NDP should apologise to Dr Smith, former leaders — Skelton Cline
Political commentator Claude Skelton Cline has called on the National Democratic Party (NDP) to apologise to several of its former leaders, including former Premier Dr D Orlando Smith, as it seeks to reorganise ahead of the next general election.
Speaking on his Honestly Speaking radio programme, Skelton Cline said the party must first address internal divisions before presenting itself as a unified option to voters.
“The first thing the NDP needs to do is to apologise to Dr D Orlando Smith, ask his forgiveness, and reconcile with him for the unceremonious way in which they sent him home back in 2019/2018,” Skelton Cline stated.
He added that the party should also extend similar apologies to other senior figures who, he said, were sidelined.
“The second thing the NDP needs to do is apologise to Dr Kedrick Pickering for how he was pushed so far until he ran independent,” he said.
“The third thing the NDP needs to do is apologise and ask forgiveness to Ronnie W Skelton, who they keep slapping around in the face,” Skelton Cline continued.
Unresolved internal conflicts
The commentator argued that unresolved internal conflicts have contributed to the party’s struggles since losing office in 2019.
“I don’t know how you build a house with those pillars, and then you knock those pillars out from under the house, and then act surprised why the house hasn’t stood since 2018,” he said.
Skelton Cline further questioned how the party intends to convince the public that it has reunited.
“I don’t know how you all think that you are going to be able to convince the public that somehow the family is back together again… when we know every single relationship in the elected profile of the National Democratic Party has been breached,” he stated.
His comments come as discussions intensify about the NDP’s planned convention and leadership contest. Skelton Cline said multiple individuals are expected to vie for the party’s chairmanship and noted that the organisation is attempting to rebuild its base.
However, he maintained that reconciliation is essential before any political recovery can take place. “Until and unless the NDP deal with that which matters… the family can’t come back together,” Skelton Cline said.
The NDP, which governed the Virgin Islands for multiple terms under Dr Smith, has faced internal divisions in recent years, with several senior figures departing or contesting elections independently.
Skelton Cline said the party’s ability to present a credible alternative to the electorate depends on how it addresses those issues. “I don’t care what you do… you might as well get yourself a new family and lose another election,” he added.
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I hope he told his uncle Ronnie to apologize for breaking up the NDP because he did not win the party elections in 2019. This bad minded behaviour is what cause the problem in the NDP. I bet CSC did not tell him that but he is on radio everyday saying that his uncle should be the leader of the party. I wish all these hypocrites could just vanish from around us.
Apologize to Ronnie who they slapping in the face? The NDP must apologize to Ronnie who broke it up because he lost the party elections? I don’t know how anyone could sit down and listen to this man preach. Something wrong with him
Why is this man in the news every single day. There are people out there that are far more worthy of the airtime. Sick of seeing this mans face.
Ronnie Skelton is owed no apology. If anything, he should be apologizing to the party faithful for the part he played in destabilizing and splintering the organization. The idea that he is somehow a political victim doesn’t square with the history. An apology to Dr Smith would be a respectable gesture, but only if it is genuine and not just a cynical attempt to latch onto his credibility and public goodwill to resuscitate a party that still hasn’t come to terms with its own fractures.
I am here singing for my undercover advisory role with VIP by trying to opinionate the NDP members and create internecine and balkanization so natalio remain head of the BVI and I get my undercover pay, but I also taking uncle advise to destroy the NDP because Marlon will not willingly step aside for uncle Ronnie.
Am I not brilliant? They are all paying me to say certain things.
A man who calls him a pastor trying to re-write history. Ronnie should be the one apologizing for his terrible badminded behaviour. Something wrong with these people mehson
And who the National Dose of Poison NDP will apologize to?.
Dr. Smith don’t even want to Claude’s shadow.
And you should apologize to the people of Detroit… including Strawberry
Who was the ONLY face of the party the one lone ranger who decided to hold the NDP banner.
He too was offered a room at the VIP table, but he remained loyal to his convictions. Now all the others who did not jumped ship, formed alliance.
He gave up fighting for Premier when VIP was left headless to merge for the benefit of the country
Human beings are soo blind and short sighted ..
This country is messed up to its core . Loyalty means nothing is it?
hey wiggie you need to use one of the many “funny” names that you does blogg under to blogg your sh*tty lyrics / U- are not the real (facial expression ) you are a fake / JUST LIKE YOUR WIG • and keep hollering “free your daddy *drew*
Skelie ( aka) mr ALOOF , through rnvy , destroyed the NDP ) WELL AS FOR YHE MOUTH CHAMP (aka ) Cuban, who was given the opportunity to grow clean & healthy for the PEOPLE of the territory ( WHAT DID HE DO WITH THE GREEN HOUSE EQUIPMENT / MACHINERY ) ? ? ? HELLO / then he encouraged innocent people who trusted and believed in him , to take that deadly ( COVID VACCINE ) that he knew about and many went to their graves % he is the o e whl should APOLOGIZE to the PEOPLE/ he knows now what he did , so it’s ON his CONSCIENCE to admit he hof blood k his ■ he love to be up under bronie on his” island sipping on champagne ~¿~