According to Skelton-Cline on his Honestly Speaking show on ZBVI 780 AM on January 25, 2022, he is not even sure who Honourable Penn is leading in the post of Opposition Leader.

A leader without followers?

“Honourable Mark Vanterpool has said he is not coming back so he is not leading him. Honourable Alvera Maduro-Caines was sitting next to him and she got up and went to the other side, so he is not leading her.”

Skelton-Cline continued that Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) is with Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) and Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) is with Progressives United (PU), so Hon Penn is also not leading them.

“So as far as leadership of the Opposition, I am not sure who Honourable Penn is leading, other than the fact that he is holding the post of what they refer to as Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition.

Mr Skelton-Cline said he often makes the point in preaching that not because someone is in front means they are leading and not because they have a title they are leading.

Hon Penn not even NDP Chairman/President

He said the last person that held the post of NDP chairman was Myron V. Walwyn who was defeated in the last general election and did the “respectable thing” and resigned from the post.

The commentator disclosed also that he has been reliably informed by a chartered member of the NDP that there has been no official meeting to in fact confer upon Honourable Penn the Chairmanship/President of the NDP.

“So I am not sure who is leading in that space.”

Hon Penn ready for snap elections?

Skelton-Cline said he, therefore, found it curious to hear that Honourable Penn said he will be ready if a snap election is called.

He also said he is aware that the rank and file of the NDP has been trying desperately to “pull the fragmented pieces of the NDP together”; however, it appears this has not “been going too far.”

Skelton-Cline noted that Hon Penn appears to be the default person to lead the NDP but there seems to be some “turbulence” and added that it underscores the point that leadership is important.

Further, he said he would be curious to know if Mr Walwyn returns with the NDP.

Skelton-Penn said he hopes to see Hon Penn emerge as the leader of the NDP but he will have his hands full and “fuller” if he is to face an Andrew A. Fahie-led Virgin Islands Party (VIP) in an election in a time when the territory is at a crossroad.

“It’s going to be interesting to see and hear who the people will call for in an hour such as this,” Hon Penn stated.

No elections before CoI Report- Premier

Meanwhile, Premier Fahie has stated there will be no elections before the final report of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) is presented. The final report of the CoI is due by April 2022.

Elections in the VI is constitutionally due by June 2023.

According to commentator Claude O. Skelton-Cline, on his Honestly Speaking radio show on ZBVI 780 AM on January 25, 2022, he is not even sure who Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8) is leading in the post of Opposition Leader.

The last person to hold the post of NDP chairman was Myron V. Walwyn, who was defeated in the last general election and subsequently resigned from the post.