Hon Skelton questions legitimacy of Hon Walwyn’s ‘power grab’ appointment
Further, Hon Skelton has suggested that not everyone in the ‘Alliance’ agreed with Hon Walwyn stripping Hon Skelton of the leadership of the Opposition.
Hon Skelton was at the time speaking alongside Hon Penn during an interview on The Big Show with host Cathy O. Richards on March 26, 2025.
At the heart of the controversy–the two contends—lies the alliance of three Opposition members, a union that has raised more questions than answers, namely that of newly appointed Leader of the Opposition Hon Walwyn, himself still a formal member of the NDP, leading the trio that includes PVIM member Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) and political newcomer, Deputy Speaker Hon Stacy R. Mather (AL).
Hon Walwyn's Legitimacy?
Hon Skelton questioned the legitimacy of the newly minted Opposition Leader, since according to the ousted Leader of the Opposition, he is yet to receive a formal revocation letter, as should be the case.
The revocation of Hon Skelton as Opposition Leader by the Governor was published in the official gazette on March 24, 2025; however.
According to the instrument of revocation, Hon Skelton was appointed Leader of the Opposition on April 27, 2023, “AND WHEREAS under section 70(3) of the said Constitution, if at any time between the polling in a general election and the next following dissolution of the House of Assembly the Governor is satisfied that, if the office of the Leader of the Opposition were then vacant, he would appoint to that office a person other than the person then holding that office, the Governor shall revoke the appointment of the Leader of the Opposition;
“NOW THEREFORE, by virtue of the said section 70(3) of the Constitution and all other powers thereunto me enabling, I, DANIEL PRUCE, Governor of the Virgin Islands, DO by this instrument under the public seal revoke your appointment as the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands with effect from the 24th day of March, 2025.”
The question remains whether the Leader of the Opposition seat was vacant when the alliance members have not resigned from their respective parties.
This was also confirmed by Hon Penn.
“I have never received a revocation letter… I checked my email; I even checked my junk mail,” in reference to his party colleague. and newly minted Leader of His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, Hon Walwyn.
Red flags
Meanwhile, Hon Penn said the NDP is focused on the reunification of the organisation,” recounting that as late as the Thursday before the leadership of the Opposition transition, discussions were ongoing about working, “....collaboratively from that perspective.”
He disclosed, however, that mere hours later, a petition had been dispatched to the Governor, effectively deposing Hon Skelton in favour of Hon Walwyn as Opposition Leader.
Hon Skelton, clearly stung by the move, laid bare the machinations at play, stating bluntly that “I think this was in the works about two months ago.”
Referencing a telephone engagement with a member not inclined to see a change in the leadership of the present Opposition in the House of Assembly (HoA), “…immediately sent a red flag to me, that something is going on.”
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31 Responses to “Hon Skelton questions legitimacy of Hon Walwyn’s ‘power grab’ appointment”
Because you did the same thing and formed
PVIM .
If it is true that Hon. Skelton was not duly notified of the revocation of his appointment, then that should not have been, in my humble opinion. I will reserve judgment on that however.
Person in my humble opinion
Not boastful
Very approachable
And listens to the needs of ppl and swiftly addresses them
You see, it isn't who can speak the best. It isn't who you can meet on the street, individually, and ask for something and get it. All of us pay taxes and everybody should have the opportunity to receive assistance in the same way if and when needed. The new fangled politicians do personal favours so that they can say election time, don't forget I helped you out. That is certainly against the election rules, especially since it wasn't their money, but all of our tax money they are giving out for the most part.
When you can put country first, that impresses me. When you hold a Ministry and you work hard to push the agendas of that Ministry, that impresses me. The Opposition has no resources to do much of anything. They are to let us know what is going on in the HOA. Our country is so tiny that it happens 2:00 o'clock and we know by 2:15. So all this who is working and who isn't is pure foolishness when you are on the Opposition. You can oppose until thy Kingdom come and the Government's will will still be done because they have the majority and one track minds, together in everything, good or bad.