‘Elders’ need to exit politics

Rosan

Political commentator and media owner Cindy Rosan has suggested that certain “elders” in the local political space should retire and give the territory a chance to advance.

Among the people Rosan named are current long-time elected leaders, as well as those who’ve enjoyed close proximity to politics over the years.

“It’s time for the elders to exit stage left: Ronnie Skelton, Kedrick Pickering, Julian Fraser, Lorna Smith, and I’m going to put John Cline in it too. All of them are from the same pack. Give it a rest, go home and let the BVI breathe,” Rosan said in a Facebook Live session on April 8. “We’re tired of your form of leadership and we’re not going to go anywhere under your leadership.”

Rosan said this group and others like them have outdated political views that are undemocratic. As an example, she cited Bishop John Cline’s position that the newly formed Opposition Alliance ousted Ronnie Skelton because they couldn’t wait their turn.

Rosan said such a view is wrong, as leadership should only be determined based on what the territory needs and what voters choose.

“We need to stop this entitlement. It’s how the country is feeling and it’s what the country wants. A leader will come out based on that. We can’t think that Ronnie needs his turn, then Marlon needs his turn, etc. That’s a strong sense of entitlement and it’s not in the betterment of the country,” Rosan posited to viewers.

When it comes to the kind of political leaders the BVI needs, the public holds mixed views. Some believe seasoned politicians have the wisdom and expertise the territory could benefit from, while others believe the younger generation is poised to take the BVI to the next phase of advancement.

Still, others hold that the territory needs the right blend of senior and junior elected leaders to make the Virgin Islands prosperous.