While the National Democratic Party (NDP) is gearing up to host its convention by the end of the year, Interim President Bishop John I. Cline said a party should functin whether it is in power or not. Photo: Facebook

The National Democratic Party (NDP) and the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) announced their reunification under the NDP on March 26, 2025. Photo: Facebook

The NDP and the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) announced their reunification under the NDP on March 26, 2025, and promised to outline a clear and structured roadmap for its renewed movement in coming months. 

Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) had said then that the decision was “rooted in a shared vision and love for these Virgin Islands and its people”. 

I agreed to serve to help the party- Bishop Cline

Interim President of the NDP, Bishop John I. Cline, said the NDP was fragmented because “the current president, the current secretary, the current treasurer from… 2019, they were no longer at the table per se”, during ‘The Big Story’ on JTV Channel 55 hosted by Cathy O. Richards on Monday, September 29, 2025. 

Due to this, a core group of supporters of both the NDP and the PVIM came together to formulate a plan to move forward, Bishop Cline explained.

“One of the fundamental things that needs to happen is you need to have an executive committee. However, the committee has to be an interim type committee until you get to a convention where you can appoint them formally, and they will take it from there.”

Bishop Cline added that it was in that context he was asked to assist the NDP by becoming its interim President, having facilitated the party’s recent meetings. 

“I agreed to do it and help the party get to a convention where they can elect a formal team of executives, and then the other branches that stem off from that…We are certainly shooting for a convention, hopefully before the end of the year,” Bishop Cline added. 

While agreeing that the timeline is tight, Bishop Cline said if the convention is not held by year’s end, it will be conducted “definitely within the early half, early part of the first quarter” of 2026, but the team wants it done before 2025 ends. 

“So I may not be interim president for long.”

The party should function

Asked if he would take on the role officially if elected, Bishop Cline said he would. 

“Politics is a funny thing, but if I'm asked, I probably would, but I would like to see other persons step up and there be a democratic vote to elect the official because it can't be an executive or it can't be a party for an election. It's not an election party. It's a national party. So whether you're in power or not, the party should function.”

The party, he continued, should have regular meetings, updates to supporters and be doing a lot more. 

“Not because you're not in power means you go to sleep. You should stay engaged with the community for the next four years, if you're elected or not. You should be engaged. So it's the kind of thing you want to see from your party, and the executive team should lead that charge.”