Members of the soon to be fully sworn in Opposition have all expressed that at some point following the announcement of the results from the 2023 General Election, they were contacted by someone within the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) camp with an offer to become Deputy Premier.
This is according to information presented by some of the Opposition Elect during a recent press conference.
District 2 Elect Hon. Melvin “Mitch” Turnbull said he was one of the first to receive a call from the VIP camp for the position of Deputy Premier but said he turned down the offer.
National Democratic Party Chairman Hon. Marlon Penn also indicated he was initially approached by the VIP to form an alliance, but said he declined the offer to have a discussion with members of the other elected political parties as the preferred option.
Penn who was elected to serve District 8 said he stood on grounds of principle, adding that he was contacted by many members of the Virgin Islands Party to leave his NDP and become deputy premier on the VIP team.
Opposition Leader and Chairman of the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement Hon. Ronnie Skelton said that he was presented with specific terms from the VIP which included the position of Deputy Premier and two ministerial roles.
Meanwhile, first timer Hon. Stacy Mather revealed that he was contacted to join the VIP, however, he said it came from Hon. Lorna Smith who had decided to join the VIP to form the Government.