TRAMPLING of democracy, refusal to stage imminent elections, imposition of taxes without consent and the erosion of human rights under the new constitution.
Just some of the claims levelled at London by the PNP which this week announced an active bid for independence from Britain.
The party has pledged to hold a prompt referendum on the issue if successful in next year’s elections, after members backed proposals at a meeting on Monday.
Leader Clayton Greene vowed in a statement that the “march to freedom” had begun.
“The question can no longer be whether there will be or whether there should be independence. The question must now be when.”
He said the PNP believed it was the destiny of all people worldwide to obtain independent status – and the responsibility of every government to make it happen.
“Our party is therefore committed to doing all that it can, whether in or out of government, to prepare the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands politically, socially and economically for that eventuality.”
Mr Greene said every party policy would strive to ensure “greater social, economic and political opportunities” for islanders.
The PNP has long called for liberty from UK shackles, but the resolution passed at its National General Council meeting represents a significant stride forward on the road to autonomy.
The party claims the TCI was abandoned by Britain for many years following the collapse of the once lucrative salt industry.
Members say native people achieved major prosperity for the islands without help from the mother country.
Among a list of 12 ‘failures’ by the UK, are the seizure of governance without permission, the suspension of the TCI’s “most basic laws”, the axing of the automatic right to a jury trial, wreckage of the economy, and the installation of a “mock” legislature.
Controversial civil service reforms, which have seen widespread job losses and wage cuts, invoked PNP wrath too.
The resolution also accuses Britain of failing in its duties – as outlined by the United Nations – to prepare the country for self-determination.
“At every stage of these oppressions, the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms, and our repeated petitions have only been answered by repeated injury,” it goes on to state.
It continues that the current relationship is not in the islands’ “best interest”.
“The time has come that we as a people chart our own future towards progress and prosperity.”
The resolution ends by pledging to embark on a public education programme aimed at extolling the virtues of an independent nation.
And to secure “as soon as practicable” a referendum to gauge the views of the populace.
-TC WEEKLY NEWS
