NDP holds general membership meeting; Turnout poor!
However, our senior NDP sources told our newsroom after the meeting that the turnout was poor, with some elected members snubbing the meeting and other attendees leaving before the meeting had concluded. The meeting was chaired by Mr Louis Potter- the party Chairman- and assisted by party President and Premier, Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL).
In attendance were Hons Mark H. Vanterpool (R4), Myron V. Walwyn (AL) Marlon A. Penn (R8) and Melvin M. Turnbull (R2).
You not listening to the public, NDP told
The other elected party members were absent or snubbed the meeting, leaving a handful of persons there, including former Legislator and cultural icon Mrs Eileene L. Parsons OBE who fired off a letter to the 11 elected NDP members last year. The story of the letter, in which she blasted the leadership and direction of the country and called for a new Minister of Finance, was broken by our newsroom.
However, with less than 30 persons in attendance the party still carried on with its meeting.
One of the many items discussed was the party’s constitution and the need to follow it so the party will have a proper structure.
In addition, some members were of the view that the elected members of the party are not listening to its members or the public.
It was agreed, coming out of the meeting, that a tentative date for a general membership retreat is February 11, 2017.
Public wants a third option
With the two main political parties in disarray after being undermined by infighting for power, many residents are calling for a third viable option to the NDP and the main Opposition Virgin Islands Party (VIP).
The VIP last year November 2016 elected a new Chairman in the person of Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) and was gaining momentum.
However, the party is now engaged in a civil war again over who becomes the Leader of the Opposition, a position held by Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) who led the party into the 2015 snap elections that saw the NDP taking 11 out of 13 seats.
The NDP was founded in 1998 and contested the 1999 election and won 5 seats out of 13. In the 2003 election the NDP took 8 seats, winning their first general election but lost the 2007 election, holding on to only 2 seats out of 13.
The VIP won 10 seats with 1 independent winning but then joined with the VIP to give them an 11 to 2 majority.
In 2011 the NDP won the election, taking 9 out of 13 seats and in the 2015 snap election the NDP took 11 of the 13 seats.
There is also a civil war ongoing in the NDP over the succession to the Founding President of the party Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith, and most caucus members are reportedly not pleased with his current style of leadership.
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49 Responses to “NDP holds general membership meeting; Turnout poor!”
Predodeant o VIP usin a false name - me not think that me trust person who usin false name
Mess
"A third viable option to the NDP and the main Opposition Virgin Islands Party (VIP)" is a crucial choice at the rate both parties are miserably disappointing us.
doesn't surprise me. As director of TCPD for 25 yrs, potter didn't listen to people either and allowed horrible buildings to rise including the cinema building which is TOO BIG for the site.
NDP days are done. If I had seen them I would have run them out the building. What a waste of time and vote. Mark my words you fool the people once you won't twice. I never in decades seen my country like this. What a nightmare.
"Who The Cap Fit"
Man to man is so unjust, children:
Ya don't know who to trust.
Your worst enemy could be your best friend,
And your best friend your worse enemy.
Some will eat and drink with you,
Then behind them su-su 'pon you.
Only your friend know your secrets,
So only he could reveal it.
And who the cap fit, let them wear it!
Who the cap fit, let them wear it!
Said I throw me corn, me no call no fowl;
I saying, "Cook-cook-cook, cluk-cluk-cluk."
Some will hate you, pretend they love you now,
Then behind they try to eliminate you.
But who Jah bless, no one curse;
Thank God, we're past the worse.
Hypocrites and parasites
Will come up and take a bite.
And if your night should turn to day,
A lot of people would run away.
And who the stock fit let them wear it!
Who the (cap fit) let them (wear it)!
And then a-gonna throw me corn,
And then a-gonna call no fowl,
And then a-gonna "Cook-cook-cook, cluk-cluk-cluk."
In future, there will be NO politician elected who has said one thing and done another - EVER again. There will be zero tolerance for any more "done deals", or for those who steadfastly refuse to be held accountable for the truthful reporting and accounting of the territory's finances. Budgets will be presented on time and year end audits will take place ON SCHEDULE and as required by LAW! If this is not done, THE PEOPLE will petition the Governor to dissolve the government and hold a general election at the earliest possible date.
Going forward, lies and answers such as; "I don't recall", or "I don't have the exact figures right now", will not be tolerated - PARTICULARLY from our Minister of Finance. The PEOPLE have learned their very costly lesson and in future will demand REAL answers to these very important questions from all future governments.
Accountability, regular fiscal reporting, regular town hall meetings, truthfulness, inclusiveness and proper representation will be the standard DEMAND from each and every elected representative, in each and every district, not just a select few.
The successful party will PROMISE to represent ALL the people ALL the time and they will be strictly held to that promise by the electorate. No district will suffer just because they did not vote for a particular party. Cronyism and favouritism will NOT BE TOLERATED when awarding government contracts.
In light of our current government's propensity for socialistic oligarchism, bordering on communism, I don't know how long our capitalistic democracy will last. However, for now, we still live in a democracy, and it is every citizen's democratic right to insist that our leaders follow and obey the rule of law (to the letter) and to work within the boundaries of our constitution.
The time has come that the people should DEMAND that our Government provide a properly (and satisfactory) formulated Bill of Rights, AND the Freedom of Information Act they have been promising all these years. If these things are not provided before the next election, the simple answer is to never elect ANY of them again! My guess is that we won't see that happen before the next election because the self-appointed foursome among the 13 elected members, simply don't want us to have either of those rights.
It is time to take back our government while we are still able to!