Chairman of the National Democratic Party (NDP) Hon. Marlon Penn has cleared the air following the departure of Hon. Lorna Smith to join a Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government, stating that she unilaterally made the decision unbeknownst to him and other members of his party.
Penn addressed members of the media during a press conference on Thursday, following what many termed to be a shocking move by Smith who was elected as an At Large Representative under the NDP ticket on Monday.
Penn said Smith’s decision single-handedly uprooted the plans of the NDP, the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement and the Progressives United parties to form a coalition government.
Penn also said that steps will be taken to officially remove Smith from the NDP, adding that her decision to form an alliance using the NDP’s affiliation is not supported neither by him or any of the members of the party.
Providing a perspective on the impact of Smith’s decision on the electorate, Penn said the voters felt betrayed as they voted for Smith on the vision of the National Democratic Party.