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Is Marlon A. Penn the new NDP Chairman?

Minister for Health and Social Development and Eighth District Representative Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8), left, is reportedly the new chairman of the National Democratic Party (NDP), succeeding Myron V. Walwyn, who resigned in 2019. Photo: Facebook
Chairman of the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) Mr Ronnie W. Skelton, left, a former Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Finance, will be contesting the 2023 general elections under his PVIM banner. Right is Opposition Leader and Chairman of Progressives United, Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3). Photo: VINO/File
Chairman of the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) Mr Ronnie W. Skelton, left, a former Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Finance, will be contesting the 2023 general elections under his PVIM banner. Right is Opposition Leader and Chairman of Progressives United, Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3). Photo: VINO/File
The National Democratic Party (NDP) had split into two prior to the 2019 general elections. Photo: Facebook
The National Democratic Party (NDP) had split into two prior to the 2019 general elections. Photo: Facebook
EAST END, Tortola, VI- Since the former Chairman Myron V. Walwyn tendered his resignation on May 21, 2019, as Chairman the National Democratic Party (NDP) the party has been without a leader.

However, during a 2023 New Year’s Message Hon. Marlon A. Penn (R8) the Minister for Health and Social Development in the coalition Government referred to himself as the “Chairman.”

Efforts to reach Honourable Penn over the last few days have been unsuccessful.  An NDP spokeswoman referred our newsroom to Mr Penn for verification and classification as she only sends out “what I am given”.

How did Hon Penn become Chairman?                   

Other senior party officials have told our newsroom that “at the last NDP convention Mr Penn was elected Deputy Chairman, with Mr Walwyn as Chair, however following  the resignation of  Myron; Marlon became the Chairman.”

It is unclear how the NDP constitution addresses this matter. There were consistent negotiations over the past two years to seek a new Chairman of the party and to reunite the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM), an NDP breakaway faction led by Ronnie W. Skelton, back to the NDP.  Those talks have failed.

Ronnie Skelton in the 2023 race

Sources within the PVIM told our news centre earlier this week that Mr Skelton, a former Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Finance, will be contesting the 2023 general elections under his PVIM banner.

Both Walwyn and Skelton as party leaders were defeated in the 2019 general elections where the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), led by former Premier Andrew A. Fahie, won 8 out of 13 seats, Three of the other seats went to the NDP, one to the PVIM and one to the upstart Progressives United led by now Opposition Leader Hon Julian Fraser (R3).

The House of Assembly must be dissolved by March 12, 2023, and an election held within a minimum of 21 days or a maximum of two months after March 12, 2023, according to the Virgin Islands Constitution, Section 86.

It remains unclear who will be running on the NDP slate led by Hon Penn.

22 Responses to “Is Marlon A. Penn the new NDP Chairman?”

  • Zulu (18/01/2023, 14:04) Like (14) Dislike (7) Reply
    He is the chairman? Dem dead now
  • Election 2023 (18/01/2023, 14:08) Like (11) Dislike (28) Reply
    VIP is still the way forward! Just need some real fighters!
  • vip (18/01/2023, 14:37) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    It also remains unclear who will be running on the VIP slate led by Hon Wheatley.
  • VI Gyal (18/01/2023, 14:43) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    WHy you on NDP and not PVIM..you ended off with NDP only or maybe you know PVIM already.
  • lol (18/01/2023, 15:08) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    Backward ever forward never!
  • 2023 (18/01/2023, 15:18) Like (12) Dislike (5) Reply
    NDP is a good idea that went very wrong those university graduates used their government positions for self fulfillment: we need a group that will lookout for the people: move that at large system and return to the district system: save our tax money: Anegada and Jost Van Dyke needs their own representative……
  • Strong rumors (18/01/2023, 15:40) Like (3) Dislike (9) Reply
    Lorna is running school children say
  • Citizen (18/01/2023, 16:06) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    None of the two are worthy to lead. Lawd the NDP dead. When is the funeral?
  • Ham and chesse (18/01/2023, 16:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr. Penn is possible. that he is the interim president of the NDP, but to confirm them as president elect it would have to be through the party congress
  • NDP insider (18/01/2023, 18:56) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    By time Smurf and the Ndp wake up Ronnie and the PVIM would have gone with all his so called candidates
  • he geh wet (18/01/2023, 20:31) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Dem money man aint goin fling no money behind marlon dem so as no leader.
    • NDP is dead. (19/01/2023, 06:01) Like (14) Dislike (3) Reply
      NDP was made popular by xpat voters who thought with all the Candidates with Xpat back ground they finally have a group of people who will think inclusive, be inclusive and be the beacon for the spirit of unity and justice for all, they were disapointing, espdcially during the hurricanes when so many people were hurting a lot got laid off unnecessarily, I can re call a young man from long look working for the BVI biggest food company a diehard member of NDP an assistant chair person for Myron committee got fired because he missed work for two days after the hurricanes and Myron and NDP turn their backs on him no matter how he seek their assistance he is a very influencial BVI lander, he done with them, That was nust one of the hundreds that were made to suffer by unjust laid off to add to that stress they were harass by Immigration and Labour, no justice a lot were threatened to be deported, some were actually deported, because they got fired and had no Jobs..When they seek hdlp from NDP govt they get no help. People being deported while people coming in to work..imagine that....for those who don't know, that actually happened..these big companies have our politicians in their pockets so tbe company call the shots, the BVI being badly corrupt from long, most of it was in the dark, so I cannot understand why anyone in their right senses would be against the COI that exposes and brought to light the large scale corruption and injustice going on in the BVI. .NDP is now a bitter pill.. I will suggest that all good and honest persons seeking to go into politics, try something different.
  • What's the Rush.. (18/01/2023, 20:49) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    Hardly anyone wants to be in politics now that they have to declare their interest. Too many got too much to hide. A Party may have challenges getting a full slate...Then again Britain may just see it fit to take Charge for two yrs..
  • AND ? (19/01/2023, 06:48) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    it's just different time with the same set of crook s / hypocrites / gansters you name it and they have got hidden secrets so it is going to be dog eat dog , anyway you look at the makeup of these actors & actresses / with special effects and lyrics supplied by another set of pretenders like csc, edu , the WIG, the bitchUP and those yet to show up ( we in serious trouble or close ????
  • @ AND ? (19/01/2023, 06:55) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    YOU 4GOT ONE OF THOSE ( YET TO SHOW UP ITS Mr E . LIE oNARD , the onsided historian
  • Not too old (21/01/2023, 02:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ronnie should not harass his pacemaker. Taking on this kind of responsibility might be risky. Instead help to guide the younger generation, share his relevant experiences and allow the young leaders to grow into their leadership and hold on steadfast. Takes a village to raise a child and a community to come together and lead the V I. Mother U K watching on.


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