. More of the same.
Can we find 13 genuine persons who really and truly care about the BVI, will set aside their egos, the Phd, will not get into office and forget that they beg for your vote and just simply put country above self all the way? Send me that person or that group of persons and God spare my life, I will be more than happy to go back to the polls. As it is now, it is just exchanging one set of moo moo for another set.
I don’t see BVI getting better because we done program in our dirty ways…and that is everyone who in and everyone who trying to get in. Too greedy
….Regardless of unity being fake or not, the VIP’s performance is so bad the people just want them GONE! Whatever bad you can say about NDP is nowhere near as bad as VIP’s performance, especially lately. Look at all the haphazard nonsense at the last minute because elections are near. No plans, they don’t listen, they are clueless. We need them GONE!
I smell a rat! Mark! My words Its not genuine.
We do not need NDP v4.0 or VIP v6.0.
ALL13MUST13 go.
We need to get rid of these Colonial styled Elites that keep the VI chained to them.
We need a fresh way a break with the Plantation past and that mentality where they take it all and the people work for them.
Governments are supposed to work for us not be our Masters, where we do all the work and they skim all the money into their pockets, land and properties.
Bring something new and get rid of the manipulators like Wiggo, Clines, Christophers and the countless advisors and consultants.
My People you have seen this s**t show before- do not allow these scammers pull wool over your eyes – get a brand-new team in power
Allow ronnie to lead. Its not about likability right abt now. Its about who can best lead the country with mucj needed experience
All of them are the same. Whether it’s VIP or NDP, THEY ALL HAVE one AGENDA. AND THAT’S SELF,FAMILY, AND FRIENDS first, then Country last. I’m not voting for none!!!!