VOLUME 14 ISSUE 45

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NOVEMBER 9TH, 2018 – NOVEMBER 16TH, 2018

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VOLUME 14 - NO. 45

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PDM & PNP AT WAR OVER CONSTITUTION By Todeline Defralien

T

he two major political parties in the Turks and Caicos Islands are having an intense fight over talks with the United Kingdom (UK) to change and advance the country’s Constitution. The ruling People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) has accused the opposition Progressive National Party (PNP) of PNP pulling out of constitutional advancement. However, the PNP says its actions were for a “legitimate reason”, because it wanted to have town hall meetings first. A statement from PDM chairman Hon. Doug Parnell said “it is obvious to all that the decision by the PNP Opposition to pull out of this process was reckless”. Parnell said: “In the PNP’s reason why it pulled out of the process they told our party that they needed to wait for a Convention that would be held in November which would usher in new leadership. That new leadership would have a new approach to constitutional advancement. But, this last weekend the PNP met and they went contrary to what they said would happen; no new leadership or executive was chosen.” He said it is therefore right for the PDM Government to forge ahead on behalf of the people without the PNP Opposition. “The people’s business is too important and the lives of the people are too greatly impacted by not having greater authority in the hands of those they elected through constitutional change which is a major campaign promise to our people. Constitutional advancement is a lengthy and time consuming process and it cannot wait for the PNP to get their act together. The message that this decision communicated is simple: They are more concerned about themselves than the betterment of the people of this great country,” added Parnell. PNP chairman Hon. Royal Robinson confirmed that his party did in fact “break off our engagement with the Government on talks dealing with Constitutional advancement”. He added: “But it was for a legitimate reason, which was unambiguously communicated to Premier Cartwright-Robinson. Make no mistake about it, the work on

8th Annual Caribbean Food & Wine Festival was a blast The highly anticipated Caribbean Food and Wine Festival held over the weekend was certainly a blast for patrons that attended the four day event. The festival took place from November 1st – 4th at a number of resorts throughout Providenciales

the Constitution thus far, as presented by the Premier, had its genesis in the Progressive National Party. The Premier, in her usual backhanded sort of way had to attest to that fact.” Robinson continued: “What she clearly and deliberately left out of her verbiage was the fact that we had agreed to have town hall meetings to affirm with the people of this country the new positions and get buy in from them so that when we did get an audience with the UK Government, we would be expressing the clear view of the people at this time. However, in her usual manner of trying to take credit for other people’s work, the Premier has again jumped the gun in an effort to make herself relevant to the time, even though we all have come to clearly realize that “the Empress has on no clothes”. During a press

and saw one of the biggest crowds since its inception. Pictured is Galmo Williams, Mark Connolly, Frank Castleton, Christopher Meredith, Thierry Grandsire, Governor Dr. John Freeman, Michael

conference on Monday November 5th, the Premier gave the country an update on the contents of the recent submissions made to the UK on behalf of the people of TCI. She said these submissions are based on the views of the people obtained in 2015 and which have been with the UK since then having been submitted under the Dr. Rufus Ewing led Administration, and they were refreshed following discussions in April with the PNP. The Premier said she has a scheduled meeting with the UK Minister on December 6th, 2018 at 10.20 am to discuss these changes. Robinson assured that she will certainly keep the people of these Islands informed on the changes that will be made.

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Stewart, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Ralph Higgs, David Ramsey, Nikheel Advani, Anthony Garland, Shaun O’Neal Andrew Pern presented with with Honoree Ambassador plaques. (See page 22 & 23 for more photographs from the event).

Premier Robinson to appear before the Foreign Affairs Committee in UK

P

remier Hon. Sharlene Robinson will appear to give evidence before the Foreign Affairs Committee in the United Kingdom (UK) during her upcoming visit to the Joint Ministerial Council Meetings. In a press statement, she said: “Persons will recall several weeks ago that I shared ongoing discussions with the Committee who had reached out to the Premier’s UK Office to have a member of its Staff there appear. I had at the time indicated my willingness to the

Premier Hon. Sharlene Robinson Committee to give written evidence or appear in person. I am pleased that the Committee has scheduled a time the first week of December for me to appear. The Inquiry will field answers to questions from members but I will certainly seek to make a brief Opening Statement, contents of which I intend to share publicly.”

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