PNP Returns To Power In Turks & Caicos

November 12, 2012

Three years after it was removed from office due to a corruption scandal, the Progressive National Party [PNP] is reported to have won the Turks and Caicos General Election. Just over 7,000 people were eligible to vote in the election, which was held under a new constitution,

The PNP, which was led by former Premier Michael Misick from 2003 to 2009, was the last party to rule the Overseas Territory before Britain imposed direct rule in 2009. The island’s administration was suspended and power was transferred to the UK-appointed Governor.

In March of this year, Mr Misick announced he had sought “political asylum” in an unnamed country after Interpol issued an arrest warrant for him in connection with the allegations of government corruption. His whereabouts remain unclear at this time, and the international arrest warrants and remain outstanding.

The TCI media reports that PNP Leader Dr. Rufus Ewing received the second highest number of votes, meaning he will likely be named the next Premier. People’s Democratic Movement [PDM] Leader Oswald Skippings placed eighth in nationwide voting, meaning he will not be part of the new government. However, he has called for a recount of all islands votes that will be held Nov. 12.

The PNP’s Norman Saunders — whose 1985 drug smuggling conviction led to the first time British imposed direct rule on the island – won a seat in South Caicos. Mr Saunders and other Government officials were arrested in Miami after accepting cash for allowing drug-laden planes traveling from Columbia to refuel in the Turks and Caicos.  The U.K. imposed direct rule after his conviction, and Mr Saunders was sentenced to 8 years in prison, and resumed his involvement in politics once released.

The PNP reclaimed the government with 8 seats to the PDM’s 7, which is reported to be the closest General Election in the history of the Turks and Caicos.

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  1. Kim Smith says:

    The psychology behind returning this party to power in the TCI would make for a fascinating study. With such a chequered history, the PNP are given power once again… Quite astounding!

    • George says:

      A sad sad day indeed!I expect the UK to wipe their hands of TCI altogether through pushing the country toward independence and the poor people of the country will then be forced to mature politically whether they like it or not!

  2. Alisha says:

    They deserve what they will get. Just like the worthless plp voters are going to get. So hungry to show that they can do it while being victims of the nasty ubpoba…..I am leaving this stinking Lapland once the plp get back into to power. I am going to leave this sh/$ Leland while l still can because if l don’t…

  3. SpinCycle says:

    The Failure of Democracy happens when the ignorant masses outweigh the informed few, and the leadership stop at nothing in the pursuit of power, caring more about staying in office, than being effective leaders!

    • M.P.Mountbatten JP says:

      In other words , the restoration of democracy happens only when the poor, fearlessly enlightened masses outweigh the crooked and bullying elitist few [and] the barriers are smashed down ,by force , in order for a more equitable share of the largess of any society .
      A standing invitation allows one to examine the reason why the idea of the UBP was scuttled . Not the UBP so much , they still exist in the form of the OBA , big difference , but many would rather not peal back the scab on that . It’s about leadership and the pursuit of power , caring more about attaining the office than being real to the people .

      • Come Correct says:

        …and the plp have out ubped the ubp so your point is?

      • Come Correct says:

        By the way, what you describe in the first part of what you said, is a revolution, the 3rd and final phase of a revolution which should be put off and delayed at all costs. The first phase is by spreading as much information as possible to enlighten those that are not. If that fails phase 2 is civil disobediance, by mass amounts of people witholding their money from the economy is enough to bring most regeims to their knees. The 3rd and final phase is exactly what you said, violence is the voice of the unheard, and like I said is the last resort. Move into phase 3 without 1 and 2, most likely you will be crushed.

        • M.P.Mountbatten JP says:

          You’ve been watching Discovery have you ? LOL ..

          • Come Correct says:

            Lol no not dinosaur revolution, I think you mean history channel, I’m not sure I don’t watch much tv, I’d rather read, tv is a box of lies.

      • Pastor Syl Hayward says:

        @ Mountbatten: please stop with the “UBP still exists in the form of the OBA” It is a lie, and an insult to all the people in the OBA who left the UBP because it would not reform, those that left the PLP because it had begun to resemble the UBP, and those that formed the BDA because they wouldn’t touch the UBP with a 20 ft barge pole.

        • M.P.Mountbatten JP says:

          If the body of the UBP left and went to the OBA , where pray tell did the head go ? Simple question , and please do not attempt to insult the intelligence of the electorate with a cryptic answer .

          • I can tell you where ONE of the heads went…take a look at YOUR current Minister of Tourism!!!! Save your crap for the koolaid drinkers….

            • M.P.Mountbatten JP says:

              Sorry to upset you but , the only koolaid drinkers are the OBA followers who have allowed themselves to get drunk with the idea that they have shed the vicious nature of the UBP simply by changing their name . Stay drunk my friend , that way your more easily controlled .

              • Come Correct says:

                Yea because drunk people never have to be tasered right? Great analogy. Sorry to upset you but its the uneducated that are easily controlled, its a time tested tactic, centuries old.

                • M.P.Mountbatten JP says:

                  Save your drunken hard on for the Pastor , after all she’s the one who gave rise to the fact the the OBA is a Mule . Yup , a crossbred between the UBP and the BDA .

                  • Come Correct says:

                    Actually that’s your bias oppinion, not a fact, but I can see how having your fragile arguments destroyed by facts gets frustrating, never really been a plp strongpoint has it? Drunken hard on for the Pastor lol have some respect for who she is, I know its diffucult to do that with the likes of pasta bean running in you beloved party, u kno, that supposed man of the cloth that acceptes 160grand to consult himself and has a lease to an island free of charge while he charges others for its use. Remember I’m not as nice as Pastor Hayward and you just got served…again. Continue with your spin but I will remain vigilant to stay on top of all of you and question everything, plp, oba, or ubp.

                    • The OBA .. Seem to be a group of educated , intelligent people who , really don’t know one another but , are willing to sleep together to gain political power . After they lose this election , as has happened before under a different banner , they will all go their own separate way’s, most of them never to be heard from again . They will retire into their personal enclave’s where their former comrades are neither welcomed or ever invited .

                    • Come Correct says:

                      The same comment again?! I told you on a previous article it contradicts your other comments. You can’t say in one post they don’t know eachother and in another post you say the oba is the same ubp, a party of 30 years, so clearly they do know eachother. Again, which would you like to keep?

          • Mad Dawg says:

            Mountbatten, where did the head of the UBP go? To the PLP. He’s the current Tourism Minister.

      • Huh? says:

        When the party works efficiently for the benefit of the country and all its people is when the country and its people win. Sadly the PLP have failed to do this (Grand Atlantic, promised hotels, St Georges Golf Course, Elaborate and excessive loss leading concerts, faith based tourism, Berkley management and overuns, job losses, hate campaigns and 14 years to improve on education to provide job opportunities and skills for all, despite todays promises the results exam results are a shambles, the technical schooling has been a band aid for a select few who in many cases already had jobs, and Job Corps is merely still a concept being paraded. Where is PATTI and PLP minister promised pay cuts. 14 years to get a proper Tech School up and running to give more choice , chance and opportunity to those that want it and we have nothing. Gangs have grown in terms of young members because their opportunities and needs have been ignored.
        What the PLP have given us is debt we have it as vast as the ocean that surrounds us on the rock. Some 200,000 per day is costs you , me and our children. This money is being ripped out of you, your children and the island everyday.
        That is at least 1,000 jobs per year at $70,000 that is being thrown away never to be seen again. Your kids will never see that money and that is not even starting to look at the 1.5 billion that needs to be paid off to stop the rot. All the gang members could have been gainfully employed with self worth and an appreciation for being part of a proud Bermuda that stood strong for Bermudians. Alas the words “Standing Strong” are proudly boasted, but the actions do not reflect anything that could be called Strong, perhaps it is because they are marking their own scorecard. Reporting on themselves and getting paid for it has happened as you are well aware.

        The UBP were ineffective at the end, and rightfully they were sent packing. Any party in power for more than two terms will be out of ideas and trying to stick band aids on outdated, failed policies and approaches. The party is stuck because they have to stick to their approach and keep promises/ideals to those in the party that voted them in as representatives, however archaic and irrelevant today. A party has to be out of power to have any hope of change.

        The OBA are a completely different political party with an all inclusive for all Bermudians. they have shaken off old ideals from their PLP, UBP stifled background beliefs and party ties. They are fresh and all wanting to work to meet the needs of Bermudians and Bermuda TODAY and TOMORROW. After 2 terms I can then see the OBA needing to be voted out, and by this time the PLP should have been able to reset itself with a new vision that is not punitive and damaging to Bermudians and Bermuda as it has been especailly in the last term of office.

        Vote for A future, not a past, vote OBA.
        (ps I’m nothing to do with the PLP or OBA…just a personal opinion)

  4. comparisons ? says:

    If the PLP dehards believe that the OBAMA victory is a good sign for the PLP being re-elected then this will surely be the ultimate sign of a belief in their being returned to Government.

    Still , almost impossible to fathom , but I bet the UK government isn’t even in the least bit surprised.

  5. William says:

    Shouldn’t this be under Crime?
    When Colombian drug cartels own the government controlled air corridors?

  6. Come Correct says:

    Actually that’s your bias oppinion, not a fact, but I can see how having your fragile arguments destroyed by facts gets frustrating, never really been a plp strongpoint has it? Drunken hard on for the Pastor lol have some respect for who she is, I know its diffucult to do that with the likes of pasta bean running in you beloved party, u kno, that supposed man of the cloth that acceptes 160grand to consult himself and has a lease to an island free of charge while he charges others for its use. Remember I’m not as nice as Pastor Hayward and you just got served…again. Continue with your spin but I will remain vigilant to stay on top of all of you and question everything, plp, oba, or ubp.

    • M.P.Mountbatten JP says:

      I for one am happy that you are so pleased with yourself . It really doesn’t take much to satisfy some-one like you . All one has to do , is to consume a glass of the ol’koolaid tonic the OBA/UBP is freely giving away to the feeble minded .Now this is getting boring ,I’m going to bed .

      • Come Correct says:

        Looks to me like you ran out of facts buddy. Nothing you just typed is valid. Some-one? Someone like me? Who’s someone like me? You know me? Come Correct isn’t my birth name you know. You would be the third commenter in the past 7 days to run out of facts and then start telling me who I am. Here’s a clue, I’ve grown to be a cynical ass hole dealing with people like you throughout my life. One more fact before I go. You’re entitled to your own opinion, but you’re not entitled to your own truth. Deuces!

        • You for one never have , or ever will appreciate the truth . Right before your eyes you’ve watched the UBP(pigs ear) attempt to turn itself into the OBA (silk purse).Nothing personal , not to me anyway , but , for some reason it fails to make a connection in the small space between your hairy ears .Oh , and don’t be so disrespectful to the ass hole , it is much more useful than you’ll ever be .

          • Come Correct says:

            That argument already fell apart. Because some of the ubp are in the oba? They were in the bda too. what do you really want? You would rather see the plp like they would like to see themselves, unopposed. I’m glad there’s some old ubp members in the oba (minus a few), it brings experience in not only politics but successful business ownership too (unlike the bipedal pigs you support), to the likes of the new generation oba, that hopefully bring new, more open-minded ideas to the table. Its also my hope that these new generation candidates aren’t pushed to the back like some of the quality plp candidates.

            • You will not be allowed to define who the OBA are in the minds of Most Bermudians . You are the NEW UBP . You are fully transparent for all the reason’s that your trying your damn best to camouflage . The silly sleight-of-hand is failing you . That’s it , that’s all . The argument stands tall and very rigid .

              • Come Correct says:

                What’s with all the reference to me? I habe no affiliation to any party, they have no idea who I am either (I would hope anyway). The argument stands strong and rigid? On what grounds? Arguing with you is like beating a dead horse with a lousville slugger, easy and eventually pointless.

                • M.P.Mountbatten JP says:

                  Yuup , arguments are left for idiots and Comical Caricatures such as Come Correct , whom ever you maybe . Go finish beating your partner .

                  • Come Correct says:

                    25 and single, I cook, im a virgo i like long walks on the beach with people that arent pathological liars, but hell i seem to attract them…

                    • M.P.Mountbatten JP says:

                      Pathological ,delusional.Exactly why you align your self with and are comfortable defending the idea of a new UBP/OBA . Can’t help yourself , they are like a magnet to you. Your reference to the Louisville slugger ages you a bit there Cassius ,and explains the protruding and unsightly whiskers coming out of your ears and nose . For Christmas ,after the UBP/OBA lose the election , please go and treat yourself to a day of beauty . It won’t set you back much .

  7. Triangle Drifter says:

    To get back a little closer to back on topic, the voters of TCI appear to be stuck on stupid. Why would anyone, with a few more brain cells than required to maintain basic life ever vote a Government that was such a corrupt & utter failure to them, back in?

    Bermuda voters have a chance to show TCI that they are far smarter.

  8. Turks, Bermuda, Bahamas, Jamaica, USA says:

    Turks, Bermuda, Bahamas, Jamaica, USA

    One thing in common

    Black man time to run things, get used to it!

  9. Come Correct says:

    Oh that was clever, loisville slugger ages me yet you can buy one at sports r us right now…looks like you got me all wrong, 87 baby here, do the math. That makes me like what, 10 when the ubp lost power? So I’ve only ever really known a plp government growing up, the last 8 years of which I can say have been nothing short of abismal. I didn’t know much about the ubp being so young at the time so I’ve done a little research and yea they did some messed up things that didn’t benefit the people but at least they weren’t as blatant as the plp of late. We need change like we needed it in 1998 and I hope the oba can be that change…or we vote them out, its really that simple.