Claude Skelton Cline has named Dame Janice Mesadis Pereira as the woman he believes should be the next premier of the British Virgin Islands.
Cline made the revelation on his “Honestly Speaking” radio show this week, after several previous indications to his views of his belief that the next premier will be a woman.
“I have shared with you that I believe that a woman should be the next leader, premier of these Virgin Islands, and given some of the qualities I have just outlined… I would like to see, and I would like for all of us to go on a recruitment to ensure that the lady who currently sits as Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Court, Lady Justice Janice Creque Pereira… I believe she fits the mould”, he said.
The mould Cline spoke of was outlined during the program as he explained the “Transformative Leadership” that he believes the Chief Justice would bring to the table, something he says is needed in the Virgin Islands at a time where “Transactional Leadership” has failed.
“Where we are as a people and where we are as a country requires someone to be at the head that represents and will lead with a vision via Transformational Leadership… Not only should she or he possess individualised consideration, intellectual stimulation and inspirational motivation but idealised influence. That leader provides a role model for high ethical behaviour, instils pride, gains respect and trust”, he explained.
Though Cline maintains that he has not had any personal conversations with the Chief Justice regarding this theory, nor does he have any evidence that she would be interested in such a venture, he is adamant that she should be encouraged to throw her hat into the ring.
“I do believe that Dame Chief Janice George Creque Pereira should be recruited as the person to lead this country through here and I want us to pray that the Chief Justice will have her own burning bush experience… where she will have a call from God for such a time as this”, he said.
Cline has called on current and former heads of political parties to set aside their partisan differences and join to seek out a leader such as the Chief Justice for the betterment of the territory.
He also urged Virgin Islanders to have a burning bush experience of their own, and to allow themselves to look beyond present-day constraints and to push for an immediate perusal of the urgent solutions that the territory needs.