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'Allegiance to political parties has retarded VI’s progress'- Bishop Cline

-Calls for an end to political allegiance & promotion of self-interest in VI Leaders
Community leader and Virgin Islander, Bishop John I. Cline has called for an end to political party allegiance in the territory, which he said has stymied the VI's growth throughout the years. Photo: VINO/File
Bishop John I. Cline's statement came as he was addressing a gathering at the Sir Olva George Plaza, after Sunday’s November 21, 2021, 1949 Great Match Re-enactment in Road town, Tortola. Photo: Facebook/File
Bishop John I. Cline's statement came as he was addressing a gathering at the Sir Olva George Plaza, after Sunday’s November 21, 2021, 1949 Great Match Re-enactment in Road town, Tortola. Photo: Facebook/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Community leader and Virgin Islander, Bishop John I. Cline has called for an end to political party allegiance in the territory, which he said has stymied the VI's growth throughout the years.

The clergyman made the statement at the recent 1949 Great Match re-enactment held on Sunday, November 21, 2021, during a keynote speech delivered at Sir Olva George Plaza on the topic of greater self-determination in the Virgin Islands. 

Stagnated Growth from political allegiance – Bishop Cline

“As it stands now, allegiance to political parties and self-interest have stagnated our growth and retarded our progress,” he said.  

According to Bishop Cline, with the funds that have been under the control of governments to spend on a yearly basis, the territory, therefore, should be far better off.

“We should look better, we should feel better, the standard of living for this territory should be better and the quality of life for all Virgin Islanders should be better,” he said.

With an accumulated total running into billions every four years, Bishop Cline admonished that the territory ought to be moving forward with much greater determination.

“We the people must hold any elected government responsible for how they spend our money, this is not a joke… we need leaders who are not just interested in their political parties,” he said.

‘Be loyal to territory’ – Bishop Cline to Leaders

Bishop Cline further called for leaders to be loyal to the territory, rather than having the people divided.

“We need leaders who are aware of regional, international and global trends. Leaders who must not just talk good, but do good,” he said.

He also reiterated calls for an end to political rhetoric which he said is sometimes displayed in the VI House of Assembly (HoA) amongst elected members.  

29 Responses to “'Allegiance to political parties has retarded VI’s progress'- Bishop Cline”

  • @ THE BISHOP (28/11/2021, 15:11) Like (25) Dislike (3) Reply
    YOU RAE SUPPOSED TO BE REPRESENTING THE TRUTH , AND THE SAME WAY YOU YAPPING ABOUT THE BRITISH ,TELL THOSE WHO YOU ARE FULLY AWARE OF ,WHO YOU KNOW TO DO THE RIGHT THING PUBLICLY, OR HUSH
  • God (28/11/2021, 15:12) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    He's not a real Bishop. A real one wouldn't wear platform shoes.
  • WHAT!!! (28/11/2021, 15:12) Like (10) Dislike (29) Reply
    I don’t often agree with this man but I am with him 100% on the above.
  • Native Senior Citizen of the BVI (28/11/2021, 15:41) Like (15) Dislike (19) Reply
    Finally, Bishop John has muster up the gust to say as it is. it always was, it always is, and it always will be the truth to set us free. Congratulations Bishop, Father, businessman etc., John Cline. I do hope that Claude Skelton Cline will follow suit, and use his big mouth and tongue to speak true as you have done on political issues.
  • Dancing in the sunshine (28/11/2021, 16:08) Like (2) Dislike (10) Reply
    This is the most absurd statement I have heard for a very long tine. What is wrong with political allegiance. Personally I have not seen any problem with that. The development of a country or organization depends on individuals who are willing to play a role in whatever capacity that they are placed in. Many times we used all sorts of excuses to show a lack of cooperation to work towards the development of a country or organization. Unless people rise up from their sitting position and join the band wagon, they will be stranded at the train terminal. Pastor Cline has not impressed me with his activism. Instead of promoting cooperation for the development of the Territory. There is nothing with supporting a political party or a leader. It is everyone prerogative to support which ever political party they choose and they are not wrong.
    Not every enemy is your adversary and not every ally is your friend. Once we work towards the development of the Territory. Nationals from other countries are coming here without looking for distraction and are moving forward thus leave others behind. I will not listen to Pastor Cline because he is blowing wind in the air.
    • josiah'sbay (29/11/2021, 11:42) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      @Dancing in the sunshine: What wrong with political allegiance? Nothing! Except that they are not needed here. There are no ideological difference here in the VI, so what's the need for different representation. Other than financial services the VI is a service business that should provide a great experience for the tourist. Our focus should be on providing that service. Political parties inherently divide people which create communication and cooperation issues. They are also projects interrupters in the sense that if it is not their project they are not incline to aggressively pursue or complete the projects. What we really need is a fundamental restructuring of Government with the proper checks and balances that is needed. What we have now is a ministerial oligarchy with a totally imbalance power distribution system.
  • Sam (28/11/2021, 16:12) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    some of us over 60 years will agree that poor political leadership placed the territory in a bad position

    Political Leadership during The 60s, 70s 80s and part of the 90s went well

    the way forward should be a collision government, back then winners at the pole got together and form a government

    this set of members from the same group forming a government should be disrupted



  • voter (28/11/2021, 16:20) Like (14) Dislike (3) Reply
    He looking attention just like the smith girl from west end we will not vote for John or ms hull
    • @ voter (29/11/2021, 09:59) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      the set of them making noise on radio and social media can not set foot in a political race and win
  • My girl (28/11/2021, 16:21) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    Allegiance to religion has retarded common sense
    • Well said (28/11/2021, 18:14) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      I agree 100% with Pastor. Couldn't"t have said it any better....Especially the way they waste and spent and help themselves with tax payers money and make no real meaning full asset investment in the country. Govt / the People of the BVI should have as their own a 5 Storage building with the flag flying high. That holds most government offices,. How beautiful that would have been...Cut back in the Millions we tax payer pay monthly for rent...
  • Headliner (28/11/2021, 17:33) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    Allegiance to religious cults has retarded VI’s progress
  • trrefdrfds (28/11/2021, 18:59) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
  • hmm (28/11/2021, 19:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Unless it is his allegiance to the NDP
  • musa (28/11/2021, 20:13) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Yes he speak with experience we all need to do out part.
  • ONE MISSING (28/11/2021, 21:04) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    ISN'T THERE ANOTHER PASTOR FROM THE SAME REGION ( CGB ) / LOOKS LIKE HE WENT
    TI BED PERMANENTLY
  • ... (29/11/2021, 01:25) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    That’s the plan, recuperation retardation & stagnation on repeat. We’re modeled after the new European royal out of sight system.

    A system by design which has been deliberately spread in the name of democracy to get rid of non European foreign sovereignty while domestic political parties act as a buffer between the actual leaders and the common people.

    When a problem occurs you blame the party none else but the party.

    Her majesty’s loyal opposition mmmhm. They’re doing wonderful work I hear. Whether there is reason for opposition or not, division & infighting are enshrined & encouraged by law.

    Not only that you get to feel as if you are making a difference by voting. Marginal change at best. None of them are allowed to step out of the box and bring real change leading to tangible prosperity.

    Look at the result of regime change ‘for democracy’ that happened in Libya when their eyes were set on real prosperity with plans to empower other non European nations -including those in the Caribbean- tangibly backed by their stockpiles of physical gold & oil.

    When the people are conditioned to blaming the parties vip Ndp Democrats & republicans torys liberals conservatives

    It’s easy to avoid having blame cast on the royal families & other shadow leadership. Donald Trump mentioned the “deep state” on TV one too many times. His next mantra was “rigged elections” true false. Ironic at least.

    The people are crying for bread? Learning from the mistakes of French history their not going to tell us to eat cake or issue other ignorant statements to poor people instead a new phrase has been eloquently formulated.

    “Go Vote!”
  • FIRE (29/11/2021, 07:25) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
    The first step forward would be to through away the bible and start holding yones self accountable.
  • Remember (29/11/2021, 07:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    If you listen to the COI the questions put to the Governor were very telling. Minuting files, policy advise from Public Servants to Minutes. Badly lacking definitely a failing of the Colonial Power.
  • Wayne DEAD (29/11/2021, 08:31) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    This ni66a spitting the truth!
  • E. Leonard (29/11/2021, 10:15) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Government is an institution, and political parties are institutions. Institutions cannot survive and thrive without people and if people deprive them of oxygen and support. They will die. The problem is not political parties ;its the people. Political patronage and dependency are the fuel and engine that drive political parties. They (political patronage and dependency) seem to be the lifeblood that carries the oxygen of parties dominance. They are the glue that keep people loyal, putting self interest over national interest. A behavioral change is needed for change to occur. For economic, national, and social growth and development people must be able to act freely hold government responsible and accountable, actively engaging in the territory’s planning, programming, budgeting and growth and development. The people must free themselves. Political patronage and dependency hold people prisoners and are the enemy of progress. Slavery and colonialism (still exist) were extractive and dependency institutions.

    Moreover, the VI has a West Minister styled government and political parties are part of the structure West Minister system. Typically, voters don’t directly vote for prime minister, premier or chief minister, unlike in a presidential system that vote directly for top leader. Other elected members determine who becomes prime minister, premier or chief minister. They depend on the loyalty of other members, not voters, to hold their jobs.
    • RealPol (29/11/2021, 21:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Real talk. Political patronage and dependency is a regional problem from the Bahamas to Guyana and from Barbados to Jamaica/Belize. We like to blame organizations for failures but if organizations are void of people nothing happens in the organizations. Let’s put the blame where it belongs. Will Bishop Cline blame the church ( the structure) for the church’s failings or the congregation?
  • home boy (29/11/2021, 15:10) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why don't this idiot stay off the news.
  • @ HOME BOY (29/11/2021, 22:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    HE JUST LOVE TO FOOL HIMSELF , JUST LOOK AT THE PHOTO , PURE ARROGANCE
  • Free Thinker (29/11/2021, 23:18) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Cline normally strays, this time around, he makes complete sense.. I am not a party junkie., I vote on issues, who is the best person or party to benefit the territory. Allegiance to negative conduct chokes the life out of good sense and wisdom and brings death and suffering. Do not reward evil with good. If we do good, good will attend us all the days of our life.
  • Allegiance???? (01/12/2021, 10:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    What allegiance? That leaves me free to go where ever the jar is at! JC says all things to synch with his convenience.


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