Skelton-Cline calls for Independence Referendum @ 2027 Elections
The clergyman said the Virgin Islands Constitution does not empower the people to be the final arbiter of their fate and that the time has come for Virgin Islanders to embark on a deliberate and united path toward political self-determination.
“Our fate still hangs in the balance of the Parliament of the United Kingdom; What we must in earnest—all 13 members and citizens of these Virgin Islands—what we must commence to do is begin the process of decoupling ourselves from the United Kingdom.”
Independence ballot
Having criticised the existing 2007 Virgin Islands Constitution, he also suggested that the new constitutional proposals—currently under review— also represent a regression.
“Do we have a Constitution? Yes. Is it a tremendous improvement from where we were in 1976? Yes. Should we be further along than we are? Yes. Is what's being presented to us right now a retrograde from where we were in 2007? Yes. Are these steps backwards? Yes. Does this put us in a more disadvantaged position? Yes.”
Qualifying his position further, Skelton-Cline was adamant that the Virgin Islands’ continued subordination to UK parliamentary authority has placed the Territory in a perpetual state of uncertainty. “As long as our lives are in the hands of someone else, then we will remain at their mercies—at whatever their system, whatever their current party is, whatever the current policy might be.”
To this end, he told the listening audience, “A date in time needs to be set; In conjunction and commensurate with the next election of this country in 2027, where a referendum in regards to our independence should also be on the ballot.”
Progress, or let’s throw in the towel!
Conceding the complexities and emotional weight of the issue, he nonetheless dismissed hesitation as impractical and suggested, “Those of you who think that we are not ready—there will never be a time that we are ready.”
According to Skelton-Cline, “There will never be a time that everything is in place. We must begin the process, and we must, in earnest, redeem some time.”
Expressing discontent with the status quo and the lack of political innovation, Skelton-Cline was adamant, “I am not interested in having the next election just for having the next elections, and us just voting in the same recycled persons. I have no interest in that. Either we are going to progress, or let’s throw in the towel and give up.”
Giving up, he insisted, “cannot be an option.”
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3 Responses to “Skelton-Cline calls for Independence Referendum @ 2027 Elections”
I do agree that some of what he said is true, but for him to set a time, 2027 coming next election, when we should have a referendum for independence led by him is ludicrousand naive (ignorant) at best.
In a part of his speech has urged us not to turn to recycle political leaders. That means that we should vote for new political unexperience one, he included as leader of the people of the B.V.I political saviors, in my opinion.
Again I repeat that some of what he said in his speeched is true but it is equally true that we cannot afford to take advice from Mr. Claude Skelton Cline, who, in my opinion, is a crafty, and not an honest speaking person, even though many confused persons of Christian affiliation members, and others, too, believe that he is truly an honestly speaking adviser for good national progress for all the citizens of the B.V.I, and others that are living among us, and, come and visit us, daily.
Beware of cunning wolves in sheep's clothing cleverly disguised to some, and lack wise decernment.
Note: The more than 300 plus Volume 2 UK'S recommendation are not all good for us. If they are allowed or being forced on us, our future will not be a good experience, but rather worse for us, for our children, for our grand children, and theirs to come, than our present is