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‘I believe what unites us is the love for the Virgin Islands’- Hon Melvin M. Turnbull

Newly elected Deputy Chair of the National Democratic Party, NDP, Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) has said the party is united by a joint desire to want better for the Virgin Islands (VI) and its people. Photo: Facebook
Hon Melvin M. Turbull (R2) joined his party colleagues for the party’s radio programme, NDP Radio, on ZBVI 780 AM, on May 18, 2026. Photo: NDP
Hon Melvin M. Turbull (R2) joined his party colleagues for the party’s radio programme, NDP Radio, on ZBVI 780 AM, on May 18, 2026. Photo: NDP
Hon Melvin M. Turbull said the experience in years of just him, along with his party colleagues, NDP Chairman and Leader of the Opposition, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) and Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL), is vast. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands
Hon Melvin M. Turbull said the experience in years of just him, along with his party colleagues, NDP Chairman and Leader of the Opposition, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) and Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL), is vast. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- The newly elected Deputy Chair of the National Democratic Party (NDP), Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2), has said the party is united by a joint desire to want better for the Virgin Islands (VI) and its people.

Hon Turnbull joined his party colleagues, NDP Chairman and Leader of the Opposition, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) and Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL), on Monday, May 18, 2026, for the party’s radio programme, NDP Radio, on ZBVI 780 AM. This was the first episode of the show since the party’s internal elections earlier this month. 

Hon Turnbull said the NDP team cares about the VI, its people. “Every person within this team has different strengths, different backgrounds, different experiences, but I believe what unites us is the love for the Virgin Islands, the leadership that the Territory is calling for and planning that is needed to take our Territory forward; better opportunities for our young people.”

NDP, he continued, is made up of fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, young professionals and community leaders who genuinely care and understand the people they aspire to lead. 

Many years of experience

Hon Turnbull also said the combined number of years of experience among the members, from time in the House of Assembly (HoA) as well as other professional experience, is critical to note. 

Referencing the three of them who were on the show, he highlighted Hon Skelton’s achievements with his family business, service to the country as Deputy Chief Minister and in the HoA. 

The NDP Deputy Chair also spoke highly of Hon Penn’s service to the country as Minister of Health during what he described as “a difficult time” with the threat of the suspension of the constitution, his background in Information Technology, and now serving as Leader of His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition. 

Speaking on his own experience, Tunrbull said, “The leadership, that I believe I possess a little bit, in finance and business, marketing, and mentoring.”

Youth involvement

Hon Turnbull also believes the time is now to not only talk about the involvement of the young people but to ensure a space is provided for them while building on the shoulders of the foreparents and persons who came before. 

“Persons like Hon Skelton would be there to continue to guide us and ensure that we are carrying on the vision in the right way, but we’re also accepting the baton from him and preparing the way to invite other young persons to join this fight.”

This, he said, is not about any individual or individual group, but about the NDP. 

“We have to do things with planning, we have to do things on behalf of the people and keep them centred at all times.”

The NDP has been plagued by fallouts and is now fighting to repair its image ahead of the next general elections.

12 Responses to “‘I believe what unites us is the love for the Virgin Islands’- Hon Melvin M. Turnbull”

  • asura (21/05/2026, 07:54) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    Old dead party the thing is between vip and the all 13
  • lie pon lie (21/05/2026, 09:27) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply
    too bad yall only love money. 13 must go! if yall really love the bvi we would be looking like a mini dubai with all the money thats coming and spending on schemes and pure nonsense
  • TRUTH TELLER (21/05/2026, 10:04) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nonsense, we are not united. The people's of this world are not united, what causes opposition ministe Melvin Turnbull even think that we here in the United?
    The word unite means oneness, not rivalry. It derived fron the word unit. This is the most critical time on this earth since the existence of humans. Over that span of time humans have became more and more, and more, and more devided. Be born in a country has not power to foster unity among people, only action love does. The lust for things that are void of life can never I repeat, the lust for things void of life can never activate real unity the people of the British Virgin Islands, God's genuine Love for us and ours for Him and our neighbors is the only unifying power, not political fairytails.
  • Citizen (21/05/2026, 10:07) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    if you all loved the bvi you wouldn't have payed yourselves so much money while us regular people are struggling, you all took advantage of your positions to gain wealth, its a disgrace
  • foxy (21/05/2026, 10:13) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    No one wants to hear from Mitch the snitch who is now following Smurf
  • smfh (21/05/2026, 13:36) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why is this guy even allowed in our HOA. Just existing and offering nothing at all to the Territory.
  • I (21/05/2026, 14:58) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Roney I don't like you but I will put away my different for the country Roney u is the man to get the country back up I hear you talk about Chinese I think you would bring back the BVI . Bad Andrew good Andrew if he was here it would be better. Roney you is the next premier God will.
  • Jeremy (21/05/2026, 19:17) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Boy go sid-down should be no where near politics
  • Tola Mehson (21/05/2026, 20:12) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    the people in doty estate been crying for years now. Not sure whether he knows his all the new development in his district. the little car that he drives maybe it's on purpose because he can't drive in some of the miserable roads to see his constituents
  • %100 raise (21/05/2026, 21:58) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Any candidate who plan to run under M&M leadership SALT, with some LIME added. Myron better leave while he's ahead.
  • BRAD BOYNES (22/05/2026, 05:58) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hon Turnbull said the NDP team cares about the VI, its people.

    please stop while you are agead. please. None if you CARE about this Virgin Islands and its PEOPLE. Actions speak louder than words my man....
  • The watchdog (22/05/2026, 06:50) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mitch united with Marlon for power so go sit down


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