'Wisdom did not prevail' @NDP elections- Claude O. Skelton-Cline
The NDP held a special convention on Saturday, April 18, 2026, to elect its leadership, with Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) emerging victorious for the Chairmanship of the party over former legislator Mark H. Vanterpool and Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL).
During the April 21, 2026, airing of his show titled ‘We will not be fooled again, Part 3’, Skelton-Cline said, “Hon Mark Vanterpool didn’t win, no matter how hard he tried, and it looked like he did not know that it was possible for him not to win…Hon Ronnie W. Skelton couldn’t win, and he couldn’t win because he wasn’t trying to.”
Hon Penn, he said, won because he “mobilised a team and he was all through the place”.
Old guards sidelined
Hon Penn won the Chairmanship with 65 votes to Vanterpool’s 29 votes and Hon Skelton’s 17 votes.
“What this tells me is that the National Democratic Party resoundingly rejected and sidelined the old guards; that’s what those numbers say. Just like there is a new world order coming into existence, the old era of the National Democratic Party is no more.”
He added that the NDP is a new party under Hon Penn and Hon Turnbull’s leadership.
Skelton-Cline, however, said he thought “wisdom would have prevailed” during the NDP’s election, where Hon Skelton would have been “pushed forward” though he was not “pushing himself” for the sake of “name, credibility, weight, and a more prepared person to meet the moment right through here specifically”.
Short term win @risk of losing battle
The NDP membership instead opted for what he described as a short-term win of a battle at the very high risk of losing the war. He added that he thinks that move was “unwise”.
Since wisdom did not prevail, Skelton-Cline continued the second-best thing happened instead.
“They sat down, Hon Mark Vanterpool and Hon Walwyn, at the internal level, so that this country will not have to fight that fight in a general election, that’s the second best thing that could have happened, and I think that’s important, I think that’s noteworthy.”
Skelton-Cline added that now that Hon Penn and Hon Turnbull are in charge, the question for the country to answer is: “Do you believe that Hon Penn and Hon Turnbull have what it takes to be the answer to the question that ails this country?”
“That’s the question that you are going to answer,” he said.
.jpg)
Follow Us On
21 Responses to “'Wisdom did not prevail' @NDP elections- Claude O. Skelton-Cline”
As for Marlon, he has yet to demonstrate the level of assertiveness I deem necessary in a leader. At times, he appears to lack decisiveness, which is concerning; I require a leader who exhibits firmness, even in the face of uncertainty. Furthermore, the NDP, which is comprised of the same individuals who previously faced electoral defeat, may struggle to regain traction, and I would not be surprised if the VIP were to surpass them again in future elections.
"Fragile", many of you, if the shoe was on the other foot, would never have voted for Dr. Wheatley to be the Premier,if not handed the position by default!
Honorable Penn is capable of leading this country, if given the opportunity!
I've always believed in him long before he held the Chairmanship position!
And, he will continue to do well in his position as Leader of the Opposition, and as Chairman, of the NDP!
Congratulations, again, Honourable Marlon Penn!