New Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn has hit back at Ronnie Skelton’s claim that toppling him from the role amounted to “stabbing” him “in the front.”
“To imply that Hon. Skelton was betrayed is to venture into personal politics, a path that has historically proven to be unproductive and has not served us well,” Mr. Walwyn told the Beacon yesterday.
The member for the Sixth District added that he had been sworn in in full accordance with the territory’s Constitution.
“Our true loyalty must lie not with individuals but with the well-being of our nation,” he wrote in a WhatsApp message. “Guided by this commitment to my country and its people, I took on the responsibility of becoming the leader of the opposition.”
In a thinly veiled swipe at his predecessor, Mr. Walwyn said this was not the first time Mr. Skelton had lost the support of colleagues.
“If I recall correctly, it was Hon. Skelton who, after losing the 2019 bid for leadership of the [National Democratic Party] to me, left the party to form the [Progressive Virgin Islands Movement]. Now, after once again losing the confidence of his fellow members in the House of Assembly, he has rejoined the NDP,” the opposition leader stated.
‘Stabbed me in the front’
Shortly after Mr. Skelton (R-at large) was ousted from the leadership role, he told the Beacon last week that Mr. Walwyn “stabbed me in the front.”
But Mr. Walwyn said yesterday that he still wants to work with Mr. Skelton, and he made his move in order to make the opposition more effective.
He also stressed the constitutional propriety of his appointment after he won the backing of opposition colleagues Mitch Turnbull (R-D2) and Stacy Mather (R-at large), both of whom were members of Mr. Skelton’s PVIM but had also joined Mr. Walwyn’s informal “Alliance” grouping.
Citing Section 70 of the Constitution, Mr. Walwyn stated, “The position is held by the individual who secures the confidence of the majority of the elected opposition members in the House of Assembly.”
He added that his predecessor no longer had the required support to continue in the post.
“Hon. Skelton, having lost the confidence of the majority of his opposition colleagues, was consequently replaced in accordance with this provision,” Mr. Walwyn stated.
He also promised a sharper focus moving forward.
“A strong opposition should aim to enhance governance, ensuring that the people reap the benefits of effective leadership,” Mr. Walwyn said.
Watchdog role
Meanwhile, Mr. Walwyn said he is keen to focus on his watchdog role as chairman of the House of Assembly’s opposition-led Public Accounts Committee.
In another jab at Mr. Skelton, who chaired the PAC from September 2023, Mr. Walwyn said the public could expect a “far more active” approach from the PAC under his leadership.
He added that he now has a better understanding of the body’s potential after travelling to Jersey to attend a recent workshop about public accounts committees for parliamentarians from across the Commonwealth.
Sworn in
Mr. Walwyn was sworn in as opposition leader by Governor Daniel Pruce on March 24 after gaining the necessary backing.
The move led Mr. Skelton to wind down the PVIM, rejoining the National Democratic Party led by Marlon Penn (R-D8).
Mr. Walwyn, a former NDP leader who said he too remains an NDP member despite his “Alliance” affiliation, said the two parties should have merged into a new entity rather than one “subsuming” the other.
In recent days, he has criticised Mr. Skelton’s opposition leadership.
“We had some concerns about the leadership of the opposition,” he told 284 Media last Thursday. “We believed that we were not being as effective as we wanted to be.”
He added that the failure to bring a vote of no confidence in Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley was a “major fumble.”
On the same 284 Media programme, Messrs. Mather and Turnbull denied they had been disloyal to Mr. Skelton.
“To say I have betrayed someone?” Mr. Mather said. “No, I haven’t.”
Mr. Turnbull added, “Betrayal: That’s not what I am.”
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