With the Alliance and its de facto leader Hon Myron V. Walwyn (R6), left, holding the majority in the Opposition, it remains to be seen if they will oust Opposition Leader Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL), right. Photo: Facebook/File

Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2), left, and Hon Stacy M. Mather (AL) are members of Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) who have openly rebelled against their leader, Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL). Photo: Facebook/File

The 3-party Opposition is now reduced to 5 seats. Now there are speculations over whether the newly formed political Alliance, with three Opposition Members: Hon Myron V. Walwyn (R6), Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) and Hon Stacy M. Mather (AL), will seek to remove Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) as Opposition Leader.

Big fight with the Leader of the Opposition  

The new Alliance had said publicly that the Opposition Leader was “moving too slow” and it appears they had lost confidence in him leading the new group. Additionally, while lambasting Hon Skelton, one member of the Alliance- Hon Turnbull- called him “dishonest.”

Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8), the current National Democratic Party (NDP) Chairman, said on Tola radio 100.5 FM last month that he was “disappointed in their [The Alliance] behaviour” because he was transparent in all his dealings with the three legislators before the fallout.

However, the Alliance party still maintained with a ‘straight face’ while on Tola Radio FM 100.5 FM that they are still members of their original political parties- Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM)-Turnbull and Mather aka ‘Buddha’ and the NDP- Walwyn.

With a 3-member majority in the Alliance- out of 5 Opposition seats- anything is possible, according to one local political commentator speaking to our newsroom on condition of anonymity. It's left to be seen if they will go for the head of Hon Skelton and who may be the new Opposition Leader.

Hon Skelton's last term in office?

Persons close to Hon Skelton said he is “not worried” as this will be his last term in office since he is not expected to seek re-election. The same sources said Hon Skelton is still hoping that the PVIM and NDP aka ‘NDP 1 & 2’ will still merge. However, the fight has always been over the leadership of the newly merged group.

Another shake-up is that Hon Mather will be ousted at the next HoA sitting expected close to the end of March 2025, as the Deputy Speaker and will be replaced by the former Junior Minister Dr the Hon Karl Dawson (R1).

Hon Mather got the seat as Deputy Speaker because Ministers, whether regular or junior, cannot hold the post of Deputy Speaker, according to the Constitution. It is not normal for an Opposition Member to be Deputy Speaker.

All eyes will be on the Opposition in the coming months to see if Hon Skelton survives.