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Political commentator Claude Skelton Cline says the rush of aspiring politicians gearing up for the next general election may be based on a risky assumption: that the House of Assembly will expand from 13 to 15 members in time to create two additional At Large seats.
“Everybody and their mama running for elected office,” Skelton Cline said, joking that even “they cousin, they aunt, they niece and they nephew” are preparing political bids.
But behind the humour was a warning.
Skelton Cline urged potential candidates and political strategists to prepare for the possibility that the next election could still be contested under the current structure of 13 members, with only four At Large seats available.
“Please have a Plan B that may very well be your Plan A,” he said. “Be prepared for only four and not six At Large.”
He argued that increasing House membership would require further legal and constitutional steps before taking effect, suggesting the timeline after the upcoming Constitutional negotiations with the UK, may not align with the next election cycle.
The House of Assembly has agreed in principle to increase elected membership from 13 to 15 through the addition of two At Large seats, but constitutional amendments and related approvals are still required before the changes become reality.
For now, Skelton Cline’s message to hopeful candidates was simple: slow down and read the fine print.
“Everybody and their mama running for elected office,” Skelton Cline said, joking that even “they cousin, they aunt, they niece and they nephew” are preparing political bids.
But behind the humour was a warning.
Skelton Cline urged potential candidates and political strategists to prepare for the possibility that the next election could still be contested under the current structure of 13 members, with only four At Large seats available.
“Please have a Plan B that may very well be your Plan A,” he said. “Be prepared for only four and not six At Large.”
He argued that increasing House membership would require further legal and constitutional steps before taking effect, suggesting the timeline after the upcoming Constitutional negotiations with the UK, may not align with the next election cycle.
The House of Assembly has agreed in principle to increase elected membership from 13 to 15 through the addition of two At Large seats, but constitutional amendments and related approvals are still required before the changes become reality.
For now, Skelton Cline’s message to hopeful candidates was simple: slow down and read the fine print.
© 2026 BVI Platinum News. This article is original BVI Platinum content. Reproduction or republication without written permission is prohibited.
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