Vanterpool hints at premiership ambitions during PLM launch
Former Communications and Works Minister Mark Vanterpool has signalled that he is seeking a return to frontline politics with ambitions that could eventually lead to the Premiership, as he launches what he described as a grassroots-driven People’s Leadership Movement (PLM) in the Virgin Islands.
Speaking during an interview following a public meeting last night, Vanterpool repeatedly positioned himself as a leader capable of guiding the territory through what he described as a leadership void, while insisting that the movement would determine who ultimately leads the country.
“We are building a movement from the grassroots up that more than likely will eventually become what we call a party in the country,” Vanterpool stated. “We need to unite together behind a leader. A leader who has the vision, the courage, the willingness, the strength to unite the people of the Virgin Islands instead of dividing us.”
When asked directly whether he was aiming to become Premier, Vanterpool stopped short of making a formal declaration but acknowledged the possibility.
“The movement will dictate that, and hopefully one day that is possible,” Vanterpool stated.
He added that the movement intends to build support through direct engagement with residents rather than through traditional party structures. “We are going to build this movement so that the people of the Virgin Islands will decide who will lead them and how they want to be led,” Vanterpool stated.
During the interview, Vanterpool highlighted his decisive leadership and cited his role in delivering major infrastructure projects, such as the Tortola Pier Park, under a previous administration.
“Because I believe, again, the country is void of leadership,” Vanterpool stated. “The last person who did that was me, Mark Vanterpool, when we executed the Cruise Pier.”
He also compared his leadership style to that of former Chief Minister Hamilton Lavity Stoutt, whom he described as his mentor. “He cleared the way to execute the vision, and he executed without excuses. I believe that’s my style of leadership,” Vanterpool stated.
Vanterpool said the movement would spend the coming months consulting with residents in communities across the territory before deciding whether to formally transition into a political party. “It’s a movement right now,” Vanterpool stated. “Eventually, if the people say so, it’ll become a political party.”
Vanterpool recently contested the leadership of the National Democratic Party (NDP) but lost to Eighth District Representative, Marlon Penn. Following the internal contest, he quietly hinted at signs of leaving the party and began promoting his new political movement.
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Mark is desperate, he has bitten off more than he can chew.
The term déjà vu is French for “already seen” and describes the illusion of familiarity when encountering a new situation. This is the same thing the leader of PVIM did, these people think this is a joke and only what they say goes.
Mark Go Sid Down; we have seen what you and your sister is capable of doing. We had enough of you and your family.
No, not this time.
Trick un once and two times, shame on us but not this time.
Mark is desperate, he has bitten off more than he can chew.
Surely the VI people are not that stupid. No one should be voting for Mark after he disrespected your votes last time.
We don’t just need to get rid of HOA13 We need to get rid of all these elitist old style leaders.
Not sure if it’s prudent to change the Captain during global unheavel and start with a fresh 13 learning on the job.Experience counts.
Experience in what exactly, what has all the experience you talk about done for the country in the last 16 years.
The same question could be asked about the inexperienced. What have they done in the past how many years?
We don’t need experienced people that only have experience in serving themselves.
That experience gets minus points. So any one that is not just in it for themselves are already a better option when we take experience into account.
The captain and some of the onlookers are who got us where we are. We are not going down like the titanic. Create all the VIP2 you all want.
To recruit another set of elite waiting in the wingsAll13MustGo!
ever ever..
Whilst people may not have said it outright to this man’s face. The people of the BVI have watched him and his family take full advantage of the British Virgin Islands for their personal monetary gains. Not only that, but they are all willing to do this at the EXPENSE of the people of the BVI. Putting themselves in high-ranking positions NOT to protect the interests of the BVI people, but purely to protect the interests of their family members. ANYONE who votes for this man or his party should be sectioned.
This man is a threat to our very own existence! People don’t be fooled.
Mark is like a child. Didn’t get his way under the NDP, the SAME party he so touted as the Family is back together stronger than ever and was FIRST to break up the family over a seat. CHILDISH! He must be having money trouble again. Last time he left politics and came back OneMart was on its knees. People need to wake up!!!
He could easily sell One Mart , there are numerous locals as well as outsiders that would pay a hefty sum to purchase an up and running sucessful business. I beleieve that he has a vision and the Territroy best interest at heart. We must stop with the wealth envy and instead use people like Mark to insipre us to achieve. Anywhere else a person who worked their way up to what he has achieved would be honoured
By The Time This Finish, They Will Spend a Good 5 Million Dollars !!!!!
Talk bad about mark is selfish but I guess you all didn’t know that mark built the first full court basketball court inter village basketball league out of his own money. Back then he was no more than 20 years old when he did it
ChatGP doesn’t trust Mark Vanterpool.
HAS TAKEN OVER THIS SITE ,WITH HIS ENVIOUS DND GUTTER MENTALITY LYRICS AGAIN ALMOST ALL THE BLOGGINGS IS FROM HIS PEN AND HIS DIIRTY THOUGHTS , USING DIFFERENT NAMES TO FOOL US . SOONER OR LATER ONE AH DEM LIL BOIZ GO EXPOSE YOU .FREE YOUR MIND FROM YOUR EVILNESS, B 4 YOU FREE THE DREW / YOUR HERO
Premier, please call a snap election so we can put this unbridled foolishness to rest. Even Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder can see what is going on here.
If he calls a snap election, he too will be out of office.
The BVI. – British Vanterpool Islands
So this is how it will go down-
1. Mark’s slate will divide NDP and pull a few votes from VIP. It is not about winning a majority for his new party.
2. There will be no majority.
3. Mark may get a seat or two.
4. Whether NDP or VIP, he will go with whichever side.
5. He will negotiate to get what suits him and the family’s personal ambitions.
6. In the end, without a strong ‘no’ from the people, the family will win.
7. And finally, the BVI will be rebranded the British Vanterpool Islands.
Clever but transparent. Just as the VIP is in his pocket so too will be the next government. Nothing will change until everyone says enough is enough.
I just watched his speech on facebook and he definitely won’t be getting my vote. If you can’t even get our country’s name right, then you don’t deserve to hold office. Stop calling us the British Virgin Islands. WE ARE THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.
The man is neither an ancestral Virgin Islander nor bahn here- he needs to just quit
Myron has more rights than he. He needs to go sit down.
Has this country become a laughing stork for the world. Will there be no room for BVIslanders?/. Keep thinking.
We so easy to forget in this place.
Look at the picture carefully in this article.
https://bvinews.com/cornerstone-lorna-smith-joins-vip-to-help-form-new-govt/