We were ‘splitting the people & the country’- Hon Ronnie W. Skelton
The party held its first radio show, NDP Radio, since its reunification and internal elections, on ZBVI 780 AM on Monday, May 18, 2026, during which party members present took calls live on air.
“The breakup of people in political parties is not a new thing, and it will happen again,” he said. According to Hon Skelton, it is believed that a collection of people who make up a political party should be focused on the development of its country and people, but things begin to go bad when ideas differ too much.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that those people who have those ideas will leave the party, and they will go someplace else where they would feel that those ideas and visions are intact and where they want to be.”
Hon Skelton, who initially broke away from the NDP to form the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM), added that on the flip side, there is also the possibility of a political party realising what is happening upon the departure of members and deciding to change their ways and get back to their foundation and philosophies.
“I think that is what’s happening to the NDP at this point in time. I think we are recognising that we are not splitting our party, splitting the NDP, but splitting the people and the country also. So at some point in time, those of us who committed to a cause in the development of the country and its people will get back together to make sure that happens.”
The voice of the people was most important- Hon Penn
Chairman of the NDP, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) said what is most important following the party’s split and reunification is that members decided to come back together.
“In our decision to come back together, we understood what is most important, which is the voice of the people who are saying, ‘We need you together, we need you united, we need you to understand that your strength is in your united front as the National Democratic Party’.”
Hon Penn said he is hoping and believing that the NDP can move on and earn the trust of the people of the Virgin Islands, through its humility, accountability, openness and hard work, and is able to show it through works, actions and representation of the people.
In doing so, he said, NDP hopes to show the people “we are competent, we are able to lead and do the things that are necessary to bring the Virgin Islands to where it needs to be”.
Since the NDP's international elections, one member has already bolted and formed his own movement. Businessman Mark H. Vanterpool, who lost the race for Chairman of the NDP to Hon Penn, has since announced the formation of the People's Leadership Movement.
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34 Responses to “We were ‘splitting the people & the country’- Hon Ronnie W. Skelton”
Allow me, please, Honorable, Ronnie Skelton, to tell you the core cause of the political splintered-minded people of the B.V.I. Democracy is not it, but rather it is Satanism behaviors at work in full manifestation.
Neither is it racism. It is devilish selfishness in full manifestation ongoing among the majority of us both inside and outside participant involved.
Allow me, please to offer the main cure to our ongoing internal political civil war that has degraded our once better standard. We need a chance of mind from self-centeredness to all of the people of the B.V.I centeredness way of thinking. We need to addopt the the principles of Jesus, but first we must repent of our wicked ways of the I, my, mine, and me syndrome mental sickness. In other words, see our neighbors as our equal, not as inferior beings. Until then both us and the generations to follow will suffer a greater negative impact, if we refuse to change direction beginning now.
Mark need to go sit down and leave politics alone and concentrate on his businesses. He’s truly a grasshopper and can’t be trusted. A set of blind people following him. It’s really sad sad.
Your voice was missed from the NDP politics, and Ausar is happy to see that you're back!
Continue to work, for the betterment of these beautiful Virgin Islands!
The better choice should be and could be Ronnie and Myron. But too much hate in your hearts. Remember that the block which the builder rejects WILL become the head cornerstone. Look at Myron with different lens. He just may have to abandon a ship that is sinking. Although I don't want this to happen, i will hold him blameless this time around. Myron brings more to this table than most on this party. Clean your hearts, ask for forgiveness or most of us will abandon this ship.
And BTW, Hon. Skelton got his repercussions with 17 votes and he is not crying. Hon. Walwyn and his supporters need to put on their big boys and girls undies and accept the repercussions of decisions made.
Keep the pastors and their father out of NDP. This is not a church.
It ain't going no where until 2031/ 2035 all it's doing is taking in water slowly and then hit the bottom of the sea.