Kedrick Pickering

Dr. Kedrick Pickering (born 8 April 1958) is the former Deputy Premier of the Virgin Islands, also known as the British Virgin Islands. He also served as the territory's Minister of Natural Resources and Labour. He is a member of the National Democratic Party.

Pickering has been described in the British media as "pro-independence".

Background

Pickering was born in Tortola. He grew up in Long Look, East End, Tortola where he still lives today. His father was born in Cuba but was an orphan and was adopted by Virgin Islander Alvin Pickering. He went on to study at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados.

Pickering is married to Alice Marie Pickering and is the father of 4 children.

Career in public life

Pickering was first elected to hold public office at the 1999 general election following which he served as a back-bencher. In the 2007 general election, Pickering and his party suffered a defeat at the hands of the Virgin Islands Party, retaining only 2 out of 13 elected seats. In the 2011 general election Pickering returned to office and his National Democratic Party won an overall majority. He was appointed Deputy Premier and Minister of Natural Resources and Labour.

During his political career, Pickering has stood in each election as candidate for the 7th District. He was most recently elected to the House of Assembly at the 2015 general election where he secured 75% of votes in the District. He was re-appointed to serve as Deputy Premier and Minister of Natural Resources and Labour.

He split from the National Democratic Party in 2019, and was voted out of office in the general election later that year. He rejoined the party in 2023 but was unsuccessful in the general election of that year.

Electoral history

+ Kedrick Pickering electoral historyYear District Party Votes Percentage Winning/losing margin Result1999 7th District National Democratic Party 356 60.8% +247Won 2003 7th District National Democratic Party 452 62.8% +189 Won 2007 7th District National Democratic Party 351 53.1% +53 Won 2011 7th District National Democratic Party 535 70.1% +379 Won 2015 7th District National Democratic Party 607 75.3% +408 Won 2019 7th District Independent 338 39.3% -36 LostN. Wheatley2023 At-large National Democratic Party 2,860 -472* Lost (6th)* For at-large candidates (general elections) who won, this is the vote differential from the 5th placed candidate (i.e. the candidate with the highest number of votes who was not elected). For at-large candidates who lose, this is the vote differential from the 4th placed candidate (i.e. the candidate with the lowest number of votes who was elected).