NDP Can’t Win With Penn; Needs Walwyn, Vanterpool

Political commentator Claude Skelton Cline believes voters will reject the National Democratic Party (NDP) under Chairman Marlon Penn, warning that the party must replace him with At-Large Representative Ronnie Skelton and reunite with Myron Walwyn and Mark Vanterpool to have a fighting chance at the next general election.

Speaking on his radio programme on 14 July, Skelton Cline said the NDP sealed its political fate when Penn became Chairman in the party's internal elections in April.

“You won the battle, and then you committed yourself simultaneously to losing the war,” he said. “The only fighting chance the NDP has of uncommitting themselves to a losing war is to change leadership.”

Skelton Cline recommended making Ronnie Skelton the substantive leader of the party, arguing that the move could bring Vanterpool back and secure Walwyn’s continued support.

“You make the At Large member, Skelton, the substantive head of that party. Mark will come back, Myron will stay where he is, everybody else will breathe and fall in line,” he said.

BVI Not Ready For Walwyn Or Vanterpool To Lead, But NDP Needs Them

However, the commentator said Virgin Islanders are not yet prepared to accept either Walwyn or Vanterpool as leader of the Territory, although they still want both men involved.

“The people in this country are not yet ready for either one of those persons to lead this country,” he said. “They want them to be on the ship, but not in the leadership position.”

Skelton Cline said the restructuring would not guarantee an NDP victory, but would make its path to government less difficult.

“Maybe enough of you can then convince enough of us in this country why we should vote for you,” he said. “You would still have a steep hill to climb. It just would not be as steep as it is now.”

Vanterpool contested the NDP chairmanship in April but lost to Penn. He immediately left the party and formed the People’s Leadership Movement (PLM).

Walwyn also unsuccessfully challenged Second District Representative Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull for the deputy chairmanship. He remained with the NDP but has maintained a low profile since the internal elections.