Give Hons Fraser & Smith 'ultimatum' to join VIP- Skelton Cline to Premier
Skelton-Cline, in his March 25, 2025 broadcast of Honestly Speaking on ZBVI 780 AM, launched into a forceful appeal, warning the VIP-led government that the time for hesitance had expired and insisting that a new political alignment was imperative for stability and development.
“Premier, if I were you, I would have given the At Large member, (Hon) Smith, and the Third District member, (Hon) Fraser, an ultimatum, you all join me or I invite you back on the other side because I got some people who are going to sit down anyway who I would like to bring over here.”
According to Skelton-Cline, the current arrangement in the House of Assembly (HoA), particularly as it related to Hon Fraser RA, is not good optics.
Symbolism of separation
He said Hon Fraser sits physically apart from his colleagues, illustrating for the listening audience symbolism in that separation, calling such a move as indicative of necessary political recalibration.
“I looked at the arrangement in the House of Assembly... I see he's sitting apart from everyone else. And... I celebrate that; It's good to finally realise that the people you've been sitting with... well, at least if for no other reason physically separate yourself.”
For Skelton-Cline, the issue isn't personal, but one of national progress, as he issued an appeal for governance to unify with the select opposition figures.
“I'm not discussing personalities; I’m discussing patterns of behaviour… I'm on the public record from three months ago of encouraging the Opposition and the Premier to invite the opposition in a tangible way to come and join his government so as to advance this country.”
'I am for the gov't of the day'- Skelton-Cline
Reasserting his stance with persuasive repetition, Skelton-Cline made clear that his political loyalty rests with whomever is advancing the best interests of the Virgin Islands.
“You want to know where I am? I am for the government of the day doing what it must do… to advance the development of this country and elevate and lift the quality of lives of the citizens.”
He, as such, proposed the urgent convening a meeting with the six elected VIP members and Hons Smith and Fraser RA, to present them with a stark choice—join the Virgin Islands Party or be removed from the inner circle.
“Premier, listen to me…. Trust me when I tell you this… I will bring in the At Large member, Smith… and say to them, we’re glad that you are here... Now that you are here, we are giving you by X amount of time to officially join our party; And we understand if by set time you don’t want to or you can’t… I will simply shift you.”
'Too much wibble wobble'
Additionally he posits, “Call in Honourable Fraser… Honourable Fraser, appreciate you coming, you've been resurrected from the political dead and wilderness that you were in… and that you have become deputy.”
According to Skelton-Cline, the Premier must put to the Third District and At Large Representatives, “We need you to rejoin the Virgin Islands Party by such and such a date. If you do not or cannot, we understand… I will simply have to shift you.”
Adumbrating further, he, in a direct appeal to Premier Wheatley reiterated, “You got the handle. They got the blade. You need to be unafraid and unapologetic about this… There’s too much wibble wobble; You can’t run a country like that, you need to be casting your net to ensure that the people who are with you are indeed with yoo; You can count on; That you can go into a political foxhole with them and if you can’t, Premier, watch out.
.png)
Follow Us On
17 Responses to “Give Hons Fraser & Smith 'ultimatum' to join VIP- Skelton Cline to Premier”