Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline has said the National Democratic Party family, including (L-R) Hon Marlon A. Penn. Hon Ronnie W. Skelton, Hon Melvin M. Turnbull and Hon Myron V. Walwyn, is allegedly all back together ahead of the party's April 18, 2026, close special convention to elect party officials. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

Other potential National Democratic Party district candidates include (top L-R) Aaron F. Parillon, Zoe J. Walcott, Troy E. Christopher, (botton L-R) Mrs Brenda Tye, Mrs Perline R. Scatliffe-Leonard, and Mr Coy W. Levens. Photo: Facebook/Internet Source

Other potential National Democratic Party At-Large candidates include (top L-R) Bishop John I. Cline, Ms Janice A. Stoutt, Dr Kedrick D. Pickeriing, (bottom L-R) Mrs Shereen D. Flax-Charles, Mr Mark H. Vanterpool, and Mrs Rosita Scatliffe-Thompson. Photo: Facebook/Internet Source

During the March 24, 2026, airing of his radio programme, Skelton-Cline said, “I understand that the National Democratic Party is back together again, the family…Everybody except one, one of the At-Large members, is sitting in the Virgin Islands Party government.”

He also said he wants to believe that this is so. 

Hons Walwyn & Turnbull back with NDP

Skelton-Cline added, “Nobody is confirmed. We understand that they are having a series of meetings that will lead up to the 18th of April, where they will be choosing or making official their leadership.”

The potential list, according to him, has been floating around in the public and made its way to his desk, also consists of Leader of the Opposition, Hon Myron V. Walwyn (R6) and Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2). The NDP, in a March 25, 2026, press release, confirmed that Hons Walwyn and Turnbull have reunited with the party. 

Walwyn led a coup against his now fellow NDP member Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) in March 2025 to grab the title of Opposition Leader. Now that there is one party in the Opposition, it is unclear if Hon Walwyn will remain or whether he will relinquish the title to Hon Skelton.

The potential list, as revealed by Skelton-Cline, broken down by districts, is as follows:

• District One- no confirmed or potential candidate yet
• District Two- Hon Melvin M. Turnbull 
• District Three- Mr Aaron F. Parillon
• District Four- Ms Zoe J. Walcott
• District Five- Mr Troy E. Christopher 
• District Six- Hon Myron V. Walwyn 
• District Seven- Mrs Brenda Tye or Mrs Perline R. Scatliffe-Leonard
• District Eight- Hon Marlon A. Penn
• District Nine- Mr Coy W. Levens

“This is a HEW hockey stick of a slate,” Skelton-Cline said. 

Six potential At-Large candidates 

He also revealed six potential At-Large candidates for the NDP, including Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL), the present NDP Interim Chairman, Bishop John I. Cline, Ms Janice A. Stoutt, Dr Kedrick D. Pickering, Shereen D. Flax-Charles, Mr Mark H. Vanterpool, Sandy U. Underhill, and Mrs Rosita Scatliffe-Thompson. 

“These persons are potentially outside of the elected ones, are candidates who are offering themselves to this country for the advancement and developments and the key to all of this is going to be who emerges as the leader,” Skelton-Cline added. 

A closed special convention of the NDP is scheduled for April 18, 2026, where delegates and candidates will elect party leaders.