Dr Pickering shifts gear! To contest next election as At-Large candidate
Former Deputy Premier and Seventh District Representative, Dr Kedrick Pickering has announced he will throw his hat in the ring as a Territorial At-Large candidate in the next general elections.
Dr Pickering made the announcement at his campaign launch at The Stickett Thursday night. He said people have said his time in politics has passed so he should give others a chance. And while the former legislator said this was a valid criticism, he said there is a flip side to it.
“I have heard people say that this country is in a difficult position, and we need a couple of experienced knowledgeable people to navigate us through these difficult times. And anywhere you turn it, there are merits to both sides of the debate, and I am standing here to tell you that since I spoke here on the sixth of April, I have had a change in mind about my approach to politics,” Dr Pickering said.
At his last political announcement back in April, Dr Pickering was gearing up to reclaim his district representative seat which was wrestled away from him by Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley at the last general election. However, the former District Seven Rep said a lot has changed since then.
“I am announcing this evening that I will run in the next election as an At-Large territorial candidate and ultimately, I will support somebody in this district who is fresh, full of energy and can take on the issues in this district, but I know that I have the knowledge, the experience and the expertise to help navigate this country through its difficult issues. The issues that confront us with the United Kingdom, the issues that confront us in the regional and international world,” Dr. Pickering said.
“The issues that confront us with respect to the post-pandemic world. The issues that affect us as it relates to climate change, whether you believe climate change exists or not. The storm that passed there over the weekend is now a category four hurricane now approaching Bermuda and beated up Turks and Caicos. Now there is another one brewing in the west. Whether you believe it or not, those things are very real, and we must do our part to help this country survive and navigate these issues,” he added.
He urged those in attendance to ignore what he described as ‘small talk’, adding that he still believes he can help his country. While the former Deputy Premier also announced that he plans to contest the elections with a group of people, he did not indicate the group or political party.
“I will support someone in the district but this is what I want to say to you tonight. Hear this loud and clear. When the election comes around, you will have your five votes. You can vote for who you want in the district. Do that and I will support someone also. But I will ask every single person in my community, every single person whether you like me, whether you hate me, whether you vote for me the last time, whether you want to see me in politics or not, I am begging you for a vote – one of your At-Large votes in the next election because I will be one of the four candidates that will be seeking to serve this country as an At-Large Representative,” Dr Pickering said.
“A number of people have said to me from West End, East End, Virgin Gorda, that they think I should consider running At-Large because they believe I have the ability to deal with the bigger issues, to well articulate the issues and help our country articulate these issues and I thought about it, and I am committed to making that happen. But I am going to ask you, every single person in my community to give me a vote when I get around to do that and I will come around to beg your vote when the time comes,” he added.
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A whole career in politics and no legacy
His speech did not say much about his achievements when he was D7 representative.
Dr. Pickering, you had 21 years in government and I have not seen what you have done. The last 8 years you were the minister of Labour and agriculture and you did nothing. You killed agriculture. Labour did not improve. The airport was a fiasco. But you were very active with your rich, white friends. I honestly do not trust you with power especially now. You just want to get back to the seat of power to satisfy yourself and get cozy with your white buddies so that you could feel high and mighty. Or yes, you miss traveling first class at the expense of the people. Dr. pickering, do this country a favour and give other people a chance. You had your opportunity and not much was done. It’s time to give someone else a chance. I see nothing that you could offer to help us right now.
When you was in you never look out for the country is now you want to do it oh please, man step aside!!!
One of the mistakes I think we continue to make when elected people in the BVI is that we do not examine how they performed in previous roles that they had in addition to qualifications, communication skills, social skills etc. if we did much better examinations we would vote for better candidates. Instead we vote based on who lies the best, he could make his opponent look the worse, gossip etc. These are tactics used by the opposite side to turn your attention away from their inadequacies. We have to be wiser when voting and stop voting for people just because they are our friends or family.
Dr. Pickering you did not handle your previous ministry good at all. I would classify your years as a minister of Labour a failure. I would not be voting for you.
Good move doc cause now we long look people can vote for you.
in any future at large candidate election is secured now.
Sounds like he want to be Premier. It’s only now the UK and the rich white friends gone with the BVI. We would be really stupid to put a sell out like Dr. Pickering in a position like this especially now.
What is your legacy after two decades in government? Answer that and then we could talk. I know we wouldn’t talk because you have nothing to show except maybe all the frequent travel miles you racked up while globe trotting at our expense doing nothing.
The people of long look dont want see he
Shawonde is breeding a sigh of relief but the water lady or shak gonna tek he out
The airport was running good, but many people were not happy because some who were in top positions were not born here, so they got rid of the expats and everything went down hill from there. Trust me if you only knew about how they treated people who worked and dedicated themselves to the job, you’ll understand why they voted him out. I will leave that there.
Dr. Pickering I will vote for you. I am a VIP supporter but I will not be voting for Shereen this time around. Poor performance with lip service in public office but was terrible with colleagues behind the closed door with a personal agenda.
To each his or her own but when you have the opportunity to see both in and outside of politics you can make critical decision in the best interest of country.
I believe you and Sawonde will learn from each other and I am supporting him as well.
I know it will be a movie to watch who District 1 will put forward but until justice is served we will not know the other side of the downfall of the former Premier and District Rep. However, he too needs to let us the people know and his faith will be in the hands of justice and the people of District 1.
May God continue to bless our beautiful BVI.
Why is this dude so eager to get into the political arena??!!
Wait Cindy run him? lol
Shereen is the ONLY one that stood up to Andrew and Willock. She had to stand up to sheep too.You have a choice to vote for who you want to vote for. She will get my vote. She is always there when you call her. Many corrupt people in the VIP. She is NOT one of them
Boss, you’re needed more in medicine than in politics.
While you are at it, please tell us who handled their term in office well. We continue to critique but do not offer any suggestions, and some of us who have never voted and barely know the process would like some ideas. If I recall correctly, the opposition was very strong when Head Coach was opposition leader and everything put forward by government was met with heavy resistance. Then when the government changed some of those very things that were opposed against became matters of high priority for the new government, for example the airport expansion and the cruise pier expansion. I quite agree that we need strong leaders, who can get things done, but I am still searching daily for those candidates. I can think on a few, but it is obvious that a majority of the BVI people are interested in what they can get personally and not who will do more for the benefit of ALL citizens in the BVI.
Come forward soldiers. I commend your bravery.
I wonder why “the people of Long Look don’t want to see he”.
He probably is in support of Cindy!
For many, many years i’ve sought needed and critical assistance from VG elected officials,up to and including the current two, but none responded with assistance until the VG Rep. at Large did recently.
Hence,she is 100% deserving of and have full akalades and the next vote.
In good reasoning then, anyone who uses the seat of power afforded her/him to assist the needy is the type of person God made to represent the people in her/his constituency.
The Hon. S. F. C. is such a/that type of human being and now politician.
Last, may we aall come around to seeing and acknowledging the good in all of us, judge less and learn more about the good that is in all of us.
Finally, God bless the lady and our Islands we call home, as there are some who are now seeing the value of thses “bird sanctuaries,” and are now seeking to wraop their talenges around them and disposes us and our ancestral rights.
You Dr. Pickering will not be getting most of my friends, all of my close family and my own vote.
Here’s a list of your failures:-
Greenhouse debacle
Always jet trotting first class on tax payers dime.
No desire to stop NHI price gouging by private clinics and hospitals. (And we know why)
Failure to address labour abuses as Labour Minister.
Marginalizing expats by making it hard for them to aquire status. I find this especially to be stupid, because often times the same people ayo was trying to marginalize, it actually also affected at least one Virgin Islander. My mom was a expat for over 20 years, and she was made to leave the territory which in turn meant that she would leave us (Virgin Islander
teen children at the time behind).
Trying to tie up all the yearly budget to possibly several years of it to build an airport that is nothing more than a money pit. He pickering said “it’s a done deal, it’s a done deal”. Lots of monies was still forwarded to the project manager and company for no reason.
If I keep going, I’ll write a novel about your failures.
You and that other Dr, the dried up one can get. As a matter of fact. All y’all politicians can get. I want fresh new faces.
Maybe thats how you feel. But, she needs to humble herself.
Dr. Pickering will have a tough time being re-elected.
No achievements and no vision for the future – just begging for votes – but no new ideas, no policy descriptions, does not deserve a vote…
Keep the esteemed out of your melee he is a fighter and he for one has my vote. He will not sell out, he is not corrupt and he stick with his people so funny man go from here blogging piss
@why he just told you why!! However you’ll so upset in you all personal feelings. once people don’t gain directly it’s always an issue. Someone like Doc with his wrongs yet experience makes perfect sense why now he should run.
The white friends waiting for him to become Premier. They will have a field day with our country.
I just don’t want to deal with anyone of them.I DON’T. I don’t want any of them coming to my home with the fake s**t. I will simply open my gate and set my pit bull lose. It is what it is.
Political Suicide:
The field was crowded so he ran at large? Gave way for someone else he mentored? Sowande is now Premier and it would be hard for his district to turn on him so he pulled out?
I cannot recall a time in our political history where a former district rep ran at large and was successful. Mark Vanterpool tried it and failed. Alvin Christopher tried and failed. Dancia penn tried and failed. So what makes Pickering feel that his fate would be any different? Is not that he has a long list of accomplishments as a Legislator. A matter of fact it appears that the exact opposite is his reality. It is not that he is reasonably young and has a good connection with the younger voter.
At large is difficult to contest in particular as an independent at large. Since the arrival of the NDP as a viable 2nd party option to the VIP the independent- at -large ha s become a spoiler or a no-chancer ie. DOA. You need name recognition, helps to be accomplished, must have a lot of money and time to contest at large independently. Charisma will help too. Even then the power of the party has been too strong.
Huge colossal mistake. Should have stayed in his district or stayed at home.
THIS ELECTION, I AM ONLY VOTING FOR THE FEMALES THAT IS ON THE BALLOT EXCEPT THE NOW EDUCATION MINISTER. NO MALE WILL BE GETTING MY VOTE.
The trouble with Shereen is that she talks out against issues but when it comes down to the count (vote), she is either absent or votes along party lines.
I have yet to see an issue where she spoke against it and voted against it. If you know of any instances, please highlight them.
We need people who truly care about the BVI and its future, Dr. Kedrick Pickering is a person well deserving of this chance, stop criticizing because all some people want is a “character they can buy” and that is why the community is such a mess now. It is shameful to see how these islands have been defiled by the three poisons of greed, anger and foolishness.
@the Observer. You is one of who believe AnDrew can do no wrong even if he taking off your head.. He destroyed the VIP
She may have spoken out here or there but when time come to vote she either missing or voting along with the nonsense… not enough spine to vote against the things she didn’t think was right
This man ain’t do nothing tangible in 20+ years is now at our most crucial point we gonna put him in again? To get another 4 years of nothing? Go cool out pannah; maybe try to get a consultant job cause we seem to like paying people to do nothing.
NOBODY who has been a representative for the last 30 years deserves to be elected again. We need a totally fresh start.
You want the man tell more lies than necessary lol
Agreed. If we did Andrew Fahie would have NEVER been Premier of this Territory!