Having assumed Office only 23 days ago, we have as a team been busying ourselves in preparing to become the next Elected Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
We have of course put in place internal structures that will secure a well – oiled political machinery. Our supporters are enthused and ready to work.
We have otherwise been involved in a number of important meetings and dialogues. These meetings were meant to be introductory and fact finding so as to chart the road ahead.
One of these important Meetings was held in Grand Turk on July 11, 2012. The Leader and Deputy Leader together with other Members of the Executive attended a Meeting led by Patrick Boyle, Acting Governor and substantive holder of the post of CEO. This Meeting saw an introduction of Senior TCIG Executive and Senior Executive Members of the PDM Party. Both bodies shared their expectation and agreed to remain cordial and respectful to each other’s roles. PDM Leadership insisted that there should be clear, concise and written Guidelines that will govern the relationship of the elected Government and the TCI Senior Executive. We believe that it is important that we understand that elected Government makes policy and that Civil Servants are to offer guidance whilst carrying out the policy of the elected Government.
This is a first of a series of Meetings that will allow the Party Officials to gain greater insight into developments that may have occurred during the Interim Administration. The Party will hold separate Meetings with individual Ministries going forward and hope to be in a better positioned for a smooth transitioning into elected Office.
We were glad for this opportunity to make our expectations clear and to ready ourselves to take over the reins so that we can be ready from day one for full governance.
In a separate, the PDM Executive has also met together with the PNP to discuss a joint proposal to be presented to the Interim Administration on the most recent draft of legislation that will govern financing of Political Parties now styled “Political Activities Ordinance. The PDM remains committed to meeting with persons and organizations where it is in the best interest of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
We have since held a bi lateral Meeting on July 13, 2012 with the Elections Supervisor Mr Dudley Lewis and the Government Strategist, Mr Philip Rushbrook. Both Parties have enjoyed a consensus on most of the more salient issues and have jointly prepared a Proposal for Presentation to the Interim Administration.
Some of our concerns relates to the treatment of loans to Political Parties, the amounts and capping of donations, the treatment of personal expenses, the role of the Integrity Commission as oppose to an Elections Commissions, the release of a Notice dated July 6, 2012 from the Governor’s Office on the governance of campaign finances in the absence of legislative authority, donations from companies and the issue of when declarations will be made.
We have today begun talks with representatives of the Westminister Foundation for Democracy to further discuss these Proposals as well as future relationships with the WFD.
Our Leader leaves for the UK on Wednesday in response to an Invitation from HMG to attend the Olympics Opening. During this visit he will meet with UK Ministers of Government and is expected to return home on August 1, 2012.
We can assure you that you can come to expect this level of transparency and accountability from a PDM Administration.
Before our leader addresses you further, I wish to welcome officially on board, the remaining members of the Fantastic 5:
- Hon Josephine Connolly brings a wealth of private sector experience and a history of successful businesses. A visionaire and a hard worker. Much needed at this time.
- Hon Samuel Harvey brings much needed experience in Government functioning as we believe that it is important that there are persons who can assist younger representatives. A former Minister of Works, he has overseen infrastructural development in these Islands and we are being handed down a country in dire need of grave attention in this area.
- Hon Derek Taylor provides a wealth of government experience and a history of proven leadership in financially challenging times similar to that that exists now – huge national debt and on the heel of a redundancy exercise. His Chairmanship of OCTA lends to a continuation of strong relations in the Region and much needed support.
I say welcome and I look forward to us pooling together and sailing this ship into safe harbor and not recklessly full steam ahead but steady as she goes with a clear path that will secure justice, prosperity and equality for all.
I believe that the PDM is the right direction. We are the right Party, for the right reason for the right time. You can trust us for sober, mature and proven leadership. You can rest assured that if it isn’t good for the Turks and Caicos Islands, then we will not have it.
PDM is the right direction. May God bless us all.
CONTRIBUTION TO LEADER’S ADDRESS
Over the past weeks, we have prepared and issued a number of Press Statements and are currently in the process of the finalizing a few positions that must be taken.
We have issued a Statement on the proposed 28 Story Development and a Position on VAT. Within a few days we will release a Statement on the removal of the TCI from the exemption list on Export Taxes to the USA and we will also make a submission to the Boundaries Commission.
We as a Party have identified our priority areas and will present our full Platform to you within short order.
We have heard the cry of our people for jobs and opportunities in this place called home. Our top priority must be get Turks and Caicos Islanders back to work. We will concentrate on Immigration and Labour in this regard.
We believe that new investment and fresh revenue must be sought and to this end, we will seek diligently new investment and will simultaneously review our country’s economy with a view to exploring new niches in our Financial Services Industry and of course in strengthening our Tourism product.
A growing nation must focus its attention on Education at all levels and we intend to put together comprehensive proposals in this regard. Healthcare is of major concern to the people of these Islands and we believe that if we are going to pay for healthcare to our financial strain, it must be accessible to all. A review of this system is a must going forward.
Other areas of priority will be:
1. Youth, Sports and Culture. Our youth need opportunities and we believe that a progressive government must channel resources in all of these areas.
2. Agriculture
3. Police and Law Enforcement and Crime
4. Cost of Living and Minimum Wage
5. Alternative sources of energy
6. Social Services – care of the elderly and juveniles
We can assure you that our Plans will be progressive and visionary and it will move these Islands in the right direction.
