Breaking News: PDM All Island Member breaks ranks, asks to ‘sit somewhere else’ in House of Assembly

Grand Turk , Turks and Caicos Islands – March 15, 2018 – The PDM Administration has been accused of shutting one of its members out and it may lead to that parliamentarian breaking away completely from the governing party.  Hon Josephine Connolly, an All Island Member of the House of Assembly has requested to be re-seated, as a matter of national interest, she said.

The second most popular ‘at large’ elected Member of Parliament today announced that she believes it is in the best interest of the country if she were to be removed from the backbench of the People’s Democratic Movement and given a new spot to sit.

Hon Connolly made the shocking statement which leaves the country wondering if the all island candidate who ran on the PDM ticket, will go independent or join the Progressive National Party as had been rumored.  

During House of Assembly session which is on in the Capital, Grand Turk today, Hon Connolly began her statement with an expression of disappointment in the progresses of the government in carrying out its legislative agenda.

With the Speaker trying to halt her comments, Hon Connolly, who last June had the Education, Youth, Sports and Library Services ministerial portfolio stripped from her, managed to get these words out…

“It has become increasingly difficult for me to align myself …”

House of Assembly Speaker, Hon Dwayne Taylor halted the comments on the premise that they were ‘ensuing a debate.’  The second all Island member resisted the characterization of her remarks but did pause.

Connolly was asked to take her seat and asked to cut off her microphone by the Speaker.

Eventually, the Member of Parliament was permitted to continue her statement, “Furthermore having regard to the fact that I am not privy to any prior discussions that greatly affect the lives of our beloved people nor extended the principles of respect outlined above, it is in the interest of this country that I sit somewhere else.”

Magnetic Media has reached out to Hon Josephine Connolly for a comment regarding the announcement and whether what she conveyed means she will also be leaving the PDM party.  There has been no reply up to publication time.

It had long been contentious between Sharlene Robinson and Josephine Connolly, as both women had shown passionate interest in the leadership position of the PDM.  While there had been some arrangement which put Connolly’s leadership dreams on hold, the simmering tension lingered and reared its head during a medical transfer matter which led to accusations of disrespect and several PDM emergency meetings. The situation also left Hon Josephine Connolly out of inner circle once her Cabinet position was revoked by Premier Sharlene Robinson.    

Connolly had shared in her own press conference following the ‘firing’ that she planned to remain on the PDMs side, still there was evidence that it was proving a difficult promise to keep as the tumultuous tone among the PDM elected party members did not subside.