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.
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.