‘Vanterpool is still with us,’ NDP leaders now say
The reunified National Democratic Party (NDP) appears to be sending mixed messages about the status of senior member Mark Vanterpool, as two top party figures are now insisting that he is part of the organisation, despite recent claims that he walked away following his failed bid for the party’s chairmanship.
The latest comments come weeks after outgoing NDP President John Cline stated during a Facebook Live broadcast that Vanterpool had effectively left the party after losing the internal election to Marlon Penn and even took back office space he had reportedly provided to the organisation.
However, current NDP Chairman Marlon Penn and newly elected president Paul Hewlett are now publicly disputing suggestions that Vanterpool formally exited the party. Speaking recently on the Talking Points radio programme, Penn said he had not seen any official indication that Vanterpool had resigned from the NDP.
“I can’t say that’s accurate. I have not seen anything formal saying that he has or has not,” Penn stated when asked to confirm that Vanterpool had stepped out of the party. Penn further said all candidates who contested leadership positions pledged support for the organisation both before and after the election.
“And all I could do is trust the man’s word until he shows otherwise,” Penn added.
Meanwhile, Hewlett made similar comments during a recent interview on ZBVI Radio, insisting the party has received no formal resignation from Vanterpool.
“We haven’t received [any letter] as a party, and I am the president,” Hewlett said. “I’m informing one and all that we have received nothing in writing, nothing official, from the honourable Mark Vanterpool, that he has left the party.”
“As far as we are concerned, he’s still very much a part of the party until we’re told otherwise,” Hewlett added while also stressing that the party remained united.
There has been widespread speculation around Vanterpool’s status in the NDP after he wrapped his vehicle with NDP paraphernalia days before the internal election and immediately unwrapped it after losing the bid. A leaked letter later revealed that the former elected leader had raised issues about the party’s delegate selection to outgoing NDP president John Cline, before the internal election.
Notably, Vanterpool has made no public statements since the controversy.
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NDP is dead in the water with Marlon and Mitch leading it. Let us see who in their right mind would follow those two weaklings.
We must remember that the giants of our history, H. Lavity Stoutt, Terrance B. Lettsome, and Ivan Dawson, began their journey as “country guys” whom many underestimated. Yet, when our people chose to believe in them, they transformed our nation. H. Lavity Stoutt became our first Chief Minister, building the foundations of our modern economy and education. Terrance B. Lettsome dedicated 36 years to public service, ensuring our connectivity to the world. Ivan Dawson served with distinction as a minister and Speaker, proving that humble beginnings lead to great leadership. Today, we face a similar moment. Instead of meeting our young leaders with pessimism, let us offer them the same chance we gave those who came before. Public service is a difficult, often thankless job, but it is the heartbeat of our progress. By encouraging those who step forward to serve, we aren’t just supporting individuals, we are investing in the next “history-makers” of our country. Let’s lead with hope, not doubt, and give this new generation the opportunity to prove that the best of our history is yet to be written. Hold them up!
This isn’t an issue about country vs town. This is an issue about who is really ready to lead. What have the two of them done in life? Really, can someone answer that for me? What have they accomplished? Point to their work? Mark does more in a year than the two of them have done – combined – in their whole privileged lives. We need to get real in this place.
I agree with you to a point, but my point is that we should not totally discard them but look at what they could do if given the chance. I can’t recall them being Ministers as such, and they have always followed the lead from others. This may be an opportunity to prove otherwise.
We live in a much more complicated world now and it just does not make sense to put the whole Territory in jepordybuecause we want to give a test run to 2 unknowns. In fact they should be the ones asking to be mentored,that what the responsible move would be .But thses days noboady wants to folow .But the characteristic of a good leader is knowing when to follow.
Marlon first got elected in 2011 – we in 2026. If he ain’t learn, I have to ask if he could learn. Mitch isn’t his own man, so I can’t rely on that to lead me anywhere. The country is in problems, and we need to get real about this.
I am not speaking on Town Vs Country, but underestimating people before they are given a proper chance to prove themselves.
Give them a chance to do what? You blind? You can’t see by now that Marlon is a lazy, uninspiring man? What more do you need see? Make him Premier of your house then. When are we going to get sense in this place. As an example, we all knew Andrew was no good. Ralph O’Neal and others told us so plus we notice for ourselves. We still say give him a chance and look what happen. Look at Marlon district. Talk to the people in his district and they will tell you. And you saying to give him a chance with 35k people when 600 people who he represents telling you that he is not a good representative? Learn sense!
Chances are not deserved. You have to atleast have the competency to lead. Penn/Turnbull did very little as district reps. I’ve lived in both. Not even streetlights they can areange
But what does Vanterpool say??
Marlon is weak he cannot run a candy store of course mark left and he has said so to many of us
How would you know that?
Nobody could save NDP from another crushing defeat with Marlon as the leader. The guy just doesn’t have it period.
Only Myron, as the leader, can save NDP PERIOD!!!!
Mark has long gone and he could blame him. The talk during NDP convention coming from the mouth of the NDP themselves was that they don’t want no island man heading up their party. They did the same thing to Myron. So why you want island man Mark to stay with you? He is good enough to help you win but not good enough to lead? Mark go about your business and leave these badminded and wicked people alone.
You are on point Anonymous , but give them credit , they realized real quick that without M and M in leadership positions this version of the NDP was going NOWHERE. So someone said wheel and come again. This xenophobia will come back and bite us in the @ss. What i have noticed though is that if someone of “down island” ancestorygains some fame overseas we are quick to call tehm our own.
Mark may have said to some of you that he is finished, but who can believe it until he makes it official. Do you remember what caused the war between Willock and himself, he resigined and took it back,we have to be careful about unofficial statements,just a word of caution.
There were over 100 delegates, comprising responsible people. Even if that was said, are you saying all the delegates said this? Or you just strung on the ones who did not vote for who you wanted?
My People of This Beloved V.I. Territory, Enough with The Bagga, Bagga of WHO will be the Next Top Leader of This Here, V.I. Overseas Territory. God is Raising up a Next Moses who WILL take our People out of the Wilderness, and God is NOT a Man that He should Lie. Stay Focused my People and Stay Positive in Words and Thoughts. This Next Election, God will Direct The Voters By Whose Names to Put Their “X”.
Don’t Take My Words But Seek God for Yourselves. Enough with all the Passa, Passa and Negativity on All Angles. Speak only Truth or Be Quiet and Watch God Work. Not a Prophet by any Mean. Today is World Day Of Prayer. Many Warnings were sent out to Many Countries in the Caribbean and Wider World. Just Remember, This Territory is No Different. Prayers Changes Things. Serious Days ahead. Wake Up BVI and Get Serious. Serious Times Call for Serious Measures. God has a Serious Warning for the People of This Territory. Stay Woke and Stay Prayed Up!!!!
Mark has royally effed the NDP and the BVI at least 4 times in the past 25 years. We don’t learn? 2001 he left the NDP midterm to join the VIP. In 2019 he caused a spectacle by resigning from the HOA less than a month after being elected. 2022 he and his brothers and sister orchestrated for In Your Corner to leave the NDP where they could have formed the government, and made a deal for her with the VIP, in their own self interests. Now here in 2026 he doesn’t get his way, in the NDP internal elections, so he is causing another uproar and possibly taking Zoe with him through this mess. We wont talk about the basketball Complex overruns or the $50 million pier park with 5 buildings that dont cost $1 million each and 15 kiosks that didnt cost $20k each. Add in some piles and do the math. Raping the NHI system too. Lets see what the 4th district will do because clearly he is coming back to run in the 4th.
You really think that Mark and Hon.Lorna Smith is responsible for the NDP not formingna Government in 2022?? It was a mess, she was smart to walk away. Where is that same rationale for Hon. Liberator Fraser or Hon. Budda Mather? That was a sound strategic decision and they continue to have the exact same mindset.
M ~V is saying )> these jokers might of pull the wool over ya’al eyes ,( not dis olboi ) I done see through the rodeo game they played • ah gah news fo dem who banging off their mouths ~ and just making noise ~ they need to educate themselves on what land that is surrounded by water is called ~ and hopefully the school children will be taught that in the schools • and am prepared to get my sheet of licks from those “holey” para~sites that we have here acting like they just stepped down from heaven ~ lord help us .
believe aligns with open discourse principles. I would like to understand better the guidelines applied in this instance and discuss potential avenues for dialogue on how we can uphold both safety and freedom of expression.”