'We need an Official House of the Premier'- Claude O. Skelton-Cline
During the March 4, 2025, edition of his radio programme Honestly Speaking on ZBVI 780 AM, Skelton-Cline lamented the lack of visionary leadership in the Territory since the passing of Hamilton Lavity Stoutt, and stressed the need for greater ambition in national development, pointing out that a "Premier’s Mansion"—similar to the Governor’s official residence—would reflect a nation advancing towards self-governance and institutional maturity.
A house that reflects progress
"We need an official House of the Premier, a living House of the Premier, like you have a governor’s mansion, with all of the accoutrements, all of the space, the kind of place that bespeaks a growing, a developing, a continually emerging country. That’s one of the things that we need to do."
According to the outspoken man-of-the-cloth, such a development is not merely symbolic but represents a significant step in building national confidence and pride.
Criticising the status quo, in which official government functions and high-level meetings are often hosted at the Governor’s residence rather than in a space owned and operated by the elected leadership of the Virgin Islands, Skelton-Cline said: "When people come in right now, they go down to the governor’s house and we have become so satisfied, so at ease with somebody else’s stuff; We have become so satisfied with mediocrity."
Path to Self-Determination
Skelton-Cline also linked his call for an official premier’s residence to a broader vision for institutional development, which he argued is crucial in demonstrating to the world at large the Virgin Islands’ readiness for full political and economic independence.
"Since 1950, now in 2025, we should have a proper courthouse, proper houses and systems; This is institutional building," he asserted, further adumbrating, "Proper educational parts, from primary to tertiary education, where you move about in the world virtually, technologically, in the fiscal space that exists—these are the kinds of things that we need to demonstrate to ourselves."
He cited existing landmarks such as Peebles Hospital and the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park as examples of successful infrastructure projects but insisted more must be done to instil national pride.
"We have anchored a Pier Park and named it after one of our soldiers, we’ve anchored the hospital but what about a proper library—my God—anchors in the community? This is how you build confidence. This is how you build trust. This is how you build pride."
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25 Responses to “'We need an Official House of the Premier'- Claude O. Skelton-Cline”
We are still in mental decline and slavery
Where are your priorities? Who is going to pay for it ?
It is easier for them to get the cash and pocket money than reside in the Offical House
If such a house is to be built, he and him family would become the occupier of it. What a thought.
In my opinion I know that this idea is yet another money squandering idea. So for me it is rejected, and the same should you, if you truly value our people's best interest.
Our public health sector is in total shambles and you talking PISS bout home for Premier? He billing one right now SK***T.