Skelton Cline: Political will behind salary hikes absent for retirees
Talk show host Claude Skelton Cline has defended the salary increases awarded to members of the House of Assembly, but warned that the same political will should have been used to address the long-neglected benefits of retirees across the territory.
Speaking on his Honestly Speaking programme, Skelton Cline said two major concerns stand out: the manner in which the compensation packages were developed, and the absence of measures to support retired public servants.
“The compensation package seems to have been done in some clandestine manner, in some informal committee. And that should have been brought to the forefront,” he said. “Secondly, though it is an increase for the House of Assembly members, it does not seem to be commensurate with our retirees. The same political will and force was not used to ensure that our retirees also receive proper compensation.”
The comments come in the wake of the Auditor General’s latest report, which scrutinised the new pay structure for legislators and raised questions about transparency, process, and timing. The report reignited public anger over the steep hikes for elected officials while many residents face economic strain.
Skelton Cline acknowledged that the numbers themselves are not unreasonable, noting that legislators had gone more than two decades without meaningful adjustments to their salaries. Up until recently, some backbenchers earned as little as $34,000 a year plus allowances, which he said created vulnerabilities to corruption.
Still, he urged the public to pay attention to the fact that on this issue, there was no division among lawmakers.
“One thing is sure about that compensation package for the House of Assembly,” he said. “The 13 members may not agree on anything else, but they certainly agreed on that.”
The outspoken commentator also challenged residents to reflect on their outrage, pointing out that voters often re-elect the same leaders they criticise.
“Even some of you who are expressing outrage, you are going to turn around and vote these same people back in office in 2027,” he said.
The debate over lawmakers’ pay has become one of the most controversial issues of the year, with the Auditor General’s report underscoring public demands for fairness and accountability in how decisions are made.
Copyright 2025 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
They Think only about Themselves. Me, Me, Me. No thoughts about Retirees nor No One else in This Territory. The only Time They pretend to see Us is during Campaign Time. After That, Dogs could Eat your Meals. The Greed has become the Norm for these Bunch of Thieves. Just as Respect is Earn, So should Salaries be Earn. All these Mongrels do is Steal, Party and Fly all over the World on our Money. When They begin to make Viable contributions to this Territory, Then and Only Then should their Salaries be increased. All They Do is go into The Hollywood HOA and throw Words at each other and when that session is over, They All Party Together. Look at the State of our Territory Physically. Look at the Lives of Most of our People, Begging daily to make Ends meet. Look at our Healthcare Facilities, Lack of This, Lack of That Begging for Donors. Look at the Situations with our Young Children Who We claim to be our Future Leaders. Where is the Example for them to follow. I Say to the Current HOA Members: We Thank You For Showing We, The People of This Territory what You are capable of Doing. We Thank You Very Much But Now, Please Exit Our Honorable House and allow Us to choose who We wish to Lead our Beloved territory Going Forward… We Really Do appreciate your limited Knowledge of What or How you Think This territory needs to Progress Forward But Please Let We the People continue the quest in choosing other Brillant and Trustworthy Minds with Impeccable Characters along with We, The People to Take our Beloved Territory to the Next Level. Thank You for your Services. DRAIN THE SWAMP!!!!
Oh jeez BVI News back to regurgitating what they here on the radio. Can you not tune into another show?
“The compensation package seems to have been done in some clandestine manner, in some informal committee. And that should have been brought to the forefront,” he said. “Secondly, though it is an increase for the House of Assembly members, it does not seem to be commensurate with our retirees. The same political will and force was not used to ensure that our retirees also receive proper compensation.”
HOW DO THESE MEN AND WOME SLEEP AT NIGHT OR IN THE DAY? Their morning will come.
What about the teachers and the minimum wage?
Mehson look a so call man if the cloth is for sale, he dub different tunes for his terrible master Mr.dollar, and when he ready he selling his church believers a piece a land.i the sky.
This will be the last comment I make under a story related to Mr. Cline until his trial
Now that there are compatible salaries, more than other Caribbean nations, chose people who have knowledge of our system, have accomplishments and can lead. It ain’t those in there now at all. Majority choose, Uk abided and I don’t blame the Uk. Keep. The streets should have already been flooded with protests and that is why they walk on you all.
THEY ARE THE ONE WITH ALL THE KNOWLEDGE SO THAT IS USED AS WEAPON AGAINST THEIR PEOPLE WHE IS ” ILLITERATE & AND IGNORANT ” ( AND CSC SAID IT CORRECTLY ) EVEN AFTER THEY ARE BEING TREATED LIKE DOGS / WE KEEP VOTING THEM BACK IN , SO THE POWER THAT THEY NOW POSSESS HAS GORNE TO THEIR HEADS / AND THEY ARE EVEN CALLING MASTER NAT-AL-EO ” MOSES “
SINCE YOU DEFENDING THESE NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK, CAN YOH ENLIGHTEN US AS TO WHAT HAVE THEY ACHIEVED FOR AND IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE AND THE COUNTRY SINCE THE HAVE EEN SITTING ON THEIR THRONES ❓️ THAT YOU AGREE THAT THEY ARE ENTITLED TO PRAISING BTHE SALARIES * HONESTLY TARKING ” / AND WHEN YOU GINE TO START RUNNING FOR YOUR DISTRICT ?