The son of Robert Daniel Skelly and Dorothy Graham, he was educated at the University of British Columbia.

Skelly began his career as MLA by making his maiden speech in the Legislature on recognizing aboriginal rights in British Columbia.

After visiting Bernie Sanders in Vermont, he proposed the construction of a number of 50 megawatt wood fired electric generators.

During his campaign as leader of the NDP leading up to the 1986 election he made such gains that the Social Credit Party convinced Bennet to resign and replaced him with Bill Vander Zalm.

In 1986, Skelly resigned as NDP leader, and the following year, a party convention acclaimed Michael Harcourt as his successor.

[citation needed] In late 1988 Skelly was elected to the House of Commons of Canada representing the Federal riding of Comox—Alberni from 1988 to 1993.