VIP in trouble, Skelton Cline warns
Commentator Claude Skelton Cline has warned that the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government is “in trouble” due to what he described as a failure to respond to the needs of the electorate.
Skelton Cline said the administration’s challenges stem from its handling of issues affecting residents, particularly the rising cost of living and the absence of clear policy responses.
“Your government is in trouble. And you’re in trouble because you’re not paying attention to the pain and the hurt that the people have,” the commentator stated.
He added that the government appeared focused on its own agenda rather than addressing the concerns of the public. “You are doing what you want to do. But you’re not paying attention and attending to the pain that the people are having. And that puts you in trouble,” he said.
Skelton Cline pointed to several areas of concern, including high food prices, rent and shipping costs, and what he described as a lack of mechanisms to protect consumers. He also criticised the absence of action from key institutions, stating, “There’s no protection for the people on the cost of living… There’s no mechanism in place.”
Misplaced priorities
The commentator further argued that the government’s priorities were misplaced, particularly in relation to development planning. “You imagine we’re going to pay for another design for Road Town… we have about three, four designs from three, four governments that they ain’t never been executed,” he said.
With reports surfacing of the opposition National Democratic Party’s (NDP) regrouping efforts, Skelton Cline dismissed this as a cause for concern for the VIP.
According to Skelton Cline, the VIP’s political challenges are driven more by voter dissatisfaction than by opposition forces. “You’re not in trouble because the NDP is forming… You are in trouble with the people of this country,” he stated.
He warned that with a general election constitutionally due by mid-2027, the government still has a limited window to address public concerns. “You still have a window to take some action,” he said, urging the administration to realign its priorities.
Skelton Cline insisted that tangible results would be critical to restoring public confidence. “Nobody argues with success… begin to address the tangible needs of the people of this country,” he said.
Copyright 2026 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
He changing his mouth now. This man hang his mouth wherever the soup is flowing. A few weeks ago he was praising them. I guess he ain’t get what he want so now is a different story
That is why they starting soo much projects now and will not complete any
EXACTLY!!!
All our leaders in the past had taken pride of the BVI and its people building this country.
Now we have been sold out to the big money for crumbs because of a few who cant run the country confidently and create personal wealth with out offering the country for sale to these people.
The BVI is in a bad place, especially it seems when you are over a certain age. Its a big free for all and those responsibile for keeping order and things in check has no interest in doing so.
They only want to take away our power we have worked so hard for over the years.
Well I agree with Claude but for sure we are not going back to the corrupt ndp
Desperately needs a mirror.
Don’t think all of the signing of projects will help .
Furthermore, the government’s priorities with regard to retirees—many of whom cannot afford the cost of living on their meager pensions—are equally misplaced.”
The policy to enrich themselves while not paying attention to the pain and the hurt that the people are enduring are the main reason for the call for replacement of the entire 13, and so it should be.
The electorate has had enough of the kleptocrisy and corrupt givernance of the current party.
Policies that enrich those in power while ignoring the suffering endured by the people are the primary reason for calls to replace the entire 13, and those calls are justified.
The tim has come for a people oriented political change.
Mature leadership is needed at this time. A statesman with vision for the future, discipline to do the harder things willingly and work harder than everyone they’re expected to lead, one with a healthy & sober state of mind, who has the courage to say ‘No.’ When ‘No’s’ are necessary. Who’s primary objective is improving the quality of life for all residents. Not saying this can’t be the current leadership in the future but it isnt as of this time.
As long as the greedy bill is implemented, the VIP don’t care a foot about the people complains and cry, because any which way the election swing they will still be sucking on the BVI treasury.
The so-called “Greedy Bill” does NOT only benefit the VIP as you put it. There are other members across the aisle who have remained SILENT like crickets on this issue. Why hasn’t the D6 rep. come out recently on this hot potato? I would’ve expected HIM of all people to have rejected his acceptance of his payout!
Let us hear from the opposition members who QUALIFY for this golden parachute NOW not months before election time and put their literal $$$$$$ & more $$$$$$$$$ where their proverbial mouths are since some of them can NEVER ever keep their clap traps closed knowing they are EATINGZ from the taxpayers trough unabashedly……set ah two faced cr o o k s
The most economical way out now in this global fiscal nightmare would be to reshuffle or retain the present set of elected representatives. To replace any or all is going to cost money that is critically needed to help us make it through these troubling and uncertain times. What is needed is a serious lobby that will hold the government to serious and committed planning and execution of strategies designed for the benefit of all residents of the Virgin Islands. It cannot be a talk show we need serious Positive Action this time around.
VI been in trouble ever since you came back shooting you mouth and winding up trouble.
All thirteen like ghost afraid to come out..
Weigh the scales . Marlon is the one who hold the reigns for NDP
Regardless of what … if it was not for him there would have never been an NDP to fall back on but they are the bestb hope for this country.
ARE WE REACTING TO ” CLAUDIA ” LYRICS ? EVERYBODY KNOWS WHAT HE IS / WE MIGHT NOT KNOW WHAT SH*T HIS HOLINESS IS COMING WITH NEXT , BUT WE DO KNOW WITH ALL HIS ARROGANCE ; HE IS ALWAYS ” TRYING AH TING ” AND SINCE ITS SO BORING , SOME PEOPLE USE IT AS AN INTERTAINMENT, OR GET A LITTLE JOKE OUT OF WHAT HE WILL DO JUST TO GET HIS EGO ENERGIZED / OR LIKE HIS PATHNER ” WIGGIE ” THEY BOTH HAVE THE SAME SH*TTY MENTALITY % THAT THEY ARE ~ OMNIPOTENT ~ ( ONE DAY THEY WILL WAKE UP , WHEN REALITY STRIKES THEM STRAIGHT IN THEIR FACES – ” BA-DAM ” / ZOE AS WIGGIE LOVES VYO SSY ” BAM – BAM – BAM “
Anywhere there is one of those cline… Im not voting. So I guess I would stick with the green team.
Wiggie YoU sound so pitiful with ( THEY ONLY WANT TO TAKE AWAY OUR POWER ,THAT WE WORKED DO GARD FOR ~ THAT IS SO FUNNY / U GOT TO 2 B ON ” SOMTIN ” MR – FREE D WEED
you got that first part right ✅️ it was your hero who sold us to the cartels , the same one who does be hollering out ” free the drew ” bam bam bam juliann
How come all these scammers are not talking about what has angered the public the most – that under the table greedy bill?
for taking all we mf $$$$ and doing nothing . . .
Mark assisted Lorna to the Government House to align herself with VIP. Up to now she cannot disclose about the large sum of money taken from bank of asia.All candadate of NDP in House of Assembly have nothing to say about the greedy bill.not voting for noooooo NDP.