News
Astwood, Former Five Cays MP applies to PDM for Election Nod
By Deandrea Hamilton
Editor
#TurksandCaicos, September 2, 2023 – Sean Astwood has been off the frontline of politics since the dismal loss of the PDM Party in the 2021 general elections, but in a statement issued Wednesday August 23, the former Five Cays MP and former Deputy Premier informs he has been paying attention, volunteering and active, behind the scenes in the People’s Democratic Movement.
These facts, he said, coupled with his disappointment with the Washington Misick Administration have revived his desire to run again and he is asking his party for that chance as an All Island candidate.
Astwood has now made his personal decision public, his expression formal.
“I am happy to announce that I have, as of 1pm today, August 23rd 2023 submitted my application to the People’s Democratic Movement to run in the upcoming elections as an All-Island Candidate.
I am excited and eager to face the challenges ahead and help revolutionize the way our Country is managed. I am prepared to roll up my sleeves and get to work with the next PDM administration, under the Leadership of Hon. Edwin Astwood. I would be honoured to have the opportunity to serve you once again.
When deciding whether I should return to frontline politics one of my favorite quotes came to mind. It was Abraham Lincoln who said, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
There is reaction; some welcoming the former deputy PDM party leader back to the fray and others who lean toward accusations that soon after the results were in from the 2021 General Elections, Astwood, having lost his seat
“I am of the mindset that one can serve one’s country in other ways apart from holding a political office. Therefore, In the years since I last held public office, I have continued to be involved in our community, working with local organizations, and volunteering my time to help those in need. During this time I have worked closely with the leadership of the PDM assisting where needed. My desire for making a positive impact in our community has never wavered.”
Sean Astwood said he is convinced the electorate is disappointed, not getting what they had hoped for when they elected 14 candidates from the Progressive National Party, PNP to serve in the House of Assembly.
They cannot stop the sloops… the murder rate is soaring.. and a record number of Islanders are relocating to other countries. These were among the motivators for Sean Astwood.
“I know the current state of affairs in our Country does not reflect the hopes and dreams that our electorate envisioned when they voted on February 19th, 2021. Therefore, if you want to predict a better future it is simply up to you to create it,” he said, adding, “Unfortunately, these past two and a half plus years under the current government have been disastrous for our country. With a record number of murders, mostly our young men, unprecedented number of sloop arrivals, an influx of illegal immigrants reaching our shores and a government that has proven that they cannot stop the sloops. We are also seeing record numbers of Turks & Caicos Islanders relocating to other countries and an increased numbers of our students not interested in returning home after finishing their studies.
Our healthcare system is in shambles and continues to deteriorate, there has been no real progress on the delivery of E-Government, a labour policy that has not been strengthened which has Turks and Caicos Islanders feeling more marginalized than they have ever felt before. We have a myriad of problems, and our Country is in a downward spiral. Unfortunately, our current Government’s approach to all the chaos occurring in our country is to remain silent, bury their heads in the sand and hope these issues either resolve themselves or the people get tired of voicing their concerns.”
The PDM party opened itself to potential candidates for the general election months ago; deadline for submissions to run on the People’s Democratic Movement ticket in the next election is September 8.