Whatever happened to The Alliance ?- Claude O . Skelton - Cline asks

virginislandsnewsonline.com · Feb 20, 2026 · Collected from GDELT

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BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- The Alliance has been radio silent for the past few months, and social commentator and host of Honestly Speaking, Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline, is wondering about its current state. During his show on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, on ZBVI 780 AM, Skelton-Cline said, “Whatever happened to The Alliance?” On January 31, 2025, Hon Myron V. Walwyn (R6), Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2), and Hon Stacy R. Mather (AL) came together to form what they described as a parliamentary grouping called The Alliance. The three members were vocal about not being into party politics but were working together for the betterment of the Virgin Islands (VI) and its people. Not long after its formation, the three men came together to write to Governor Daniel Pruce in favour of Hon Walwyn for the new Leader of the Opposition with a majority over former Opposition Leader Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) and Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8). Hon Walwyn was sworn in as Opposition Leader in March 2025. The end of The Alliance? In an interview with JTV Channel 55 on October 14, 2025, The Alliance announced plans to run for office during the next general election. The three men, who seemed to be on the same page, said they were looking for a group of like-minded people to run as part of The Alliance, although they were insistent that they were not a political party. On December 23, 2025, Hon Mather shocked the VI when he stood next to Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), who announced his move to the government’s side. In a December 31, 2025, interview, Hon Mather clarified that he had been expressing his discontentment with not being able to do much from the Opposition benches. He did not mention if he was still a member of The Alliance. Since his departure, the remaining members of The Alliance have not made any public statements regarding that or the group. The most recent activity on The Alliance's Facebook page is a post reshared from Hon Walwyn; the profile picture has been unchanged, with the three members including Hon Mather. Skelton-Cline, towards the end of Tuesday’s programme, asked of The Alliance, “They still exist, or should we announce their funeral date?”