Too much ineptitude among lawmakers — Skelton Cline
Commentator Claude Skelton-Cline has criticised members of the House of Assembly (HOA) for their lack of diligence in reviewing legislation, calling on them to seek proper legal guidance before passing laws that affect the territory.
Appearing on his Honestly Speaking programme, Skelton Cline argued that too many laws are being approved without thorough scrutiny. He asserted that lawmakers are failing in their fundamental duty to ensure legislation is well-crafted and beneficial to the people of the BVI.
“I want to say something to us, and I want the legislators, all 13 of you, to hear me,” Skelton-Cline said. “Your primary job is that of a legislator. And while you don’t all have to be a lawyer, you should have enough sense to know that … when it comes to consultancies or anything of the sort, then get the people who have a skill set and expertise in law to review legislation for you.”
He stressed that the lack of legal insight among lawmakers is leading to uninformed decision-making in the HOA. According to the clergyman, too many representatives vote on bills they do not fully understand.
“There’s too much stuff going through our House of Assembly that you guys and gals ain’t reading and are inept when it comes to certain parts of this legislation that you are voting in the affirmative,” he remarked.
Skelton Cline questioned why legislators are not seeking proper legal counsel, especially when making critical decisions that impact governance. He contended that relying solely on the Attorney General’s office is insufficient, as additional legal expertise is needed to ensure balanced and well-examined legislation.
“And don’t tell me it’s simply the AG’s office. The AG’s office simply can’t and doesn’t have the resources. And even if the AG’s office does its part, you need to see the other side of the coin. You need another voice in your ears,” he argued.
His remarks come amid growing concerns from Opposition members over governance and policy-making in the territory. Skelton Cline urged representatives to take their roles seriously and seek necessary expertise to improve the quality of laws passed in the territory.
“You don’t have to be a lawyer, but by God, don’t you have enough sense to get somebody who knows the law to advise you? To brief you? To raise certain questions for you?” he asked.
Copyright 2025 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
Thank God for Hon. Walwyn. That’s all I got to say.
it not no secret it plain as day he the only person in there what seem fit to be there. But ayo say he a ‘island man’ buddy.
While the D6 rep is versed in matters of law, do not minimize the contributions of the others who also read the bills and express their opinions and concerns as well.
It is the incumbent ministers that should bear the brunt of the responsibility for not analyzing, assessing and implementing and changes that are unfit before presenting the entire HOA.
A lot of us feel the exact same way. The witch hunt against Walwyn is an internal force. It has nothing to do with the WALL. I’m quite sure he knows it as well.
The AG and DPP are the most useless legal minds in the history of the BVI and that is in part the reason we are where we are. People that do not understand the system keep thinking that the answer is to elect different politicians. Dig deep!
Like wise as well, I am in complete agreement with your comment.
The AG not in the news as much so I really don’t know if she’s good or not but the DPP lol poor thing when last she win a case she for sure don’t seem to be good at what she does. It come like you can put your neck on the line that she going to lose.
The AG is the most useless of them all. Based on the legislation that she is responsible for drafting, she has no concern for the constitutional rights of Virgin Islanders. Who drafted the unconstitutional police bill in 2023, her office? Who drafted the Cybercrime and Computer Misuse Amendments that Walwyn decried as violating people’s rights? She did. Very wicked and uncaring person.
Good point raised, sir. This is what happens when you place square pegs in round holes. The fact that someone was elected into office does not automatically make then enlightened or astute or smart. You vote in mediocrity, they will produce mediocrity and substandard leadership; not because they are mischievous, but due to the fact that they know no better.
Yeah..
And bigtalk,demanding self governance.,Daily the evidence is in our faces shouting the evident truth..we are not capable nor able,we are a bunch of moo moo ad hoc and worth less n less. The current Premier is a laughable and pitiful choice of leadership.
The quality of our education has deteriorated to the extent that our off island “further” education consists of a stint in schools rated of the lowest academic quality. Common sense is becoming a foreign concept.
PI** – FART & SH*T , ONE QUIET , LIKE A LAMB / ONE LOS5 HIS SEEDS , HE WAS SAVING AND THE OTHER ONE , WELL HE IS SOMETHING ELSE . AND HONESTLY SPEAKING , WE DON’T THINK MASTER WEATIE WANTS ANYTHING TO DO WITH YOU , AND AS FOR WISPERING IN HIS EARS , YOU BETTER DON’T TRY DAT , YOU AND JOKERS LIKE YOU , IS WHO HAS BEEN EXPLOITING THE PEOPLE SND YHE COUNTRY FOR YEARS AND POINTING Y’ALL DIRTY FINGERS AT THE WHITE BOYZ TO TRY AND COVER UP Y’ALL CORRUPTION / WELL ITS NOT WORKING , YA’AL ACTIONS REVEAL YA’AL INTENTIONS , AND YA’AL KEEP ON THINKING THAT YA’LL GOT MORE BRAINS THAN EVERYBODY
ELSE / THE WANNABE JUDGE WIGGIE NOR ” THE ESTEEMED ONE ” AS HE YHINKS HE IS – IS ANOTHER ” ONE
AH DEM ” WHO LOVES TO GLORIFY HIMSELF
How’s Kwame ? You move back to Detroit
I will be signing an executive order requesting you to be imported back to Detroit for your crimes. Maybe you can teach how to make NY pizza to your colleagues when you get that club fed id #
There is also ineptitude amongst the voting public.
Voters continuously voting for persons who don’t contribute to the betterment of the country. Even while sitting on the government side.
Where are the at large representatives? I think that needs scrapping because it is non beneficial to the growth of the country.
I would like to see a resume of past and present elected politicians for what they have actually done to help move their district and the country forward. Some have and continue to fail miserably.