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‘I am not just going to toe the party line’- Hon Marlon A. Penn

- said he believes in transparency & will not support what is not in best interest of Territory
Junior Minister for Trade and Investment Promotion, Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8), left, seen here interacting with a supporter during the 2015 elections campaign, said he doesn't plan on toeing the party line for the sake of toeing the party line. Photo: VINO/File
From left: Fifth District Representative Hon Deloris Christopher, Second District Representative Hon Melvin M. Turnbull and Sixth District Representative Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines. The National Democratic Party Backbenchers seem to be sending a strong message to Cabinet Ministers with their “district walkthrough’. Photo: VINO/File
From left: Fifth District Representative Hon Deloris Christopher, Second District Representative Hon Melvin M. Turnbull and Sixth District Representative Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines. The National Democratic Party Backbenchers seem to be sending a strong message to Cabinet Ministers with their “district walkthrough’. Photo: VINO/File
Junior Minister for Trade and Investment Promotion, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) was a guest of the online radio show, Fresh Radio Vybz with Paul A. Peart aka 'Gadiethz', on November 8, 2017. Photo: Facebook
Junior Minister for Trade and Investment Promotion, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) was a guest of the online radio show, Fresh Radio Vybz with Paul A. Peart aka 'Gadiethz', on November 8, 2017. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- There is more evidence that all is not well inside the National Democratic Party (NDP) camp- the ruling political party in the Virgin Islands.

Recently, the Backbenchers of the NDP Administration have been holding their own meetings in their respective districts without the Ministers of Government, a story first and accurately reported by this news site on November 2, 2017.

Now, Eighth District Representative and Junior Minister for Trade and Investment Promotion, Honourable Marlon A. Penn has been talking tough that he will not be siding with policies for the sake of the party, once he believes they are not in the best interest of the Territory.

Hon Penn was at the time a guest on the online radio show, Fresh Radio Vybz with Paul A. Peart aka 'Gadiethz', on November 8, 2017.

‘Not just going to toe party line’

Mr Peart had asked Hon Penn what were his views on transparency and leadership.

“We have to put people and the country above politics or party and I am going to be a voice for the people. I have always been very straight forward with my position and views,” Hon Penn remarked, adding that he will not blindly follow the policies of his party.

“If I don’t believe it is in the best interest of the people I am not going to support it…and I am not just going to toe the party line just for the sake of toeing the party line. We have to now look at the holistic rebuilding and development of our country and our people. They must be at the forefront of that development and I would continue to fight to make sure that is the case,” Hon Penn, the popular second-term legislator among the grassroots, stated.

On the question of transparency, of which the NDP has been widely criticised for lacking, Hon Penn said everyone has their views on how the Territory should be run but he agrees on the issue of transparency.

“We should also be transparent when in public office. As Honourable [Andrew A.] Fahie likes to say, ‘you can’t be private in the public.’”

Walkthrough by rebel Backbenchers to continue

Meanwhile, Hon Penn also stated that the Backbenchers walkthrough the districts will continue this week, adding that they have already visited Huntums Ghut in the Fifth District, which is represented by Honourable Deloris Christopher and in Purcell Estate in the Sixth District, which is represented by Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines.

The ‘walkthrough’ will continue this week in either the Second District, which is led by Hon Melvin M. Turnbull or the Eighth District. Residents, he said will be informed via social media or radio on the date, location and time.

The move by the Backbenchers to have their own meetings in the various districts further confirms that the NDP has serious in-house issues.

In the Westminster form of Government, one of the principles that hold it together is party discipline.

The Leader himself, Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), survived a coup de ‘tat last year after party spokeswoman and former Legislator Eileene L. Parsons OBE led an effort to replace him as Minister of Finance with former Finance Minister [2003-2007] Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL), who also holds the Health and Social Development portfolio.

Persons can tune in to Fresh Radio Vybz by clicking on the link below:

http://rdo.to/FRV2

26 Responses to “‘I am not just going to toe the party line’- Hon Marlon A. Penn”

  • First district (12/11/2017, 14:18) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    Please........!!!! What about the motion that the Leader of the Opposition brought some months ago? Solid, fair, truthful motion and NOT ONE of the Government side including YOU Marlon supported it. Hope when the motion comes back you will support this time.
    • @ First district (12/11/2017, 14:48) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
      They will not embarrass Mr. Zzzzzzz like that in public smurf is smarter than that
  • long look me come form (12/11/2017, 14:32) Like (13) Dislike (6) Reply
    Penn must be look at for premier, he is one of we, he is no thief, and he is a voice of reason and can bring all sides together
  • wize up (12/11/2017, 16:28) Like (10) Dislike (6) Reply
    Black people just can't get along in social circles: drug circles: religious circles or political circles( as a matter of fact from way back dem; the circle of house salves could not get along with the circle of field salves)......we have to stop voting this party system and begin to cast your vote for "the person" dispite of their party affiliation:(what I discovered; all will be well until someone don't get their way or what dem want)....keep the faith
    • please (12/11/2017, 18:09) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
      Why are you coming on here talking nonsense about black people. Have you ever read a paper from a Latin country and see the violent crime and melay against each other everyday. These places have higher crime rate than any black country.
      What about the wars and crime in white countries in the past and now. Look at Russia and USA. Because the propaganda machine spreads that blacks cant get along or do anything or never contributed anything to civilization people like you like the good little slave swallows it and spreads it.

      However I do agree with you that we have to stop making politics a popularity contest and vote for who will choose country over self. We had some good choices in the past but bad mindedness put us in the position we are in.
      • wize up (13/11/2017, 07:44) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
        @ please: I can speak boldly about black people because "I am as black they could me" you see tar you see me: I can also boldly and without any fear or favour about "my BVI"(so let leave that there for now)...the rest of your writings is purely your opinion and that come the freedom our forefathers fought you....you keep the faith because this little black-boy ain't one of them you can put LIAT 521(one love)...
      • Pony (13/11/2017, 20:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Latinos as you called them are the same mixed races as any other countries in this world .
    • fool (13/11/2017, 12:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Wize up... you stupid!!! Or you Live in a cave and have never left it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      • wize up (13/11/2017, 15:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

        @ fool: who did you I live in a cave: a six bedroom. 3 bathroom came and I have this cave at the age of 18 and still maintains up to this day: all of my children have their own caves as well( so why will I want to leave... as a matter of fact for the past 2 month all of my caves had 24 hours of light day/night) and none of my children stood in any had outline( so please go @#$% Yourself)

  • @Long Look we come from (12/11/2017, 16:48) Like (12) Dislike (5) Reply
    I agree. . Marlon for Premier...Right now I think. Culture, Agruculture, Labour and Finance need a New Minister..Need some new energy some new ideas, some listen Ears...They are taking us for jokes and fools..
    • @ Reply (12/11/2017, 19:51) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      The weak and sleeping premier was too long reshuffle his cabinet.

      He does not have the balls to replace mark and myron with marlon and mitch or with alvera
  • zone 8 (12/11/2017, 17:15) Like (5) Dislike (9) Reply
    Good job Hon Penn we got your back
  • Marlon (12/11/2017, 17:28) Like (6) Dislike (6) Reply
    He is on games.
    • LABOUR (13/11/2017, 04:34) Like (1) Dislike (9) Reply
      We need a New labour minister. Call the no confidence vote make a change put Frazer in as labour minister I can tell you for certain that locals and belongers will have a listen year and will be represented Right now we getting knock about. Seems like this new Rite WAy Run things in this country.. Work permit Guyanese got most of the supervisory positions (Rots) someone needs to take a serious look to see if their permits corresponds with their position..Stop running this country like a joke..
    • Food and Lumber (13/11/2017, 04:44) Like (2) Dislike (6) Reply
      I hear Super Market now selling lumber. Lol. It sounds like a Joke this can't be true. If its true we definenely need a new Premier... Frazer is not my favorit but to be honest Right now it seems like its only Frazer can get this country back on track.. These rest are just into greed, friendship and lack the courage.. I'm switching to Frazer..
  • WHAT!!! (12/11/2017, 18:02) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why are you on that Radio show. I cant believe what I am reading. This is the problem with this country.
  • RIP Party (13/11/2017, 02:04) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    This not no popularity contest or who talk the talk. All NDP members must go!
  • Serpico (13/11/2017, 03:09) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Hmmm. Partyline???? You supported the party line to railroad the Hill man who was in immigration. Talk that.
  • John Pope (13/11/2017, 14:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I smell opportunistic traitors.
  • wize up (13/11/2017, 18:21) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just for edification of some folks: I am
    Proud to see young BVI blood in the halls of government: I know personally knows Penn, Gandfather, Grandmother: his father and his mother even know the youth man before he was born.....rafter than blogging piss more youth of this territory need to get in learship positions; you might not get it right each time but keep on keeping on: Marlon very proud of you but black folks still have that slave mater(DNA).....just an update for the micro minded jerks out there!!!!


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