Beautiful Virgin Islands

Saturday, Apr 04, 2026

No gift of gab but Ronnie is a ‘doer’ — Skelton Cline

No gift of gab but Ronnie is a ‘doer’ — Skelton Cline

Political commentator and clergyman Claude Skelton Cline has once again proclaimed the leadership qualities of former Health Minister Ronnie Skelton as a likely prospect for Premier ahead of the upcoming general elections.
General elections are constitutionally due by mid-May and Skelton Cline has been putting forward names for months — including a number of women whom he suggested should play a greater leadership role.

The commentator made the pitch for his uncle, Ronnie Skelton, while contending that current Eighth District Representative Marlon Penn may not be the person to lead the territory in its current ‘climate of crisis and chaos’.

Skelton Cline, while appearing on the Honestly Speaking show said Ronnie Skelton and former Deputy Premier Dr Kendrick Pickering were tried and tested and are steady, familiar hands who have the necessary life experience and wisdom to lead the territory. 

The clergyman explained that his uncle has served as both a Minister of Finance and Deputy Premier and has engendered a level of trustworthiness and credibility. He said this is the reason his name keeps popping up as a suggestion for leader of the territory. 

“Ronnie’s strength is that he’s a doer,” Skelton Cline said. “He’s demonstrated both in his private and professional life to be a good steward.”

“He doesn’t have the gift of articulation, he can’t talk like his nephew – he can’t do that because everybody doesn’t have that gift — everybody has their own. He can’t speak at public speaking like Dr Natalio Wheatley. That’s not his gift,” Skelton Cline said.

Skelton Cline further said the BVI doesn’t need flamboyance and articulation at this moment, but seasoned, familiar, tried and tested hands coupled with some others. 

He dismissed suggestions that both Skelton and Dr Pickering were in leadership before and their records may not stand up to scrutiny.

“In this current climate, that’s what’s being called for. These are not perfect people, we are all flawed. We are all flawed, but we must look at what’s before us,” Skelton Cline said.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Prince Harry and Meghan’s Australia Visit Set to Draw Heightened Global Attention
UK Considers Entry Fees for Overseas Visitors at Major Museums Ahead of 2026 Travel Season
UK Prime Minister and Kuwait Crown Prince Coordinate Security Response After Regional Escalation
Calls Grow to Expand Fully Paid Maternity Leave for UK Teachers Amid Workforce Pressures
UK Secures Tariff-Free Access to US Market in Landmark Pharmaceuticals Agreement
Trump Projects Strength in Critique of UK Leadership and Naval Readiness
UK FinTech Setback as VibePay and Smartlayer Cease Operations Amid Funding Pressures
UK Leads Global Coalition of Over Forty Nations to Address Strait of Hormuz Crisis
UK Firms Urged to Accelerate Preparation as New Sustainability Reporting Rules Take Shape
UK Moves Rapid Sentry Air Defence System to Kuwait After Drone Strike Escalation
Transatlantic Relations Tested as UK Seeks Balance While Trump Reshapes Strategic Approach
Trump’s Strategic Pressure on UK Seen as Push for Stronger Alignment and Fairer Terms
UK Focuses on Trade Finance to Secure Critical Materials for Defence and Energy Sectors
Majority of UK Businesses Hit by Middle East Conflict While Confidence Holds Firm
UK Royal Navy Faces Renewed Scrutiny as Debate Intensifies Over Capability and Readiness
Reform UK Faces Mounting Distractions as Policy Agenda Struggles to Gain Traction
Investigation Launched Into Northern Cyprus IVF Clinics After UK Families Receive Incorrect Sperm
International Meeting Issues Unified Call to Safeguard Navigation Through Strait of Hormuz
Potential Strait of Hormuz Closure Raises Concerns Over UK Food and Medicine Supply Chains
UK Leads Coalition of Over Forty Nations Urging Iran to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
UK Secures Tariff-Free Access for Medicines in Landmark US Pharma Trade Agreement
King Charles III Invited to Address Joint Session of U.S. Congress in Rare Diplomatic Honor
Debate Grows Over Whether Expanded North Sea Drilling Can Reduce UK Energy Bills
UK Faces Heightened Risk of Jet Fuel Shortages, Airline Chief Warns
UK Ends Police Investigations into Lawful Social Media Posts After Review Finds Overreach
Abramovich Moves to Establish Charity for Frozen Chelsea Sale Proceeds Amid UK Dispute
Starmer Reaffirms NATO Commitment While Responding to Trump’s Strategic Critique
UK Aid Reductions Raise Fears of Severe Human Impact Across Parts of Africa
UK Signals Renewed Push for EU Cooperation as Iran Conflict Reshapes Security Landscape
Bank of England Signals Caution as Bailey Advises Markets Against Expecting Rate Hikes
UK to Convene Global Coalition to Restore Shipping Through Strait of Hormuz
Trump Signals Possible NATO Reassessment, Emphasizes Stronger U.S. Strategic Autonomy
Australia Joins British-Led Efforts to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Amid Escalating Tensions
King Charles Plans US State Visit as UK Strengthens Ties with Trump Leadership
UK Regulator Launches Investigation Into Microsoft’s Business Software Practices
Kanye West Set for High-Profile Return to UK Stage at Wireless Festival
Trump Presses Europe to Strengthen Commitment as Iran Conflict Escalates
UK to Deploy Additional Troops to Middle East Amid Rising Regional Tensions
UK Authorities Face Claims of Heavy-Handed Measures in Monitoring Released Pro-Palestine Activists
Trump Calls on UK to Secure Its Own Energy as Iran Conflict Intensifies
Nigel Farage Declines Invitation to UK Conservative Conference Led by Liz Truss
Trump Warns Allies to Take Responsibility as Rift Deepens with UK and France Over Iran Conflict
How Britain’s Prime Minister Controls U.S. Bomber Access in Escalating Iran Conflict
Trump Urges Allies to Secure Their Own Oil Supplies as Hormuz Crisis Disrupts Global Energy
Russia Expels British Diplomat as UK Pushes Back Against Pressure
White House App Faces Scrutiny After Claims of Continuous User Location Tracking
BBC Faces Scrutiny Over Allegations of Paid Content Linked to Saudi Arabia
UK-France Coastal Patrol Agreement Nears Breakdown Amid Migration Pressures
UK Police Detain Pro-Palestine Activist Again Weeks After Bail Release
FTSE 100 Advances as Energy and Mining Shares Gain Amid Middle East Tensions
×