Paul Stephenson Higgs Sr ...

any real change for the TCI as they were outnumbered. Jamaica in essence, was seeking its own interest with little concern for the TCI.

Economically, Jamaica was benefitting from the TCI’s salt industry by charging a tax on all exports of salt from the TCI. The income from this tax went directly to support Jamaica’s economy rather than being reinvested into the TCI. This was a repeat of what was experienced in the 1700s and early 1800s while TCI was being administered by the Bahamas. This practice by Jamaica seriously contributed to the further underdevelopment of the TCI. It is important to note, that all the commercial activity was mainly between Jamaica and Grand Turk making the Caicos Islands dependent on Grand Turk for its day-to-day needs further resulting in the superiority complex of the residents of Grand Turk as aforementioned.

Based on those critical circumstances, it was decision time for the British Crown Colony (The TCI). The decision was whether the islands should remain with Jamaica or return as a full-fledged British Colony. Many heated debates ensued resulting in visits made by delegations from the TCI to Jamaica and to England. Hon Paul Higgs was one of those persons who travelled to Jamaica and finally to England to present the case on behalf of the TCI withdrawing from Jamaica. Knowing how candid and forceful he was, it is strongly believed that he influenced several of his colleagues to take the same position as he did. In fact, he was the spokesman for the Caicos group and was reported as saying to the British Parliament, “Anchor us off in the Atlantic Ocean. We refuse to suffer one more day under Jamaica!”

When it came to the crucial vote in the TCI’s local Legislative Council, which was made up of one member from Salt Cay, one from South Caicos, two from Grand Turk, one from Middle Caicos, three from North Caicos and one from Blue Hills, the Yes’s won by one vote (5

– 4) in favour of the TCI moving away from Jamaica and becoming a full-fledged British Colony. This was symbolic of Hon Paul Higgs’ strong stance against the harmful separation between the Turks and the Caicos Islands. All the representatives from the Turks Islands voted in favour of remaining with Jamaica while all the representatives, led by Mr Higgs, in the Caicos Islands voted for separation. If it were not for his strong position and leadership, supported by that of his colleagues, Gus Lightbourne, Emanuel Hall, James Walkin and Harry Musgrove, the TCI might still be a colony of Jamaica to this day. One can only assume that with the current economic and political challenges that Jamaica is facing, the TCI might not be enjoying the high level of economic growth and prosperity currently being experienced. These five brave men had finally affected the change longed for by the Caicos Islands. Following this vote, representatives in the Turks Islands realised that the balance of power resided in the Caicos Islands. They felt that in order to avoid further defeats, a seat had to be taken away. As a result, the seats in Bottle Creek were reduced from two to one. This seat was placed in Grand Turk. The majority of seats were therefore in the Turks Islands as a result of this change.

Post Jamaica Years

Hon Higgs was a part of TCI’s pre-ministerial era. He realised that the single-member constituency that currently existed, could not reap the necessary rewards for the TCI. Hence, he encouraged voters to support the then Labour Party which was spearheaded by Clarence Jolly and others who had just returned home from the Bahamas with experience in political organisations. Hon Higgs spoke out openly in favour of the Labour Party as he felt that collectively, local representatives would be a greater force to reckon with. He noted that every developed country had a labour system of government. In his view, the same should apply for the TCI. He drew reference in his many political speeches to countries such as Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad and to their respective labour leadersErrol Barrow, Alexander Bustamante and Dr Eric Williams. He was self-educated and kept abreast of what was happening politically in the Caribbean region and the role that Caribbean leaders were playing in the lives of their people. Hon Higgs admonished the TCI to follow the example around them. He argued that the world was changing and that the TCI should also change in order to remain competitive. of the Bahamas;

Hon Higgs was passionate about the standard of living of his people. He argued that the TCI should make a serious effort to attract foreign investment. He believed that this would be one of the ways to reduce unemployment and raise the standard of living of the people of the TCI. This, he believed, would make the TCI a better place. This was his dream.

Hon Paul Higgs saw the need for selfimprovement and cooperation to prevail in the TCI. This is what he promoted over the years, particularly at the opening of the House of Assembly. He believed that Turks and Caicos Islanders should be the architects of their growth and development. To this end, he pushed continuously for Turks and Caicos Islanders to undertake advanced training. Hence, he advocated for TCI people to go abroad and earn degrees in areas such as medicine, agriculture and education. These persons, he opined, would be instrumental in charting a new course for the TCI. He first coined the phrase “Turks and Caicos Islanders” first.

Hon Higgs was a warrior. He was a champion for people’s rights, justice and equality. He felt the pain that the people in the Caicos Islands were experiencing. He experienced their struggle first-hand. He knew about the rejection Caicos people encountered. He experienced it first-hand. He knew of their unfair treatment and degradation. He experienced it first-hand.

• Activities that stemmed from the visit to the Bahamas by the Governor and the Premier, which included support from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force for training and improvement of radar capability to assist with interception of migrant vessels;

• Planning for TCI Government attendance to the upcoming North Caribbean Security Summit (in Miami) with representatives of the US, UK and the Bahamas to continue collaboration against the trafficking of people, drugs and weapons;

• The transfer of the Department for Disaster Management and Emergency to the NSS; now completed.

Despite being unpopular in certain circles, Hon Higgs was a man of passion, a man of substance, a man who cared. He placed country above self, a concept that is desperately lacking among some politicians in the TCI today. This is what is required of leaders. Hon Higgs led by example.

The TCI has since seen the closure of the salt and sisal industries and the growth and expansion of tourism with flights from North America, the Caribbean and Europe. This is undoubtedly Hon Higgs’s vision being realised. What has made his vision so significant is that tourism is now the focus of the Caicos Islands – the islands that Hon Higgs knew needed to grow and develop in that direction. Some of his family members including two of his sons and one of his grandsons have been actively involved in the tourist industry in the TCI and the Bahamas.

Interestingly, Hon Paul Higgs himself was not a supporter of the Black Power Boys’ new party, the PDM. However, during the 15th December 2016 general elections, one of his grandsons, Hon Ralph Higgs, who resigned his post as the Director of Tourism to contest a seat, on a PDM ticket in North and Middle Caicos, won convincingly and was appointed as the new Minister of Tourism. Hon Paul Higgs’ dream for TCI seems to have come full circle.

At the age of 92, Hon Paul Stephenson Higgs died suddenly (without any illness) on May 12, 1981, in Nassau, Bahamas while visiting his children. He was buried in Old Trail Cemetery in Nassau, Bahamas. He is survived by two sons and one daughter. His political career in the TCI seems to span from 1955 -1962.

The 2016 TCI election day would obviously have been a proud, joyous and exceptional one for Hon Paul Higgs if he were alive to see his bloodline following in his political footsteps and spearheading the tourist industry which he envisioned so long ago as being the lifeline of the TCI