Beautiful Virgin Islands

Sunday, Sep 15, 2024

New leaders aren’t the answer to BVI’s political problems — Pickering

New leaders aren’t the answer to BVI’s political problems — Pickering

As many in the BVI continue to call for a new set of leaders to transform the territory’s politics, former Deputy Premier Dr Kedrick Pickering has stated that “fresh people” aren’t the answer to the BVI’s political problems.
Dr Pickering, who recently announced that he will be contesting the next general election as a Territorial At-Large candidate, said the BVI would benefit most from a combination of young leaders with fresh ideas and experienced leaders who have garnered wisdom over the years.

“I think any right-thinking person can see that where the country is right now, it needs a few persons who understand not just local issues but major international issues that we have to confront,” Dr Pickering said in a recent interview with 284 Media.

Tensions between the BVI and the United Kingdom (UK) increased this year after a Commission of Inquiry (COI) report recommended direct UK rule through a suspension of the territory’s constitution. This would snatch power away from elected representatives and place it in the hands of the governor.

Many residents have blamed the current elected leaders for the breakdown in the relationship with the UK and have called for more women and young people to give the territory a ‘fresh start’ by running for elected office.

But Dr Pickering said young minds by themselves cannot bring the ‘fresh start’ that the BVI is seeking.

“Of course we need a fresh start. We need to reset, we need to rethink and in that entire process, we need all minds involved. I will never sit and tell somebody we need 13 experienced people to run this country and I would never say we need 13 fresh people to run this country either. We need a good mix of persons who are able, willing, qualified and genuinely committed to run the country. A good idea is a good idea no matter where it comes from,” Dr Pickering argued.

Dr Pickering is a former member of the National Democratic Party (NDP) and a well-respected medical doctor in the territory. During his time in office, his party was plagued by many scandals, some of which were the subject of the recently-concluded COI.

However Dr Pickering has not been the centre of any major political scandals and is touted as one who can help the BVI during this time of political uncertainty.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Switzerland Unveils Alps, a High-Speed Supercomputer for AI
Hong Kong Criticizes UK Lawyers for UN Appeal on Behalf of Jimmy Lai
Keir Starmer Accused of Breaking Rules Over Party Donor Gifts
Poorest Families in UK Forced to Sleep on Floors Due to Lack of Beds
Ed Davey Urges Immediate NHS Investment
Staff Overwhelmed Due to New Child-to-Staff Ratio Rules in English Nurseries
US and UK Alarmed Over Potential Iran-Russia Nuclear Collaboration
Father Convicted of Rape Stripped of Parental Responsibility
Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers' Series Displayed Together for the First Time in London
Queen Elizabeth II Statue Sparks Debate in Northern Ireland
Prince Harry Turns 40 Amid Royal Family Estrangement
British Policing Minister's Bag Stolen at Police Conference
UK To Implement Junk Food Ad Ban to Combat Childhood Obesity
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Visits US for Talks with President Biden
‘Living Nostradamus’ Fulfills Four Predictions, Foresees More Events
AI's Role in Changing Belief in Conspiracy Theories
Russia and Ukraine Exchange 206 Prisoners in UAE-Brokered Deal
Gisele Pelicot: From Survivor to Feminist Icon
Royal Navy's First 'Narco-Sub' Drug Seizure in the Caribbean
Northern Lights Illuminate Skies Over the UK
Citizens' Jury Supports Change in Assisted Dying Law
Russia Can End the War Now, Says PM as Putin Warns West
SpaceX Polaris Dawn Crew Makes History With First Private Spacewalk
Jon Bon Jovi Heroically Rescues Woman on Nashville Bridge
Fragmented EU Defence Industry Needs Urgent Coordination
Keir Starmer Accused of Concealing Impact of Winter Fuel Payment Cuts on Pensioners
Keir Starmer Urged to Publish Winter Fuel Payments Impact Assessment
Ex-CIA Officer Sentenced to 10 Years for Espionage
UK Economy Stalls for Second Consecutive Month
Downing Street to Begin Search for New Cabinet Secretary
UK Government Introduces Bill to Ban Rental Bidding Wars
Scottish Opposition Questions Cuts to Free School Meals and Rail Fares
NHS Delays in England Cause Thousands of Unnecessary Deaths, Inquiry Reveals
NHS Restricts Obesity Services across England, Investigates BMJ
Bill Gates Warns of Imminent Threats: War and Pandemics
Over One Million UK Carers Living in Poverty
Equitable Future Threatened by Climate Crisis and Consumerism
Calls for Inclusive and Diverse Stories in UK English Curriculum
UK Government Confirms £500m Subsidy for Tata Steel
Chancellor Rachel Reeves Warns of Tough Budget Ahead
Unions Fear Labour's Net Zero Plans Will Cost Jobs
PM to Address Critical NHS Report Demanding Reforms
Kamala Harris Wins Post-Debate Survey Against Donald Trump
Impact and Aftermath of 9/11 Attacks on the US and the World
Iran Denies Missile Deliveries to Russia Amid New Sanctions
Kamala Harris Claims to Own Guns, Denies Supporting Mandatory Buyback—Yet Said the Opposite Weeks Ago
Outrage in Uxbridge: 12 Police Officers Arrest Woman Over a Sandwich, Then Arrest Bystander for Swearing
Polaris Dawn: Historic Private Spacewalk Initiated
Sir Paul Marshall Acquires The Spectator for £100 Million
Neighbours Criticise Germany Over Extended Border Controls
×