Misick Accuses Astwood of Surrendering Constitutional Duty to New Party Leaders

Premier Hon. Washington Misick has accused Hon. Edwin Astwood of relinquishing his constitutional responsibility to someone outside Parliament, in a pointed attack that appeared to target newly elected opposition leader Doug Parnell without mentioning him by name.

Premier Hon. Washington Misick (right) and Opposition Leader Hon. Edwin Astwood

Speaking in the House of Parliament last week, Misick suggested that Astwood had abandoned a position he previously supported on expanding the executive and was now being influenced by the new leadership of the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM).

Astwood, who until recently led the PDM, did not seek re-election as party leader and instead settled for the deputy leadership position. Parnell subsequently emerged as the new leader.

Misick, however, carefully avoided identifying Parnell by name throughout his presentation, referring instead to a person outside the House whom he believes is influencing the PDM’s constitutional position.

In one of his strongest remarks, the Premier said he was surprised that members of the PDM would allow “one man to come out of the wilderness to be resurrected” and dictate a position that he described as a backward step.

Recently elected leader of the Opposition Hon. Doug Parnell

“I am very surprised of the smart people in the PDM party who would allow one man to come out of the wilderness to be resurrected and to dictate to them that they should have a retrograde step,” Misick told Parliament.

The Premier’s criticism centered on proposals for constitutional change, particularly an expansion of the executive and suggestions that appointed members should be returned to the House.

Misick argued strongly against returning to appointed membership, describing such a move as inconsistent with the democratic progress of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

He said the proposed expansion of the executive had previously received the support of Astwood and was advanced to the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) on the understanding that there was cross-party agreement.

“The request to the FCDO for the expansion of the executive was not made unilaterally,” Misick said. “It was made with the knowledge and the support of the Honorable Leader of the Opposition.”

According to the Premier, if Astwood had failed to consult his party before giving that support, that was an internal PDM matter and not something for which the Government should be blamed.

“What I can say is that the position conveyed to us was one of support and we proceeded on that basis in good faith,” he said.

Misick then appealed directly to Astwood to honor his earlier position.

“Stand by the position you originally agreed. This was a joint undertaking,” the Premier said, adding that the interests of the territory had not changed since the agreement was reached.

Misick suggested that what had changed was the political environment surrounding Astwood following the leadership transition within the PDM.

Later in his presentation, the Premier became even more direct, accusing Astwood of giving up a responsibility that properly belonged to him.

“I believe he has relinquished his duty, his constitutional duty, to someone who is outside of the House,” Misick said.

Although Parnell’s name was never mentioned, the Premier’s references came against the backdrop of the recent change in PDM leadership and appeared aimed at the new opposition leader.

Misick also questioned the extent of the new leader’s mandate within the wider PDM, arguing that emerging from a leadership selection process did not necessarily establish the full confidence of the party’s membership.

The Premier maintained that constitutional reform should not become a casualty of internal party politics or leadership changes. He said agreements reached in the national interest should survive changes in the “political temperature.”

A major point of contention is whether the Turks and Caicos Islands should expand its executive to provide additional ministerial capacity. Misick said the growing economy, population and complexity of government require more executive resources.

He rejected claims that expanding the executive was connected to extending political term limits.

“I have never at any time advocated for an extension of the current term limit provisions,” Misick declared. “Not privately, not publicly, and not in any communication with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.”

He also vigorously opposed the reintroduction of appointed members to Parliament, describing it as “a retrograde step” that would run contrary to the country’s democratic development.

Misick argued that elected representatives, rather than appointed members, should occupy seats in Parliament and said the territory should be moving toward greater self-government, autonomy and democratic accountability.

He said the Constitution “belongs to the people” and warned that constitutional reform should not become a political weapon used depending on which party holds power.