Hon. Myron Walwyn, Hon. Marlon Penn, Hon. Ronnie W. Skelton, Hon. Mitch Turnbull and Mark V. Vanterpool, are central figures as the party prepares to hold a convention on April 18 to elect its leadership, a vote that comes amid a broader reunification of former party members ahead of the next general election.
Speaking in an interview with Cathy Richards of JTV, Bishop Cline Bishop John I. Cline, interim president of the National Democratic Party (NDP), said the convention will determine key positions, including chairman, deputy chairman and other executive roles, in accordance with the party’s constitution. Hon. Marlon Penn currently serves as interim chairman, a position he assumed following internal changes within the party’s leadership.
“The best thing to do is to adhere to the spirit and the law of the Constitution,” Bishop Cline said. “Go to a convention and elect your officers. That is what we will do.”
The convention follows a period of political fragmentation within the NDP, which saw senior members, including Hon. Ronnie Skelton and Hon. Mitch Turnbull, separate from the party in 2019 and later form the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM). That split contributed to a divided opposition in subsequent elections, including the 2019 and 2023 general elections.
In recent weeks, the PVIM was dissolved, and both Skelton and Turnbull have returned to the NDP, signaling a shift toward consolidation within the opposition. Bishop Cline said the reunification reflects public concern about division among political groups.
“The people are saying you cannot expect to govern this country divided,” he said. “Those differences are not enough to keep us separated and not put the views and the wishes of the people ahead of all of that.”
The NDP, which governed the Virgin Islands from 2011 to 2019, has historically been one of the two dominant political parties in the territory, alongside the Virgin Islands Party (VIP). During its time in office, the party oversaw major infrastructure and policy initiatives, including the expansion of the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital and the introduction of National Health Insurance.
However, internal disagreements led to the departure of several senior figures, including Skelton, who served as a former minister, and Turnbull, contributing to the formation of alternative political groupings such as PVIM and later the Alliance. Those divisions were widely viewed as weakening the opposition’s electoral prospects.
Bishop Cline said the decision to reunify was influenced by voter sentiment and the need to present a cohesive alternative to the current administration.
“You cannot look to win an election against the Virgin Islands Party divided,” he said. “There’s only one way to victory.”
The upcoming convention is expected to formalize the party’s leadership structure following these developments. Bishop Cline said positions, including his own as interim president, will be subject to election.
“It is not some personality-driven organization,” he said. “The strength of the party is in the Constitution, and the longevity of the party will be in the Constitution.”
The leadership vote may also attract interest from returning and prospective candidates, including figures seeking to reestablish influence within the party. While Bishop Cline said he had not yet reviewed formal nominations, he indicated that multiple individuals are expected to contest key positions.
Political observers in the territory have noted that the outcome of the convention could shape the NDP’s strategy heading into the next election, particularly as it seeks to rebuild after years of internal division.
Bishop Cline said the party’s focus remains on stabilizing its internal structure and responding to public expectations.
“We are putting structure in place so that no matter who comes or who goes, the party remains guided by its constitution,” he said.
The convention is scheduled for Saturday, April 18.
