East vs West: Hons Penn & Turnbull clash for Deputy’s post @ NDP Convention
There is however, another important race being contested that night, the post of Vice President of the party. That member could become a Deputy Premier and pits new comer, Honourable Melvin M. Turnbull—the representative for district two—against two term legislator and Junior Minister for Trade and Investment Promotion, Honourable Marlon A. Penn. He represents the eighth district.
Courage vs fence
Political pundits say the race is too early to call, even as others described it as a “dead-heat” and the “east vs west” clash.
Hon. Penn has not confirmed or denied his alignment with Education and Culture Minister Walwyn while Hon. Turnbull said he is running as a team with the Health and Social Development Minister Hon Skelton. Observers said while Hon Turnbull is a freshman legislator, he has demonstrated leadership, stood up against the establishment (his own party) in the fight for his district, and had the courage to vote against the Recovery Board Act, when he said he would.
Several elected NDP Delegates told our newsroom—in private—after the 2015 General Elections, that Dr Smith should have been stripped of the Finance portfolio but Hon. Turnbull had the courage to announce it publicly in the House of Assembly. Many of his supporters were a year ago, urging him to make the switch to the Opposition Virgin Islands Party (VIP) while some critics say he has showed disloyalty to the leader in Public.
Third Term?
As for Hon Penn—the second term legislator who in 2015 won with some 85 per cent of the votes—he is said to be more experienced, to take up the post of Deputy Premier, but seems to be always on the fence on major issues.
He voted for the Recovery Agency Board after speaking out against it. He also had a golden opportunity as the leader of the backbench group, to demand that the front beach members be held accountable and are transparent and listened to the people but did not show assertiveness and use the overwhelming influence he enjoyed with the backbench group.
Hon Penn popular but…
Hon Penn is still very popular in his district and many predict, as of today, June 20, 2018, an easy re-election for a third consecutive term. He is described as humble and remains a people person, while some have objected to his alignment with Hon Walwyn, instead of Hon Skelton. Critics say, he needs to be more assertive and demonstrate his leadership ability and should have been in the ring for President of the party—not just the Deputy.
The race is still however, too early to call as it could go anywhere and both sides have been putting in the work leading up to the June 23, 2018, NDP Convention, at the Moorings conference room.
Virgin Islands News Online will be the first to have all the updated and breaking details from the NDP internal election and 2018 Convention.
_Skip_the_Ferry_copy_(2).jpg)
Follow Us On
26 Responses to “East vs West: Hons Penn & Turnbull clash for Deputy’s post @ NDP Convention ”
WAIT FOR IT! SOON! WATCH AND SEE!
The congressional committee is the core of the NDP.
They are going in there to vote for the top chair 99% of the eligible voters will cast on (X) for the chairman of the party and leave the other one blank. The two youngsters give a good show always did even in the last general election. But they are young and out gunned. Marlon don’t take it personal you are my friend but keep your eyes open.
I Love My BVI
And I always say if I was a billionaire or a high millionaire I would form a secret group of people with the same Idea of the future starts now and beautify the BVI! but that's just a super hero thought from watching all these marvel movies lately lolol
I think both positions were to be shadowed and may the best two get elected but in our BVI society we do not do such things in our workplace. We are too greedy and selfish so it is a dog eat dog world.