Vanterpool’s moves after NDP chairmanship loss spark questions
Questions are emerging within political circles following recent moves by former legislator Mark Vanterpool in the aftermath of the National Democratic Party’s (NDP) April 18 congress, which featured internal leadership elections.
In the days before delegates voted, Vanterpool wrapped his vehicle in NDP colours and branding — a public show of confidence as he contested the party’s chairmanship. However, after losing the post to Eighth District Representative Marlon Penn, the branding was quietly removed, fuelling uncertainty about his political future with the political organisation. The shift stood in contrast to his earlier public display of party loyalty.
While Vanterpool has not publicly addressed the change, the development has sparked debate about whether he intends to remain within the party. BVI News reached out to Vanterpool for comment, but the former legislator had not responded up to publication time.
The uncertainty comes against the backdrop of longstanding internal tensions within the NDP. The party has faced years of infighting and fragmentation, with factions previously reluctant to unify under certain leadership figures. Although recent efforts were aimed at presenting a cohesive front, observers say lingering divisions may still be influencing decisions behind the scenes.
In the meantime, some within the electorate believe Penn may lack the financial networks needed to attract major campaign donors who can provide resources to run a successful political campaign. In contrast, Vanterpool — a well-established businessman — is widely viewed by supporters as someone capable of mobilising significant financial backing for the party.
As the political landscape begins to shift ahead of the constitutionally due 2027 general elections, whether Vanterpool remains within the NDP could prove pivotal as the party seeks to maintain unity in an increasingly competitive environment.
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Not a man going follow mark or Malone 4 more years for vip
Who following the premier? He also has no one behind him who anyone will follow. Our country has been taken down a slippery path and we keep slipping. We can’t take any more
No loyalty. Self centered.
Mark is 100% right. That NDP election was allegedly rigged to the max by Marlon.
Everyone who was in the room watched for themselves that the 2 boxes empty before voters started putting in their ballots. They were up front in front of everyone – not moved until the last ballot was counted. All the candidates for Chairman and Vice Chairman had front row seats. Tell us how was it rigged?
Excluding Hon. Skelton, ask the ones who lost what they were offering. Corruption begins right there. Our country is not for sale. We must rebuild.
Why didn’t he tell the public he was begging the delegates to overlook what he and his siter did to the party and they should forgive him because everybody made mistakes?
Nobody other than his family is behind him to lead nothing. NHI is killing us, and they are a huge part of the problem.
How quick he unwrapped and gone back to run in district 4 says it all. His intentions were not pure. The NDP brand name will not be taken through the mud anymore.
Mistake? But allegedly unwrapped ndp to wrap vip? His intentions was to do it again. In fact he was going to pull Lorna over. Our country has suffered enough. It is Time for stability. Let him stay over there.
The people of the BVI would be foolish to vote Mark back in as representative. smh
Unfortunately, Luce will win. Mark should take that internal ndp election as a sign. Don’t say we didn’t warn him.
Good going Mark. I don’t know who in their right mind would let Marlon and Mitch lead them. The NDP voters got to be half crazy or something.
There are lots of right minds who will be right by their sides supporting, guiding and encouraging them. They must be leading their districts right, if they keep winning. No to jumping rabbits; yes to stability. Once they allow Ronnie to guide them in the finances, we good. Th als in advance Ronnie for sharing your knowledge. The entire team will make BVI great again.
The fact that you admit that people will be guiding them shows that they need guidance and they are not ready and you know this. You call on Ronnie? The same Ronnie they pushed out? Poor you and them
Your point hits the nail on the head ,So they essentially rejected Hon. Skelton, basically saying you dont have what it takes to lead us , but expect that he will happily contribute to making them look good by financially guiding them ? And this is a man who has is own aspirations to be Premier. I dont think so
We go to a job, there is someone who was there before, and is now back, what is wrong with learning from that person? It is not that the new persons do not know basic accounting, as in the case of Marlon and Mitch. At the end of the day, the fact is that they need to be up and running quickly and Skelton already knows the system. There are much more to fix in addition to a broken finance system. All hands on deck.
I think Melvin “Mitch” Turnbull is an accountant. I stand to be corrected.
A team sopport each other in its strength and weakness.
Mark stripping his car. Shows immense immaturity on his part.
Politics is not a game . If these people are notvserious go sit down .
NDP os the best hope for this country
Just like people guided the first set of NDP and VIP ministers when they first got in. Same process.
Guidance, a wonderful word. You have a problem with Marlon and Mitch needing ‘guidance’? Really? Who is guiding the present Government? We are paying at least six consultants $10,000 a month and the guidance is not evident. At least with Hon. Skelton we will see the fruits.
The Bible speaks about looking at the speck in your neighbours eyes and not the plank in your own eyes. That is the problem with young people these days. There is nothing wrong with taking advice from someone who has been there and done something, or have experience that you do not have. Our country is suffering now because the experience of running and managing millions of dollars is not evident in this Government’s resume. So if Hon. Penn and Hon. Turnbull has the same problem, but has the opportunity to be assisted by someone who has, that should be the better recipe for success. We are really heading backwards since common sense is not common these days.
How is this benefitting the BVI or its population? What are we gaining from it? Whether Mark run or walk, he will still eat, drink and be merry.
Don’t fool urselves alot of these Politicians want the top seat..and would do any or everything to get it.
What’s the story here though. The elections are over and the man remove the campaign paraphernalia from his vehicle.
Mark and he sister gonna be on the same side at the end of the day. She not gonna be in one part of politics and he in the other. They got to go government house together and considered 2 in 1 and 1 in 2. Do not be fooled people. They don’t care a crap about this country and none ah we. It is all self interest for them and their families. What more do you need to see and know. Think they gonna stop screwing us over? nahh. it will only get worse
Definitely not love of country – appears to be all about self.
Was not a good D4 rep – hope the voters use their heads and do the right thing and vote for what’s best to move the BVI forward.
Individual has options – can also consider running in their homeland.
time will tell it all. just hold on and the truth will show itself
Marlon allegedly rigged the delegates list. When people walked in room they hardly knew most of the people. The whole of east end were delegates in districts where they did not live or vote.
That sounds so stupid. An election is around the corner and you all really think people was waiting on you all to come back to get ready for the next general election? That is really really stupid.
With pleasure, that can be checked. We have no problem with that at all.
Were you thete? Stop the slander. For a Christian nation we need to stop lying on prople
What you won’t say is half who complaining about seeing new faces weren’t present to meetings over the years. It’s obvious New district delegates came forward as some of the older ones weren’t coming to meetings.
Party has been rebuilt with bold interested persons mixed with some veterans.
I thought he was done with politics anyway.
No No No…
Mark will form a NEW Party , giving the voters a 3 rd choice — As the NDP continues with their “ internal “ struggle
Mark will form a NEW Party , giving the voters a 3 rd choice — As the NDP continues with their “ internal “ struggle
There’s no internal struggle. Mark came to ONE NDP meeting in the last 3 years!! That’s right!!! He wouldn’t know half the people cause he only came to the last meeting before the convention. He already tried to form a new party and it didn’t work out. Maybe he need to join the VIP 2 . He won’t need to spend his money cause the barge money Andrew gave away will fund the A L I 1 3 VIP 2