VOLUME 15 ISSUE 42

Page 1

OCTOBER 25TH, 2019 – NOVEMBER 1ST, 2019

Website: www.suntci.com

Email: sun@suntci.com

VOLUME 15 - NO. 42

Tel: (649) 348-6838

$1.00

Fax: (649) 941-3281

www.facebook.com/tcisun

CHANGES TO CONSTITUTION PROPOSED by Hayden Boyce Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

T

he two main political parties in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) have recommended several changes to the country’s Constitution, which, if approved by the British government, will effectively give future elected governments more control over TCI’s affairs. The ruling People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) and the opposition Progressive National Party (PNP) have appointed a Constitution Review Committee that was formed to conduct consultations throughout the islands on proposed constitutional changes to the Constitution, reintroduce the public to the current proposals before the United Kingdom, educate on areas of proposed new submissions and receive recommendations. When their report is completed by October 31st, it will be forwarded to Her Majesty’s Government and a TCI Delegation will go to London make representations in November. The Committee is chaired by Attorney General Hon. Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles OBE, QC, who is being supported by the Principal Legislative Drafter in the Attorney General’s Chambers, Ms. Desiree Downes MBE. The other members of the committee are: Hon. Sean Astwood, Deputy Premier; Hon. Douglas Parnell, MP for Cheshire Hall and Richmond Hill; Hon. Akierra Missick, MP for Leeward and Long Bay and Donhue Gardiner, former Minister for Border Control. Chief among the proposals is the “return to trial by jury as a fundamental right” with the defendant having an option to elect to trial by judge alone. It is proposed that a person charged with a criminal offence should have a right to trial by a jury of his peers or the option to elect to trial by judge alone. Regarding whether decisions in Cabinet should be taken by majority vote or by consensus? If the answer is by majority vote, whether the Deputy Governor and the Attorney General should be voting members of the Cabinet, the Committee proposed that decisions of Cabinet are to be taken by a majority of the Members present and voting. “We propose that once a decision is taken in Cabinet, if a Member of the Cabinet cannot or will not defend it, or if he or she should speak outside of the Cabinet against it, he or she should resign his/her office,” a document with the recommendations stated.

Continued on page 2

Captain Bradley Williams makes TCI proud Captain Bradley Williams being greeted at the Providenciales International Airport. See page 4

Fortis CEO Eddinton Powell earns Leadership MVP Award FortisTCI President & CEO Eddinton Powell (center)is pictured with Vice President of Innovation, Technology and Strategic Planning Rachell Roullet (left) and Senior Vice President of Corporate Services and CFO Ruth Forbes (right) after receiving the CREF Energy Leadership MVP Award. See page 4


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.