I would boycott Queen's Birthday celebration as private citizen- Dr. Pickering
Last Tuesday, May 29, 2018, the host of ‘Honestly Speaking’ Claude O. Skelton-Cline, on his radio show, stated that he “was joining his voice to the chorus of those who had concluded that they too, with Bishop John I. Cline, were not going to support the annual Queen’s Birthday Parade on June 9, 2018.”
Boycott parade- Skelton-Cline
The social commentator, declared that he wanted Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert—Her Majesty’s representative—to know, “given he was not there for us when we needed him to be there on May 24, 2018 for the Decision March, he should not expect us to be there for him, when he need us to be, on June 9, 2018 for The Queen’s Birthday Parade.”
Mr. Skelton Cline called on schools and all likeminded citizens to send a message to Her Majesty’s representative in protest of the debilitating economic impact, the recent Sanction Anti-Money Laundering Bill passed by the UK Parliament, would have on the people of the Virgin Islands.
I am only going because of official duties- Dr Pickering
The social commentator then turned to his guest, the Deputy Premier, Dr. Kedrick D. Pickering and ask him if he would support such a protest. Dr. Pickering responded by saying, “I wish to make it abundantly clear, that it so happen that on that day, I will be Acting Premier, and therefore, in my official capacity, I will attend the parade, but, if you are asking me as a private citizen, if I will attend, the answer would be no.” So in other words, Hon Pickering is only attending out of responsibility as a Minister, according to the member.
Queen signed Bill to kill us
The Territory is getting ready to stage a formal celebration of Her Majesty’s Queen Elizabeth II birthday on Saturday, June 9, 2018. However, it was on Wednesday, March 23, 2018, that Queen Elizabeth II—the lady who the Territory is to celebrate her 93rd birthday—gave Royal Assent to the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Bill that contained an amendment demanding registers of beneficial ownership only for the Caribbean Overseas Territories be made public.
It will result in the collapse of the Virgin Islands (VI) economy, since some 60 per cent of revenue comes directly from the offshore sector and 80 per cent indirectly. On June 9, 2018, funds will be taken from the local Treasury to facilitate the parade, according to a senior officer in the Deputy Governor’s Office.
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14 Responses to “I would boycott Queen's Birthday celebration as private citizen- Dr. Pickering”
Separately, the Queen has had nothing to do with the UK legislation. Sure she signs it as a ceremonial role, but she doesn't get a say. Remember, this is an act of the UK parliament but was not something the UK government wanted to bring in - rather, borne of weakness of the UK government, a collection of MPs managed to find agreement on their anger at inequality and, fuelled by the left wing UK press, are happy to see the success of offshore diminish just as they would be happy to see largely unregulated capitalism in general decline. The BVI model of expecting others to pay for the corporate product and simply to receive dividends from that without paying much in the way of tax or doing much in the way of productive work in the BVI is something the left of centre parts of the UK would not support in any event.
Consequently, the VI furor over the amendment to Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Bill that requires OT’s by 2020 established a public register of beneficial ownership should be directed at the UK parliament. Putting the monarchy in the crosshairs may be misplaced anger. Though it is customary to celebrate the Queen’s birthday, each resident has the right not to. Nonetheless, IMO there is a different requirement for members of government. Although they may privately disagree with the Monarchy, they should set the personal example by publicly supporting it. Here is a news flash. Taking the oath as a minister means one is a public figure all the time, not on a part time basis.
On the other hand though, election fever is in air and politicians will act like politicians by trying to get a majority of electorate on his/her side. Furthermore, more than election fever is in the air. Party(s) leadership is up for grab so aspirants are trying to seal the deal by appearing tough. The Bill provides an opportunity to talk tough. Moreover, undoubtedly, the Bill was unfair, discriminatory, racial.......etc but the BVI effort to effect change should be trained on entities that can make things happened, ie, HC, HL........etc. For starters, the same requirements should be imposed on crown dependencies (Isle of Man, Jersey, and Guernsey) as are imposed on OTs. What is the difference b/w crown dependencies and OTs, ie, TCI, CI, VI, Anguilla, Montserrat, Bermuda......etc?