TCI Parliament Opens with PDM Government, ends 13 Years of PNP Rule

Providenciales, TCI, December 29, 2016 – Parliament historically opens today in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and sitting on the governing side will be the People’s Democratic Movement, ending a 13-year dominance of the PNP in the people’s House of Assembly.  

At the NJS Francis Building in Grand Turk, there will be pomp and pageantry as the country records, even more ceremoniously today its first female Premier in Hon. Sharlene Robinson. 

It has been just over two months of closure for the honourable house, but at this first sitting of the first meeting of the first session of the 11th Legislature of the House of Assembly, it is expected to be capacity seating and among those observing the proceedings, will be visiting dignitaries, a contingent from The Bahamas Government, led by Deputy Prime Minister, Philip Davis. 

Reverend Derek Hamilton is scheduled to open the House this morning at promptly 10am in prayer, immediately following will be the Clerk of the House with the Proclamation. 

The oath of allegiance happens next for both the new Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon Dwayne Taylor and his deputy, Hon Karen Malcolm.  This oath will also be taken by the other House members, which number 19; 15 elected and four appointed, two by the Governor. 

Joan Bassett will sing the National Anthem; Michael Dean will sing the National Song; Barbara Johnson will sing God bless this House and the Governor will deliver the Speech from the Throne, which is the PDM Administration’s plan for the country and promise to the people of what it intends to accomplish over the next four years.  

Remarks will come from the new Premier, Hon Sharlene Robinson… from the new Leader of the Opposition in the House, Hon Washington Misick and there will be opportunity for each member to speak in the two minute speeches item on the agenda. 

Today, work finally begins for the PDM, which won in a landslide victory at the polls on General Election day, which was exactly two weeks ago on December 15.  Constitutionally, this opening had to happen within 15 days of the results of that national polling and it means the Turks and Caicos will start the year 2017 with a new party in charge of country affairs. 

The nation resoundingly voted for the ‘change’ the PDM pitched; 10 seats went to the People’s Democratic Movement while 5 seats remained with the PNP. 

The Opening of Parliament will be carried live on National Radio, on television – PTV8 we are told and live streaming online.

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