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Ex-legislator Dr Kedrick D. Pickering blasts tri-party Opposition

- Threw words @ NDP & PVIM breakup in 2018
The Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) headed by Opposition Leader Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL), left, is a breakaway of the National Democratic Party (NDP) previously headed by Hon Myron V. Walwyn (R6). Photo: PVIM/Facebook
Former legislator Dr Kedrick D. Pickering believes the Opposition parties, Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) and the National Democratic Party (NDP), need to mend their relationship for the good of the territory. Photo: Facebook/File
Former legislator Dr Kedrick D. Pickering believes the Opposition parties, Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) and the National Democratic Party (NDP), need to mend their relationship for the good of the territory. Photo: Facebook/File
Former Opposition Leader Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) is the founder and leader of Progressives United, the third party making up His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition. Photo: Facebook/File
Former Opposition Leader Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) is the founder and leader of Progressives United, the third party making up His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition. Photo: Facebook/File
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- In his talk show programme, ‘Eyes on the Future of Our Nation’ aired on ZBVI 780 AM on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, former legislator Dr Kedrick D. Pickering made some scathing allegations against the tri-party Opposition.

Currently, the Opposition in the House of Assembly, which many have now labelled as “weak, and in a state of confusion”, is made up of three political parties. They are the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) headed by Opposition Leader Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL), the National Democratic Party (NDP) headed by Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8), and the Progressives United (PU) headed by Hon Julian Fraser (R3).

Dr Pickering opined on his radio show that we need a new “approach to the political division in the country”. He said the fighting over who wants to be this, and who wants to be that” is not necessary for “when the country does well, all of us does well.”

The former Legislator, who was defeated two times- in the 2019 and 2023 general elections- after a 20-year stint in office, said what happened in 2018 has caused a lot of political divisions. He explained that there is a need for two main political parties, as the Opposition must be the alternative Government.

NDP 1 & 2

Dr Pickering was referring to the breakup of the main Opposition party, the NDP. The party was headed then by Hon Myron V. Walwyn (R6), who many said was not an indigenous Virgin Islander since none of his parents were born in the VI. That was allegedly why some walked away from the NDP. Hon Skelton broke away, along with others from the NDP, and formed his own political party, the PVIM.

According to Dr Pickering, the persons who were a part of the break up “need to come together for the good of the country.” He said, “We need a unified Opposition that can provide an alternative Government…the Government in waiting that will help to keep the Government on track.”

The medical doctor noted that leadership matters, but “a unified Opposition with one party is where it starts.” This unified Opposition political party can provide the fundamental basis, and ideas for everything else, according to Dr Pickering.

16 Responses to “Ex-legislator Dr Kedrick D. Pickering blasts tri-party Opposition”

  • Missed a Step (22/05/2024, 15:12) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    The opposition not being organised is quite bad, but lets not mistake that with us needing only two parties. The country having multiple parties representing multiple viewpoints is healthy for its democracy. The opposition getting themselves together is on the representatives themselves and not the system.
    • controversial (23/05/2024, 09:37) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
      What was not said is that the gov is a coalition gov according to the corner woman and from what we see the gov is not organised either...and that's worse than the opposition.
  • Well Sah (22/05/2024, 15:21) Like (34) Dislike (0) Reply

    Dr. Pickering needs to just stop giving any political opinion.. this man was in power for how many years and never had a different approach for politics.. I just look at east end roads.. right by his residence.. shame on him and Natalio

    • Country first (23/05/2024, 08:43) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      Now that Doc is on the outside he can see what is needed to be done. He is absolute right when he say they put themselves first and not the Country
  • Stealth (22/05/2024, 15:39) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    It is not for Dr. Pickering to decide how many opposition parties there should; that is up to the voters, does it not? Does Dr. Pickering having serving in the HoA for 5 terms ( 20 years), representing the 7th District and having weak legacy of nothing concrete to show for that time? Politics like a drug and can become addicting to the status, influence and power. Is Dr. Pickering having withdrawal symptoms? Dr. Hon Premier is soft , lack of experience showing , etc may be opening the door for some blows next election . Some other bloggers have been offering some advice of getting unhinged from desk and get out and press the flesh with the people practicing a less management by wandering around but he is not listening, listening only to himself. But who don’t hear does feel. Is he not listening to his diplomat brother or they both share the elitist, bankrupt views? Is it true that to serve as Premier both parents have to be indigenous Virgin Islanders?? What does the constitution say?
  • T (22/05/2024, 16:40) Like (3) Dislike (9) Reply
    That's why he father and mother don't born here we can't let island man run hear, them island man don't take over the police station we can't let them be chief
  • 2024 (22/05/2024, 17:00) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dr Picko needs to sit down because under his long term all now there is a sewage problem in the east

    he capitalized on investment in VG
  • Lb (22/05/2024, 21:14) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    I wonder if he missed his rich white friends who have no use for him anymore?
  • Maria Louisa Varlack (23/05/2024, 06:27) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    what happen to the bvi legislative council chambers that was started over 56 years ago?
  • @ T (23/05/2024, 11:20) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    That's what's killing us , we talking about island people and who born here , we are all African descendants all our ancestors came from there , and we talking about the white slave masters and what they did to our ancestors , and yet we here are doing the same thing to our Caribbean brothers and sisters , ( so who is fooling who ? / we all come and meet this land and we all will go and leave this same land that we fighting for ????
    • Jack-B-Quik (23/05/2024, 12:11) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
      Oh, be quiet. Some of you are nationalistic to the core when it comes to your own home countries. But you just hate for BVIslanders to be proud of their own little territory that y’all are sooo hungry to take over and want your OWN way with!
  • @ YES (23/05/2024, 18:06) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Yes Mr yes boi / only one person does the writing and blogging to what he writer and then blogg to your own bloggings ,"USING " fmdifferent mames to satisfy his overgrown EGO / OH @ jack -B-Quick , U can carry your war with yourself and there's no law against that / however * nerds * normally do , *using* all kinds of lame excuses. ~ / ~ yours is ☆ XENOPHOBIA ☆ please enjoy yourself ????
    • Jack-B-Quik (24/05/2024, 01:53) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      LOL - I don't have a xenophobic bone in my body, my dear. But I guess "hit dogs MUST holler" - it's only a straight fact I'm stating. I have NOTHING against my other Caribbean islands brethren, and actually admire their nationalistic nature, but let's face it and admit that it is what it is!
  • facts (24/05/2024, 02:31) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    All 13 of them need to go!


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