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Mark H. Vanterpool feeling entitled 'was totally irresponsible'- Bishop Cline

- said politics in the Virgin Islands 'is not a game'
Bishop John I. Cline has emphasised that running for political office in the Virgin Islands is “not a game.” Cline addressed concerns raised during a live Facebook session on April 23, 2026. Photo: Facebook
During the party's special convention held on Saturday, April 18, 2026, Mr. Mark H. Vanterpool contested the Chairmanship of the NDP but was defeated in a landslide vote by Hon. Marlon A. Penn (R8), receiving 29 votes compared to Mr. Penn’s 65. Photo: VINO/ File
During the party's special convention held on Saturday, April 18, 2026, Mr. Mark H. Vanterpool contested the Chairmanship of the NDP but was defeated in a landslide vote by Hon. Marlon A. Penn (R8), receiving 29 votes compared to Mr. Penn’s 65. Photo: VINO/ File
Bishop John I. Cline, the former interim president stated that the party seeks individuals who are serious about representing the country. “The country is not a game. The politics of the Virgin Islands is not a game. This is serious. This is us seriously looking for men and women who can represent these virgin islands at home, regionally and abroad.” Photo: VINO/File
Bishop John I. Cline, the former interim president stated that the party seeks individuals who are serious about representing the country. “The country is not a game. The politics of the Virgin Islands is not a game. This is serious. This is us seriously looking for men and women who can represent these virgin islands at home, regionally and abroad.” Photo: VINO/File
CANE GARDEN BAY, Tortola, VI - Bishop John I. Cline has emphasised that running for political office in the Virgin Islands (VI) is “not a game".

Cline addressed concerns raised during a live Facebook session on April 23, 2026. He stated that the party seeks individuals who are serious about representing the country. “The country is not a game. The politics of the Virgin Islands is not a game. This is serious. This is us seriously looking for men and women who can represent these Virgin Islands at home, regionally, and abroad," he said.

Cline further asserted that the party is not interested in individuals who are seeking personal ambitions or use the party for their own gain. “We are very serious about this country and what we want, how we want to see it run, how we want to see it govern. That is what the NDP is about!" he exclaimed.

'Could not stop Mark Vanterpool'

The former interim president criticised those who enter the party believing they are entitled to the top position. “For some to come in, after they've left the party, thinking that they're entitled to the top spot, and if they don't get it, then pack up their marbles and pout, and go home. I don't, I don't see people like that running this country. That's totally irresponsible.”

However, he stated that Mark H. Vanterpool could not be prevented from running for any position within the party because he is a member of the National Democratic Party (NDP). “We could not stop Honourable Mark Vanterpool from coming back into the party. He's a member of the [National] Democratic Party. We could not stop him from putting up his name to run and having been nominated to run for the top chair. We could not stop that,” Cline explained.

He indicated that Mr Vanterpool has never resigned from the party, so it is his right to run, but winning is not guaranteed. Cline emphasised that this is a democratic process, stating, “It went through 121 persons [who] got in a room Saturday night to elect the leaders of the National Democratic Party, and that is what happened.”

See related article below:

‘The party is not breaking up; We just have one rogue member’- John I. Cline

 

28 Responses to “Mark H. Vanterpool feeling entitled 'was totally irresponsible'- Bishop Cline”

  • Vote VIP All The Way (26/04/2026, 07:21) Like (34) Dislike (4) Reply
    Set of power hungry men
    • The irresponsible one is you (26/04/2026, 15:38) Like (6) Dislike (6) Reply
      The only reason the NDP was even competitive last election was because of Mark Vanterpool. He organized, coordinated, contributed, and was the one constant across all the candidates. He was present at just about every rally and particular in the sister Islands.The ball was then dropped after the election, when a government could not be formed. What we are now seeing is an orchestrated xenophobic campaign against Vanterpool—one that is likely to come back to haunt the NDP. I can only hope people are paying close enough attention to how you move, how plainly duplicitous this has become, and can now understand why nothing meaningful gets done in health—because, while sitting on the board, the same tactics are being deployed. Mr. Premier, wake up. Get them out. Health is not a pawn to be used for political point-scoring.
  • lord o. (26/04/2026, 07:44) Like (26) Dislike (1) Reply
    We must never forget that Mark put a lot of resources and time in campaigning for the top job because he wanted it....Tbat's his rights to feel bad, disappointed and slighted, after a week now, he should calm down...do the right and honourable thing, accept the results and congratulate the winners, the process worked against him...I think he has messed up his chance of winning his atlarge seat as an independent...Maybe he might join the new party and try pushing them..
    • Well Sah (27/04/2026, 12:17) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Mark has not resigned in writing from the NDP. He can still go through the process if he chooses. On the other hand many think because he has money that is all. Are we buying election?
  • FIRE (26/04/2026, 08:01) Like (22) Dislike (14) Reply
    Well John the 121 of y'all got it wrong. There is no way Mark Myron or Rhonnie should hold a back seat behind Marlon and Mitch. John I Cline you herd it here. NDP dead on election day. Take that to the bank.
  • believe (26/04/2026, 08:52) Like (20) Dislike (2) Reply
    Instead of being in the house ???? of the most high God Mr so called bishop you and your nephew two wolves in sheep ???? clothing always creating problems and confusion do the right ✅️ thing and try to win souls for the kingdom of God.
    • Interesting (27/04/2026, 14:28) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
      Why is that John's and his nephew's responsibility more than yours? Just asking.
  • Time reveals all... (26/04/2026, 09:59) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    I do not doubt that wherever either sibling goes, the other will most likely follow. It is loyalty to self, family, and business above the welfare of this territory. These are the longstanding, obvious, and conniving truths - accept it, people...and vote accordingly.
  • please (26/04/2026, 10:11) Like (20) Dislike (4) Reply
    No more comments from you Sir. The NDP Congress elected a new President and as such you should now take a back seat and stop the noise from within.
  • guy hill (26/04/2026, 12:44) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    My Mother of Sainted memory used to tell me as a youth growing up in Road Town and living on Main Street.
    "When you do what you do, you get what you get".
  • Who's more entitled?? (26/04/2026, 12:56) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    The biggest entitled one was Ronnie in 2018. Remember PVIM was formed because he himself couldn't handle a loss. People blame Myron for NDP, but the real person to blame was the selfish, entitled Ronnie. He knew PVIM could not win an elections without a full, competent slate, but he chose to split the ndp votes anyway. So who's more entitled? The one who just left or the one who formed a party that has cost the NDP 2 elections?
  • go home (26/04/2026, 15:00) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    Still he will be voted..smmh
  • Truth (26/04/2026, 16:58) Like (16) Dislike (2) Reply
    Entitlement is when you handed over the church to your son. You have lived well off the government money
    • stick to the topic (26/04/2026, 19:25) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
      And he worked from the bottom up to earn his money as well. So talk that..
  • ausar (26/04/2026, 18:53) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    Honorable Vanterpool had the right to run for Chairmanship, given the hateful rhetoric many of you NDP'ers stated about Honourable Penn!

    Most of you, NDPers, Mr. Cline, were against your own Chairman!

    Don't you think the populace have seen the neglect?
    Just look at how Mr.Skelley-Cline speaks about Honourable Penn!

    I'm actually in admiration of Honourable Vanterpool's decision to run, even though I'm in full support of Honourable Penn!

    Again, in the words of the late Mrs.Parsons:
    Honourable Penn,when the tumult and the noise died down, indeed you stood tall!!

    Congratulations, Honourable Penn, as Leader of the Opposition, and, as Chairman of the NDP!
  • childish (26/04/2026, 19:37) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    I really like Mark, but don't you think his behavior is like 2 and 3 years kids, when they don't get their own way.
  • Local (26/04/2026, 20:55) Like (8) Dislike (8) Reply
    Mark is not loyal. He supported his sister Lorna in crossing the floor to form an VIP Government. 2023. Lol
  • DEDE (26/04/2026, 22:35) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    All of you need to go sit down sime place. Its people like the Bishop and his family, Ronnie, Mark and others that have this place in a mess. They think we forgot abiut the pier park getting monies intended for East End sewerage project and Marlon like a idiot okaying it. The million dollar incomplete wall and over run hospital. Thats a different story.
    • @DeDe (28/04/2026, 05:57) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Go back to the house assembly videos to find where marlon spoke against how the funds were moved. Who was the minister for communications? Marlon had no control over that.
  • OB (27/04/2026, 07:15) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    Country first!! Sowande can speak and represent this country! Ask yourself can Marlon do same!!!! Guys vote for the country not the man ,choose wisely or the virgin islands will fall under NDP
  • brother (27/04/2026, 09:39) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Your just come voters got it wrong! They voted for their best friend instead of voting for what was best for the BVI. Now the NDP will lose and hopefully those young just come and don't know the history of the NDP internal voters, will learn a very hard lesson! Experience, Leadership, Institutional Knowledge, Maturity, Morality all matter more than friendship in these settings. Country matters even more. 4 more years of VIP.
    • @brother (28/04/2026, 05:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      We live. We learn. Institutional learning encourages growth and continuity. With strong support, they will learn and later teach those behind them to take ivermectin. Nobody goes in to a position to fail. No one will ever know someone's potential if the person is not elevated. We are here to elevate; they will not fail. Those who wish for failures will not see it.
  • Hmmmm (28/04/2026, 06:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The problem with some of you all is that when you don't get what you want you bash what you receive.
  • Raw and Unfiltered (28/04/2026, 08:06) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Few can grace riches with humilty and civility. Many too see wealth as giving them special privileges and entitlements, placing them in an upperclass, higher social level, etc., This is a clear example of feeling entitled, for the acquisition of wealth, means. It is also an example of the elite(s) embracing extractive political and economic institutions, vice inclusive economic and political institutions. Ah yu Lawd the Anguillians say. Sometimes one has to be careful who one invites as guest into their home. Watch those mirages, the Trojan horses, etc.

    In the end, the BVI is a representative democracy and voters have the last say in elections and other matters. Hear dis yah! True power lies with the people, not politicians. But power is useless if it is not used effectively. The BVI electorate must get engaged and hold politicians accountable. If not they who will?


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