Bishop John I. Cline, interim president of the National Democratic Party (NDP), said Hon. Stacy Mather and Hon. Lorna Smith have not engaged in any discussions, to his knowledge, about joining the party, despite ongoing political realignments ahead of the next general election.
Speaking during an interview with Cathy Richards of JTV, Bishop Cline said neither he nor the party’s leadership has held conversations with the two legislators regarding potential affiliation with the NDP.
“None to my knowledge,” Bishop Cline said when asked whether discussions had taken place. “Not from me, not from the president. I have not engaged in conversation.”
Hon. Mather, who entered the House of Assembly following the 2023 general election, currently sits on the government side, while Hon. Smith, who ran with the NDP in 2023, has maintained an independent political stance. Bishop Cline said both individuals have made their respective decisions regarding political alignment.
“I think they made their decision, and we honor their decision,” he said.
The comments come as the NDP undergoes a process of internal consolidation, including the return of former members and the dissolution of the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM). Bishop Cline said his efforts have focused on organizational reunification rather than recruiting individual politicians.
“I was focused on organizational reunification, not so much individuals,” he said, referring to efforts to bring together factions such as PVIM and the Alliance under the NDP.
While ruling out current engagement, Bishop Cline did not dismiss the possibility of future political shifts.
“I have learned in this political landscape that you can’t say never,” he said, noting that political alliances can change in the period leading up to an election.
He added that discussions about potential candidates and party alignment remain fluid and could evolve as the election cycle progresses.
The NDP is preparing for a convention scheduled for April 18, where party leadership positions will be decided, as part of its broader effort to strengthen its organizational structure ahead of the next general election.
