Talk show host Claude O. Skelton-Cline has called for an end to how the people of the Virgin Islands (VI) select its leaders, declaring that the territory has reached a point where it has outgrown the selection of ‘fly by night’ politicians who are elected simply for being liked.
Mr Skelton-Cline made the comments during the November 29, 2022, edition of his Honestly Speaking talk show where he also called for the election of leaders who can better understand matters as well as do what it takes to advance legislation in the House of Assembly.
“We don't need people in the House of Assembly who sit under the tree with us every week or sit by the Taxi stand. We need people who are going to go to the Assembly, who [are] going to go home and do their homework, who are going to read the legislation, understand what they're reading [and] be able to articulate and offer proper provisions and amendments,” he said.
He said the VI has outgrown a certain approach and should now be selecting leaders based on their competence to be legislators, “We don't need this fly by night, because I like you and you like me, that you should sit in the House of Assembly. We have outgrown those shoes,” he further added.
Mr Skelton-Cline made the comments
during the November 29, 2022, edition of his Honestly Speaking talk show
where he also called for the election of leaders who can better
understand matters as well as do what it takes to advance legislation in
the House of Assembly.
New approach to electing leaders - Skelton-Cline
According to the man of the cloth, the VI is now in need of people who can not only think, but talk for the people about where the VI is now as a country. He also called for a more discerning approach to electing leaders who will eventually sit in the House.
“Where we are now as a country… We don't need no long election process [and] there should be zero tolerance for any mudslinging of any sort, certainly no personal attacks on anybody, no matter who offers themselves.”
One potential solution on the way forward, he said, was for more debates where potential candidates stand with each other and give articulation as well as communicate their vision that fits in the local district as well as national agenda for the development of the territory.