'Voters being offered refrigerators, stoves, washers & dryers'- John I. Cline
“Let me say this, and I say this confidently, not blowing any smoke. The NDP is very, very much alive and is a strong party,” said Cline, who is the former Interim President of the NDP.
However, not long after, he admitted that the party has faced many challenges and fractures. He tried to convince viewers that these challenges were “indicative that the NDP is a force to be reckoned with”.
NDP isn’t a ‘reactionary idea’, but it’s fractured
The NDP, he added, is not a "just come" or a reactionary idea because somebody did not get their way. This statement could be interpreted as directed to former member Mark H. Vanterpool, who has since formed the People's Leadership Movement (PLM).
But the NDP has been fractured a few times over its lifespan. Ahead of the 2019 general elections, internal fractures led Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) to leave the NDP and form the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM); he was joined by Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2).
In 2025, Hons Turnbull, Myron V. Walwyn (R6), and Stacy R. Mather (AL) formed what they called The Alliance.
Earlier this year, the NDP and PVIM merged to form a united NDP and said the party was stronger than ever now that the family was back together.
So while the NDP may not be a reactionary idea and, according to Cline, is a party founded with a constitution and manifestos, it seems that some of the NDP members are sore losers.
The most recent example is the departure of former legislator Mark H. Vanterpool, who lost the NDP Chairmanship to Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) during the party’s National Convention on April 18, 2026. He is now building his slate for PLM.
Where is the Chairman & President?
Cline’s video also leads one to question the whereabouts of the elected leadership of the NDP. Why is Cline the one coming forward to clear the air?
Former PVIM candidate Paul A. Hewlett was elected NDP President at the April National Convention, but has not been speaking out, at least publicly or in the media, about the state of the party.
As for Penn? It seems he has also been missing in action, and Cline tried to assure supporters and the public that the party is in what he termed “good, steady hands”.
'Your vote is not for sale'
Cline went on to speak of voter buying, saying he was contacted by persons who informed him that they have been offered things in exchange for their votes.
“People who are calling me saying they are being offered refrigerators, and stoves, and washers, and dryers.”
There have been rumours circulating that a particular party has been offering appliances, money and even groceries to electors across the Virgin Islands.
“They’re trying to buy you, buy your vote with [these things]… as a man or woman of integrity, your vote is not for sale.”
VIP’s biggest challenger?
Cline also claimed that the ruling Virgin Islands Party (VIP) is not afraid of PLM or All 13. “That’s not who they see as a challenge. They see the National Democratic Party as a challenge.”
But can a party that cannot seem to get its own house in order be a threat to the VIP? Is the NDP, in its current state, prepared to present a strong slate of candidates for the next general election? And if they do, is the public willing to take a chance on a party whose leadership cannot face the public themselves to speak about the state of the party that Cline confidently said is alive and strong?
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