Rymer responsible for bringing Mather to gov’t side?
From left: Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley, commentator Claude Skelton Cline, and Works Minister Kye Rymer.
Talk show host Claude Skelton Cline has claimed that Minister for Communications and Works Kye Rymer played a key role in At-Large Representative Stacy Mather’s recent crossover to the government, a move that sent shockwaves across the territory.
Speaking on his Honestly Speaking radio programme, Skelton Cline said his assertion is based on information shared with him by sources he described as being close to developments behind the political scenes.
“The member of the Fifth District, I understand, was the architect behind the At-Large member Mather coming over, but the Premier was the one to close the deal, which apparently they did because they were working as a team,” Skelton Cline said.
He also framed Mather’s move as one driven by political survival, using vivid analogies to explain what he believes motivated the decision.
“Now, I suspect he’s trying to save his political life. And, you know, all of us are motivated by healthy self-autonomy, and then under the need for some self-preservation. Now, it doesn’t guarantee that he’d be re-elected, but I need to give him a better chance because he’s with the whole party — VIP,” Skelton Cline said.
A major focus of Skelton Cline’s commentary was his assertion that the broader aim of Mather’s move was to remove Walwyn as Leader of the Opposition. He said sources close to the political sphere have confirmed this, but added that Opposition members missed an opportunity to act.
“The goal, as I understand it, is to unseat the current Leader of the Opposition because he does not see eye to eye and therefore cannot walk hand in hand with the government, specifically on this constitutional review and negotiations that are impending,” he said.
Skelton Cline argued that if that was the intention, Mather should have taken a different approach before crossing the floor.
“It would seem to me [that] you should have had Mather go to Penn and Skelton and sign a new letter, take them to the Governor, where you are empowering a new Leader of the Opposition. That should have been done before he came over,” he said.
He further claimed that the government had been advised of this approach, though it remains unclear why that strategy was not pursued.
In the meantime, Skelton Cline said the pressure now rests on the Opposition’s remaining members, particularly Second District Representative Melvin Turnbull, who he believes could partner with members of the NDP to unseat Walwyn as Leader of the Opposition.
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Sources be misinforming you my brother.
Could it be unseating Walwyn wasn’t Matther’s interest, intent or responsibility? Why unseating someone then crossing the floor sounds like something you 1 would have done!?!
Is it that you need someone softer like Ronnie or Marlon to get constitutional changes advanced without riling up the people? Is this what you call democracy? Wasn’t Myron elected by the people? Isn’t he eligible to be leader of the opposition??
Your family party will not get off the ground. As long as there are Clines involved we will be DEClining the NDP and this is from sources around the Virgin Islands. Have your congress met over the last two years? How was a president selected? Are members with voting interest in good standing? How did the people who break up your party return without the congress approval? Is this the same way you intend to run public affairs?
The Strongest opposition filled with veteran politicians has proven to be the weakest ever over egos, power, And hunger for premier.
Mather did the best thing and remove himself from around you sharks! Just like Lorna and Fraser.
The people need to send you all 4 power hungry sharks all out of the HOA next election…
We dont want that particular individual to go UK to negotiate on our behalf because he will not be looking out for the indigenous. He said so that “he will not pass laws to protect locals”
You sound really illiterate.
Mather do well to let Kye mislead him. He will see.
Mather probably doesn’t even know that he was being used. The VIP already has a huge majority. They did not need Mather.
They pursued Mather to have Myron moved as Opposition leader for two reasons. First, Myron has been opening the eyes of the public to the issues and has been causing embarrassment for the government for their incompetence. Secondly, they don’t want Myron to go the UK because he is the child of expats. Plain and simple truth.
“I will not pass laws to protect locals”
Can the House of Assembly pass laws for BVIslanders only? Can someone with some legal knowledge answer me on this please in light of our current constitution?
Please say in what context he made such a statement?
and stop trying to create division in the islands
I witnessed Myron debating and raising major concerns for locals during those bills from the COI including the police bills, the marine bills and so on. This didn’t sound like someone who is against locals to me. This is recycling of an old lie. Wouldn’t work this time.
Won’t any other country do the same?
Kye who cannot fill some potholes was able to influence Mather? All I can say is “wow”
I understand NDP is working very hard on Mitch to get him to join Ronnie,if he does, they will reward him with the Opposition’s leader position so as to hurt and get rid of Myron. What a thing.
Politrick is a very dirty, dirty game.
The hatred that Ronnie have for myron is troubling. What he did during the vote of no confidence could never be erased from my mind. I can’t vote for him again.
When you have plans to destroy other people you end up destroying your own self.
Exactly what is happening to Myron. Coaxed them two idiots to join him to unseat the same man that brought an integrity image to both Mather and Mitch. Ronnie over there smiling like “look at them idiots”
Ronnie and Marlon don’t want to look like the bad guys so they will use Mitch and still turn around and call him disloyal and power hungry. Mitch if the two sour pusses want to move Myron let them do it themselves. Don’t let them drag you into this. Myron has been doing a very good job as opposition leader. He has performed far better than Ronnie when he had the post. Don’t let them drag you into their hatred mission Mitch.
Look at Claude looking to get his next contract
Question is, why Skelton cline still tryin get favor in politics. We all know he one bad apple that fell from a tree.
Let them party, fly and jump. Election soon reach when we will get our time to celebrate also.
They all grinning like bad minded lizards, a ground lizards that is! Gotta be careful who you let into your circle. But alu aint realise who’s being blocked by the Works Min. in this pic?
Once again, he is speaking simply to hear himself make sounds and words! Shocking.
Unseat Myron for what exactly? The man has been doing a good job as leader of the opposition. We hearing more about what is going on in the country and we see someone actually fighting for us compared to who was there before.
Skelton Cline and his people are power hungry and entitled. Ronnie did a horrible job but because he is your uncle he must get a pass? I pray those people don’t get power because we could see their behavior now without it. Could you imagine Claude and John behaviour if Ronnie is the Premier?
Two losers! I pray the voters apply common sense this election, if there is one….
Most interesting comments section for a long time.