Skelton says he was removed as Opposition Leader without notice
Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) leader Ronnie Skelton says he was removed as Leader of the Opposition without prior notice or formal revocation.
Speaking on JTV alongside National Democratic Party (NDP) leader Marlon Penn, Skelton said the decision was made without warning, despite a prior meeting with Opposition members to discuss working collaboratively.
Skelton explained that a meeting to discuss how opposition members would work together and move forward offered no indication that he would be removed as Opposition Leader the next day.
“I think this was in the works about two months ago. I think one of the members called me a day and said to me, “Ronnie, I don’t want any changes in the leadership of the opposition.” So that immediately sent a red flag to me,” Skelton related.
The former Opposition Leader said he grew suspicious and was prepared for the likely outcome of his removal. “You know, these positions, while they’re important to make decisions and move things forward for my country and my people, they don’t mean a lot to me.”
He added that no official revocation letter had been issued to him before his removal. “I was revoked in private but appointed in public,” he stated. “Up to now, I have not received a revocation letter.”
Skelton said he only became aware of his replacement when Governor John Pruce called him to inform him that Myron Walwyn had been appointed Leader of the Opposition. “The day of the appointment, I got a call from the Governor telling me he had just appointed Honourable Walwyn as Leader of the Opposition. I said, ‘Governor, that’s okay’,” he shared.
Under Section 70 of the Virgin Islands Constitution, a Leader of the Opposition may be removed if the majority of opposition members advise the Governor to do so. While the Constitution requires that the previous leader be revoked before a new one is appointed, Skelton contended that this protocol was not properly followed.
“You can’t appoint two members to the same position. One has to be removed, and then another one has to be appointed,” Penn argued, supporting Skelton’s position.
The shake-up came amid reports that the NDP and PVIM were finalising a merger after years of division. Both leaders confirmed the unification effort is in its final stages. “Yes, we are merging,” Skelton affirmed. “Both executives already agreed that we will do this.”
Skelton and Penn reiterated that their goal is to build an inclusive political team focused on national development. “Our focus has always been the people of this country,” Penn stated. “Not to empower ourselves.”
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The position meant little to you and it showed in your lack luster leadership in the past two years.
All you little Myron followers need to relax, being loud and argumentative doesn’t mean anything, if all it does is make the country look bad.
I not no Myron cheerleader I just being objective when I say Skelton was not a good opposition leader. You don’t got to rant and rave and carry on to be good but at the same time you have to be astute you have to be thorough you have to be well spoken you have to listen to your teammates you have to be fair and reasonable in all your dealings with your colleagues including discussions about leadership you have to have the energy to fight for the people’s interests and keep the government accountable. the position you are in have to mean something to you because it’s important. Myron is a better pick plain and simple. Skelton seem tired and disinterested like someone who doing something they think they have to but their heart not really in it.
That’s because Skelton is not loud and obnoxious. People seem to believe that the opposition is supposed to object to everything Government puts forward, whether it is beneficial to the country or not.
Skelton is untruthful here, what in the word calloboratively is hard to understand, you all resisted again like the night after the election when you all was to form the government and Lorna cross the floor then now Fraser, you all were double agent masterbating on the offer from sowandie, you all are so power hungry that a party with less seats were able to dismantle the giant party with the governing majority. What these three young man did is absolve themselves from history as the team that failed from that election night to the end and gone go work for the people, you all couldn’t form one party but now push com to shove it happens on the blink of an eye. This is what should have been done on election night and the country wouldn’t have Vybz Kartel getting quarter million USD and infrastructure would have been fixed.
Cartel left with a cool easy quarter of a million dollars. Cartel is down in Miami chilling with DJ Khalid in his upscale Miami mansion. The ones that spend their money is still driving and walking around on bad roads, lack of proper running water and can barely eat and enjoy a proper meal. We are so eager to please everyone on the outside but ourselves. The ones that we are so eager to please feet is on the fifth step of the ladder going up and our feet haven’t even reached the first step of the ladder
How you mean that a party with less seats was able to dismantle a party with more seats? I am confused because I thought NDP had 3, PVIM 3 and there was one independent (Fraser). It seems to me then that the VIP had more seats with 6.
Those 3 snakes bit him
We live among snakes. There are snakes in our workplaces, snakes sitting among us in churches, eating with us at the same table, living with us and sleeping in the same bed with us at night. Thing is, who is going to get bitten first by the snake.
“You know, these positions, while they’re important to make decisions and move things forward for my country and my people, they don’t mean a lot to me.”
Yeah my boi; you really have lost that fiyyah in yah belly! Just hang up your gloves and chill on your porch/patio. Positions don’t mean a lot to you in one breath, and the next you saying you weren’t given prior notice. You got to be kidding me! Marlon and you both want power at any cost even if it means playing sneaky games with Natalie. I have lost what respect you had left with me!
You are talking fart/(:-)
I’m confused. The alliance formed to being NDP and PVIM together. Marlon and Ronnie just announced that PVIM is done, and they are now under the NDP. So, is there still an Alliance? If so, who are what are they aligned to if a merger has now been done?
Ronnie and Marlon put a spoke in Myron’s wheel
The people will next election. Stability in a country is more important than title.
Skelleton,, go sit down… hahahahaha
When he moved Andrew as opposition two months before elections in 2018 did Andrew get notice? That gentleman Skelton is an entitled man. Ronnie you were not performing as opposition leader. They had a right to move you.
What are you measuring his performance on? Rants and raves?
You may be right, but the real question is who turned him into such? Look around at the ones complaining now.
I think NOW could be an opportune time for a Vote of NO CONFIDENCE!!!!! Come on New Leader of the Opposition, Leh we do dis ting!!
I just checked the constitution. What notice do you require? Chupes. The notice was your tail wasn’t doing no work. That’s the notice.
Honourable Skelton, don’t listen to the pitchfork throwers. We got you. They must be threatened or something. Fraser left the Opposition. Lorna left and nobody could form a Government if she could not be found from hour one. She was the reason the Government was not formed. The VIP fired her and then rehired her and nobody was as mean as they are being here. Hon. Walwyn really trying to work on you. You don’t worry. We see your heart. Lots and lots and lots and lots of us got your back. We wid you.
This is only me and perhaps to much wine. This Alliance team is going to be a force to be reckon with.
Entitled guy from the Old Guard has outlived his use by date. Playing games as usual but we the public wiser now than the days you guys fed us manure constantly. You bawling and looking pity all because you lollygagged and dragged your feet along with Marlon l**y self to hold on to power!
Mehn you need gtfoh with your pity parade! Did you as PVIM leader follow your constitution for dissolving the party? Was there a vote? This is another illustration of your ill will and nepotism tinged with extreme entitlement!! I am so over hearing you cries when YOU Sir are to blame for much of the turmoil in these Virgin Islands with self-serving egos!! You, Marlon, both Cl**ns (Klines) along with Fraser and Lorna can shore up NDP with all the damaged goods you ALL bring along! Set ah greedy, grubby people!