Vanterpool vows not to resign if elected but PLM fails to form Gov't
Vanterpool made the commitment during an appearance on Talking Points on ZBVI 780 AM on Monday, September 28, 2026, while reflecting on his political career and his decision to briefly resign after the 2019 general election.
“We go through our political life or any life. And we make mistakes,” Vanterpool said. “You know, I have had the greatest regret of my political life in 2019, when I resigned after being elected, disrespecting the people’s decision, and that is a regret that I always have.”
He said the experience had shaped his approach to public service and pledged that he would remain committed to his constituents if elected again.
That would never happen again
“I would pledge, definitely, that would never happen again to my people who have always supported me,” Vanterpool said. “I would continue in this new adventure to make sure that I serve the people, learning from those experiences.”
Vanterpool was elected as the National Democratic Party (NDP) District Four Representative in the 2019 general election. The NDP, however, lost the election to the Virgin Islands Party, leaving Mr Vanterpool in the Opposition.
A few days after the election, he announced that he was resigning from politics and would not take up his seat in the House of Assembly. His decision created uncertainty over the District Four seat and led to a legal dispute concerning whether his resignation had been properly submitted.
He later changed his position and pursued the right to take his seat. The court ultimately ruled that the resignation was not valid because the letter had not been properly addressed, allowing him to remain the elected representative.
Vanterpool vowed not to re-enter politics
But Mr Vanterpool appears to be a man who hardly keeps his word, as he vowed in 2021 that he was exiting political life for good after his term ended to focus on his family and his business.
During his contribution to the ‘Other Business’ section at the Eleventh Sitting of the Third Session of the Fourth House of Assembly at Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff’s Bottom on September 2, 2021, Mr Vanterpool declared he had no plans of running for political office once this term was over.
“Mark Vanterpool has made his contribution: spent 20 years in politics, spent another 20 years in sports and community work. I have made my contribution, over 50 years of it, and I am comfortable to say that I no longer want anything to do with it. I want to be Mark Vanterpool and family, my business; I want to get back my friends that I had before who are gone because of politics...."
He added: “I am not going to be knocking on nobody door and campaign anymore; I am done with it. I am not saying it should not be done because it has to be done; somebody has to do it, but I have done my share. I just want to let those know who have been calling me, who have been telling me I am back, I appreciate the support, but Mr Speaker, I am exiting the scene, and I want to dedicate the rest of my life that God may give me to my family. I got four grandchildren that I love, and my children, and to my business.”
Mr Vanterpool, who was first elected to political office on May 17, 1999, did not contest the April 2023 general elections.
In April 2026, however, he unsuccessfully contested the National Democratic Party (NDP) chairmanship before launching the People's Leadership Movement (PLM) in May 2026 as a grassroots organisation that could eventually become a political party. PLM is now being referred to by some as NDP 4.
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26 Responses to “Vanterpool vows not to resign if elected but PLM fails to form Gov't”
Who has ever heard of someone getting elected and then resigning.
Where would he get such an idea that is a possibility??
DISTRICT 4...PLEASE DO NOT VOTE FOR THIS MAN.
Moreover, current US Secretary of War during an interview promise that if he were confirmed he would stop drinking. That should have been the end of the nomination. The rest I will rest right there.
At 70 years of age he wants to run again because why?
Sping aint spring a cent yet
Greedy. Power hungry. Waste of time. Go sit down.