NDP snubbed? Mark H. Vanterpool to bring his own party for 2027 elections!
Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) came in last. Also narrowly defeated for the post of Deputy Chairman of the NDP was Hon Myron V. Walwyn (R6), who received 57 votes, while the winner, Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2), obtained 64 votes.
Following the election, there have been allegations made by Mr Vanterpool and other social commentators, and party members of voter rigging by padding the NDP delegate list with supporters of Hon Penn and not putting on many of the traditional NDP voters and the old guards who have long supported the party in many of the districts.
Another break-up
There has also been a high-profile reaction after the NDP internal election, with public blasting of Mr Vanterpool after he took off the NDP branding from his SUV and harsh words from former interim party president John I Cline saying, “Mr Vanterpool is for self”.
Now comes word that Mr Vanterpool has indeed left the NDP and has said, both privately and publicly, that “Hon Penn cannot lead me as he has never ran a candy store....”
Mr Vanterpool is expected to start his own group called PLM (not sure what the letters stand for) with the colour yellow. He told supporters recently outside a funeral in Sea Cows Bay that what I am bringing is “it’s not a party but a movement”. It is unclear when he would announce the group officially and who is on his ticket.
He noted that he has no confidence in Hon Penn to lead him and the country, hence he is starting his own group as the country at this stage in its development needs a savvy “businessman to get things done....we need a real leader as Premier, not a little boy.”
It is also unclear if Hon Myron V. Walwyn (R6) will be a member of this new breakaway movement, as he has stated to friends that Hon Penn cannot lead him.
Neither Mr Vanterpool nor Honourable Walwyn responded to our request for their comment.
NDP History of falling apart
The NDP has a long history of breakups. It was in 2018 when Hon Walwyn won the NDP Chairmanship that Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) broke away from the NDP and formed the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM).
Then, in 2025, there was a further breakaway from the PVIM when Hon Walwyn led a new group in the House of Assembly called the Alliance and ousted Hon Skelton as Opposition Leader. Hon Walwyn's new party had begun to recruit candidates for the 2027 elections.
Then last year, it was announced that both the PVIM and the Alliance had gone back to the NDP and were “united”. However, following the April NDP internal election, another breakaway is expected anytime soon, this time led by Mr Vanterpool.
Real Unity?
Meanwhile, the ruling Virgin Islands Party (VIP) led by Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), who is party Chairman and Premier, remains stable with no challenge to its leadership. Hon Lorna G. Smith OBE (AL), a Junior Minister in the Dr Wheatley Administration, has joined the VIP, according to party insiders and Hon Stacey R. Mather MBE (AL) is expected to follow, making the VIP a force to be reckoned with in the 2027 general elections.
There is expected to be up to five political parties/groups contesting the 2027 general elections, including the anonymous ‘All 13’, the NDP, the Mark H. Vanterpool-led PLM, a group being formed by a Virgin Islander (last name allegedly Lettsome) from the western side of Tortola, and the ruling VIP.
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12 Responses to “NDP snubbed? Mark H. Vanterpool to bring his own party for 2027 elections!”
I know too much about Marlon to let him get through the cracks and not tell my people. He could go away with that. Marlon is to be blamed for the current state of East end and many lives destroyed... He could never get my vote.
Sunday past was so-called Mothers Day celebration day. Our Premier went to various denominational religious organized churches, and gifted the Mothers with a gift of one (1), two (2) candies, one (1) sma bottles of apple vider, one (2) kiss size chocolate, one (1) nose pad with writing pen. His silent messaged was: Vote for me next elections day because I have represented you well. What a laugh, an insult, a disrespectful action with a photo smile of himself grening as if he is honest, but he knows that he isn't.
Hon. Marlon is a ambitious political leaders since 2011. He is partly a follower, but not a leader as our current Premier isn't. Former political minister Mark Vanterpool: His honey is more money, not the interest of the people of the B.V.I.
Hon. Ronnie Skelton: He is knowledgeable businessman, smart, has great political experience, but too much in love with money as all past and present political leaders of the B.V.I was, are, and probably should be viewed.
However, an intire new and unexperienced group of political leaders will mall no sense, especially in time as this world political unstabilties happenings. Whether we want to or not, we are at a juncture where a change of government is necessary beginning with the the Premier.