Accessibility
Text size
While not naming anyone, People’s Leadership Movement (PLM) leader Mark Vanterpool warned against attempts to divide the Virgin Islands, declaring that voters with ancestral ties and those who have made the Territory their home are one people.
His remarks at a PLM event in Sea Cows Bay on Saturday evening, October 17, came on the heels of political commentator Claude Skelton Cline’s comments that the premiership should be reserved for a Virgin Islander by ancestry.
Vanterpool did not directly address that position or discuss ancestral qualifications for the premiership, but emphasised the shared identity of people from different backgrounds on the voters list.
“There are those who are out there trying hard to divide us, trying to make us different people in their minds,” he said.
“Our commitment remains clear. We are telling you our motto is that we here in the Virgin Islands, we know that we are one people.”
Earlier this month, Skelton Cline said he had told Vanterpool before the National Democratic Party’s internal elections in April that he would not support his ambition to become Premier.
Skelton Cline described his objection as a matter of principle rather than competence, arguing that the office should be preserved for someone with ancestral ties through either parent. According to his account, he told Vanterpool that he did not fit that category.
At Saturday’s event, Vanterpool highlighted an electorate drawn from across the BVI and almost every Caribbean island, including indigenous Virgin Islanders, people with ancestral roots and those who had settled in the Territory.
“On the voters list are people who come from everywhere that have come to make these islands our home,” he stated.
“For that we say, PLM motto, one people, with one purpose, with one future.”
His remarks at a PLM event in Sea Cows Bay on Saturday evening, October 17, came on the heels of political commentator Claude Skelton Cline’s comments that the premiership should be reserved for a Virgin Islander by ancestry.
Vanterpool did not directly address that position or discuss ancestral qualifications for the premiership, but emphasised the shared identity of people from different backgrounds on the voters list.
“There are those who are out there trying hard to divide us, trying to make us different people in their minds,” he said.
“Our commitment remains clear. We are telling you our motto is that we here in the Virgin Islands, we know that we are one people.”
Earlier this month, Skelton Cline said he had told Vanterpool before the National Democratic Party’s internal elections in April that he would not support his ambition to become Premier.
Skelton Cline described his objection as a matter of principle rather than competence, arguing that the office should be preserved for someone with ancestral ties through either parent. According to his account, he told Vanterpool that he did not fit that category.
At Saturday’s event, Vanterpool highlighted an electorate drawn from across the BVI and almost every Caribbean island, including indigenous Virgin Islanders, people with ancestral roots and those who had settled in the Territory.
“On the voters list are people who come from everywhere that have come to make these islands our home,” he stated.
“For that we say, PLM motto, one people, with one purpose, with one future.”
© 2026 BVI Platinum News. This article is original BVI Platinum content. Reproduction or republication without written permission is prohibited.
No we are not. Why you don’t go China to live and tell them you are the same as they are. Shoot go right next door to Anguilla to live and tell an Anguillan that you from the VI but you are the same as an Anguillan. Even in a job everyone is equal as humans but the CEO can do things and has access to resources that the Admin Officer doesn’t. On a basketball team, everyone are teammates but some get to start, some get to take more shots than others, some get more playing time than others. Didn’t mean they are divided! Stop it!
The only reason he is saying this is because, not only was he not born here, he has NO ancestral ties. He is a complete foreigner. He does not even qualify to run for office. I wonder what it takes be gain status in Anguilla? Or Bahamas? Or Jamaica? Or the Philippians? or St. Vincent? Or St. Kitts? Or Trinidad? Or Guyana? We are the ONLY territory where we disrespect the ancestral local bloodline. We must stop disrespecting the the history, culture, and people of these Virgin Islands. This is a shame and can not be tolerated. The bloodline matters!!! #bvistrong
You need to familiarise yourself with the Fundamental Rights and Freedoms, as set out in the Virgin Islands Constitution Order (2007)!
Mark Vanterpool the people are not one. The constitution is divided just the way the UK like it cause we are idiots. Many going to their grave know how they treat people who live here longer than some of them born claiming ancestors. It makes no sense preaching one people when the law and wickedness has the land divided. Change the constitution and you will be off to a good start.