Up Next: A Rookie

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Melissa Edwards/BVI Platinum News
Hon. Dr Kedrick Pickering, Hon. Myron Walwyn and Hon. Andrew Fahie

(PLTM) - In baseball, there is always great enthusiasm when a rookie commences his career in the majors and is usually well supported by family and friends who look forward to a rewarding career.

As most sports lovers know, rarely do players change positions in team sports which means that a rookie point guard on opening night will most likely finish up his career as a point guard.

First District Representative, Hon. Andrew Fahie may have smacked a homerun last Wednesday by outscoring team captain, Hon. Julian Fraser, but Hon. Fahie will need to hit a grand slam if his team, the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) is to remain in the majors.

To do this, Hon. Fahie will need to demonstrate that he has the necessary skill set and versatility to fill a new position in the field as Premier of the Virgin Islands, a position currently held by a veteran, Hon. Dr. D. Orlando Smith and previously held by another veteran, Hon. Ralph T. O'Neal.

Team National Democratic Party (NDP) is also likely to field a new captain who will be filling a new role on the playing field. None of the candidates hoping to take over leadership of the NDP have served as the substantive Premier of the Virgin Islands which means that if all conditions remain constant, the Territory could be looking at a rookie Premier, the first in nearly two decades.

Dr. Smith was the most recent first-time leader when he became Chief Minister in 2003.

The VIP appears to have settled down the players in their dug out, but the NDP will more likely get their line up established by next year. From all appearances and barring any unexpected situation, team captain, Dr. Smith is likely to retire at the end of his stint, making room for another team player to step up to the plate.

New Hitters

For the most part, Hon. Dr Kedrick Pickering, the current Deputy Premier and Hon. Myron Walwyn, the Minister of Education and Culture are the two choices which have been elevated to the top of the list within the NDP as the likely successor to Dr. Smith, but either of the two, once elected, will be looking to lead the Territory as the substantive Premier for the first time.

Both are not new to Government; however, Dr. Pickering has served as the 7th District Representative for fifth consecutive terms, while Hon. Walwyn has seen two terms as an At-Large Representative with the party, securing the most votes at last year's general elections.

Dr. Pickering has served as Acting Premier on numerous occasions in Dr. Smith's absence and could take claim for being the most travelled, representing the BVI at numerous international conferences. However, Dr. Smith being at At Large Representative, one selling point maybe that the party continues to select leaders from the At-Large pool.

Hon. Fahie has some historical momentum given that Hon. H. Lavity Stoutt, who is revered as one of the most accomplished leaders in VI history, came from the First District and was also the leader of the VIP.

Ultimately, the voters will decide which player in the political field fills the new position of Premier and gets to pinch hit for the BVI in the coming years.

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