We need a better Opposition
Dr Kedrick Pickering has posited that a new approach is needed to the political divisions in the territory, adding that those who split from the National Democratic Party (NDP) in 2018, must now regroup for overall progress.
Speaking on his Eye on the Future of the Nation talk show earlier this week, Dr. Pickering said the territory needs a unified and strong opposition that can stand as a viable alternative government to the one that is currently in power. He said this is how a proper democracy functions.
“The divisions we now have need to be put aside for the better of the country and for the greater good. There’s no sense in fighting amongst ourselves, the country is bigger than all of us. The divisions that were created in this country that were created in 2018 need to now be put aside and the people who were involved in creating those divisions need to come together for the greater good,” Dr. pickering said after admitting that he is aware his stance may cause some backlash,
He continued: “We need a unified Opposition party that provides an alternative to the government in power and keeps them on track but also to let people know that whenever they get a chance to vote again there’s an opportunity to change things.”
Some time during 2018, the then-ruling NDP party split into two factions, with the breakaway Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) led at the time by then-Health Minister and longtime NDP stalwart, Ronnie Skelton.
The NDP lost the next general election in 2019 and many blamed the downturn in politics on their split, saying they caused valuable votes to be scattered, thus giving an upper-hand to the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), which presented a more unified team.
Some time after the split, former three-term Premier and NDP leader Dr. Orlando Smith said his greatest disappointment in politics is the fracture of his party after the 2017 disasters.
In the meantime, the divisions in politics live on to this day. There are currently three political parties that form the Opposition of the current House of Assembly: Progressive United, led by senior legislator Julian Fraser, the NDP – Myron Walwyn and Marlon Penn and the PVIM – Ronnie Skelton, Melvin “Mitch” Turnbull and Stacy “Budda” Mather.
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I wonder if Dr. Puckering has amnesia. Let’s do a memory recall here. The NDP had internal elections to replace Dr. Smith. Hon. Walwyn won the leadership contest. Ronnie left the party immediately after to form PVIM because he lost. This same Dr. Puckering left the party and ran independent. These two older heads could not deal with a younger person leading the party.
So now you have two opposition parties. Dr. Pickering ran last election with the NDP after they let him back in. He lost at large.
Guess what? Dr. Puckering want power so bad and want to get back in the graces of his rich, white friends that he realize that he cannot win at large in a three party election. This is the only reason he want the parties to unite. He was one of the main sources of the demise of the NDP and now he wants to play the saviour. The man miss power and would do anything to get it back.
Dr. Puckering give the younger people a chance. You had 20 years in government and nobody could put their hands on anything you did for that time. Give it a rest!
I rate this man among one of the most unproductive, unhelpful, arrogant politicians we ever had in the BVI. The BVI needs to advance beyond these type of leaders. Kedrick is not for his people. He is for the rich and powerful and with all the BVI is going through he is the last person we need negotiating on our behalf with these Caucasian people from the UK. He believes they are better than us. Keep this man far from government.
He and Ronnie mash up the NDP because Myron, who has expatriate parents, win the NDP election. Ronnie get back in. Even Lorna get in. And he Pickering is still outside. Let he stay outside and bawl like a pig. He to badminded. Lol. He miss power. Don’t mind me. Kedrick is only for himself.
If you and Lorna them didn’t undermine Ronnie for Myron, the NDP would’ve still been in control today
Nobody undermine Ronnie. He lost the election fair and square. He was the one who couldn’t take the loss graciously and went to form his own party. I lost all respect for him from that day.
Lahna, Picko and Wallwin cooked up that Asia trip to send Skelly far away enough that he couldn’t be back in time for the NDP internal party election.
This was very underhanded and malicious by those mentioned above. Lahna only came back to poach votes to secure her seat at the table all the while knowing she wouldn’t stay with them! The setup started back on 2018/19. Why would anyone want to be with those types of deformed self-serving personalities? Lahna belong where she is – among those vipers and deceivers.
Pure nonsense. Did they liver him up and pur him on the plane? How long will you people peddle these lies. I swear ayo crazy. Myron would have beat Ronnie regardless just like he beat him every election. Look in this last election Ronnie barely made it. For someone who has been in government before Mather beat him. Lorna of all persons beat him and Sharie beat him. What does that tell you? Chupes. Go siddung with your piss
The truth hurts I see and stung you hard that you still reeling! GTFOH
Ayo stay there. Doc miss going on that boat to Oil Nut Bay.
Picko was useless on the government side. He would be worse on opposition side.
What Dr. Pickering said is right. But actions need to start NOW. Amongst themselves, they need to start
assembling their Team NOW. There is a POWER WAR operating in this Territory presently in ALL Sectors. Whenever and wherever there is a War, there will be casualties. All Members of the Opposition need to sit down and decide their next move if they intend to Run again. Stop fighting for Power! Fight for our Territory and its people. All Skills are needed. Come up with a written Plan from Now and assemble your Best Team. Don’t wait until Elections to bring Candidates to the people. Let All your Candidates meet the people Now and strategize your winning Techniques. Everybody is needed But not Everybody is Politically educated. The Grassroots are the majority when it comes to Politics in this Territory. Reach Them. Teach Them and work with them. Choose suitable Candidates for all 13 Seats and bring them to the people. A lot of people who run for Political Office think they can just jump up during that time and convince people that they who they are not. That is why We are in this mess. A Wicked Man or Woman will always be so until God changes them. Not Voters. Leh We Go Opposition. We can do Dat Ting!!!
Alliance For Change:
District # 1…………
District # 2………… Hon. Mitch Turnbull
District # 3………….Hon Julian Fraser
District # 4………….
District # 5………….
District # 6………….Hon. Myron Walwyn.
District # 7………….
District # 8…………. Hon. Marlon Penn
District # 9………….
At Large. Hon. Ronnie Skelton. Hon Stacy Mather,
Two Others.
Mrs. Moses and Mrs. Smith-Archer are excellent Candidates But they are not well known throughout the Territory. ALL Votes Count. Don’t wait until Election time to meet and mingle. Start Now.
anything that relies on fraser is a waste of time, he too hard headed to accept that nobody wants him as premier
What damm fraser for the third district? we going with willock boss he is the only one we can call
D3 going wid piggi wiggly over part-head?!? Damn! The sargassum must be disturbing your mind. Jedi can move them two idiats if he switch from that fake team. They just gonna use him like they done to others. M&M have no scruples.
Aaron should take three but he with the wrong team and he need to get off social media
Nah we need better trustworthy politicians cuz yall doing nonsense for years and we in the same ditch
repeating the same thing over and over is insanity
what’s even more crazy is that some people really believe yall doing good for the bvi.
maybe those people delulu or them hands in deep with yall pockets too smh… maybe both!
wrap it up UK!
#GRANTS
#POTHOLES
#SsbMonies
#MissingPlane
#PierParkScandal
#SexOffenderList
#GreedyBill
We need a better system for electing our representatives, one the holds them accountable and one that gives the voters and option to make changes before it is too late.
It should be mandatory that all political aspirants be educated in some political sciences, economics and governmental law making.
No longer should we be electing political novices to office who are totally untrained, unknowledgable and incompetent for the job.
No where in society are unqualified people are ever employed to any job.
We must take that first step.
It should be not who we like for our districe, but instead who has the requsite qualifications to represent our district.
The politicalrequirements need to be more stringent and the voting public needs to become better knowledgable and matured.
We need a completely different set of people running this place. This VIP/ NDP thing not working all of them the same. Is like you screwed no matter who win.
We need every knowledgeable politician back in to turn this territory around. All they have to do is don’t give Dr. pickering any ministry but we need him back in there to help fight our way through. Let anyone without sin cast the first stone. We hold grudges and this is why we cannot get any better.
You really don’t know what you are talking about. What ministry he could want. He was a minister for 8 years. Put your finger on one thing he did. Just one. That’s all! Look at the state of Long Look after he represented it for 20 years. The lives of the people up there are any better. He live got better but nobody else.
Wow!
Just look at all the house slaves compeating to be the leader of the plantation. It’s pitiful. You belongs to the plantation. It does not belong to you. When will you learn?
Ya’ll forgot how Wiggie behaved in the HOA when Head Coach was there?
Ya’ll think the mistaken Premier is bad when it comes to wasting ya’ll Monies? Put Wiggie in there and then ya’ll will Bawl…
Remember I told ya’ll so.