I would like to extend greetings to members of the Press and Officers and Members of the PDM to this mid – term Press Conference called by the PDM. This is a very important time in the term of this Government for us to do our review of the PNP Government led by Dr. Rufus Ewing.
Before we venture any further we will ask Hon Derek Taylor to do the prayers.
Once again I would like to say a very pleasant good morning to those listening by Radio or by Telecast. The members of the PDM in the House Of Assembly has not been sleeping. We have done our duty in keeping the Government accountable to the people as best we could. We have to say at the outset that in the history of democracy in the TCI, we have never seen so many things apparently done in the interest of the people, yet at the same time have been classified, and unavailable to the public.
Financial Audit of the Hospital: not available
How much the Treasury paid former AG Huw Shephard: unavailable (case finished, money paid and Members of the House are told no, when we asked)
The Clinical Audit of the Hospital: not available
This Government has promised a lot and we will grade their performance based on what they promised and not according to our Blue Print. The Government campaigned on providing jobs for unemployed, reviewing the Hospitals one sided contract with a view of reducing cost and improving access, improving education and providing scholarships, diversifying our economy.
In brief, the Government has not delivered on its promises to the people. They have made our people to feel like aliens in their Homeland. No access to land in a fair manner, no protection on the job and no amendments to labour laws to address known problems where the absence of Regulations leave the workers at the mercy of employers who only care about their bottom line.
Our Record On Motions Brought To The House
There are critics who feel we are not doing enough to keep the Government in check. The Premier does not think so, in fact he feels we are bringing matters before the House in the form of Motions to force them to give consideration to matters that affect the lives of people. Our actions has been described as “pre-empting” what they had plans to do: eg Immigration: Sean Astwood, VAT: Leader of Oppositon, Mininum wage: Hon Edwin Astwood, National Symposium and Environmental Matters: Hon Goldray Ewing, Sale of shares Provo Water Company: Hon Derek Taylor. These Motions were carried and the Government did nothing to address the concerns raised in these motions.*
We have bent over backward to assist this Government because we felt it was necessary. But when we hear statements from the Premier that we have to wait our turn and the Government’s Appointed Member saying in the House that no Government listens to the Opposition, it made it crystal clear that we were casting our pearls before swine. We have tried and there is no role for us to play as far as the Premier is concern. They handle us with contempt and disrespect. They do not involve us in the formulation of policy and we are informed when the general public is informed, case in point, the recent travel policy in the headlines of the Sun Newspaper.
The Government has repeatedly acted contrary to the Constitution, the Governance Principles and the Code Of Conduct For Persons In Public Life. They do not tell the truth. The financial obligations in the Constitution are not complied with for 2 consecutive years.
I do not want to run the risk of covering areas that the Shadow Ministers will address. Ladies and gentlemen I now call on the Hon Leader to make her mid – term Presentation.
*Other Private Member’s Motions brought were Crime Fighting Tools by Hon Goldray Ewing and Pensions and Gratuities for the Civil Service brought by the Hon Leader of the Opposition
