National Democratic Party (British Virgin Islands)
Encyclopedia
The National Democratic Party (or NDP) is a political party
in the British Virgin Islands
.
In the 2007 general election
the incumbent NDP was crushed by the Virgin Islands Party and lost all except for 2 of its seats.
The party most recently held power after the 2003 general election
held on 16 June 2003, the party won 52.4% of popular votes and 8 out of 13 elected seats. It fought that campaign on a platform offering new leadership for the 21st century and promises to clean up corruption and victimization. Its leader Orlando Smith
became the Chief Minister of the British Virgin Islands. The NDP garned much credit during its time in office for taking a pro-active approach to the development of the offshore finance industry, working closely with the private sector in relation to a number of initiatives. Ultimately however, this was not sufficient to prevent a resounding defeat when it returned to the polls in 2007.
The party's majority was cut to just one in May 2006 when the Hon. Alvin Christopher was removed from his position as Minister of Communications & Works, and at the next meeting of the legislative council he "crossed the floor
" to sit with the opposition; both moves are believed to be related to differences of opinion in relation to the Telecommunications Bill 2006 and telecoms liberalisation programme in the British Virgin Islands
generally, although neither side has given any public indication of this.http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?page=article&aid=1035&catid=100 Mr Christopher subsequently ran as an independent against the NDP in the 2007 election, and was returned with a handsome majority. During the party's time in office, the loss of Mr Christopher was offset by Hon. Mark Vanterpool leaving the Virgin Islands Party to join the NDP.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in the British Virgin Islands
British Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands, often called the British Virgin Islands , is a British overseas territory and overseas territory of the European Union, located in the Caribbean to the east of Puerto Rico. The islands make up part of the Virgin Islands archipelago, the remaining islands constituting the U.S...
.
In the 2007 general election
British Virgin Islands general election, 2007
The British Virgin Islands general election, 2007 was held in the British Virgin Islands on 20 August 2007. The result was a landslide victory for the opposition Virgin Islands Party over the incumbent National Democratic Party ....
the incumbent NDP was crushed by the Virgin Islands Party and lost all except for 2 of its seats.
The party most recently held power after the 2003 general election
British Virgin Islands general election, 2003
General elections were held in the British Virgin Islands on 16 June 2003. They were won by the National Democratic Party, which took 54.4% of the vote and 8 of the 15 seats on the Legislative Council.-Individual territorial seats:...
held on 16 June 2003, the party won 52.4% of popular votes and 8 out of 13 elected seats. It fought that campaign on a platform offering new leadership for the 21st century and promises to clean up corruption and victimization. Its leader Orlando Smith
Orlando Smith
D. Orlando Smith, OBE is the current Premier of the British Virgin Islands. He also formerly served as Chief Minister of the British Virgin Islands from 2003 to 2007...
became the Chief Minister of the British Virgin Islands. The NDP garned much credit during its time in office for taking a pro-active approach to the development of the offshore finance industry, working closely with the private sector in relation to a number of initiatives. Ultimately however, this was not sufficient to prevent a resounding defeat when it returned to the polls in 2007.
The party's majority was cut to just one in May 2006 when the Hon. Alvin Christopher was removed from his position as Minister of Communications & Works, and at the next meeting of the legislative council he "crossed the floor
Crossing the floor
In politics, crossing the floor has two meanings referring to a change of allegiance in a Westminster system parliament.The term originates from the British House of Commons, which is configured with the Government and Opposition facing each other on rows of benches...
" to sit with the opposition; both moves are believed to be related to differences of opinion in relation to the Telecommunications Bill 2006 and telecoms liberalisation programme in the British Virgin Islands
British Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands, often called the British Virgin Islands , is a British overseas territory and overseas territory of the European Union, located in the Caribbean to the east of Puerto Rico. The islands make up part of the Virgin Islands archipelago, the remaining islands constituting the U.S...
generally, although neither side has given any public indication of this.http://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?page=article&aid=1035&catid=100 Mr Christopher subsequently ran as an independent against the NDP in the 2007 election, and was returned with a handsome majority. During the party's time in office, the loss of Mr Christopher was offset by Hon. Mark Vanterpool leaving the Virgin Islands Party to join the NDP.