Britain postpones elections in Turks and Caicos Islands

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands, CMC- The leader of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) Douglas Parnell Tuesday criticised the decision by Britain to postpone general elections here saying he regarded the decision as a move by London to hamper the socio-economic development of the island.



“We view this position as a reversal of its state of desire to build a new dynamic relationship with the overseas territories and to see the Turks and Ciacos Islands on a sustainable and stable footing.



“We view his decision to delay elections as unacceptable, regrettable and legally challengeable but mostly an insult to our democracy and a blatant attempt to further separate Turks and Caico Islanders from our fundamental and unalienable rights to full democracy,” Parnell said in a statement.



Minister for Overseas Territories, Henry Bellingham, who is on an official visit to the British Overseas Territory said that the delay would allow time for further important work to take place on public financial management and good governance reform on the island and will allow for the reforms to become fully embedded .

“The UK Government has considered all the Interim Government’s work over the past 12 months; all the challenges that remain, not least economic stability; and, taking all of these factors into account, we have decided that the elections will not take place in July 2011,” he said on radio here.



The elections were scheduled for July 2011 and Parnell said the PDM would “not support or stand for increasing uncertainly, increasing pain and suffering towards our people.”



Sections of the TCI Constitution were suspended in August 2009 following a Commission of Inquiry report into allegations of corruption by the Michael Misick government.



The commission, led by Sir Robin Auld, pointed to "clear signs of political amorality and immaturity and general administrative incompetence".



The Governor now has charge of matters of government subject to instruction by the Secretary of State. A Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) statement said that “this was a serious constitutional step which the Government did not take lightly. These measures were essential in order to restore the principles of good governance and sound financial management.”



“A range of UK Government funded advisers are now in place to offer support and guidance to the Governor and to the public service,” the statement said.



But the PDM leader said that Britain’s handling of the Turks and Caicos Islands since ministerial government “is a monstrosity, to its obligations under the United Nations Charter 15-14 and smacks of dereliction of its duty in preparing the people and its institutions for nationhood.



“Their stated desire for a strong partnership and a modern and mature relationship is not believable. All attempts to revive the country bring about stable footing for growth and see the principles of good governance and reforms have been at the expensive of the people through the erosion of our basic fundamental rights,” he said.



Parnell said that the “artificial widening or expending of the voter base through a force process while democracy is suspended, continues to be preached from every member of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the UK house of Commons”.



He said such a position underscores the party’s belief that there ‘is strong evidence…to disenfranchise our people further.



“Since this is the underlying message of Mr. Bellingham, he might as well had not come. We reject it and we reject any weapon form for its attainment.”



Parnell noted that London would not be providing the island with money unless the elections are postponed.



“Let me make myself clear. No amount of money can purchase our right to govern ourselves freely and fairly, so reject that notion. The FCO has failed to get it right, again.”



Parnell said that citizens have spoken on numerous occasions “to bring this melodramatic period to an end” and “we have been supported by CARICOM (Caribbean Community) in their continued stance to back the people of the TCI in the call for the end to this constitutional impasse”.



“We cannot go on ad-infinitum forever without a clear time table,” he said.



CARICOM governments have in the past criticised the decision of Britain to suspend the TCI Constitution and remove the government.



The regional leaders contend that the move has disenfranchised the Turks and Caicos Islanders who no longer have a voice in the shaping of the social, political, economic and constitutional destinies of their country.