Lesson learnt! Pickering announces D7 candidacy for next election
By Fitsroy Randall, BVI News Staff
As the proverbial election season knocks on the territory’s doors, former Deputy Premier and immediate past representative of the Seventh Electoral District Dr Kedrick Pickering has announced he is throwing his hat in the ring to contest in the next general election.
Dr Pickering did not make it clear if he was running in the election as an independent candidate as he did the last time or if he was running with a political party.
“I am standing before you tonight because I have the courage to stand up and tell you I am back. I could have easily gone on Twitter, on Facebook, I could go on the radio station, and I could say I am running in the next election, but I take the courage to stand up on the Stickett in Long Look and talk to you as a man and say, ‘I will be a candidate in the next general election to represent you in the Seventh Electoral District’. And I could guarantee you that I have fire in my belly again. I am ready to roll. I am ready to rock and roll,” the former legislator of two decades stated.
Lesson learnt
Dr Pickering also made it clear that his defeat to the current Seventh District Representative, Dr Natalio Wheatley made him sit and reflect on what he wants to accomplish in politics.
“You know what you did me? You did me a favour. Over the last three years in my quiet reflection, I have learnt a lot of lessons and I really and truly recognise that when you are doing this politics thing for so long you take things for granted,” Dr Pickering said.
“You take the people for granted and you miss the most important thing. Now I understand and I understand fully, the most important thing in this political arena is you’re supposed to represent the people. Thanks for the lesson you gave me. I have learnt my lesson,” he added.
Apology to Seventh District constituents
Dr Pickering noted he knows within himself he possesses the tools and technical knowledge to do better and he had to remind himself that he was better than what he showcased during his last term.
“I love this community. I live right there and I grow up right here and I ain’t going nowhere. I love this community and I had to ask myself what am I going to do to help my community? What are my responsibilities as a citizen of this community? So, I want to tell you tonight my people that I unreservedly apologise for what happened during the last term of office that I served,” he said.
“What I did, that was wrong. And I apologise. Anybody who has never made a mistake has never made anything in this life and I obviously made mistakes and whatever those mistakes are I learn a couple of good lessons. And those lessons are going to serve me very well,” he added.
It’s your issues that are important, not mine
The former Seventh District Representative highlighted he did not represent the people the way he could and because of that, he was kicked out of the office.
He admitted he deserved it and now that he has learnt his lesson, he is back and raring to go.
“You know what happened? This is the other lesson I have learnt since all of that has happened. Because in talking to people, I understood this lesson very well. Your issue must be my concern,” he said.
“When you elect me to represent you, it is your issues that I must be concerned with, not mine. I must not come up here and say I go do this and that, but I must listen to you and make sure I understand these are the things that are important to us as a people,” Dr Pickering added.
He mentioned that people expect him to use his voice, his knowledge and his energy to represent them in the House of Assembly and make their lives better.
“I have learnt my lesson and thank you for the licks all you gave me the last time and keep me out of office. I am ready to go again,” he said.
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His white people showed up in support. They miss him and he miss them. His candidacy has nothing to do with the people of district 7. This is a man who misses power and wants it back at any cost even if he has to grovel to get it. Sad case. You had 20 years in the district and you did nothing. What do you expect to do now?
My point exact. he dont need no more chance if you ask me. put someone else and mentor them. he wants back in because he miss the money and power point blank
He’s a doctor! Do you really think he needs the measly pocket change he gets from being a representative?
Now please go and have a conversation with Ronnie and Myron: Let’s get Andrew Fahie and his team out of office.
He just want another trip on the government purse. Don’t study this man. A leopard can’t change it spots.
I never heard his name mentioned in the whole COI enquiry.
About the only untainted minister we have.
If you don’t do no work your name can’t call in anything. Name one thing he do for the 20 years in government.
He didn’t declare his interest for nearly 10 years. You didn’t watch the COI interviews?
Whilst I respect your honesty, you and your Government made some decisions that have life,not consequences for the BVI. Things which no apology can correct. Nonetheless, you will likely regain your sear as 7th District Rep.
Decisions like which one? Name one please! Nothing compared to the set we have in now.
Well, well, well. This one is a mess.
This guy fails the country big time and was replaced by another sell out.
What to do? What to do?
Do these guys think we are so gullible?
I’m scratching dandruff out of my head over which individuals deserve my votes and not parties.
Reflection was good for you soul. Sowande did not even get in office fairly. Everybody knows that going up against the Doc is never fair. Sowande turn to reflect on his next page.
What I want is a public commitment to reducing the exorbitant rates charged by the medical practices and fixing NHI so it is sustainable. Also reducing the government payroll by putting all past and present employees, and elected officials, on Social Security for their retirement. No special deals, same retirement for the whole Territory!
Oh please! Do you know that this gov’t raised Meical personnel’s fees by 400%!! So you know that will be passed on to John and Jane Public! Perhaps it was to pay the Wigged One’s fees.
Remove the sell out. You don’t want to reward sell out with another term to sell you out again.
kedrick been selling us out for at least 16 years but you still want him back in. so stop talk foolishness.
We the voters of the 7th district will decide who we want to represent us, but we have not had representation for years.
Let he stay home and drink tea with his rich white friends we do not want him!!!!
POWER AND PREVELEDGE IS VERY ADDICTIVE.
As is pour spellin’ apparuntlee
Listen, we have to get Andrew and his team out. We have to vote Pickering or whoever else. VIP must go! Let’s stick together on this one. VIP again..we are dead.
Doc, when you get back in, you will need to take up Health as well… as that is where your tail is tied…
Which of the Three evil Triad Personalities
This man just say he had no respect for the people he represented, he took them for granted, he believed his opinion warranted not questioning and believe a empty apology is enough to make you once again a fool.
Wearing blue mean PVIM and now he admits he did not represent the ppl of his district. WOW. And some of the ppl of his district really want to replace Wheatley with a man who admits openly that he did not represent them, who was there for 20yrs. D7 will deserve every sec of neglect if they vote their home boy back in just for ‘its & giggles.
Mr Pickering it took you how long to realize that is WE THE PEOPLE put you in to work for us! you let us down numerous times and now you sorry and learn ya lesson please go have several seats. you have done your time and served us well (rolls eyes)
you say your gonna run with a party which 1 coulda neva be the NDP because who aint jump that sinking ship just abandoned all together you want to run for a party now is the time to form your team… Good luck with that may the better man win!!!
Tell the Doc… I man say, CART HE AR$.. He’s already getting his pension, he’s looking for another Pay CHK..
One of the persons happy to hear this announcement is Premier Fahie why?
Hon Wheatley did not win a majority in the district as he failed to get 50% of the voters. Diego Penn spoiled the votes and if NDP should run their candidate again chances are this may well happen again. These guys playing right into Fahie’s hands with their division.
Yes Picko can win as he has a loyal base but he has got to hope that the NDP candidate is weak or that Sowande would have some of his support or both. I believe if it is one on one Wheatley in trouble.
Be that as it may I am
NDP was a bad set up..Destine to fail. They had two Doctors none was controlling health. They both had the most power. They wanted to be in position where plenty money comes easy..What we need to hear are specifics. What are you apologizing for and what and how would you do things differently? U were so bad when you were in. Here is the good news. Sowande so weak and such a failure. It will work out in your favour….U will win..
YOU GOT IT RIGHT ✅ /HE WAS LIKE A GHOST ? ? ? MOUTH CHAMP ?
I do not endorsed this candidate for many reasons, I will list a few. Your had your chance and failed, your should not be rewarded to serve your people as an elected district rep. When you were first elected you were a champion for the people, you switched up on them like the weather, people of the 7th, it is your time to switch up on him, sellouts should not be rewarded, serve your people as a Physician and not a politician.We need a different mind set, we are not recycling you.
This man is for his rich white friends, not the people of the BVI. Sell out. He represented the stove they used to cook us. The same representation that looked like us when we were captured and sold into slavery by faces that looked like us. Stay far away….
Sorry Doc…on an objecive scale Natalio did a good job for being a first timer and even with his youth and inexperience. He derserves a second chance. You had many chances…many…why should we the people give you a man who had many chances to prove yourself to us and didnt against a man sho come in with far less than you and sorknfor the people…he work with so much portfolios…why? Just because you now come to your senses? Please no…be real…God have the final say but God is also a Just God. You had many chances…let Natalio have another chance because he has EARNED it.