No room for VIP & NDP?

According to Mr Skelton-Cline on his Honestly Speaking show on ZBVI 780 AM on September 27, 2022, the voting public will have to put aside family, friends or popularity to to choose individuals based upon criteria that we the people can agree on collectively.

He noted; however, that there may be no room for the traditional parties to gain power, based on the changed mindset of voters.

“I do not believe that the Virgin Islands Party will lead this country to victory in the next general election, for who becomes the government.

“I do not believe that the National Democratic Party will lead this country to any victory the next general election,” Skelton-Cline added.

Dr Wheatley & Hon Penn ‘good men’ but…

Further, Mr Skelton-Cline said that while incumbent Premier and Virgin Islands Party Chairman Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) and Minister for Health and Social Development and NDP Member Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) are good people who he likes, he does not believe the territory as a collective will have confidence to put them at the helm of the VI at this juncture.

“If I was in the Eighth District right now I would vote for [Honourable] Modern Penn, but I believe that the country has already made-up their mind relative to Honourable Penn’s leadership and I do not believe that this country is going to accept the National Democratic Party as the next government with Honourable Penn as the leader.”

Mr Skelton-Cline reiterated that Hon Penn is a good man and a good representative.

“Are there areas that needs to be strengthened? Certainly. Might he become premier in some future time in the country? Certainly. Does he have the resources, the tools, in which if they are shaped and sharpened and harnessed? Absolutely, but right now for where we are, even amongst the rank and file of the National Democratic Party, which have not declared anything officially as yet, I think the country has already made up their mind about leadership coming out of the National Democratic Party.”

Turning to the Virgin Islands Party, Mr Skelton-Cline said he likes Dr the Honourable Wheatley, who he views as an academic.

“I stood on the stage in 2019 and helped him to get elected as a collective, but I do not believe that the country is going to accept and vote a Virgin Islands Party ticket to victory in the next general election, I do not believe that.”

Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline said while incumbent Premier and Virgin Islands Party Chairman Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), right, and Minister for Health and Social Development and NDP Member Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8), left, are good people who he likes, he does not believe the territory as a collective will have confidence to put them at the helm of the VI at this juncture.

‘Honest discussion’

Mr Skelton-Cline said some may get uncomfortable with what he is saying but he was just trying to have a loving and honest discussion.

Additionally, Mr Skelton-Cline said there are many persons who could ‘fit the bill’ as a leader of the Territory, including Chief Justice Dame Janice M. Pereira, DBE, LLD.

The talk show host also listed several other persons who he believes could make for good elected officials.