National Democratic Party (British Virgin Islands)

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.[1] 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.