Former Deputy Premier, At Large Candidate Dr Kedrick Pickering believes despite recent discussions surrounding a Territory’ onward march, the Virgin Islands is not anywhere close to achieving Independence.
Dr Pickering spoke during a recent guest appearance on the UMOJA talk show.
According to Pickering, while self determination and independence is inevitable there are key processes which must take place during that journey. Processes he believes should have begun on the heels of the 2007 Constitution.
Pickering went on to map out how these processes should unfold moving forward.
Pickering believes that throughout this journey, it is imperative that the Virgin Islands maintain its relationship with the United Kingdom.
The condition of this relationship, he said, will be a determining factor of where the Territory is headed.
In regard to timelines, the simple answer he said is that there isn’t one. He said that the length of the process will depend on how the Virgin Islands handles the necessary steps.
Throughout this, he stressed that it is the responsibility of the Territory’s leaders to explain what is happening, and why certain steps must be taken, to the public.