There is a profound simplicity about JFK’s inaugural address.  It stresses responsibility especially of the fortunate to those of lesser fortune.

It was neither myopic, xenophobic nor insular.  And yet, on the current geopolitical landscape, such a speech could still be torn to shreds and the reader, in scorn, placed on the extreme end of some scale.

But the message to the individual was clear.  “Ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.”  That represented a tectonic shift in thinking; A changing of the guard.

It was a blow out.  Youth was the overpowering factor in the room and it showed in the results.  When youth avails itself of the prudent guidance of experience, that is a recipe for success.

BVI was surprised that Vanterpool wanted to get back on the bandwagon; That he held aspirations of being Premier of the land.

Usually, power protects money but when money is power?  Well, that is horse of a different colour.

While Vanterpool’s youthful exuberance, means, and enthusiasm make him a force to be reckoned with, he is also a busy and successful businessman immersed in growing an empire.

What time could he possibly have to reenter politics and why?  Suspicion swirled around his bid and the public entertained strong opinions that were not all savory.

Nevertheless, his impulsive reentry brought cohesion to the red team that was lacking.  And his indefatigable energy began to shape the contours of a race that had not yet begun.

His flamboyance and commitment were displayed on his vehicle and the billboard hastily erected in the vicinity of the Red Cross caused shadows to cross the hearts of members of the sitting government.  

He even allocated space in one of his buildings for the establishment of an office from which the Party would transact its business.

And for a moment, the ‘All 13 must go’ movement went deathly silent because an ‘elephant’ was stomping around in the room.  

Vanterpool had sat around tables conveying the message that while he wanted to lead, he would accept the decision of the delegates and support their choice.

The sentiment was incredible but his patient and long-suffering demeanor under candid criticism and probing questions that, in instances, bordered on disrespect, was so convincing that one went even further than King Agrippa and was not just, almost, but wholly persuaded.

And the race was on.

On the night of the long awaited NDP convention, the candidates for party leadership showed up as expected, like Caesar who went to the Roman Senate to be declared king.

Penn was dressed like the ‘Ruler in Hiroona.’  Vanterpool was his usual spirited self and Skelton was wrapped in his honesty, integrity and prideful prominence.

A former leader of the party entered to cast his vote before taking off to the green side of the pasture for another function of significance.

But the lineup of delegates conveyed the impression that the race was over before it even began.  Penn had done his homework.

His pre-election speech was impressive compared to the others.  He looked and sounded like a leader.  He was well prepared.  No wonder he canvassed 65 votes to Vanterpool’s 29 and Skelton’s 17. 

Vanterpool’s jaws unhinged.  He couldn’t fathom what had happened.  And what had happened was that the fox himself was finally outfoxed.

And then the pain swept in and caused him to display a caprice that was inconsistent with his commitments.

Some of it made for good storytelling; Some invoked sympathy but other parts were downright repulsive and unbecoming for a man of his stature and standing.

We expect him to get a grip and apologize for his behaviour.  His credibility is at stake and, possibly, his viability as a candidate.  

Blinded by disappointment and rejection, he not only made decisions for himself but, without consent, for those who, at significant personal cost, chose to go red with him.

And the talk of picking up his marbles and starting a new game is ludicrous.  There are more than enough games pending.  Besides, the public has already demonstrated that it is looking for a strong, mature adult to lead, not a petulant child.

But if, like the prodigal son, he apologizes; He can be forgiven; For which of us would not have buckled under that torrent of blows?

Skelton, though, remained his dignified self.  He didn’t appear to be ruffled or disappointed.  He had lived all that in 2018 in the house of his friends.  

And back then, it wasn’t so much that he couldn’t accept the loss but the feeling of deep betrayal and his disappointment in those he trusted hurt him to the core.

Eight years later, he is accustomed to the wounds although trust may have fled his lexicon to be replaced by cynicism.

The race between Walwyn and Turnbull for Deputy Leader was a race indeed but, in the end, Turnbull carried the evening 64 votes to Walwyn’s 57.

Walwyn as the sitting Leader of the Opposition accepted the vote; Something that was not done for him in 2018 when sparks and splinters flew and a Party that held such promise to the people, imploded.

The magnanimity displayed by Walwyn will become a talking point in BVI politics for some time.  No one jerked the baton from his hand.  He walked up to the new Leader and, of his own volition, handed it over.

And Penn, who saw this moment in his mind’s eye for years as he insisted that it was his turn, ushered in a new era in the leadership structure of a party that was spawned on his doorsteps.

But what can he do for his country?  We already know what his country can do for him.

Regardless, he is the only member of the reds to have insisted on going down with the ship; The usual stance of a captain.  The others had scampered off on frolics of their own.

And Penn’s resolve will live on in our memories just like the stance taken by Percy’s daughter when she was found in his Covid infected presence in the pre-vaccine days of the pandemic.

She said to a dismayed Barbara:

“Mom, if the ship is going down,

I’m going down…

…With the ship.”

If Penn is to be successful, he will need Vanterpool’s energy and ingenuity; Skelton’s credibility and trustworthiness; Walwyn’s organizational skills and eloquence and Turnbull’s forgiving heart and youthful appeal.

We do not know of his religious convictions but as long as there are elections, there will be prayers in politics.  He will also need those.

What he has on his side is a calm demeanor and his openness to dialogue.  But he must engage even those who may not be of his inner circle.  That was the genius of H Lavity Stoutt and it is still worthy of emulation.

This cannot be a one-man band for the green team is a formidable opponent; The Green General, practiced in warfare; 

And if you cut any of the Green General’s soldiers or supporters at any time of the day or night, they bleed only green.

But once the votes are counted, the victors must recall why they entered the race; To improve the lives of the people;

To provide them with opportunities for economic advancement, and to create an infrastructure that supports their standing and aspirations.

No time for victimization.  No place for the small and petty.  “Go big or go home!”

And we, on our Fridays, will do our part to speak truth to power for it is our power, the power of the people, that we are entrusting them to exercise on our behalf.

Happy Friday!