Voters May Abandon Party Lines At Polls – Skelton Cline

Political commentator Claude Skelton Cline has warned that residents could abandon traditional party loyalties and vote for individual candidates at the next general election, as dissatisfaction with governance continues to grow.

Speaking on his radio programme on July 21, Skelton Cline said the increasing number of political groups and individuals preparing to contest the election signals that residents are fed up and believe there is a leadership vacuum in the Territory.

“There is clearly a dissatisfaction,” he said. “When you see people seeking office and groups popping up, it tells me that there is a real vacuum in the country.”

He said another political group, which he has not yet identified, is also expected to emerge ahead of the election.

Skelton Cline cautioned the incumbent Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government against assuming that a fragmented Opposition guarantees its return to office.

“This is where the Virgin Islands Party Government should take note. Even though these groups are fragmented, don’t you think for a moment that you’re safe,” he warned.

According to the commentator, residents may reject voting strictly along party lines and instead select the candidates they believe are best equipped to represent them.

“The people of this country will go to these polls and they will select individuals who they believe can best represent them in the room,” he said. “Brothers and sisters, we need the best minds in the room.”

All 13 Must Go Faces Leadership Test

Addressing the emerging All 13 Must Go Movement, Skelton Cline said its slogan has gained traction because it captures the public’s growing dissatisfaction with governance.

“You know why the tagline ‘All 13’ is such a hit? Because it captures the sentiment of a growing population’s dissatisfaction with governance overall,” he said.

However, he warned that the movement, which has not yet officially launched, will face the same leadership challenge confronting other political organisations.

“The All 13, they’re going to face the same challenge that everybody is facing, leadership, because it matters who your leader is,” he stated.

Skelton Cline also reiterated his support for expanding the House of Assembly from 13 to 15 elected members and establishing a sixth ministry.

He argued that the additional ministry would ease some of the heavy workload currently carried by government ministers, although it would not completely resolve the Territory’s leadership and governance challenges.

“We do need leadership in this country, and it’s a critical time,” he said.