BVI News

Marlon Penn sworn in as Opposition Leader

Marlon Penn

Deputy Chairman of the National Democratic Party (NDP) Marlon Penn has been appointed Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition.

Governor Augustus Jaspert swore in the Eighth District Representative on Thursday, approximately 48 hours after VIP government leader Andrew Fahie was sworn in as Premier of the Virgin Islands.

A media release from the NDP said opposition members Mark Vanterpool (Fourth District Representative) and Alvera Maduro-Caines (Sixth District Representative) was present to witness Penn’s swearing-in.

“I am always humbled and thankful to the people of the Virgin Islands and my colleagues for the confidences they continue to have in me. I look forward to the work we will do over the next four years to improve the lives of all in our beloved territory,” said Penn, whose appointment as opposition leader also makes him the new chairman of the territory’s Public Accounts Committee.

Penn was thrust in to the leadership of the opposing NDP after party chairman Myron Walwyn failed to get elected at the 2019 General Elections.

Walwyn, who contested a Territorial At-Large seat, said he was confident in the new opposition leader.

“I know that Honourable Penn and our colleagues, Honourable Vanterpool and Honourable Maduro-Caines will effectively serve in their role as members of the opposition. It is an important element of our democracy and our party will continue to support them and all efforts to responsibly advance our territory,” he said.

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22 Comments

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  1. Looking On says:

    I don’t know him, but he comes across as a cool bloke from the pictures I see of him in the media. He seems the complete opposite of MW, and I wish him well.

    Like 43
    Dislike 11
    • Howdy doody says:

      WIt was a two horse race between him and Mark. Presumably. I thing will be heard from Alvera again until the next election.

  2. @Looking On says:

    For real no joke,Marlon is a real cool/nice guy.

    Like 9
    Dislike 6
    • Aware says:

      I beg to differ. IMO he makes wrong assumptions of persons when he knows nothing of the individual and that is NOT good! Everybody deserves a chance, after all I felt that he deserved a chance and obviously 726 persons in his district also thought so. After all, listening to second hand information about others is not always accurate.

      Like 5
      Dislike 1
  3. Laid back says:

    He had laid back years , opposition role is good .. You will have to work now .

    Like 9
    Dislike 6
  4. VIsLander says:

    NDP dead with him @ the helm and Walwyn forced to retire

    Like 7
    Dislike 6
  5. Anonymous says:

    Please leave your UK slangs in the UK for God’s sake. This is the BVI. We don’t relate to “bloke.”

    Like 3
    Dislike 19
  6. Anonymous says:

    Capitalism, the UK and its current expats and religion remain the current threat to the BVI and foe, for of diaspora.

    The smell of recolonialisation is in the air and all around,

    We tend to forget the world order. “survival of the fittest” by helping the poor, and gave no thought to the idea that some races are thought that they are biologically superior to others.

    The 1712 control memo reminds of social Darwinism. The

    The richest men on earth are now plotting with the UK and American scientist to create biological weapons that will exterminate all Black people from Africa, the Caribbean, South America, America, the diaspora and the rest of the world within fifty years. That is the mind set of a devil, not a human being!

    And yet we have ignorant unread Black fools who are asking for the return of the devil to rule him.

    But we the people can erase poverty together. We have failed divided. We must love self to love United mankind!

    Like 3
    Dislike 8
  7. Weir D. Playne says:

    I hope that he fight hard to make sure that every penny of the $8 million that was taken from the East End Sewage project to fund the Pier Park is repaid with interest if possible.

    Like 11
    Dislike 1
  8. Help says:

    Who is Deputy Premier and Speaker of the House? Missed the press conference they were having today at 10.

  9. ndp heckler says:

    Ayo will see how less and overrated he is now

    Like 9
    Dislike 5
  10. say i say so says:

    Fraser should’ve been leader of the opposition because Marlon is too soft

    Like 5
    Dislike 10
  11. Ausar says:

    Marlon, dont mind the noise!

    You are a fearless fighter for your district. I think, given the circumstances, that the NDP may do well by having you to be at it’s helm.

    Lets see if the governing board of the NDP realizes it’s mistake, and work toward making the needed adjustments.

    Like 3
    Dislike 9
    • :) says:

      You can’t be a fighter and sit back and watch your party take the money to fix your sewage problem and give it to the Pier Park. This sewage problem has existed for years. It has been a major issue for the district. It directly affects the health and well being of his constituents and It affects him as well. This was grounds to turn against your party or at least make a bigger fuss than he did. That’s what you call a blind follower.

      Like 11
      Dislike 4
  12. Lily ann says:

    Soooooooo we all gonna sit back and act like the Pier Park wasnt a major investment and a major Tourist attraction in the BVI ???? .
    . WHY are yall so ungrateful??? Very sickening

    Like 3
    Dislike 3
    • Teen Visionary says:

      It really was a major investment(it’s already generated how much it was spent for and more) and everyone doesn’t want acknowledge that. And no, it wasn’t an investment for ‘their pockets’ since the country is seeing financial growth. I just ask the Lord to be with my country because I love it but there’s undying ignorance and continuous inequality that needs to change or lessen. At this rate it seems like we will destroy ourselves before we see a truly divine BVI. May God be with us.

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