Skelton Cline backs recall law for underperforming elected officials

Commentator Claude Skelton Cline has thrown his support behind introducing recall legislation in the Virgin Islands, arguing that voters should have the power to remove elected representatives who fail to perform before the end of their terms.

Speaking on his Honestly Speaking radio programme, Skelton Cline pointed to the Constitutional Review Commission’s recommendations and a dissenting opinion contained in the House of Assembly’s deliberations on constitutional reform. He said the issue of recalling elected officials deserved serious public attention ahead of the next round of constitutional negotiations with the United Kingdom.

According to Skelton Cline, the dissenting members supported creating a mechanism that would allow constituents to remove elected officials from office if they were failing to carry out their duties.

“As I understand it, they were for persons being able to have a mechanism in place to recall elected officials, which I think you should,” he stated.

He criticised what he described as resistance to such a measure, suggesting some lawmakers preferred to remain accountable only to themselves rather than the electorate between general elections.

“The prevailing notion there was the other folk said that they want to steward and be accountable to themselves. They don’t want the public to be able to recall you if you ain’t doing nothing,” Skelton Cline argued.

He said he believed a recall provision would strengthen democratic accountability by giving voters a formal avenue to act when representatives failed to meet public expectations.

The commentator made the remarks while urging residents to familiarise themselves with the Constitutional Review Commission’s report and the House’s response before formal constitutional discussions begin next month.

In addition to supporting recall legislation, Skelton Cline highlighted other constitutional proposals he believes warrant closer public scrutiny.

He also drew attention to recommendations concerning public officers seeking elected office. While he agreed that central government employees should resign before contesting elections to preserve political neutrality, he questioned why different rules apply to employees of statutory bodies, who may obtain leave or deferrals to run for office.

Skelton Cline urged the public to engage with elected representatives ahead of the constitutional negotiations, arguing that residents should ensure their views are reflected in the territory’s negotiating positions.

“We must anticipate what we believe the United Kingdom is going to use as leverage,” he said, adding that Virgin Islanders should press their leaders to pursue constitutional reforms that advance the territory’s interests.