The timing of elections in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) and the milestones that have to be met before such elections can be held has resulted in questions, opinions and concerns being aired by politicians on both sides of the Atlantic.
Direct rule was imposed on the TCI almost two years ago in August 2009. One year earlier, current Governor Gordon Wetherell arrived and began immediately to introduce restraints on the then elected government of the Progressive National Party (PNP).
Now, on the eve of Wetherell completing his three year term, and with CEO Mark Capes leaving, recent statements by Henry Bellingham, Britain’s minister with responsibility for the Overseas Territories, are being analysed and concerns have been expressed by politicians in TCI and London that elections may not in fact occur next year as expected.
On June 23, Emma Reynolds, the Shadow Minister for the Overseas Territories, asked Bellingham by way of a parliamentary question in House of Commons “…what recent assessment he has made of the likelihood of the Turks and Caicos Islands meeting the milestones prior to 2012.”
Bellingham responded, “There has not been sufficient progress to date against the milestones to conclude that they will be met prior to 2012. However, following a visit to London last week by a Turks and Caicos Islands delegation, good progress is now being made on the new Turks and Caicos Islands constitution.”
Full Article: Caribbean News Now!: News from Turks & Caicos Islands.
