Should VIP insist Fraser and Smith join party ranks?
Political commentator and clergyman Claude Skelton Cline has urged the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) to require that Deputy Premier Julian Fraser and former Deputy Premier Lorna Smith formally join its ranks.
The outspoken commentator contended that such a move would promote unity and strengthen the government’s effectiveness.
“I would no longer sit, if I was a Virgin Islands Party member, and allow the member of the Third and the At-Large member to continue to be a part of my government without joining my party,” Skelton Cline stated. “The Congress of the Virgin Islands Party needs to put a demand and command this moment by ensuring that the members of government show their hand, declare their hand.”
Julian Fraser, the Progressives United (PU) leader, currently serves as Deputy Premier in the coalition government led by Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley. Initially elected as an independent candidate, Lorna Smith joined the VIP shortly after the 2023 general elections, a move that surprised many and drew criticism from various quarters.
Skelton Cline questioned where these political figures would stand in the near future and suggested that the party should push for their allegiance.
“Where are these people going to be in the next year and a half?” he asked. “No, if I was sitting in Congress, if I was leading this party, that won’t happen. That will not happen. I would have invited them to the other side and got me some folk who are going to stand with me in the sunshine as well as in the rain.”
He noted that having “deal friends” in politics is sometimes useful, but at some point, commitments must be made.
“It may be politically convenient to have deal friends. I ain’t mad at you,” Skelton Cline remarked. “I’m just saying in the not-too-distant future, you’re going to need to be answering a different kind of question.”
Skelton Cline’s call comes amid ongoing discussions about the structure and unity of the current government. He has previously advocated for a more inclusive approach, suggesting that leaders from different political backgrounds should collaborate for the nation’s benefit.
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There are three players in BVI politics that are causing a problem in my opinion. And these people are the oldest members in the House of Assembly. Follow me for a moment
Julian Fraser- fraser cares more about his political survival than he cares about the country. It is obvious by his recent switch to the government after criticizing them consistently over the last year. Hell, he even was a part of the vote of no confidence against them.
Lorna Smith – Lorna cares only about Lorna. She joined VIP for a position right after election. She got fired and called the Premier incompetent. Now for a lower position she gone back to work under the same leader she called incompetent just a few months ago. Now she is calling herself minister of state when in fact she is a junior minister.
Ronnie Skelton- Ronnie just need to retire. He has no energy. He can’t talk. He just seem lost. Natalio is making fools out of the opposition. He mishandled the important vote of no confidence. The opposition just look lame and it is because of the poor leadership.
All these three politicians are over 70. Fraser is about 74. Lorna is about 73 and Ronnie is about 72. They need to give the younger generation a chance and get out the way. At this age they are causing the most issues and instability in the House of Assembly.
Ultimately it comes down to the People of the BVI.And all 3 that you mentioned will be elected again come election time. because of the very thing you talked about ….age.. otherwise know as …experience 🙂
If we re-elect Lorna Smith after this display of erratic and selfish behavior then we deserve whatever we get.
Kye Rhymer
Mitch Turnbull
Natalio Wheatley
Stacy Mather
Marlon Penn
Sharie de Castro
Myron Walwyn
All of the above are elected officials that are 20 years younger than the persons that you have listed. These are the younger people with only Myron being slightly above 50yrs old. What have they done materially? Only Myron as a Minister has done anything noteworthy, the others just talk. While it sounds good to berate the older folks, do you honestly think these young ones have proven their muster? We make excuses for everything. The issues in the BVI boils down to the people that vote, point blank. Stop hiding behind blogs and politicians.
You just hit with some strong fact. The younger ones must show receipts and tangible results. Rhymer and Decastro seem solid though.
Stop bigging up failures.
They are solid failures. Nothing more, nothing less. Let them leave politics for whatever career they may be seeking.
BVI voters need to stop rewarding failures with re-election.
Bout solid.
Give props for effort watcha
Brother, these people go around village to village, house to house and island to island giving all manner of reasons why they should be elected. They tell you all the things they will fix or can fix. They discredit whomever is running against them.
They have gotten the votes, they have the majority, they have the power in the HOA and still can’t get anything done. Everyone talking about the opposition only making noise and doing nothing. What do you expect from the opposition? You expect them to bring hills to the house and get them passed.
We have a premier who can tell you all who want power and who cannot walk in his shoes. Whilst some years back money was being given out from his ministry and he couldn’t even answer a question about it in the HOA.
The BVI can’t reward anymore failure brother.
Hon Kye Rymer you may add to that list..
His Community Service/Sankey sing out!is wonderful with the Seniors and others. Build affordable units for rent in his district which is a Plus!
Hon Myron is working on a Seniors Club as well.Lol
BvI landers,needs to carry on its legacy in these Beautiful Virgin Islands. What are you waiting on? Im sure there are plenty of eligible BVI Islanders that can run for election. Its ashame to see others coming into the territory at a tender age and running this Country. Im sure you all legacy is important. St Kitts and St. Vincent is serious about carrying on its legacy governing their Country of Birth!
BVI had great leaders of the Past and it can happen again in the Future.
Rise People of the BVI! Rise!
Younger generation you say oh please that will never happen. Power is a boss mehson.
We the people give them the power. Those three need to be gone.
Julian Fraser- fraser cares more about his political survival than he cares about the country.
TRUTH TALK.
Lorna Smith – Lorna cares only about Lorna. She joined VIP for a position right after election. She got fired and called the Premier incompetent.
CONCIOUS RUTH TALK.
Ronnie Skelton- Ronnie just need to retire. REAL TRUTH TALK.
Time to get out of the way. they cant lead nor follow.
VIP, PUP, NDP, PVIM or “independent”, the results are the same.
All are total failures on the political landscape right now.
This VIP administration is reminiscent of the 11-2 house majority they had some years back and achieved absolutely nothing.
I have always said that in the BVI one of the biggest hindrances to younger people advancing is the older people. They will do everything to hold on to their power including destroying a younger person so that they could remain relevant. Tell me what these 70 odd year olds still have in politics causing a muck? They can’t lead and they refuse to follow. Go siddung.
Who keeps voting them back in??
They should both declare a vote of no confidence qnd join the restnof the opposition where they both started and then join with the others to form a proper Government that is not led by a cri**nal lo ing a child.
EAT AYO HEARTS OUT…..EXPERIENCE MATTERS
Fraser and Lorna can do whatever the H floats their damn boats and marinate in sea water.I live here and don’t give a rats A what those two have to say do or plan to do.
Their actions determines your quality of Life.
Claude is really been paid as anonymous adviser from the premier office petty cash slush funds that Vybz Kartel was paid from unknown to the auditor general, natalio trying to secure sure power to himself, but the two senior ministers in smith and Fraser that he ask Claude to pressure to join VIP are more senior and experience and don’t wish to be led by an impulsive boy who just took $225k and give a man who just exited prison.
Minus Ronnie, the Opposition are the younger officials and what have they done or are doing? Make noise all day long.
The three mentioned have lost all abilities to lead effectively due to their inability to let go of power at all costs. All three want to be premier of these tiny islands regardless of how much subterfuge they and their allies covertly put out to the public.
What has RS achieved in the past 18 months as leader of the opposition? Has his leadership of PAC (he recently came back from a trip on this exact body) made any difference? LS is like a femme Judas. She is for sale to the highest bidder and attempts to characterize her actions as ‘country above self’; contrary to general public sentiment. We all know that JF has always shown his self-serving ways and so long as he can manipulate the system for his personal benefits; to hell with the rest of the country!
I would add MP as another JF in the making. His leadership of the NDP is utterly pathetic and lacks integrity and adequate stewardship of that party. Now both RS & MP are in a holding pattern with the opposition members in the lurch due to both RS & MP desires to hold on to power. We the public are the real losers as these men and women fumble, frolic and fleece the tax payers!
We goin put everyone of them back in…
SO , YOU SAYING THAT THE QUIET ONE , ONE OF THE HOLY TRIO FROM CGB ,IS A DAMN BLASTED LIARD
@: @Sell by date:
No I did not imply nor say anything regarding the D2 rep. Don’t know how you arrived at that conclusion.
Head Coach told the VIP Congress not to Vote for Frazer.
The VIP Congress don’t want Corna Woman.
The NDP Congress don’t want Corna Woman.
Constitutionally they were elected under different political organization and peoples trust, and would have to call an election to integrate them into the sowandie club to maintain his grip on power.