Move to Replace Opposition Leader Walwyn Intensifies
Political insiders report a push to remove Opposition Leader Hon. Julian Walwyn, with Hons. Ronnie W. Skelton and Marlon A. Penn said to back Hon. Melvin M. Turnbull as a replacement. On January 13, 2026, Skelton-Cline publicly criticised Walwyn on ZBVI, saying Walwyn is "overreaching" and "wants this thing too badly," adding new public pressure to the unfolding leadership dispute.
Reports from political insiders say efforts are underway to remove Opposition Leader Hon. Turnbull as his replacement, according to Virgin Islands News Online (VINO). The current dispute traces back to March 2025, when Mr. Walwyn led an internal takeover that unseated former Opposition Leader Hon.
Skelton and formed a new grouping called the Alliance. Walwyn took with him two lawmakers from the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) — Hons. Mather (AL) — giving the Alliance a three-member majority within the five-member Opposition at the time. Since then the political landscape shifted again.
The PVIM merged with the National Democratic Party (NDP), and in December 2025 Hon. Mather crossed the floor to join the Government led by Premier Dr. the Hon. That defection is reported to have increased the Wheatley Administration’s majority in the House of Assembly to nine members.
Turnbull as Opposition Leader could precipitate the collapse of the Alliance ahead of the 2027 general election, undermining active recruitment efforts the party had been pursuing. It remains unclear whether Turnbull would go to Government House to be sworn in and receive an instrument as Opposition Leader or whether he might rejoin the NDP.
The leadership dispute gained a new public dimension on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, when Hon. Skelton’s ally, Skelton-Cline, openly criticised Mr. Walwyn during the airing of Honestly Speaking on ZBVI 780 AM. Skelton-Cline told listeners he had warned Walwyn in private and accused him of "overreaching," saying, "you want this thing too badly" and suggesting the drive for leadership was personal rather than for the public good.
He added that Walwyn’s dealings with Premier Dr. the Hon. Wheatley give the impression that "this member has never served in government," comments reported by VINO. Observers say the timing of the row is significant. Premier Wheatley is preparing to lead a delegation to London to negotiate a new constitution, and reports indicate the Virgin Islands delegation does not want Mr.
Walwyn included amid concerns he would oppose proposed special rights for indigenous or "ancestral" Virgin Islanders. Those proposed measures reportedly would reserve certain senior public-sector positions for persons who can trace one or both parents and grandparents to births in the Virgin Islands, including offices such as Premier and Deputy Premier.
Walwyn’s family history and a past remark attributed to him that "there is nothing more that can be done for Virgin Islanders." Mr. Walwyn has not publicly responded to the latest reports or the radio rebuke. The House of Assembly is scheduled to sit on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, when UK-appointed Governor Daniel Pruce will deliver the Speech from the Throne outlining the Government’s legislative agenda.
Political analysts say developments in the coming days could reshape the Opposition and influence both the constitutional talks and the run-up to the next general election. This account is based on reporting by Virgin Islands News Online and remarks aired on ZBVI 780 AM.
Primary source: VINO