JUST IN: NDP, PVIM explore merger but talks seemingly break down
The National Democratic Party (NDP) and the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) have been having discussions about merging to contest upcoming general elections.
However, there now seems to be a breakdown in talks between the two political organisations. The PVIM was established roughly four years ago after a number of its members broke away from the NDP.
Highly-placed sources told our news centre that members of the NDP, including its leader Marlon Penn and Myron Walwyn, met with members of the PVIM that included Ronnie Skelton and Shaina Smith to continue talks on uniting both parties.
BVI News understands that the parties entertained the idea ‘for the sake of the territory’ to provide a viable alternative to the Virgin Islands Party which is being hit by multiple scandals since forming the government in 2019.
Sources revealed that after the meeting which was initiated by the NDP, the PVIM members agreed that the proposed merger was in the territory’s best interest. Reports to our news centre are that another meeting was planned for Monday of this week to discuss the details of the arrangement, including choosing the best candidates to contest the elections. However, the meeting did not happen.
It is reported that the PVIM instead had a meeting of its own and decided that the party no longer wanted to go through with the coalition. The party’s members reportedly expressed the view that they could win the election without merging with the NDP and it intends to launch its candidates soon.
Highly-placed sources told our news centre that members of the NDP, including its leader Marlon Penn and Myron Walwyn, met with members of the PVIM that included Ronnie Skelton and Shaina Smith to continue talks on uniting both parties.
BVI News understands that the parties entertained the idea ‘for the sake of the territory’ to provide a viable alternative to the Virgin Islands Party which is being hit by multiple scandals since forming the government in 2019.
Sources revealed that after the meeting which was initiated by the NDP, the PVIM members agreed that the proposed merger was in the territory’s best interest. Reports to our news centre are that another meeting was planned for Monday of this week to discuss the details of the arrangement, including choosing the best candidates to contest the elections. However, the meeting did not happen.
It is reported that the PVIM instead had a meeting of its own and decided that the party no longer wanted to go through with the coalition. The party’s members reportedly expressed the view that they could win the election without merging with the NDP and it intends to launch its candidates soon.
