Penn ignored calls to derail gov’t after COI
Opposition Leader Marlon Penn
Eighth District Representative Marlon Penn revealed that he rejected calls to exploit political instability in the territory following the release of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) report, opting instead to support a unity government.
Penn made the remarks during a House of Assembly debate reflecting on the period after the April 2022 report, which triggered a governance crisis and raised the prospect of direct rule by the United Kingdom.
He said there was pressure from some quarters to capitalise on the moment for political gain.
“When we met, and we made a decision to form the real unity government, there were those who said, ’Don’t be foolish, this is your chance to be the leader of the country,’” Penn stated.
“This is your chance to derail the government, call for elections, let’s go. This is your turn,” he continued.
“There were those who said, ‘You’re stupid for supporting them’,” Penn added.
Despite those calls, Penn said his reasons for entering public life guided his decision to do so.
“I remember very clearly the reason why I got into representative politics. It was never about my own personal ambitions. It was never about me empowering myself or my family or anybody around me,” he said.
“It was always about representing what is good and right for the people of the Eighth District… and the people of these Virgin Islands,” Penn stated.
The COI report, released on April 29, 2022, recommended sweeping reforms and proposed suspending parts of the territory’s Constitution, which would have enabled direct rule from the UK.
In response, political leaders formed a bipartisan coalition — the unity government — in May 2022 to implement reforms and avert constitutional suspension.
Penn said he reflected on the territory’s historical struggles when making his decision. “I reflected on not just the March in 1949… but the journey of our people and our ancestors,” he said.
The 1949 march is widely regarded as a pivotal moment that led to the restoration of a form of democratic governance in the Virgin Islands.
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None of you cared about the wishes of the people. You saw an opportunity to become a minister and you grabbed it. I am not buying that this was done for country. The people wanted to go back to the polls.
The Hon.gentleman is making the case day by day what is reason will be for crossing the floor ,so that when it happens it will go down easier for his supporters.Perhaps something is shifting at the NDP and if it does not go his way he has an off ramp with VIP.
Smurf getting ready to jump .Listin to wha a tellin ayo. Them man want other leadership at NDP and smurf ain happy .
Smurf getting ready to jump ,lis in to wha a tellin ayo.Someting happening at NDP and them man want different leadership .Smurf ain happy.
I was sick to my stomach with them beating their chest in the House of Assembly like they did something big. The country is still a mess in every which way just like how it was before the COI.
It is actually worse than before the COI. VIP must go!
This man is going on his 5th term and still talks the same s**t. No substance, no leadership, no plans, no vision, just old boring talk.
He will be backed by a solid team and will grow in his purpose.
Marlon is a waste of time. If you know him you very well know that’s the truth. But maybe he is a family member so you rather sacrifice the country than tell him the truth. Coward!
I Listened to his incoherent debate last week. Father help the BVI
I saw that there was something in a unity government for me, I got a taste of power, so I didn’t bother with frazer and othes.
Because he is not uppity and fights society ,some of you hate him . He will be where the Lord has his destiny.
Even before he entered into his mother’s womb, His life was mapped out . So no matter how some of you discredit him he will be where he ought to be ….
Bouncer for the 8th
Look at this sleeper. Anyhow the NdP make him the leader they will definitely lose the next election