Social Commentator and host of Honestly Speaking, Claude O. Skelton-Cline, has said former legislator and National Democratic Member (NDP) Mark H. Vanterpool’s most recent political move did not surprise him, calling Vanterpool’s newly introduced political party just another faction of the NDP. Photo: VINO

Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline during Honestly Speaking on May 5, 2026. Photo: Facebook

Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline said the National Democratic Party may have a chance of winning the 2031 or 2035 general election, but not the 2027 elections. Photo: NDP

Following Vanterpool’s loss in the April 18 internal election for leadership roles within the NDP, he introduced the People’s Leadership Movement (PLM) to contest the 2027 general elections of the Virgin Islands (VI). 

Vanterpool lost the race for the chairmanship of the NDP to Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8), who, days later, went on to be named Leader of His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition. 

Now we have NDP 4

Skelton-Cline, during his show on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, said there have been 4 variations of the NDP. 

“There was the original NDP. They split in 2019, NDP became PVIM-NDP 1 and NDP 2. Earlier this year, they came back and told us the family is back, they had a press conference, we together again, that was NDP 3. Then they had election on the 18th of April, that Saturday night. By Sunday morning, we heard that some horse broke their feet and now we hearing we got NDP 4.”

He questioned whether the electors in the VI are supposed to take these current representatives and aspiring representatives seriously. 

“We’re supposed to take you all word for anything? Does your word mean anything at all? Y’all went in that night, fooled all the people, tell them it’s kumbaya, the prodigal son is home, and please kill the fatted calf, let’s throw a party, the family is back, and we’re going to submit to whatever the results of this election is.”

He called them out, saying that less than 24 hours after the internal election, there was NDP 4. “PLM, that’s NDP 4.”

NDP may have a chance in 2031 or 2035, but not 2027

Skelton-Cline added he was not surprised by this most recent split. 

“I am not surprised by this petulant, I am not surprised by this impulsive, this transactional behaviour, I am not surprised.”

He also cautioned that “the tree has not stop shaking yet. There’s still some more mangoes to fall from the tree”. 

Hon Penn, he opined, should gear up for possible election to head the government in 2031 or 2035, saying, “it ain’t going to be in this guava crop.”