Mark Vanterpool confirms he will not participate in 2023 polls

By MERRICK ANDREWS
Online News Editor

Fourth District Representative Mark Vanterpool, known as the “Action Man”, will not be contesting the upcoming British Virgin Islands General Elections.

Vanterpool made the disclosure on Monday during an exclusive interview with JTV’s senior journalist, Cathy Richards.

The veteran politician said though he will bow out of politics this time around, he still be giving “support in the background”.

In the interview, he thanked the people of the Fourth District for their support over the years.

Calling himself a “statesman,” having served on the government side for over two decades, Vanterpool said he will be supporting the “best team elected to carry forward the mantle of the country”.

Vanterpool said despite not attending meetings, he is still a member of the National Democratic Party (NDP) and will remain a member until the House of Assembly is dissolved to pave the way for the elections.

He lauded the Government of National Unity, of which he is a member, saying “they did a good job holding it together”.

According to CaribbeanElections.com, “On 17 May 1999, Vanterpool was elected to the Legislative Council of the Virgin Islands to represent the people of the Fourth Electoral District, the capital, Road Town and its surroundings.

“The 16 June 2003 election resulted in his return to the Legislature, but on the Opposition bench, after the defeat of The Virgin Islands Party (VIP), on whose slate he ran for the first time since leaving the National Democratic Party (NDP).”

“Returning to the NDP, Vanterpool lost his bid for re-election in the 2007 election. He however returned to Parliament as the representative for the Fourth Electoral District in the 2011 election on the NDP ticket. He was appointed Minister for Communications and Works. He was re-elected in 2015 and reappointed to the Cabinet.”