Former legislator and businessman Mr Mark H. Vanterpool, left, on the first episode of The People’s Mic, the PLM’s new weekly podcast, released on social media and on radio on October 11, 2026. Right is host Angela U. Burns. Photo: Facebook

Mark H. Vanterpool, the leader of the breakaway group People’s Leadership Movement (PLM), known on social media as NDP 4, has promised that if his party is elected to government, it would treat reliable water supply as one of its most urgent priorities. Photo: ccwater.org.uk/File

Mr Vanterpool was speaking on the first episode of The People’s Mic, the PLM’s new weekly podcast, released on social media and on radio on October 11, 2026, at 6:00 PM.

“The PLM will address water urgently. It is one of the most urgent needs in the Virgin Islands,” Mr Vanterpool said. “We want to put water in every residence and every community, 24/7. That is not an empty promise, and it is not rocket science. It can be done.”

However, his critics claimed that in his 8 years as Minister for Communications and Works (2011-2019), he did nothing to fix the water situation, and they have blamed him for the current water woes.

The then Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government signed a contract with Bi-Water for water production, and the government was to fix the infrastructure; however, it is alleged Mr Vanterpool spent his years in office trying to get rid of the Bi-Water Agreement and did not fix the water infrastructure.

Now, today, the water infrastructure is being addressed by the current Minister for Communications and Works, Hon Kye M. Rymer.

Why did he start PLM?

When asked about his party politics, he noted, “My politics starts with the people and the country. It doesn’t start with a party.

He added: “In an election, I fight tooth and nail for my party to win. After the election, if you really love your country, the next step is to find what is best for the Virgin Islands.”

Mr Vanterpool acknowledged one decision he regrets is his earlier resignation, for which he said he apologised to his constituents, and pledged that it would not be repeated.

When asked why he left the NDP after losing the internal elections, he stated, “It is all about vision and leadership. It is not about what I can gain. I need no gains from the government. I want to leave a legacy and show that we can move this country in the right direction for the future of our young people.”

One of Mr Vanterpool's biggest accomplishments was his building of the controversial Cyril  B. Romney Tortola Pier Park. It had an overrun of close to 50 million dollars.