fp Turks and Caicos

Seven Turks and Caicos Islanders have been asked to go to London to discuss proposed changes to the Constitution with Minister for the Overseas Territories Henry Bellingham, the governor’s office announced June 1.

Invited to go to the U.K. on June 15-16 are:

• Consultative Forum Chairwoman Lillian Misick
• Advisory Council Member Doreen Quelch-Missick
• Progressive National Party Leader Clayton Greene
• People’s Democratic Movement Leader Doug Parnell
• Wendal Swann, former chairman of the All-Party Commission on the Constitution and Electoral Reform
• Church Pastor Bradley Handfield
• Youth Ambassador Trevon Farrington

His Excellency the Gov. Gordon Wetherell said the U.K. traditionally does not pay for overseas territories politicians to travel for constitutional discussions. In this case, the TCI government will pay all expenses for this trip from money set aside for activities that assist in reaching the milestones set for the return to elected government, he said.

The governor will also be attending the meeting, but Quelch-Missick — who was moderator of the consultation meeting on Providenciales — will be responsible for presenting views of all Advisory Council members.

On June 2, Parnell issued a press release saying that the people chosen to meet Bellingham “will come together in a public roundtable and inform the public of their points of view before heading to London.” He did not say when that would happen.

“We believe that this is a pivotal and important moment in our history and it is incumbent upon all of us, as a people, that the views of those heading to London are the views that reflect the voice of the people and what is in the best interest of Turks and Caicos Islands,” Parnell said.

During public consultation meetings held May 16-20, a team from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office gathered the views of residents and made daily reports to Bellingham. By week’s end, the team acknowledged calls for face-to-face discussions, and a local delegation was invited to London to speak with Bellingham in person.

Greene immediately issued a statement objecting to members of the Advisory Council and Consultative Forum attending the meeting, saying “neither of these two bodies have the consent of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands to represent their interest in this or any other matter.”

Parnell welcomed the invitation, which was sought by both parties from early in the reform consultation. He said accomplishing the wishes of the TCI people was more important at this point than any other agenda.

Both parties had refused to take part in consultations with Constitution advisor Kate Sullivan, instead forming their own All-Party Commission to make recommendations for changes to the Constitution.

The U.K. suspended that Constitution and the elected government in 2009 because of allegations of corruption and because the country was nearly bankrupt. His Excellency the Gov. Gordon Wetherell has been in charge while the Constitution is being changed to ensure good governance and financial accountability, which is a U.K. requirement for return to local rule.

FCO Deputy Director of Overseas Territories Helen Nellthorp, a member of the team that visited the TCI last month, said the tentative schedule for Privy Council approval of the new Constitution is July. It was not stated whether the meeting with Bellingham will delay that timetable.

The major objections to proposed changes to the Constitution include increasing the power of the governor, allowing a non-Belonger to be deputy governor, changing the way to obtain Belongership, and altering the method of electing members to the House of Assembly.

Click HERE to read the 2006 Constitution.

Click HERE to read the PDM's position paper on the draft Constitution

Click HERE to read the March 4 draft Constitution under consideration.

Click HERE to read the All-Party Commission’s full report on the Constitution.