UPDATE: Official; only 3 elected members will run with NDP Co-leader Walwyn
Our newsroom can now confirm that only three members of the NDP, have met the NDP Co-Leader Honourable Myron V. Walwyn’s (AL), deadline and said they are willing to run with him, as their leader in the next General Elections.
They are as previously reported, Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8) the Junior Minister for Trade and Consumer Affairs, Dr the Honourable, Hubert R. O’Neal (R9) and added is, Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines (R6).
3 In! 3 Out!
According to the NDP senior sources, three members of the NDP will not be seeking re-election.
They are, outgoing Premier Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), who now shares responsibilities with Hon Walwyn, Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool (R4), the Minister for Communications and Works and Honourable Archibald C. Christian (AL), the Junior Minister for Tourism.
Those who have flat out sidelined Mr Walwyn’s ultimatum and may go their own way are, Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr the Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7), Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton, (AL) the Minister for Health and Social Development—the person many in the party believe that can keep the party together—Honourable Melvin M. Turnbull (R2), and Hon Delores Christopher (R5).
A meeting to decide
Meanwhile, the NDP Executive Committee is planning a meeting to confirm the three Candidates including the Co-Leader Walwyn, and other new Candidates that hope to join the party and replace those who chose not to seek re-election or not to be led by Hon Walwyn.
The NDP is going into an election not united because of the new Leader’s inability to get the members especially, the founding members to rally around his leadership.
See previous article published August 13, 2018
NDP Co-Leader August 12, 2018 deadline passes; Ignored by most members
-Hon Walwyn’s next move unclear
In a deliberate moved leaked to an online news site, Honourable Myron V. Walwyn (AL)—the co-Leader of the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) and Government—threatened currently elected members of the NDP to say, if they are running with him by August 12, 2018, or else.
Since his controversial election in June of 2018, to lead the NDP into the next General Elections, many party supporters and elected members have said, because of his "dictatorship tendencies," the party and most members are reluctant to have him lead them because he is "divisive."
As such, some will run independently, retire, or join another group.
Who will run with Hon Walwyn?
As the August 12, 2018, deadline imposed by Hon Walwyn has passed, senior NDP sources told our news room, “so far he can count on just two members running with him.”
They are Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8)—the Junior Minister for Trade and Consumer Affairs—and Dr the Honourable Hubert R. O’Neal (R9).
Other elected Members have ignored the deadline, not discussed it with Mr Walwyn, or have suggested to him they will retire.
Co-Leader of Government Business and outgoing Premier, Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), has sent mixed signals, as to whether he will seek an At Large seat again, however, many residents and party founders would like to see him retire.
Virgin Islands News Online can also report, there are some elements within the NDP who are still urging Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton (AL), the Minister for Health and Social Development—the man defeated by Hon Walwyn—to stick around and try to save the NDP.
Close family members however, are encouraging him to retire.
Meanwhile, it is also believed that two other members will not run again—not associated with the co-Leader and Minister for Education and Culture’s ultimatum, or him leading the party into the next general election.
Senior NDP sources said, Honourable Delores Christopher, the representative for the Fifth District and Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool (R4), the Communications and Works Minister, have told Committee members and the party, they will not seek re-election.
Who in & who out? Confusion
Our news desk cannot independently confirm those reports of the intentions of Hons Vanterpool and Christopher, or the alleged retirement of Honourable, Archibald C. Christian (AL), the Junior Minister for Tourism.
One thing most members have been consistent with however, the election of Hon Walwyn to lead the party and the possibility of being a Premier, has divided the NDP and the country.
It remains unclear what the co-Leader, Hon Walwyn’s, next move will be, however, a source close to him said, “not to worry, he has candidates and doing his recruitment…”
Meanwhile, the Opposition Virgin Islands Party (VIP) is also gearing up to return to its governing body –Congress—to choose four At Large candidates to be on its slate.
There is believed to be a crowded field with about 10 persons looking to win nominations for one of each of the four seats.
The VIP is also to fill seats in the second, third and eight districts, after announcing six candidates last month.
Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) will lead the party into the next General Elections, and could be the next Premier, should the VIP upset the NDP.
.png)
.png)
.png)
Follow Us On
47 Responses to “UPDATE: Official; only 3 elected members will run with NDP Co-leader Walwyn ”
By the way we are on the same side - MW.
He has created a negative cultural shift! He promotes dirty and divisive tactics so that he gets what he wants! People don’t be fooled... A genuine person would not have brought so much destruction to his party! This my people should be a clear testament of his true character! Do as I say or you will be replaced and suppressed! This will lead to more intellectual decisions being made on the behalf of the Virgin Islands like the obvious kick backs obtained in the million dollar wall, the over paying of his cronies on specific government boards that lacks qualification, and yessah his lawyer expertise in paying 7.2 million to a company that never existed!
Don’t mind the noise, NDP is a dead horse! Let your voices be heard, and your annoyance be felt! Vote NDP OUT!!!
The fast move they pulled in the special election did not go unnoticed to most of the core NDP supporter. Dr. Smith has been getting away with a lot of nonsense with the advice from his trusted ministers shielding him.
Myron & Smith set up Ronnie to travel to the UK so Myron can generate votes.
He and Andrew are the same. Both robbed their way to the top and now look at them. The people will decide but I have a feeling none of them will lead this country after the next generator..
For. It was fine when the Premuer had everyone signed the same document in the last two elections but it's a curse niw that Walwyn askmthe same? Everyone who is building a structure has to know who's with them so they
Would know how to move forward
With the building. Why all the talk about signing this document? ... struppsss.. I know VIP has s structure of the same .
Go sit down with your nonsense.
Geeze man. Give the man a break already