Consultative Forum public meeting on January 11th and closed meeting on January 12th 2011, both attended by members of the Advisory Council to discuss Constitutional and Electoral Reform (CER) in the TCI, and to inform a response to the revised recommendations from the CER Adviser Ms Kate Sullivan. The public meeting received presentations from political, business and civil leaders.
Constitutional and Electoral Reform
Opening the session on Tuesday January 11th the Forum Chair, Lillian Misick welcomed members of the Advisory Council. She noted the particular importance of the meeting and its focus on the CER.
Forum and Council Members received presentations from the Attorney General Huw Shepheard on the main differences between the revised recommendations published last November by the independent Adviser on Constitutional and Electoral Reform Kate Sullivan, and the report of the All-Party Commission. He observed that the All Party Commission Report did not make many changes to the 2006 constitution, while the revised recommendations in the Kate Sullivan report set out a number of amendments.
Presentations from the leader of the Peoples Democratic Movement Doug Parnell, former Chief Minister Norman Saunders Snr, former Chief Minister and former PDM Leader Derek Taylor, lawyer/politician Carlos Simons, and politician Clarence Selver provided the Forum with a number of comments on Ms Sullivan’s recommendations. They largely focused on the responsibilities of the Governor and the cabinet, the size of the House of Assembly, and public financial management. They recognized the need to provide necessary checks and balances but were concerned that these should be carefully balanced so as not to curtail the initiative for future elected officials. The Chairman of the All Party Commission Wendal Swan also made himself available to answer questions from the Forum.
The Forum met in closed session on Wednesday January 12th to reflect on Tuesday’s presentations, again inviting members of the Advisory Council to join them for part of their deliberations. The Forum expressed satisfaction with the contributions of presenters in the open session and agreed to include them in the Forum’s submission on the way forward.
Immigration Reform
In addition to discussions on the CER, the Closed session on Wednesday 12th also received an update from Adviser on Immigration Lorraine Rogerson, and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Border Control and Labour Clara Gardiner. This covered plans for immigration reform.
Reflecting on the two day meetings, Chair of the Forum Lillian Misick said:
“The Forum was pleased to welcome members of the Advisory Council and was grateful for their participation and support for these important discussions. We were also pleased to have the input of the political leaders and community representatives who came forward to share their views on the recommendations before us on constitutional and electoral reform. I think this has been a valuable exercise to help us provide a thorough response on the revised recommendations published my Ms Sullivan.
“While we may have some differences of opinion, as is to be expected on such an important issue, there was clearly a strong desire with the Forum, Advisory Council members and contributors to ensure that the end result of this reform process is a new Constitution which promotes good governance and equal opportunities for all of us in the Turks and Caicos islands.
