OPINION | Marlon and Mitch: When a ‘clean’ political image isn’t enough
In an era marked by political turbulence and sharp public debate, two BVI legislators — Second District Representative Melvin “Mitch” Turnbull and Eighth District Representative Marlon Penn — are widely regarded as politicians with clean reputations and solid integrity.
Yet, despite their relative political longevity and scandal-free images, their names are conspicuously absent from serious consideration as future leaders of the territory’s government. Both men have served multiple terms in the House of Assembly and retained their district seats in the 2023 general election.
Across community circles and political commentary, they are viewed as dependable representatives — but somehow this hasn’t translated into the kind of dynamic leadership that captures the public’s imagination, especially in challenging times that demand political boldness, international negotiation, and internal party unity.
Good support players, not Premier material?
Local talk-show host and commentator Claude Skelton Cline is among those who have been forthright in questioning Penn’s leadership capacity. In 2025, Skelton Cline argued that Penn has not demonstrated the gravitas and weightiness required to lead the people of the BVI, adding that the public would not be happy with an NDP government led by Penn. Others view his inability to unite the fractured NDP as evidence that he is not ready to lead the territory.
Yet some sections of the electorate see him as a future leader, saying Penn’s calm demeanour and clean image would benefit the BVI as it stands at a pivotal point in its political journey.
Likewise, though Turnbull has been repeatedly re-elected and respected for his straightforward style, he has not accumulated marquee legislative achievements that define visionary leadership. His move from the NDP to the PVIM after internal party tensions reflected principled stances but underscored his outsider position in broader leadership contests.
But there seems to be a conclusion that the public has drawn about both leaders: Turnbull and Penn are seen as reliable and ethical, but perhaps too gentle or collegial for the top job.
Does BVI want integrity or influence?
At the heart of the debate is a fundamental political question facing the Virgin Islands: Does the electorate want leaders with integrity or leaders with influence, even if polarising?
Both Turnbull and Penn are indigenous Virgin Islanders who embody stability and ethical governance. Yet in a political environment grappling with economic pressures, international expectations, and constitutional negotiations, voters and commentators alike seem to hunger for figures who command attention, unify broad coalitions, and catalyse change.
For now, Turnbull and Penn remain respected legislators and trusted community voices — perhaps destined perpetually for supporting roles rather than the leading player at the top of the political stage. Whether that will change as the territory moves toward the next general election in 2027 remains an open question.
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I agree with this article. They are both ok for supporting roles but not ready for the top spot. Penn believes that he is but he is far from it. He is l*zy and unp**ductive. His few ministerial stints provide proof of that. He was no match for Andrew Fahie when he was opposition leader.
Mitch, if well groomed could rise to the occasion. But for now he is best in a supporting role.
Winning your seat over and over again does not make you Premier material. Sorry
That may be so, but you have to be an elected member first to be appointed as Premier. So both of them are already on the starting line.
None of them are premier ready it’s Nat again Myron is a island man
Myron was born on the island of Tortola. Natalio was born on the island of Puerto Rico. Go figure!
In the Caribbean ancestry is more important than place of birth in deciding nationality
This makes no sense to me at all. We seem to be making up things as we go along just to exclude people. That is actually very sick.
3 generations back at least on one side. we can’t go to no other country and pull the type of stunts you all trying to pull in the BVI
So in the Caribbean it’s not where you are born is your ancestry? Hmmm. So when we go and have our kids in St. Thomas and the US but claim US benefits etc and saying that they are Americans when their parents from Tortola. You see how confused and stupid we really sound? Y’all get away from here with your 1950’s bull. That dumb crap ain’t flying.
do stupid living here originate from?
One born in Tortola they call he an island man.
One born in St. Thomas they call he ah bahn heay.
When does stupid meet sense and fix itself?
Muchless the government
These two represent the most credible threat to Walwyn’s shot at the top spot right now so lets tie their foot. If you think there isn’t some real dirty dancing going on in these islands you are feeble minded. Just this morning my spirit was saying to me that this is going to get bloody. One thing I respect about Andrew Fahie he did not throw his people under the bus and get down with the colonialist agenda. What we see going on right now is a sell out and stepping stone to a takeover. Give me a whopping salary a lifetime pension of luxury and room to party… I don’t give a f*.k.
What kind of spineless opinion is this? Whomever the author of this Opinion piece is may I say this to you:
Come out from the shadows. If you are going to put your opinion out there on a public forum for the world to see, be a man/woman enough to put your name to it.
I personally do not take anonymously written articles seriously. That’s like throwing stones and hiding your hands.
Wheel and come again as the young folks would say with a signature next to your words, or for me I will not even read your anonymously written opinion nor respond to it.
Stop being a coward, and grow a spine.
Focus on the message, not the messenger. Do you agree or disagree with the points raised? I personally would not encourage anyone to reveal their identities on these platforms, not in the Virgin Islands where victimization is a real thing
It’s called a “byline” and there is a reason for it to be on articles, blogs, or posts of this type. You are advocating for things to be done incorrectly, stop it.
No. I will not get sucked into responding to a nameless person. Again, what they did is akin to throwing stones and hiding their hands. Its gossipy. Another way to describe it as somebody talkingh behind a door.
I dont interact with opinion pienes that are faceless.If a person cannot put their name to a so called Opinion Piece, then they can do like the rest of us, and post their thoughts on the regular blogs.Show your darn hands, and we can talk.
@ Sorry.I am not even reading this. You are being anonymous yourself. Sup with that? Ghost time? Ok. Now.
Marlon is a wi**ed narci***stic so****ath. If manipulation was a person he would be it. Mitch needs mentorship and respect. These two need to look different work.
The Wally minions hands are all over this hack piece designed to stir further seeds of division. Why not past your name if you so believe in your opinion? This Op piece is nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to throw support behind the obvious….
Wiggie and Claude and John in vest hope of dear uncle Ronnie
Now how Cindy gets in the mix? stop it the girl has real hair and she is a fan of Myron
Just keep funny mam away from our big seat
Nice guys but are not leaders, just the facts.
Let us look at characteristic qualities:
Loyalty
Humbleness
Judge for some corrupt scheme
Loyalty
Everyone of them older heads jumped the floor
Except Hon MARLON PENN
Lone ranger
Name called in some sort of corrupt scheme
All the older politicians
Except MARLON PENN
Lone Ranger
Humble
All of them cocky except: Hom
Penn and Mathet
Marlon embrace s people of diverse nationalities
, but can navigate the common ground for his peoplr
He is young, knows very well about finances
That is why you have a theme .
All of you feel he is naive because he is not aggressive nor swears at members of his party
He may not br perfect
He balances way to the positive qualities of a good leadet than all the others.
Jehovah had the final say
Tell him to go be a preacher then. Marlon is a living dead! All his friends know it and the people around him know it. They say it behind his back all the time but only a few would confront him on it. If we want the BVI to move forward Marlon is not the person. Let us start calling things as they are.
Marlon is a disgrace. We all thought Andrew Fahie was a saint. I wish if y’all would wake up. Leave Marlon where he is. Send him and his worthless brothers to Venezuela, Colombia or Mexico.
So why did yall vote for him then, didn’t yall know that?
Yall represent the whole voting populace, foolish, self-centered and corrupt.
while i can agree surmf is a dead myron is bad news for locals, our families in the usvi and he will sell us out to trump in a min just to get on the news
Get from here with this nonsense you’re spouting. You make no sense whatsoever.
Pure truth here.
I don’t know about the rest of you all, but Hon. Walwyn seems too desperate to me. He seems to be on his last dinghy as Seven has now become Eight thanks to Hon. Mark … If he can’t run his hundred thousand dollars businesses, why should we give him our country to run? … He starts off like Shacarri and them huffs and puffs and looks off into the distance for a new ‘project’. Now, he has his eyes set on his next race, but this race is different. We are not giving him a trial run. He doesn’t care enough about us, just himself and his own upward movement, much like some we already now have in charge. Him and his side kick Mitch are not going to get their hands on this country. We all need to vote sensibly this election.