Former Communications and Works Minister and longtime Fourth District Representative Mark Vanterpool has once again shifted political lanes, this time unveiling an entirely new political organisation just weeks after suffering defeat in the National Democratic Party’s (NDP) internal leadership contest.
The new movement, branded the People’s Leadership Movement (PLM), is expected to officially step into the political spotlight this week.
The launch comes against the backdrop of mounting tensions and unanswered questions surrounding Vanterpool’s standing within the NDP following his failed bid to become chairman of the party.
Despite senior NDP figures recently insisting publicly that Vanterpool had not formally resigned, political observers have long argued that the writing had already been on the wall.
The political fallout began shortly after Vanterpool lost the internal contest to Hon. Marlon Penn. In the days leading up to the election, Vanterpool had heavily branded his vehicle with NDP campaign material, only for the signage to disappear almost immediately after the results were announced, fuelling widespread speculation of an internal rupture.
Further controversy erupted after former interim NDP President John Cline disclosed during a Facebook Live broadcast that Vanterpool had effectively distanced himself from the organisation following the loss.
Cline also claimed that Vanterpool reclaimed office space he had reportedly made available to the party.
Soon after, a leaked letter surfaced showing that Vanterpool had raised concerns over the delegate selection process ahead of the internal election, intensifying suggestions of deep fractures within the opposition party.
Even as the rumours swirled, newly elected NDP President Paul Hewlett and Chairman Penn attempted to downplay suggestions of division, publicly maintaining that Vanterpool remained part of the organisation unless he stated otherwise himself.
However, the unveiling of the PLM now appears to put any uncertainty to rest.
Promotional material circulating ahead of the launch positions the new movement around slogans such as “Strong Leadership. Real Solutions. A Better BVI For All,” while outlining themes centred on opportunity, governance, integrity and national unity.
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.
It remains to be seen whether the PLM is simply a protest movement born out of political disappointment or the beginning of a serious attempt to reshape the territory’s political landscape ahead of the next General Election.
The new movement, branded the People’s Leadership Movement (PLM), is expected to officially step into the political spotlight this week.
The launch comes against the backdrop of mounting tensions and unanswered questions surrounding Vanterpool’s standing within the NDP following his failed bid to become chairman of the party.
Despite senior NDP figures recently insisting publicly that Vanterpool had not formally resigned, political observers have long argued that the writing had already been on the wall.
The political fallout began shortly after Vanterpool lost the internal contest to Hon. Marlon Penn. In the days leading up to the election, Vanterpool had heavily branded his vehicle with NDP campaign material, only for the signage to disappear almost immediately after the results were announced, fuelling widespread speculation of an internal rupture.
Further controversy erupted after former interim NDP President John Cline disclosed during a Facebook Live broadcast that Vanterpool had effectively distanced himself from the organisation following the loss.
Cline also claimed that Vanterpool reclaimed office space he had reportedly made available to the party.
Soon after, a leaked letter surfaced showing that Vanterpool had raised concerns over the delegate selection process ahead of the internal election, intensifying suggestions of deep fractures within the opposition party.
Even as the rumours swirled, newly elected NDP President Paul Hewlett and Chairman Penn attempted to downplay suggestions of division, publicly maintaining that Vanterpool remained part of the organisation unless he stated otherwise himself.
However, the unveiling of the PLM now appears to put any uncertainty to rest.
Promotional material circulating ahead of the launch positions the new movement around slogans such as “Strong Leadership. Real Solutions. A Better BVI For All,” while outlining themes centred on opportunity, governance, integrity and national unity.
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.
It remains to be seen whether the PLM is simply a protest movement born out of political disappointment or the beginning of a serious attempt to reshape the territory’s political landscape ahead of the next General Election.
It has nothing to do with the people. This is a clear case of being power hungry, as he said it himself - he wants to be the next Premier and will do so at all cost!