Smith questions motives of Dr Pickering’s political ‘reset’ attempt
Local attorney Jamal Smith has questioned the motives behind former Deputy Premier Dr Kedrick Pickering’s political campaign and his attempt at a reset.
Dr Pickering lost his Seventh District post at the 2019 elections after 20 consecutive years to current Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley. But he has since decided to campaign as a Territorial At-Large candidate at the upcoming elections after making a previous attempt months ago to campaign for his old seat.
Smith, in the meantime, prefaced his comments on the Talking Points radio show recently by stating that he held the deepest respect for Dr Pickering and noted that Dr Pickering was a dear friend of his whom he looked up to personally.
“I have serious concerns about someone who has been in elected office for so long and failed to produce – for his own people, the people who put him there time, and time again – and now all of a sudden, you’re asking for a reset,” Smith said. “I’m kind of thinking, ‘is this genuine’?” Smith asked.
He continued: “Where is it coming from? What would make us feel that you have the ability to reset anything based on your past actions?”
And while acknowledging that persons can be motivated and passionate enough to enter the current political fray even in the prevailing circumstances, Smith said the motivation of some persons worries him.
“We’ve been plagued with the question of who is behind these politicians? We had the issue with the NDP (National Democratic Party) [and] whether they were controlled by the BVI Investment Club. That came up in the COI (Commission of Inquiry),” Smith argued.
Smith said residents are always trying to understand who really controls local politicians. “I need to feel comfortable when I cast my vote this election; that the people I’m voting for are not people who, 10 months after I cast my vote, I’m then learning these people are in bed with the very people that I’m concerned about,” he stated.
False prophet leaders
Smith also decried the culture of politicians in the BVI that emerge in the ‘wee hours of the night’ claiming that they have been sent by God.
“We’ve had that kind of culture and it’s a big issue for us that we rely on this religious idea that we are some form of Christian society and the politicians feed into that and the public somehow follows that,” Smith explained while noting that residents are programmed this way.
The attorney added he was also worried that the BVI will have another false prophet rising up claiming that someone is possibly appointed by divinity.
“Let’s be blunt, it happened the last elections,” Smith stated.
Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
We need a reset but Dr. Pickering is not it. He had his chance and did nothing for 20 years. He just miss his rich, white friends and flying around the globe on the public’s dime. BVI people leave Dr. Pickering where he is. In this fight you are in he is not the person you need there. He will quicker help the UK then help us. You have been WARNED!
HIM AGAIN!! WHATS YOUR MOTAVIES OF BEING ON THIS MEDIA SIGHT EVERYDAY ON EVERYBODY BACKS !
Tell us what you have done for the 20 years you were a representative and your 8 years as a minister. I have searched hard to find anything productive and I can’t. We need producers now. Not people who just talk. We need people who will stand up for the BVI people not people who say we are jealous of their rich, white friends. You only want our vote so you get back cozy with Johnson, Branson, the governors and the other bougie group of your friends. I for one see through you and you would not be getting no vote of mine. We need true soldier now not no fake.
seem like you want to run since you commenting on everybody matters. Do not do that if you plan on running.
Time shrut your a** up
How all of a sudden he is being quoted in news stories? Has he ever won a case in his entire legal career? What has he done, ever? BVInews please for godsake, cut the bulls**t!
Jamal – say what you like but it ‘baffles’ me if you think anybody is going to vote for you.
,Time shrut your a** up
I ain speaking for Dr.Pickering but after IRMA them same rich white friend is who help the BVI big time
Never heard of him but for me he just popped up with much to say on everyone as of late. Is he planning to run for office in future?
Well, in case you may be pondering that, just know that the people of the BVI are in a blank up mood right now. Reading the tea leaves, I think they are fed up of all politicians and wants to rid themselves of old guard. Out with the old; in with the new.
However, if you are thinking of running, pointing out the short comings of others is not going to score you too many points with this electorate. They already know that.
People are looking to people with ideas and solutions. Critiquing others is a non starter. What will you bring to the table apart from pointing out other peoples short falls as you see them?
He again running his mouth? He ain’t tired being wrong?
Dr Sickening needs to go and sit down.
When he was in power, he had no idea the local people existed.
Go SID DUN!!
I was an NDP Supporter, but you have half of these politician some in office has fail our people.
one thing I know for sure .if it wasn’t for the rich white people and their finance the bvi would be in a worst financial dilemma than what it is in And according to one comment above if it wasn’t for the rich white friends after Irma we would be still looking like the shanty towns of some neighboring countries. and maybe just maybe there is enough white people to vote for him to propel him to political office again. the power that some of you talking about the good doctor doesn’t need that.he is a very humble guy and this is one guy that power never get to his head and he have done more travel now than when he was in office. so talk something else.
Does anyone care what this guy thinks? Not news.
Did anyone get Jamal’s point about people being stuck on stupid with the religious psychosis that allows them to be easy prey for tricksters who know which button to press. These are the types of things that Britain and intelligent people recognize as the danger of sending out mentally deficient zombies into a rabid world. Look how everyone has jumped on Pickering’s case yet none comments on the danger of having a captive mentality in a time when we need to know what is real and what is not. Apart from the work of the COI the greater work needs to be done on freeing the minds of the people. Put a hog in a palace he still remain a pig. The Christian Council needs the COURAGE and DECENCY to remove the veil from people’s eyes if they are truly interested in seeing real progress and maturity instead of trying to push a con plan that is designed for their own benefit. The BVI’s real problems are mental and spiritual. True freedom means knowing thyself. The Drama of this present election cycle should never be allowed to repeat itself. A bitter pill to swallow…you were warned but tried instead to kill the messenger. This time let’s keep it real.
We’ve been plagued with the question of who is behind these politicians? We had the issue with the NDP (National Democratic Party) [and] whether they were controlled by the BVI Investment Club. That came up in the COI (Commission of Inquiry),” Smith argued.
No… it’s The Lodge that controls everything. Just look who’s in the ‘club’ – go figure!
Doc miss traveling
Dr. Pickering throws himself at the public’s mercy, after 20 years as a legislator and has nothing to stand on now, who to blame? Whether attorney Smith has political aspirations or not it iz his right to express his opinions, which are not unique to him. Others have the same questions.
well said sah
Is saying )> boy , I had all that power in my control , and it just wENt / LeFt /\\_ WOW ! ?
liFe ?
Why dont Smith who knows so much about every body and every thing throw his hat in the ring and do something for his country .critisizing not helping .Action is what counts just do it man.