‘Two years of cronyism, while everyone else struggles’ – Opposition rebuts Premier’s mid-term address

BY DELANA ISLES

Two years ago, the PNP party swept into office with a historic win, but that is where their accomplishments ended, Leader of the Opposition, Hon Edwin Astwood said following the government’s mid-term address.

In a rebuttal to the Premier’s ‘State of the State’ address on Monday, February 27, the PDM leader shared how unimpressed he was by the government’s vaunted accomplishments, many of which he said were work and initiatives started by his party.

The main thrust of Astwood’s rebuttal was the government’s seeming ignorance to the plight of the ordinary man and woman in the Turks and Caicos Islands, while their cronies bask in the luxurious lifestyle the Islands offer to a selected few.

“We are being governed by soldiers of fortune who feel no longterm obligation to the people that had elected them,” the opposition leader said, adding: “Tonight, the Premier said it himself, he said “I know my time is limited”

“Yes, Premier your time is limited.”

Referring to the Premier and his Cabinet as “temporary workers, backup drivers, day traders, substitute teachers, and guest workers”, Astwood said they are just passing through.

“They have no skin in this game, and it shows. They can’t solve our problems. They don’t even bother to talk with our people in order to understand our problems,” he said, while accusing PNP leaders of a lack of effort.

Further accusing: “They hand out jobs and contracts and opportunities based purely on how close you are associated with them.

“Yes, the country is booming, but it is only booming for the Premier and his closest friends. Their little group did increase their economic advantage. But for everyone else, we are still fighting for the crumbs from the table.”

He is of the opinion that the actions of the government is pulling the people further apart, questioning whether that is the PNP administration’s plan all along.

“This is what’s happening in our country, probably by this PNP Administration’s grand design. Divided countries are easier to rule and exploit and nothing divides us like the perception that some select people are getting super special treatment, while all others get nothing and are being left behind.

“The general public should oppose this with everything they have.”

Negative Effects

Every major thing that this PNP Administration had put in place is having a negative effect on our people, the PDM leader stated.

He listed the Beach Vendors’ Bill which he said is killing local small businesses and making it harder for the surviving businesses to operate.

Another, the closing down of the Tourist Board and opening of the Destination Management Organisation, which is putting 17 Islanders out of work.

“The Premier said in his speech tonight that ‘that change is uncomfortable, but it is necessary’ so he is viewing the staff as causalities of war.

“You should not have to wake up every morning and worry about the next thing this government is going to do to you or your children, or do to your business, or your way of life.”

Astwood believes that the government has no idea how to reverse the economic and cultural trends that he says are destroying the territory.

“They cannot improve anyone’s life, only they can enhance their own.”

He questioned what the future looks like for the TCI and its people, when the present already presents hardships for ordinary people.

“Every TCI [resident] is probably paying 30% more for monthly expenses than they did four years ago, the cost of living is at an all-time high, for many the chance of owning a home is far out of reach. They just can’t afford the extremely high prices.

“Many persons have left the country, and many more are planning to leave. We have not seen an exodus like this since the late “60s, and early 70s”.

He said under the current PNP administration, far too many families are living paycheck to paycheck; wages are struggling to keep pace with the actual cost of living; parents’ paychecks buy them less and less; and working people are having to choose which essential items to take home and which ones to leave behind.

“So, you have not delivered,” he said in response to the Premier’s claims that he has.

“The Hon Premier said tonight that his government had created a healthcare system that is accessible and delivers high-quality care, however, under this current PNP administration, we are seeing healthcare outcomes the worse it has ever been in modern times.

“In this nation where the Premier says that the economy is roaring, we are hearing of Turks and Caicos Islanders who are skipping blood pressure pills and insulin injections, forced to choose between buying medicine or buying food.”

He said regardless of cited GDP, tourists or cruise ship numbers, or even job vacancies or decreases in whatever taxes and fees, “the fact is that for the average TCI, those cited numbers don’t translate into a better life or better opportunities”.

Astwood stated that in the last two years, he has put his trust in the people, and they have not let him down, encouraging the Premier and his government to do the same.

“You know that the soul of the TCI is not about who is the elected government, it’s men and women like you in every Island and corner of our nation, who are willing to step up and take responsibility for your communities, for your Island, for your country, and ultimately for yourselves.

“The majority of the country knows that the PDM can do better, we must do better, and we are better.”