Speaking on The Morning Facts with Cindy Rosan on May 21, Vanterpool rejected suggestions that he influenced his sister’s decision to support the Virgin Islands Party administration after she was elected as an at-large representative on the National Democratic Party ticket.

“Honourable Lorna Smith, if you know my sister, my dear sister, if you know her, she’s a very intelligent person,” Vanterpool said. “She is a very clear-minded person of the direction she wants to go, and she makes her own decisions.”

Smith’s decision in April 2023 altered the political balance of the House of Assembly after no party secured an outright majority in the general election. The Virgin Islands Party won six seats, one short of the seven required to form a government. Shortly after the election, Smith agreed to support the Virgin Islands Party administration led by Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley and was subsequently appointed Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade. The move generated significant public debate because she had campaigned as a National Democratic Party candidate and is married to former Premier Dr. D. Orlando Smith, founder of the National Democratic Party.

Vanterpool said the controversy surrounding the decision has overshadowed what he views as its benefits for the Territory.

“Was it the right decision? I will stand here and say, I think it was,” he said. “The territory needed her expertise in what she was doing.”

He argued that Smith’s decades of experience in public administration, financial services and economic development would have had a greater impact from within government than from the opposition benches.

“I didn’t think the territory would benefit from that expertise as well from the backbench or from an opposition side,” Vanterpool said. “What she did benefited the territory, and it continues to benefit the territory.”

The former Fourth District representative also dismissed claims that he played a role in persuading Smith to support the government.

“It was her decision,” Vanterpool said. “I don’t want people to think that she’s a very intelligent person who makes her own decisions as to what she should do. She made a decision, and I support it.”

Smith herself previously stated that neither her husband, former Premier Dr. D. Orlando Smith, nor others made the decision for her, emphasizing that it was a choice she reached independently after post-election discussions.

While acknowledging that some voters disagreed with the move, Vanterpool said elected officials must ultimately focus on governing rather than political divisions.

“People will always have opposition to that kind of thing because people hold on to the party subject and all those issues when an election is over,” he said. “Let’s see how we can make the country better.”

Vanterpool maintained that Smith’s decision should be judged by its impact on the Territory rather than the political controversy it generated.

“I will not flinch by saying that I think she made the right decision,” he said. “What she did benefited the territory.”

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Vanterpool, in a letter dated April 9,  raised concerns about whether delegates in districts 1, 5 and 7 were selected through properly convened district association meetings and whether the process complied with the party’s constitution. He also questioned the eligibility of certain participants and suggested delaying the finalization of the delegate list to allow additional meetings.

In response, Cline said the process followed the party’s constitutional framework, emphasizing that district associations — not candidates — are responsible for selecting delegates.

“To suggest there was something unfair at the convention level is irresponsible,” Cline said during a public address. “No candidate has any right to select delegates — that is the sole responsibility of the district associations.”

Cline confirmed that each district association is tasked with sending delegates to the convention and that candidates are required to campaign for those delegates’ votes once selected.

“You don’t get to pick who votes for you — that’s not how a democratic process works,” he said. “One hundred and twenty-one delegates made a decision, and that decision must be respected.”

The exchange between the two men followed a closely contested leadership election. Penn secured 65 votes to retain the chairmanship, while Vanterpool received 39 votes and Ronnie W. Skelton received 17. Turnbull was elected deputy chairman with 64 votes, defeating Myron V. Walwyn, who received 57.

Cline also addressed the concerns in a written response, stating that the NDP constitution establishes district associations as responsible for political organization at the district level and for putting forward delegates. He noted that while the constitution does not prescribe a specific meeting solely for delegate selection, it implies that such decisions should arise from properly convened association meetings.

“The preferred and constitutionally consistent approach is that delegates emerge from properly convened association processes,” Cline wrote.

He further clarified that membership in district associations is based on residency and that both association officers and delegates should come from within their respective districts.

Cline said the party’s executive committee has authority to ensure district associations remain functional and may facilitate meetings where necessary to maintain compliance with the constitution. He added that the concerns raised by Vanterpool were reviewed and that guidance was issued to relevant districts.

The matter gained public attention after both Vanterpool’s letter and Cline’s response were circulated.

Cline rejected suggestions that the dispute reflects broader instability within the party.

“The party is not breaking up — the core is strong,” he said. “This is not a game. The politics of this country is not a playground.”

The NDP has maintained that the convention was conducted in accordance with its constitution and that the outcome reflects the will of the delegates as the party prepares for the next general election.

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During the April 14 broadcast of Honestly Speaking on ZBVI Radio, host Claude Skelton Cline questioned the basis on which key national decisions are being taken, particularly in relation to ongoing constitutional discussions. “What measurements are being used?” he asked, pointing to what he described as a lack of data-driven decision-making.

The House of Assembly is the territory’s legislative body, responsible for making laws, approving budgets and overseeing government actions. It operates within the framework of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007, which outlines governance structures, including the role of elected members and the appointment of the Premier.

Skelton Cline said that while major policy decisions are being discussed, including constitutional reform, there is little public evidence that those decisions are being guided by comprehensive data such as census information or national assessments. “We don’t even know how many people are in the country,” he said, questioning how planning decisions can be made without current population data.

He also raised concerns about whether constitutional expertise is being sufficiently utilized. “Which constitutional lawyer… sat with you through this exercise?” he asked, referring to the ongoing review of governance structures.

Claude Skelton Cline

Under the current system, the House of Assembly consists of 15 members, including 13 elected representatives, and serves as the primary law-making body in the territory. The body is also responsible for debating and shaping policies that affect national development, including constitutional reforms that may require approval from the United Kingdom.

Skelton Cline said decisions of this scale require a higher level of technical input and evidence-based planning, particularly given the long-term implications. He compared the process to making decisions without proper measurements, stating that policies should be informed by verifiable data rather than assumptions.

“Imagine… making decisions based on what you feel, what you think, what you’re guessing,” he said.

The comments come amid ongoing public discussion surrounding governance and constitutional reform in the Virgin Islands, including calls for greater accountability and transparency in decision-making. While the territory maintains internal self-governance, significant structural changes to its political system must align with the existing constitutional framework and, in some cases, receive approval from the United Kingdom.

Skelton Cline urged both officials and the public to seek clarity on how decisions are being made and what information is being used to support them, emphasizing the need for accountability in governance.

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Speaking on the April 14 broadcast of Honestly Speaking on ZBVI Radio, host Claude Skelton Cline pointed to increasing public support for selecting the Premier directly, describing it as part of a broader demand for political reform. “I am with the people of this country on matters such as voting for the Premier,” he said.

Under the current system, the Premier is not chosen by voters in a direct election. Instead, the Governor appoints the leader of the political party or coalition that commands a majority in the House of Assembly. This arrangement reflects the Virgin Islands’ parliamentary model, which is rooted in the British Westminster system.

Skelton Cline said many residents may not fully understand that implementing direct elections would require fundamental changes to that system. “Some of these changes that you are asking for will require a change in the very system in which our constitution is set down,” he said.

He added that such a shift would involve structural reforms beyond simple legislative amendments. “This requires structural and systemic change,” Skelton Cline said, noting that the current framework operates within constitutional limits that are influenced by the United Kingdom.

The Virgin Islands operates as a parliamentary democracy under the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007, with executive authority formally vested in the British monarch and exercised locally through the Governor. While the territory has internal self-governance, significant constitutional changes require approval from the United Kingdom.

Debate over governance reforms has intensified in recent years, particularly following the work of the Constitutional Review Commission, which examined ways to modernize the territory’s political system and respond to public concerns about representation and accountability.

Skelton Cline said the current discussion reflects a broader desire among residents for greater involvement in leadership selection but warned that expectations must be aligned with legal and constitutional realities. “Why are you continuing to purchase a nine-inch shoe when your feet have grown to twelve?” he said, using an analogy to describe what he sees as a mismatch between public demands and the existing governance framework.

He urged government officials to provide clearer guidance to the public on what reforms are feasible and what steps would be required to achieve them. “Somebody needs to say to the people of this country… here is what needs to happen,” he said.

The issue is expected to remain central to ongoing constitutional discussions, as policymakers weigh public calls for reform against the legal and institutional structure that defines governance in the territory.

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Speaking on the April 14 edition of Honestly Speaking on ZBVI Radio, host Claude Skelton Cline said citizens are increasingly rejecting political messaging and are demanding more substantive leadership. “We will not be fooled again,” he said, framing the sentiment as a shift in public attitude toward those in positions of authority.

Skelton Cline said frustration among citizens has reached a level where confidence in leadership is being eroded. “People are fed up with governance,” he said. “There is a loss of trust in leadership.”

He described what he sees as a widening disconnect between governments and the populations they serve, arguing that traditional appeals centered on transparency, accountability and good governance are no longer resonating with the public.

“There is a collective frustration, a loss of trust and believability of all governments,” Skelton Cline said, adding that citizens are increasingly skeptical of political institutions and leadership structures.

According to Skelton Cline, the shift in public sentiment is not confined to any one jurisdiction but reflects a broader pattern emerging across multiple countries. He said citizens are no longer willing to accept what he described as surface-level political messaging, and are instead demanding leadership that demonstrates a clear understanding of current challenges.

He also warned that political parties and candidates who fail to recognize this shift risk further alienating voters. “Good governance and transparency and accountability are not bumper sticker words,” he said, suggesting that repeated use of such language without measurable outcomes has contributed to public distrust.

Skelton Cline said the current environment requires a more deliberate and informed approach to leadership, noting that citizens are paying closer attention to decision-making and its impact on their daily lives. He added that frustration is being fueled in part by economic pressures and broader global uncertainty, which are shaping public expectations of leadership.

He urged leaders to move beyond rhetoric and address underlying issues affecting governance, while encouraging citizens to remain engaged and vocal. “The peoples of the earth are just fed up,” he said.

Skelton Cline indicated that public sentiment is likely to play a significant role in shaping future political outcomes, as voters become more focused on accountability and tangible results.

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Speaking in an interview with Cathy Richards of JTV, Bishop Cline said voters had sent a consistent message to opposition politicians over the years: “You cannot expect to govern this country divided.” He said fragmentation among the NDP, the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) and later the Alliance had weakened the opposition’s chances of forming government.

The split traces back to 2018, when Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton broke from the NDP after the party’s internal leadership contest and went on to form the PVIM. Honourable Melvin “Mitch” Turnbull also left the NDP and joined the new party. The division became a defining feature of the 2019 election cycle, when the VIP won eight of the 13 seats in the House of Assembly and returned to government.

The pattern continued into the 2023 general election. Final results left the House without a clear majority, with the VIP winning six seats, the NDP three, the PVIM three and Progressives United (PU) one. That outcome led to coalition negotiations rather than a direct transfer of power to a unified opposition bloc.

More recently, the opposition has undergone another round of realignment. In March 2025, the NDP and PVIM announced the start of a reunification process after years of division. In March 2026, Honourables Walwyn and Turnbull, who had been operating as part of the Alliance, also rejoined the NDP.

Bishop Cline said those moves reflected public pressure for unity. “There’s only one way to victory,” he said, adding that internal differences should not outweigh what he described as the national interest.

Public reporting over the past year has shown that the reunification process itself has not been without dispute. In March 2025 Turnbull had said that he was unaware of any formal internal process to dissolve the PVIM, while other opposition figures publicly disagreed over whether the NDP and PVIM should have merged on equal terms or one party should absorb the other.

Even so, Bishop Cline said the broader lesson of the past several election cycles was clear: opposition parties that remain fractured are less likely to convince voters they can govern effectively. His argument stops short of proving that division alone caused the opposition’s losses, but election results since 2019 show that the anti-VIP vote has repeatedly been spread across several political groupings rather than consolidated behind one organisation.

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Over the course of the programme, Nibbs Alberto assumed the role of Premier alongside youth Cabinet Ministers Niaeika Aymer, Trishelle Phillips, Rudell Stoute and Zhane Waters, following a swearing-in ceremony officiated by His Excellency Governor Daniel Pruce. The initiative, organised by the Office of the Premier, is designed to provide young people with direct exposure to governance, leadership and public service.

His schedule mirrored that of a serving government official, with structured daily engagements that included high-level meetings, document reviews and interactions with local and regional stakeholders. Nibbs Alberto also met with Premier Hon. Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley and participated in discussions aligned with national development priorities.

On the final day of his tenure, Nibbs Alberto attended meetings at the Cutlass Tower, including engagements with an events team, representatives of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), and United States Virgin Islands FairSali representatives. He later joined Premier Wheatley for a meeting before attending the Agriculture and Fisheries Exhibition and Market Opening Ceremony at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College.

The day concluded with the recording of a closing message and attendance at the VISAR Gourmet Gathering at Government House, marking the end of his week in office.

Throughout the programme, Nibbs Alberto was supported by senior public officers, including Cabinet Secretary Sandra Ward, Deputy Financial Secretaries Jeremy Vanterpool and Dr. Drexel Glasgow, Permanent Secretaries Carolyn Stoutt Igwe, Joseph Smith-Abbott and Natalie Fahie-Smith, and Deputy Permanent Secretaries Dr. Lavon Chalwell-Brewley and Natasha Julius. Additional support was provided by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, including Inspector Terry Humphrey and Officer Gamliel Swift.

The initiative was overseen by a steering committee chaired by Chief Protocol Officer Kareem-Nelson Hull, with Assistant Secretary K’Mari Fahie serving as co-chair, alongside Director of International Affairs Dwynel Davis and Assistant Secretary Cherryl Fahie.

The “Premier for a Week” programme forms part of broader efforts by the Government of the Virgin Islands to engage young people in civic life and provide practical insight into the structure and function of government.

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Interim President of the NDP, Bishop John Ivan Cline, confirmed the development on April 9 during an interview with Cathy Richards of JTV.

“Mark is back, and he is vying for a seat,” Cline said. “It is my understanding that he also is vying for the leadership of the party in terms of chairmanship, but until I see the nomination form, I cannot confirm that.”

There have been weeks of speculation about Mark Vanterpool’s possible return to frontline politics, but this marks the first public statement from within the NDP that he is seeking to re-enter the political arena.

Vanterpool, who previously held senior ministerial roles including Minister of Communications and Works, is seeking to re-enter the political arena as an at-large candidate.

However, his candidacy has not yet been formally confirmed.

Adding to indications of his political return, a fully wrapped vehicle bearing National Democratic Party (NDP) branding and promoting his at-large candidacy has been seen driving around Tortola.

Cline said indications suggest Vanterpool may also pursue a leadership role within the party. His potential return comes as the political landscape remains shaped by the last general election, in which the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), led by Dr Natalio Wheatley, won six of the 13 seats in the House of Assembly. NDP at-large winner Lorna Smith later crossed the floor, giving the VIP the additional support needed to form a coalition government.

Vanterpool retired from politics in March 2019, eight days after winning the Fourth District seat in the general election. He entered politics in 1999 and won the district five times.

In a public statement issued on March 5, 2019, Vanterpool informed the Clerk of the House of Assembly that he would not take his seat and apologised to constituents for the unexpected decision.

His resignation shocked both supporters and political opponents, particularly given his long tenure in public office, which began in 1999 and included multiple terms as Minister for Communications and Works.

Days later, however, Vanterpool reversed course. On March 14, 2019, he withdrew his resignation, arguing that it was invalid because it had not been properly addressed to the Speaker of the House as required under the Constitution.

The reversal triggered a constitutional and legal dispute over whether his seat was vacant. The Speaker of the House maintained that the resignation stood, while Vanterpool challenged that position in court.

On March 26, 2019, then Governor Augustus Jaspert said the resignation was legally invalid, citing advice that an elected member could not resign before being sworn in.

The matter ultimately proceeded to the courts, where Vanterpool prevailed, securing his right to take up the seat despite the earlier resignation attempt.

The businessman’s anticipated return follows a period of political fragmentation within the opposition, including the formation and subsequent dissolution of the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM), which had drawn key figures away from the NDP. The recent reunification of factions within the party has reopened space for experienced political figures to re-emerge.

The last time the NDP won a general election was in 2015 under the leadership of Dr Orlando Smith, who retired from politics in 2018.

Cline suggested that Vanterpool remains a significant figure within the political landscape, citing his prior experience in government.

“He is one of the persons that would be considered strong during his time as a minister,” Klein said, noting that his re-entry could influence both leadership contests and candidate selection.

Under the NDP’s internal process, prospective at-large candidates must first be approved by a territorial committee, which selects individuals it believes can secure public support in a general election. Klein said the process is competitive and limited in scope.

“There are more persons than available positions,” he said. “Whether Mark comes out in the mix is yet to be seen, because it is the committee that makes that decision.”

Vanterpool’s possible bid for party leadership introduces an additional layer of competition within the NDP, where multiple candidates are expected to contest key positions. Party rules prohibit individuals from running for more than one executive role, meaning any leadership bid would require a focused campaign within the party’s internal structure.

While Cline stopped short of confirming Vanterpool’s final intentions, he acknowledged that all indications point to a renewed political role.

“From all indication, that is probably the case,” Cline said.

The outcome of the upcoming convention and candidate selection process is expected to clarify Vanterpool’s position within the party and his prospects for returning to elected office.

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Speaking in an interview with Cathy Richards of JTV, Bishop Cline rejected the view that religious leaders should remain separate from politics, arguing that such a position is not grounded in biblical teaching.

“It’s a misunderstanding and a misguided view,” he said. “There’s no biblical precedent for that position to be taken.”

The discussion comes as Bishop Cline transitions from decades of pastoral leadership at New Life Baptist Church into a more active role in public affairs, including political organizing and potential candidacy. His involvement has prompted questions from some members of the public about whether clergy should engage directly in partisan politics.

Bishop Cline said the concept of separation between church and state originated in historical efforts to limit institutional influence, rather than from religious doctrine.

He cited biblical figures such as Moses and David as examples of leaders who combined spiritual and civic responsibilities, arguing that faith-based leadership can contribute to national development.

Locally, he pointed to historical figures including H. Lavity Stoutt, Ivan Dawson and Terrance B. Lettsome, who were associated with religious ministry while also serving in public leadership roles.

“There’s no precedent for excluding men of God from governance,” Bishop Cline said.

He said his decision to engage more directly in politics reflects a belief that meaningful change requires participation in decision-making.

“I believe sometimes, when you’re in the room where decisions are being made, that’s the best place to be if you want to affect change,” he said.

Bishop Cline added that his approach to leadership would be shaped by his experience in ministry, with a focus on service and community engagement.

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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.

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