I grew up hearing about, and when I was able to read, reading about the American war for Independence and the Boston tea party affair. The spark that lit the fire for those incidents of history was the imposition of taxes on the American people without them being represented. The phrase was coined “No taxation without representation”! The British had imposed a tax on imported tea which the American colonist said that they were not prepared to pay. When the ships were anchored off in Boston Harbour, they refused to allow them to be offloaded and in the dead of night, dumped all of the tea overboard, and this became known as the Boston Tea Party!
With respect to the Turks and Caicos Islands, VAT or Value-added Tax is to be imposed on us by 1st April, 2013. When the question was raised in the UK Parliament by Andrew Rossendale, Minister Bellingham’s response was that the UK was not imposing this tax on the people of TCI, and it was left up to the local TCI government, whether or not it should be done. What he failed to say though, was that the current government was imposed on us by UK law, because the Interim Constitution Order is UK law. Furthermore, this law sets out a sham, that gives cover to the UK government, but there is no real representation of the people, by the people and of the people in the two puppet bodies that have been set up, namely, the Advisory Council and the Consultative Forum.
The order that sets up these two bodies clearly states that they can give the Governor advice, but he need not take that advice. This had held true on a number of occasions, as the advice given was clearly ignored by the Governor. So Minister Bellingham, you cannot issue platitudes in the House of Commons to contrary and then think that it would be swept under the carpet by the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The opposition to the implementation of VAT in TCI has the total support of all the people here! This is one time that I have seen the people acting in unison for a worthy cause. No amount of sugarcoating can mask the fact that all of the people affected by this tax are in opposition to it. Clearly the premise on which the imposition is being made has been shown to be completely flawed and by the words of the chief proponent, Dr. Hugh, the CFO. It must be said that what has been advocated as consultations, has been nothing more than a farce. No one has said that money necessary for the management of the country and the provision of the necessary social services and infrastructure should not be raised. What clearly is the case is that VAT in its present form and timing is not in the interest of Turks and Caicos Islanders.
VAT in our case, is clearly designed to remove the collection of revenue from those that can afford it and place it squarely on the backs of those that can least afford it, the average “Joe Blow” down the street. In our context, this cannot be fair.
In spite of what Professor Hugh is saying, the opposition to him and his tax is gaining momentum. Mr. Stanbrook, by setting up the TCIBC and employing a public relations firm to lobby for and on our behalf is testament to the weight being applied to the cause. The fight is being taken to the place where it really hurts, at the steps of the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer! This is not something that is being taken lightly. Just like the British aristocrats of the American colony led the fight against the British to get their freedom, this fight did not start with our local British aristocrats, but they have been seen to be in the forefront taking it to the British now! Sam Slattery and Clive Stanbrook, are just the tip of the spear!
When I heard that a member of the Advisory council had resigned, my mind flashed on Joe Connolly! After seeing Simon, who heads up the local PWC Partnership in conjunction with Joe coming out and blasting the Interim Administration from a technical point of view, I said it was Joe because in this particular instance, he is totally conflicted! His firm is giving advice to clients saying that this tax would seriously, adversely impact their businesses, while he is apparently giving succor and comfort to the Interim Administration by staying on, while the Governor is saying that his Advisory Council is giving him total and unequivocal support for VAT’s implementation!
It is now time to fish, cut bait or get out of the boat! We cannot allow these people to distort our economy by the imposition of this VAT tax and when the real “doo-doo” hits the proverbial fan, they are nowhere to be found! This European model of taxation is designed to keep us in total subjection. Those among us who have aspirations to make men and women of themselves can just forget it! There is no way that the children graduating in this cycle can expect to get involved in a business venture and hope to get it off the ground and be able to make a profit from it. Oh hell, I just forgot that the CFO has said that those persons so engaged, are bitching and moaning of the imposition of VAT because it would preclude them from having a reasonable life style because of their investment in a business that is turning a profit. Why should someone put his resources at risk if not to realize a profit? That is not the way of capitalism! But Professor Hugh lost a business, and was therefore has no clue as to how toturn a profit, so for that alone, he has a beef with a successful business.
So taxation without representation is going to be hard to be continued in Turks and Caicos. These fellows are out of the door, but before they leave, they are hell bent on burning down the house that jack built. They are taking the dog in the manger view, in that they cannot eat the grass, but they can surely prevent the cow from eating it!
This is no time to let up the pressure on these people. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel! So let us keep on fighting to get our rights. Do not forget that it is the squeaky wheel that gets the grease. Right now, there are many squeaky wheels here now!
by-Royal S. Robinson, MBE
