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Turnbull questions PVIM dissolution

Second District Representative Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull (left) and former PVIM leader Ronnie Skelton.

Second District Representative Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull said he was unaware of any official procedure to dissolve the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) before news broke of its merger with the National Democratic Party (NDP).

During a recent interview, Turnbull, a founding member and part of PVIM’s executive, raised concerns that proper internal steps were not followed before the announcement.

“I wasn’t aware of it, and I think we have to be a little bit more careful with what and how we say things,” Turnbull stated.

He explained that the PVIM executive had agreed on a three-step process to explore a merger with the NDP. This included meetings with NDP leader Marlon Penn and discussions among all five opposition members. But these steps were not completed.

“The last meeting that we had… [it] had a timeline that would have ended on February 17th with a plan to have a final meeting on the 24th of February,” he explained. “It didn’t happen in that way.”

Turnbull said the PVIM executive had agreed that both parties would dissolve and form a new political entity. “That was clear in two meetings that I shared in,” he asserted.

Instead, Turnbull claimed, PVIM leader Ronnie Skelton acted unilaterally. “I don’t know if one person as the chairman can dissolve the PVIM according to the constitution that I signed my name to, I know that’s not the case,” he added.

Skelton confirmed the PVIM-NDP union in an earlier press conference but gave limited details on the internal approval process. This announcement surprised members of his own party, including Turnbull and fellow PVIM member Stacy Mather.

Turnbull said both he and Mather had not resigned from the PVIM and remained committed to their responsibilities as elected officials.

“My personal and professional responsibility… is to the House of Assembly and the general population,” Mather said. “That is my first and foremost responsibility… I do not walk into the House of Assembly thinking about party politics.”

Turnbull also rejected claims of betrayal within the party. “It can’t be betrayal when I would have expressed… that I am preparing myself… for leadership,” he argued. “We are making decisions as leaders.”

He stressed the importance of unity and transparency, saying the new opposition alliance—formed by Turnbull, Mather, and Myron Walwyn—will continue to push for better representation.

“We understand that there is strength in unity, that we are indeed stronger together,” Turnbull stated.

 

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38 Comments

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  1. Truth says:

    Pull the files. Everywhere this guy is, there is some form of confusion but he still want people to believe he is not the problem. The guy has a dream to be the Premier and the poor dude does not understand that he has to display maturity and leadership skills in order to achieve that. Pulling down others will not get you to the top. Myron will use those 2 guys and discard them when he gets what he wants.

    Like 21
    Dislike 11
    • Zeus says:

      you mean where J Cline is there is confusion

      Like 8
      Dislike 7
      • @ Truth says:

        Is Marlon and Ronnie demonstrating maturity right now? How can one dissolve a party without its people agreeing? Please go siddung with that nonsense about confusion! Like who you like and leave the hate and untruths out of it. We know who the confusion makers are and you are one of them.

        Like 10
        Dislike 6
    • Yes i says:

      Your gone but still looking back, beg back we will take you!NDP is Back!

      Like 5
      Dislike 1
  2. You think says:

    If you and Mather still PVIM how comes Myron is the new opposition leader you three playing Vi people for fools

    Like 19
    Dislike 6
  3. lol says:

    Perhaps they waited for you guys to form your own party so that Myron would not be the leader of the NDP. Ronnie said he knew something was up when he got that call from a member. I think they ( Ronnie and Penn ) knew Myron was up to his cunning ways and they waited for it to play out. Only to then cancel PVIM and join force under the NDP banner. The 3 M’s got played at their own game! There is no way Ronnie or Penn would have allowed Myron to be leader of the NDP. Ronnie and Penn are more wise than what we perceive. Well done
    MW you can plan and scheme all you want but it is Gods plan that will ultimately prevail. Not man’s.

    Like 15
    Dislike 5
    • @lol says:

      You might be on to something. In life it pays to be humble instead of always thinking you are the smartest in the room.

      Like 12
      Dislike 3
      • Oh says:

        At all times it pays to be a Visionary Leader and not a Laid Back one. I watched the interview with the alliance and it was very informative and inspiring, unlike the previous interview by Marlon and Ronnie on jtv. I was falling asleep. Lead with facts and not emotions!

        Like 10
  4. Synopsis says:

    No matter how I look at this I see Ronnie as the problem. He seem to also have a problem with Myron. Well both Marlon and Ronnie appear to.

    Ronnie broke off from NDP to form PVIM because Myron won the NDP elections.

    After saying that he was retiring, Ronnie decided to change his mind since the Alliance got together he would see Myron as the lead person.

    The opposition members, all of them including Marlon and Lorna was not pleased with Ronnie’s leadership and they complained about it. Some to his face. Others behind his back.

    For 6 years NDP and PVIM leaders could not get together but because Myron was made opposition leader the day after they say they come together.

    Ronnie dissolves PVIM without telling the previous candidates and the members of the party. He rejoins NDP with Marlon because he knows that he will be the leader.

    These are the facts. Ronnie feel entitled. Only him must be in charge or something can’t happen. He doesn’t care that his leadership skills are bad. Ronnie and Marlon is part of this indigenous talk about Myron.

    Like 11
    Dislike 10
    • @Synopsis says:

      No selective amnesia here. We all know the Turnbull boys were the orchestrators of the NDP break-up and they pulled Ronnie with them. Ronnie does not need politics to be someone, those boys do. The representative of the 2nd District is nobody without politics so he needs it by any means necessary. Anyone with eyes can see what is really at play here. Myron is upset with NDP because he doesn’t think they respect him. Mitch does not want to go back to NDP because he knows they will not accept him after all the confusion. Mather is lost like a cow on the moon and is just following and hoping.

      Like 15
      Dislike 5
      • BOOO says:

        Awww such hatred for someone because you can’t be a part of it. Did the Alliance ruin your plan? Hiding behind blogs. Who jah bless none can curse. Myron, MItch and Mather – Let’s go!

        Like 7
        Dislike 4
        • @Boo says:

          Aka Cindy. You will be an anchor holding the Alliance back. Who wants to be a part of something that’s not a part of something? There is no PVIM so what are Turnbull and Mather? Guavaberry tried with Perline and failed terribly. The same thing will happen if Alliance allow you to be their mouth piece. Go pay your bills and stop making your problems BVI problems.

          Like 4
          Dislike 8
    • Huh says:

      Strupessssss

  5. OBSEVER says:

    Boy go sit down in ah corner. Your a BLIGHT, your the reason the PVIM did so bad last election, They free of you now and we going with them.

    Like 6
    Dislike 3
  6. Hmm says:

    I’m wondering myself is Mitch, Myron and Stacy part of the NDP.

  7. Selfishness says:

    Ronnie looking out for Ronnie. He see a chance where Myron is not in the NDP to lead so he close up PVIM shop and run to NDP before Myron could come back. Mitch and Mather you think he care who don’t come? All that man’s actions show me a selfish, entitled person.

    Like 9
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  8. Breach says:

    So the breach is on Ronnie’s part, clearly. He did not follow through with the process. The alliance feels right so not too concerned. Something does not feel right about the antics of Ronnie and Marlon.

    Like 10
    Dislike 4
  9. Voter says:

    Did PVIM constitution require a majority vote for dissolution? Did the other members apart from Mather and Turnbull vote for it? This is the information the people really need to know. If the majority of PVIM are in agreement with Skelton then Turnbull and Mather have a major problem. What use is an alliance when the ones aligning aren’t bringing any support? Are we missing something here?

    Like 4
    Dislike 2
  10. Mr. Mass Confusion says:

    This dude is too controversial

    Like 6
    Dislike 2
  11. Outside says:

    Well this guy look like he missed the bus. If you are a founding member and don’t understand how it was dissolved what kind of leader are you? You Hon. Turnbull created the Skelton monster and formed PVIM and because he didn’t cede leadership to you that is why you have bolted but remember sometimes greener looking pastures are actually astroturf, unfit for grazing.

    Like 11
    Dislike 2
  12. Roxane says:

    I listened to the 284 media interview with the alliance yesterday. And if what they are saying is true then Ronnie and Marlon are some no good sons of witches. And to be honest I believe their story.

    Like 8
    Dislike 13
    • @Roxane says:

      I believe it too. It was clear as day. Well explained at each point. A good leader is master of his emotions. A merger happened overnight when a decision couldn’t be made before for months and years, all because the leader of the opposition was removed. How sad! It was laughable to listen to Marlon speak about them not empowering themselves. It’s not about power he said. It was very sad to watch.

      Like 6
      Dislike 2
  13. Fact says:

    He should question himself and his questionable words that cast doubt in the minds of others. He’s not a truthful person all the time.

    Like 4
    Dislike 2
  14. Polls says:

    Each blogger gets unlimited posts on the various sites, but 1 vote each at the polls. Just FYI.

  15. Beast Mode [ON] says:

    To quote a line from an award winning Hollywood movie: “opinions are a lot like bungholes; everyone has one”. Facts seperate itself from rumors and speculation. Fact is both Ronnie and Marlon have the same motives – hold on to power as they are entitled to it in both their eyes. If both constitutions (PVIM & NDP) are basically identical, and Mitch knowing each one intimately, I would think he is correct on this matter. Was the executive body called and voted for the dissolution and integration into NDP? Are there records of such? Was this procedure followed by Marlon and NDP as well? I don’t know but would like that information.

    When Ronnie, Orlando, Kendrick and others went to Lavity and Ralph saying they were not PERFORMING in the best interest of the community and formed their own party is the same as now.

    Ronnie has recycled John Cline back on hospital board and for what? What can this recycled blunt tool contribute now that he failed to deliver when he was chairman? Marlon has his campaign manager as board chair, so see the cookup people! More of the same B$ that got us in the mess we’re in today! Marlon is the next Fraser in his district. D7 & D8 elders are a let down because you mean to tell me that there are no other viable options in the districts from these career politicians that add no tangible value to the country? I hope that the elders can search within each district for sound, mortally grounded people for the next election as this cannot be what the BVI has to offer in these crucial times of global politico-economic uncertainty!

    Like 3
    Dislike 1
  16. ????? says:

    Thank you Mr
    Turnbull for letting us know that you are a lost case in no way able to lead anyone including himself.

    Like 8
    Dislike 3
    • @??? says:

      Thanks Marlon and Ronnie for showing the people of the BVI that you can’t lead until you are pushed out of vengeance and shame. Thanks Myron, Mitch and Mather for being proactive leaders. For doing what may have been difficult for the best interest of the people and these Virgin Islands.

      Like 7
      Dislike 6
  17. Carib says:

    It seems that a particular woman backing the Alliance is trying to sway the people by constantly blogging as if we cannot recognize the repetitions. The Alliance said they were borne out of a need to merge PVIM and NDP. They are now merged but they are still forging ahead. What does this say? The voters will stay home, and VIP supporters will vote them back in.

    Like 2
    Dislike 5
    • @Carib says:

      It seems like a particular man has nothing better to do than to sit and spew negativity on the alliance. Don’t think the people
      can’t see the repetition too. The hate and division ATTEMPTING to create. Go with God! You going need that.

      Like 4
      Dislike 1
    • @carib says:

      Nonsense since they were calling persons to form a party. They think their brains bigger than anybody else but many are waiting. Straight party line; who is the Alliance?

      Like 1
      Dislike 1
  18. SMH says:

    So my question is if the Alliance is not a political party then how did Myron become opposition leader. because technically he is till a member of NDP and and the others are still member of VIPM and again if their alliance is just that and not a party, then VIPM is still hold the majority in the opposition and then Ronnie should still be opposition leader. Something here is not right. I smell a fish.

    Like 6
    Dislike 1
  19. Kermit D3 says:

    It seems that the frog that likes little boys is blogging hard this past week sah! Dude your fingers going cramp up and you will be back in Peebles seeking help! You scared of the 3 M’s and trying to get sympathy votes for Marlon & Ronnie so as to keep them split for VIP benefit. It won’t work Missy!

  20. ALL THÈSE FANCY NAMES says:

    DON’T MEAN ANYTHING , ( ITS THE WIGGED ONE ) HERE ARE A COUPLE NAMES – TRUTH – ???? – JUDAS – THE WIGGED ONE IS ALWAYS TRYING TO CREATE DRAMA USING HIS DUPLICITOUS MENTALITY , HE SIMPLY CANNOT RESIST THE SPOTLIGHT

    Like 1
    Dislike 2
  21. This is it says:

    How could Ronnie dissolve a whole party by himself? Is he a king or something? A party is an organization made up of people. One man can’t just dissolve it as a knee jerk reaction to losing his leader of the opposition post.
    Do we really want someone that vindictive and impulsive to be Premier. He dissolve the party to run back to NDPto get a leadership position there and left his colleagues behind. What a leader!

    Like 2
    Dislike 1
  22. FACIAL EXPRESSION says:

    Mr CGB , IS SAYING )> MADAM SPEAKER ITS ALL ABOUT PRINCIPLES , AND RESPECT FOR ALL AND WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER IN UNITY
    WITH INTEGRITY IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OURSELVES AND THE COUNTRY AND THAT SHOULD BE OUR FIRST PRIORITY WE GOT TO THROW THAT ” TRUMP MENTALITY ” IN THE GABBAGE . ( SKELIE )> LEH ME TEK
    AH GOOD LOOK AT THIS FELLA WHO
    AH HAD TOOK UNDER MUR WINGS AND
    WAS COACHING TO HEAR WAH HE TARKIN BOUT

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