NDP’s current leadership not what BVI needs, Vanterpool says
Mark Vanterpool
People’s Leadership Movement (PLM) leader Mark Vanterpool said he respects the National Democratic Party’s leadership but does not believe it offers what the Virgin Islands need right now.
Speaking on the Talking Points show, Vanterpool said he had tried to help reunite the NDP before its leadership election in April. He accepted the result but decided to pursue a different direction.
“Respect the leadership, but I don’t think it’s what the country needs at this point,” Vanterpool said. He called for “more experience and what I call visionary, courageous, decisive delivery type of leadership”.
Vanterpool lost the NDP chairmanship contest to Eighth District Representative Marlon Penn at the party’s April convention. He subsequently left the party and launched the People’s Leadership Movement.
Vanterpool said the NDP had done considerable work since its formation in 1998, but had struggled to regain its former strength after the party split in 2019. He credited former Premier Dr D Orlando Smith with leading the party through much of that period.
He said people had approached him last year about returning to politics and that he had agreed to help after several months of discussions. He also spoke warmly of his former colleagues, saying he respected the NDP’s leaders and regarded them as friends.
“There is no major difference in our philosophies in terms of where we’re going,” Vanterpool said. “We are basically BVIslanders who want to see the country go forward.”
Asked whether he would serve a full term in the House of Assembly if elected, even if his party remained in opposition, Vanterpool said he would serve from the government benches, opposition or backbench. He said he hoped to represent the Fourth District again.
Vanterpool also acknowledged his resignation after being elected in 2019, calling it the greatest regret of his political life. “I would pledge definitely that would never happen again to my people who have always supported me,” he said.
He said the PLM already had nine or 10 prospective candidates preparing to run and intended to contest all 13 seats at the next election. The party planned to announce more candidates in October and November, he stated.
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U neither M.V
Many will not like it but the fact remains the Territory is at a juncture that requires bold innovative thinking t move to the next level. Vanterpool is a proven innovator and Leader . The PLM is what the NDP was in 1998 and those who cannot see that has the same visual ability as Stevie Wonder
Be careful what you wish for………
Hmm…I’m not so sure. I cannot say with any certainty that any member of the NDP party is definitely connected to the Bank of Asia fraud but it is a known thing that one particular family name is. No sah. Bring another option meh boi.
We do not want no island man as we premier
I consider your comment stupid and ignorant. Why do people like you say such things? Do you live on a continent? No!
You live on a tiny island…a dot on the global map. Speak like you have more than two brain cells.
Now, if after all these decades that Mark Vanterpool has lived in this country and contributed to it in many ways he is still seen by you and others as an outsider (aka Dont Belong Here), then something is very wrong with you.
You are being bigoted and small minded. Go and vote for whomever you wish to vote for if you even vote, and stop showing your stupidity for the world to see.
Looking at Mark’s photo it looks like he trying to sell merch rather than run a political party. I’m seeing cars shirts flags and caps. I’m seeing some little AI generated slogan nonsense underneath.
When do these parties actually come out with a meaningful manifesto that informs people what they intend to do. All we get now from all the parties is buzzwords like ‘prosperity’ ‘greatness’ ‘family’.
Boy your buzzwords fill a page but you can’t even get running water across the island
Honorable Members Of The NDP, When They Go Low, You All Go High!!! There’s More For You Than Against. You All Just Stay Focused And The Chips Will Fall Where they May. Don’t Criticize No Individual Nor Party. Focus On The Plan To Get This Lil Country Back On Track Especially With Our Finances. Don’t Mind The Noise. Empty Vessels Make The Most Noise.
Stay Focused And Steer Your Course!!!!
The fa t that spmeone had to ask him if he will serve his full term if elecred, disqualifies him from my consideration. No unstable person will get my vote.
Power going to his head he is about to burst
Mark you know who is right? time is out. stop smoldering people with lies.
Not one of us know what tomorrow would bring with all the greed selfishness and ill-gotten gains.
but how you stuck on NDP so. So many months have gone by.
Experience and visionary seldom go hand in hand.
We certainly don’t need someone that is not faithful or loyal… VIP, NDP, VIP, NDP, Vote in, then retire, then back in, then retire, then NDP, then independent, now PLM… make up your mind mehson!!! I how much more money he want to take from the country???