Opposition Alliance dismisses Bishop Cline’s ‘division’ claims
Second District Representative Melvin Turnbull and Sixth District Representative Myron Walwyn have dismissed claims made by Bishop John Cline that the newly formed Opposition alliance is causing division among political parties and the public.
Bishop Cline, speaking on JTV News this week, alleged that the alliance, which unites opposition members from different political factions, is fostering disunity and called for an apology. “You can’t unite and divide at the same time,” Cline stated at the time. He further described the coalition as “deceptive,” asserting, “It is no alliance, it’s a party. Call a spade a spade.”
The alliance, announced late last month, comprises Territorial At-Large representative Stacy Mather, Walwyn, and Turnbull. Their collaboration aims to present a unified front against the ruling Virgin Islands Party (VIP) in the upcoming 2027 elections.
Cline wants to run for office?
Turnbull challenged the basis of Bishop Cline’s remarks.
“There is no one that gave Bishop John Ivan Cline the authority to dictate to leaders elected by the people what they should and shouldn’t do,” Turnbull asserted. He questioned the motive behind Cline’s statements, pointing out that Cline himself has political aspirations. “The motive is Bishop John Ivan Cline wants to run for politics. I know this because he came to me. I know this because he had a conversation with Myron Walwyn,” Turnbull alleged.
Turnbull also addressed the accusation of causing division, stating, “How can it be divisive when this is the same individual that says loyalty and standing firm? This is the same individual, my uncle, on the night of elections April 2023, wanted to take me from the PVIM camp to go join the Virgin Islands Party.”
Meanwhile, Walwyn expressed confusion over Cline’s criticism, questioning how unity among previously divided factions could be perceived as divisive. “I don’t quite understand how two bodies or individuals who historically, politically, didn’t work together, now coming together, can be viewed as divisive,” Walwyn stated. He emphasised the alliance’s purpose of transcending political differences for the betterment of the BVI, explaining, “We are saying that we want to transcend politics in the best interests of representation for our people.”
Loyalty over objectivity
Walwyn further questioned Cline’s objectivity, recalling a past conversation where Cline admitted supporting Ronnie Skelton during the formation of the PVIM due to personal loyalty. “His response to me was, ‘Ronnie is my friend, so I had to support my friend.’ That was his response to me,” Walwyn alleged, highlighting what he described as a “lack of objectivity” in Cline’s public comments.
Turnbull and Walwyn argued that the alliance fosters unity within the opposition to better serve the people of the BVI. “We are doing what the people of the Virgin Islands have asked for—put aside our differences…and start to formulate a plan to work towards the next general election,” Turnbull explained.
They defended the alliance as a necessary move to enhance the effectiveness of the opposition, which they believe has been fragmented due to political silos. “We saw the benefit of working together in the House of Assembly,” Walwyn noted. He asserted that their collaboration led to more effective questioning of government actions, exposing budget discrepancies.
Turnbull and Walwyn called on other opposition members to join their efforts for a more cohesive and effective political force. “Come and see what we’re doing. Come join us. Let’s put egos aside, let’s put pride aside…and build something,” Turnbull urged.
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The dirty tactics and mudslinging has adjust started by these disloyal “men”! Mitch sharing private information about his own uncle unnecessarily! Myron undermining Bishop credibility trying to be slick. These are the people who want to lead us?
Bishop is right. You cannot divide and unite at the same time. Two bodies aren’t coming together with this Alliance. They do not represent the NDP or the PVIM. You have individuals who are uniting in order to divide the Opposition and their respective parties. You do not have the two Organizations coming together. But Myron thinks he is the smartest man in the room. The Head Coach thought so too!
What does whatever these men are doing have to do with Bishop Cline. This is what I can’t seem to understand. How he get in this? What is his interest? Bishop Cline has no credibility so what are you talking about. This man is all about shelf. Short man syndrome and self importance. They were right to put him in his place.
So John Cline goes out on his own and accuses these legislators of being deceptive, divisive and calls for an apology from big people who decide to work together and they must not say anything? Isn’t it him who attacked their credibility? So he could tear them down and they are to remain silent. Let John take that. He like to be in things too much.
Nobody is saying remain silent. These are grown men and they have the right to defend themselves as they see fit. What is wrong is for Mitch to divulge information from private/sensitive exchanges with his own Uncle for political gain. John Cline never spoke about any private conversations with Mitch, he simply gave his opinion. I think Mitch’s response tells us all that we need to know. He is a man child, pure emotions and nothing of substance. What has he done since being elected in 2015 besides cause confusion in everything he is involved with? Myron will regret aligning himself with these power hungry confusion makers.
I am glad that they came out and addressed Bishop Cline. He had no call getting himself involved in conversations that he knew nothing about except what his friend Ronnie would have said to him. He then run to the news with hearsay information.
It is time for a new set of locals to rise to the front of overall leadership in the BVI. I am tired of the people like Cline who do not want to give way to others. Why is he back in the hospital
Board? Don’t we have anyone else?
Now he wants to run for elections so he is doing everything to secure himself and his friend Ronnie. I am sick of them. Go siddung and give others a chance. The BVI does not belong to any of you.
Cline is deceptive. How can he put himself out as an objective voice when he has a personal interest in the outcome. These people always got an angle mehson.
If what Hon. Turnbull and Walwyn said is true then Bishop Cline should be ashamed of himself. Why go to open your mouth publicly when you know what you were doing secretly. That behaviour is nothing strange to Bishop Cline anyways.
“Dirty tactics” aka “the truth”. You talk about credibility? What credibility does Bishop Cline have with all the nonsense that he has done inside and outside the church? You better stop your Jim Jones..ness. This man tell people don’t take the Covid vaccine but went secretly to get his and only told the public because people threatened to expose him. Credibility? What credibility? Dont make me puke.
The spirit of man is not in alignment with the spirit of God. This is very dangerous when one puts themselves out to be a man of God but making accusations based on their loyalty to Ronnie and not their loyalty to this country. Thank you Mitch for revealing that Cline wanted you to join the party that has been, and still is, a detriment to this country. Thank you Myron for putting it into perspective because how can two parties forming an alliance for the betterment of this country be seen as divisive. It is the ones who have not yet joined that are divisive. Liars lie without shame. SMH!
These 3 blind mice jumped the gun….Gone over their bosses heads
This comment is exactly why people need to rise up. Bosses? The people are the bosses not no indecisive and lazy politicians. Who made Ronnie and Marlon bosses of these three legislators? Marlon for one claim he is the leader of NDP without a convention. Ronnie had no convention for PVIM either. Both parties are completely dysfunctional but those two holding on to titles for their personal ambition. Bosses? Get away from here with that crap!
Those two dogs that you are referring to are some dead so the tail might as well wag. At least the tail moving.
Myron is so smart that he will outsmart himself and that is very sad. This is not unity, it is madness. Ronnie is the leader of PVIM, Marlon is the leader of NDP. These guys are members of these parties and are stating that their reason for coming together is because their respective leaders are a waste of time. The leaders are a waste of time but they proudly state that they still remain members of their parties and still have meetings. So Mitch/Mather are attending PVIM meetings and then attending meetings with Myron? This is what the people want? If Ronnie and Marlon are already the leaders why would they join the alliance when they still command the support from their parties? I think we need to hear from PVIM and NDP congress/supporters on this Alliance because any ‘alignment’ should be endorsed by the people of the parties involved. Did the Alliance receive the blessings of PVIM and NDP?
What meetings PVIM & NDP have had since the last election? The ball has been dropped by NDP & PVIM. It is only since the (3) M’s decided to organize themselves and this is what prompted Marlon and Ronnie to move beyond doing the bare minimum until the next election.
What congress are you on about? Those members are wondering what’s the point if Ronnie can’t make up his mind about running unless certain people plead and beg him to. Marlon just does not care as he will travel free by playing his game with Natalio. It’s very apparent that both ‘leaders’ are not about the people and advancing the people’s agenda. Under Marlon and Ronnie both parties are not going anywhere fast!
The people will reject those 3. Screenshot this so you can remember when the time comes! Neither of them can stand eachother, they only have a common goal and that is power.
Mitch also said that his uncle was trying to get him to join VIP after the 2023 elections. Wow! John was one who was cursing Lorna for going to VIP but he was trying to do the same thing with Mitch.
I swear you can’t make this shit up. John you are a horrible little man.
Bishop has a right to voice his opinion just like the rest of us 16k registered voters! Mitch has no call disclosing private conversations with his uncle to discredit him publicly! Speaks to his character and lack of leadership. every time someone gets on the radio and says something against them, they will disclose private information and try to discredit that citizen too?
This is not unity. Only the blind loyalists of these guys who have drunk the koolaid will find a way to justify this coup d’etat as unity.
All were sitting at a table eating. 3 get up and move to another table. Then tell the remaining 3 to come over here and join us? Well what’s the difference? Same people same table! Oh yeah…. The difference is found in who gets to say the prayer and decide when the others can eat! It is all about power and control.
FoR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN FOOLED BY YOU JUDGE WIGGIE , WHO IS WRITING AND BLOGGING TO WHAT YOU WROTE USING ALL KINDS OF NAMES TO THROW US OFF ( BOI JILIE – ANN ) YOU BAND SCS THE CITY SLICKER IS TWO OF A KIND , YOU BOTH BELIEVES THST YOU CAN OUTSMART ANYBODY , AND GOT THE MOST BRAINS/ BUT KARMA WILL CATCH UP WITH BOTH OF YOU AND JOKERS LIKE YOU LIKE MR LIEONERD THE WANNABE HIS WITH SELECTIVE AMNESIA / AS LONG AS MITCH IS SPEAKING THE TRUTH , WHY ARE YOU SO OFFENDED , AND WHO IS YOU TO JUDGE MITCH ? YOU WERE ALLOWED TO SQUANDER OUR TAXPAYERS MONEY ON THE TRINI ATTORNEY WHEN YOU TRIED TO CREATE A WAR WITH
MARK , AS IF YOU HAD OWNED THE BVI , HERE YOU ARE TRYING TO
CREATE DRAMA AGAIN , STAY ON YOUR RACIST YELLO SITE AND PLAY WITH YOUR WIG/ WE WON’T MISS YOU , IT WILL BE A RELIEF