He said he believes he has the leadership ability, courage and vision needed to move the Virgin Islands forward and improve the standard of living for residents.
Businessman Mark Vanterpool has confirmed that the People’s Leadership Movement (PLM) was formed after his loss in the National Democratic Party’s recent internal elections.
Speaking to reporters during the movement’s launch last evening May 13, Vanterpool denied claims that he was bitter over losing the race for party chairman to Opposition Leader Marlon Penn.
“I put myself forward to lead the country. The delegates selected a leader for the party, although I have issues with how they were formed. But I’m not a sourpuss to go out there and complain about that,” Vanterpool said.
“I decided to go outside of that [NDP] and form a movement that could eventually become a party,” he added.
After being pressed further, Vanterpool admitted the movement was not planned before the NDP internal elections in April.
“The answer is no. It was not contemplated at the time, and it was absolutely not the plan all along,” he stated.
The former Fourth District Representative did not say exactly when the movement was formed but said supporters encouraged him to return to politics to help the territory.
Vanterpool also confirmed that he will contest the Fourth District seat at the next general election. He said he believes he has the leadership ability, courage and vision needed to move the Virgin Islands forward and improve the standard of living for residents.
He argued that the current crop of leaders lacks the ability to take the territory forward.
“We are building a movement from the grassroots up. That more than likely will eventually become what we call a party in the country. But the People’s Leadership Movement is not focusing on the traditional party type politics. Parties have caused this country to be where it is today,” he said.
He added that the movement will decide when it becomes a political party and when candidates are selected.
“The time will come, and the movement will determine that time,” he stated.
Vanterpool said the PLM plans to meet residents directly in homes, churches and communities to hear their concerns and gather feedback.
As reported earlier, Vanterpool, who has had one of the most recognisable political careers in modern Virgin Islands politics, has now journeyed through multiple political chapters over the years, from the Virgin Islands Party to the NDP, followed by periods of political silence and retirement, before re-emerging once more on the frontline with a fresh political banner.
Speaking to reporters during the movement’s launch last evening May 13, Vanterpool denied claims that he was bitter over losing the race for party chairman to Opposition Leader Marlon Penn.
“I put myself forward to lead the country. The delegates selected a leader for the party, although I have issues with how they were formed. But I’m not a sourpuss to go out there and complain about that,” Vanterpool said.
“I decided to go outside of that [NDP] and form a movement that could eventually become a party,” he added.
After being pressed further, Vanterpool admitted the movement was not planned before the NDP internal elections in April.
“The answer is no. It was not contemplated at the time, and it was absolutely not the plan all along,” he stated.
The former Fourth District Representative did not say exactly when the movement was formed but said supporters encouraged him to return to politics to help the territory.
Vanterpool also confirmed that he will contest the Fourth District seat at the next general election. He said he believes he has the leadership ability, courage and vision needed to move the Virgin Islands forward and improve the standard of living for residents.
He argued that the current crop of leaders lacks the ability to take the territory forward.
“We are building a movement from the grassroots up. That more than likely will eventually become what we call a party in the country. But the People’s Leadership Movement is not focusing on the traditional party type politics. Parties have caused this country to be where it is today,” he said.
He added that the movement will decide when it becomes a political party and when candidates are selected.
“The time will come, and the movement will determine that time,” he stated.
Vanterpool said the PLM plans to meet residents directly in homes, churches and communities to hear their concerns and gather feedback.
As reported earlier, Vanterpool, who has had one of the most recognisable political careers in modern Virgin Islands politics, has now journeyed through multiple political chapters over the years, from the Virgin Islands Party to the NDP, followed by periods of political silence and retirement, before re-emerging once more on the frontline with a fresh political banner.
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