Opposition groups doing a disservice to the people — CSC

Talk show host Claude Skelton Cline has called on members of the National Democratic Party (NDP) and the political group known as The Alliance to set aside their differences and unite under a single political banner, arguing that their current division is doing a disservice to the people.

The Opposition side of the House of Assembly is currently split between two factions: three members aligned with The Alliance and two with the NDP. While some support the split, others have expressed concern that the division could create a clear path for the more unified Virgin Islands Party (VIP) to secure another term in office.

Skelton Cline criticised the disunity as counterproductive and urged the Opposition to take a different approach if they hope to succeed in the next general election.

“You see this foolishness you are all doing and expecting a different result, we’ve been here in 2019, in 2023 and we’ll be here in 2027 if you keep up this insanity,” Skelton Cline said on his Honestly Speaking radio show. “You’re doing a disservice to the people by not offering them a viable, credible alternative.”

He argued that the electorate would be more inclined to support the current Opposition members if they presented themselves as a united team, rather than risk introducing an entirely new slate of candidates.

“I know some of you will say we need 13 new people. That’s ideal but it’s not real, the current mindset and culture of this country will not vote for 13 new people. NDP, PVIM and Alliance, what you are doing is foolishness, nonsense, madness and insanity,” Skelton Cline said.

Both the NDP and The Alliance currently host weekly radio programmes where they share their views on national issues and the work of the House of Assembly. However, Skelton Cline voiced his disapproval of their current messaging strategies.

“I really think you should stop talking to the public until you decide what you’re doing, until you get your internal house in order. If you’re coming together as one say that, if you’re coming as different groups say that definitely and say what the actual offerings are to the public. I will do everything in my power to ask the public to dismiss all of you because what you are doing is nonsense,” he said.