NDP Calls General Meeting Ahead Of Elections
The National Democratic Party has scheduled a general meeting for October 8 at The Moorings as political activity intensifies across the British Virgin Islands. The gathering comes as the party seeks to solidify its membership and slate amid leadership changes and emerging competition from new political factions and independent candidates. The Territory's next general election is constitutionally due by mid-2027.
The National Democratic Party (NDP) has called on its founding members, supporters, and friends to attend a general meeting next week as political momentum accelerates across the British Virgin Islands ahead of the next general election. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 8, at 6:00 p.m. at The Moorings Conference Room in Road Town under the theme "Let's Build A Stronger Tomorrow, Together." The upcoming gathering comes at a crucial rebuilding juncture for the NDP.
Following internal reorganization efforts earlier this year, Marlon Penn secured the party chairmanship in an April internal contest against former legislator Mark Vanterpool, with Melvin "Mitch" Turnbull taking the deputy chairman role. Penn subsequently assumed the mantle of Leader of the Opposition.
However, the contest prompted Vanterpool to break away and establish the People's Leadership Movement (PLM), which intends to field candidates across all 13 elected House of Assembly seats. The NDP has also navigated other recent personnel shifts, including the departure of Coy Levons and public speculation regarding Sixth District Representative Myron Walwyn.
Despite these developments, Chairman Penn has maintained that the party's candidate roster is progressing well. The NDP has publicly ratified Aaron Parillon for District Three and Perline Scatliffe-Leonard for District Seven, while former legislator Shereen Flax-Charles has expressed her intention to seek an At-Large nomination through the internal selection process.
Beyond the NDP and the governing Virgin Islands Party (VIP), the Territory's broader political landscape is diversifying rapidly. Alongside Vanterpool's PLM, several independent candidates have launched campaigns, including Dr. Arlene Smith-Thompson, Rosemary "Cindy" Rosan, and Sandra Phillips Hodge for At-Large seats, as well as Lesmore Smith in the Fifth District.
Although the next general election is constitutionally due by mid-2027 and a polling date has not yet been set, electoral machinery is already turning, with election officers being recruited and preliminary voters lists prepared. For the NDP, the October 8 assembly will serve as a key test to demonstrate grassroots solidarity and party organisation to the Virgin Islands electorate.
Primary source: Guavaberry