Pickering happy for four-year absence from HOA
Former Deputy Premier Dr Kedrick Pickering said he is happy he has been out of the House of Assembly (HOA) for the past four years, arguing that he was able to avoid the myriad scandals that have plagued the former Andrew Fahie-led Virgin Islands Party (VIP) administration.
Dr Pickering, while speaking at a forum where he endorsed Perline Scatliffe-Leonard as the Seventh District candidate, said the country is currently under a dark cloud and argued that the Commission of Inquiry (COI) report left the country dealing with issues of corruption.
“We absolutely cannot take these times for granted. The next generation is dependent on us,” the former Seventh District Representative said. “And you know something, I’m glad I wasn’t in the House of Assembly for the last four years because of all the things that are happening and all the things that have happened.”
The former Natural Resources Minister argued that throughout his nearly 40-year professional career – both as a medical doctor and a legislator – he has not been involved in any scandals.
“With all the Commission of Inquiry and all the people whose names have been called, you haven’t heard my name called in anything because I stood up for what I believed,” Dr Pickering said.
He added: “The last election I ran as an independent. I ran as an independent because there were things that I didn’t appreciate. There were things that were against my conscience, and I decide to step aside.”
The former legislator said he had no regrets about losing at the last elections, but argued that he is now back and re-energised.
“I’m renewed and I’m ready to go the next mile of life’s journey to help my country,” he said. “The 20 years that I spent in the House of Assembly, I have gathered a tremendous amount of knowledge and there’s no question about my experience and where I stand in the knowledge base.”
Dr Pickering is currently contesting the upcoming elections as a Territorial At-Large candidate with the National Democratic Party which he rejoined weeks ago.
“We absolutely cannot take these times for granted. The next generation is dependent on us,” the former Seventh District Representative said. “And you know something, I’m glad I wasn’t in the House of Assembly for the last four years because of all the things that are happening and all the things that have happened.”
The former Natural Resources Minister argued that throughout his nearly 40-year professional career – both as a medical doctor and a legislator – he has not been involved in any scandals.
“With all the Commission of Inquiry and all the people whose names have been called, you haven’t heard my name called in anything because I stood up for what I believed,” Dr Pickering said.
He added: “The last election I ran as an independent. I ran as an independent because there were things that I didn’t appreciate. There were things that were against my conscience, and I decide to step aside.”
The former legislator said he had no regrets about losing at the last elections, but argued that he is now back and re-energised.
“I’m renewed and I’m ready to go the next mile of life’s journey to help my country,” he said. “The 20 years that I spent in the House of Assembly, I have gathered a tremendous amount of knowledge and there’s no question about my experience and where I stand in the knowledge base.”
Dr Pickering is currently contesting the upcoming elections as a Territorial At-Large candidate with the National Democratic Party which he rejoined weeks ago.
