Britain to return self-government to Turks and Caicos

Britain to return self-government to Turks and Caicos

Turks and Caicos islanders are getting their right to self-government restored.

General elections are being set for Nov. 9, William Hague, the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, announced Tuesday.

“The interim government in the TCI, led by the governor and supported by the TCI and UK public servants and specialists advisers, has made significant progress with an ambitions reform [program],” Hague said in the written statement. “We now judge there has been significant progress, on the milestones and on putting in place robust financial controls to set 9 of November as the date for elections.”

Britain’s move to suspend the parliament and take over the day-to-day governance of the Turks and Caicos, has been heavily criticized by both islanders, and the 15-member Caribbean Community

"What is the hurry?" former chief minister of the islands, Charles Washington Misick, asked during a public forum Monday night in Providenciales. "Why can’t we pace it to make sure people understand?"

Misick asked for a delay in implementation of the tax, which is to take effect in the next several months. His request, however, was ignored by Chief Financial Officer Hugh McGarel-Groves.

McGarel-Groves led the contentious meeting during which he was accused by worried business owners of providing contradictory, and incomplete information on how the tax would affect impact them.

McGarel-Groves said the islands need to stabilize it’s financial outlook and recoup money being lost in current tax system. VAT, he said, will help that and catch tax cheats.

Sources:
MiamiHerald