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Bishop John I. Cline slams new opposition Alliance as ‘deceptive’ & ‘insanity’
This, according to Bishop John I. Cline, who in an extraordinarily candid interview on the January 31, 2025 edition of The Big Story with JTV Channel 55 host Cathy O. Richards, proffered a scathing rebuke of the newly announced ‘Alliance’ between members of the opposition parties.
In an unexpected development, first-term legislator and Deputy Speaker, Hon. Stacy R. Mather (AL), has aligned with Hon. Myron V. Walwyn (R6) and the outspoken Hon. Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) to establish a new political "Alliance."
Notably absent from the event were Opposition Leader and head of the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM), Hon. Ronnie W. Skelton (AL); Leader of the National Democratic Party (NDP), Hon. Marlon A. Penn (R8); and former Deputy Premier, Hon. Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL), who has reportedly reverted to her status as an Independent legislator.
Alliance is politically motivated & deceptive- Bishop Cline
Describing the move as politically motivated and deceptive, Bishop Cline questioned both the authenticity and effectiveness of the coalition, which was recently unveiled in a joint press conference on January 30, 2025.
According to Bishop Cline however, “I saw three overambitious gentlemen, politically driven; I saw the testosterone flying and I heard them present a story that I don't believe the public believes.”
His sharp criticism comes in response to the announcement that this alliance was formed, purportedly to unify efforts against the ruling Virgin Islands Party (VIP) in the upcoming 2027 elections.
Bishop Cline was quick to challenge the narrative of unity presented at the press conference telling the host, “If you're going to speak about unity while you're dividing, that's somehow oxymoronic. You can't unite and divide at the same time.”
He further described the coalition bluntly as “deceptive,” stating, “It is no alliance; it's a party, call a spade a spade. What the opposition is doing is insanity—doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
There's got to be something else behind this
The opposition landscape is currently fragmented, with one independent candidate, two from the NDP, and three from PVIM and according to Bishop Cline, the foundation for true unity already exists within their respective bases but the recent maneauver undermines that potential.
Adamant that the new alliance––in its present structure—was formed without the blessings or even the knowledge of the respective party leaders.
As such, he openly questioned rhetorically, “how can that somehow be communicated to the public as trying to create unity? It doesn't make sense.”
With this in mind the renowned man of the cloth posits, “The only conclusion I have, and this is just my personal opinion, is there's got to be something else behind this.”
Concerned that the alliance has only deepened divisions within the opposition, rather than fostering the cohesion needed to challenge the VIP, Bishop Cline divulged, “The noise I'm hearing is that the public is not really convinced of this alliance; They might have convinced some people, but they've confused a lot more and caused even more division in the governance structure of the country.”
PVIM & NDP Leaders were unaware
Richards sought to balance the discussion by suggesting that the alliance might be an attempt to correct past mistakes and respond to public demands for unity, referencing the opposition’s failure to consolidate ahead of the last election, which contributed to the VIP retaining power.
“There was that admission to making major blunders that would have the Virgin Islands Party take the helm of government when we had the last election,” Richards said continuing, “This would have happened from 2023, but here we are in 2025, and we have not seen any concerted effort to bring these parties together until now.”
Bishop Cline however, was steadfast in his position that the process lacked transparency and proper coordination and revealed that after witnessing the press conference, he directly contacted both the PVIM and NDP leaders to seek clarity.
“When I saw the flag go up, I texted both men, ‘What is this?’ Both of them responded, ‘We don't know,’” Cline disclosed.
He clarified that while there was initial permission from the PVIM leader for a member to initiate talks with the NDP about unity, the press conference and the formal declaration of an alliance were not part of that mandate.
According to Bishop Cline, “That is not what happened. Or else, the leader of the NDP would have been around the table.”
He contends that while, “There was knowledge and blessing for the two entities, PVIM and NDP, to consolidate and come back together. But that is not what happened. This cannot be seen as a legitimate effort at unification.”
With this in mind, he posits that in light of the status-quo, as is presently constructed, “You can't beat the VIP with confusion and division. What the opposition is doing is insanity.”
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10 Responses to “Bishop John I. Cline slams new opposition Alliance as ‘deceptive’ & ‘insanity’”
I think he has a personal vendetta against the premier . Stemming from last election and recently when he told him in the house that he would “ mash him up”. He wants to prove a point but I can never support someone like Myron as premier of these Virgin Islands. How can I after seeing how he causes division every-time . Every party this man on he undermine his party to be head . Alyo put him in power and you will see what will happen.
Now Cindy is fighting his battle. Somehow I knew she would. So I’m not surprised.
My biggest disappointment is Mathers. Boy you just show me why I was right not to vote for you . Now I will never vote for you . You letting MV dictate your political career. Ruin your political career. Shameful !
This party-scipping or ship-jumping thing have been going on for more than twenty-five years, if my memory have served me right. This will continue, if it is not being address asap.
Another important thing that should urgently in need to be is that political leaders in the BVI should not allowed to pay themselve their own salary while maintaing the right of payee of government employees. Where is the CoI. Where is our so-called justified constitution, where is democracy for the people and by the people, only coming out of our political leaders mouths, the UK's political leaders included????.
Until these probl0pems and others are remedied, better governnce will be imposible, unless we allowed God our Creator's intervention, to recue us from our own daily selfish desires of the flesh, (selfcenterdness), Bishop John Cline and I included