Accessibility
Text size
Some candidates preparing to contest the upcoming general elections appear to be offering money and making financial promises to recruit candidates, political commentator Claude Skelton Cline has warned.
Speaking on his radio programme on 15 September, Skelton Cline said he had observed people seeking office travelling throughout the Territory in an apparent attempt to secure running mates.
“It looks like we have people who are running for office, offering themselves for office, and they’re all through the Virgin Islands trying to buy people to run with them or for them, making all kinds of false promises regarding finances,” he said.
Skelton Cline described the apparent conduct as “Trumpish” and compared it with what he characterised as attempts in the United States to influence voters through promises of money.
“If we’re not careful, we’re going to ruin our democracy,” he warned. “That is putting our democracy on a dangerous path, and it has a Trumpish spirit.”
He questioned whether people persuaded to enter politics through financial inducements could be trusted to manage the Territory’s affairs and public finances.
“If you could be bought, if you are for sale, can you imagine us putting you to be fiduciaries and trustees?” he asked.
Skelton Cline said he was seeking information on the Territory’s election and campaign-financing laws to determine whether such conduct is addressed and whether further legislation is needed before the elections.
However, he stressed that he was not directly accusing any person or political organisation.
“I’m not accusing anyone. I’m not casting any aspersions on anyone,” he said. “I’m cautioning us about what I am observing and hoping that it does not come to fruition.”
Speaking on his radio programme on 15 September, Skelton Cline said he had observed people seeking office travelling throughout the Territory in an apparent attempt to secure running mates.
“It looks like we have people who are running for office, offering themselves for office, and they’re all through the Virgin Islands trying to buy people to run with them or for them, making all kinds of false promises regarding finances,” he said.
Skelton Cline described the apparent conduct as “Trumpish” and compared it with what he characterised as attempts in the United States to influence voters through promises of money.
“If we’re not careful, we’re going to ruin our democracy,” he warned. “That is putting our democracy on a dangerous path, and it has a Trumpish spirit.”
He questioned whether people persuaded to enter politics through financial inducements could be trusted to manage the Territory’s affairs and public finances.
“If you could be bought, if you are for sale, can you imagine us putting you to be fiduciaries and trustees?” he asked.
Skelton Cline said he was seeking information on the Territory’s election and campaign-financing laws to determine whether such conduct is addressed and whether further legislation is needed before the elections.
However, he stressed that he was not directly accusing any person or political organisation.
“I’m not accusing anyone. I’m not casting any aspersions on anyone,” he said. “I’m cautioning us about what I am observing and hoping that it does not come to fruition.”
© 2026 BVI Platinum News. This article is original BVI Platinum content. Reproduction or republication without written permission is prohibited.
Community
Comments
What are your thoughts on this story? Share a respectful comment with the community.
Join the conversation
Your comment will appear after review. Email is only needed if you want reply or conversation notifications.