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PDM decapitated PNP says Free Press editor Published on Thursday, July 2, 2009 Email To Friend    Print Version In a recent interview on the television programme “Eye on the TCI”, editor and publisher of the TCI Free Press newspaper, Dr Gilbert Morris, who was being interviewed along with opposition MP Douglas Parnell, told viewers that the three opposition People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) members of parliament had “decapitated” the ruling Progressive National Party (PNP). Morris was referring to the resignation of former premier and head of the PNP party Michael Misick. The opposition members were the first to lead a motion of no confidence in the Misick-led government several months ago. The Speaker of the House devised an excuse to set that motion aside but immediately thereafter two groups of PNP parliamentarians proposed similar actions and this resulted in Misick’s resignation in March of this year. Galmo Williams subsequently won the party leadership and the premiership Dr Gilbert Morris Morris, who also claimed on the programme he does not engage in politics but does, however, provide analytical views, then went on to acknowledge that currently the opposition is leading the activities of the House of Assembly. “You have set the agenda,” said Morris. In the last two House sessions, two issues that had been championed by the PDM, child abuse legislation and immigration stimulus, were approved. Morris also claimed that the recent Order in Council expected to be enforced by the Governor may be put in place due to the anticipated continuation of the appeals filed in the British courts by Misick. Morris believes that Misick has a strong chance of winning his appeal despite the fact that this would mean a reversal of two previous dismissals of the case. Rumours floated in the TCI claim that Misick’s high-powered British legal team have required and received a $3 million retainer. Morris then proceeded to promote the idea of a unity government, where the opposition would join with the incumbents. The PDM members obtaining ministerial positions and the two parties joined as one would form a government and continue to administer the affairs of the country. It is unclear who would be displaced and by what method. In a recent issue of the TCI Free Press newspaper, an article headlined “Corruption, Corruption Everywhere” lists alleged corruption in the UK parliament but there is no mention of alleged corruption in the TCI. The article blames Meg Munn, former Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) minister responsible for the Overseas Territories, for calling of the Commission of Enquiry. In fact, Munn had claimed she could not find significant evidence of corruption in the TCI. The FCO Overseas Territories minister after Munn, Gilliam Merron, is said to have been dismissed due to tax irregularities. In fact, Merron was promoted from a junior minister to full minister responsible to UK health care. Sources within the TCI claim Morris was a paid advisor to the former premier in the Misick-led government. Morris and another paid advisor to the premier reportedly recently traveled to the UK to petition the British to not suspend the constitution or the House. In addressing the idea of a unity government, Parnell strongly discounted the idea by stating, “This would not be fair to our party, our supporters or the country.” Parnell claimed that the PDM, headed by opposition leader Floyd Seymour, and including Art Robinson and himself, were the only three members of parliament who had common goals and agenda. It was Parnell’s position that the PNP MPs are fragmented and in disarray and the Williams-led government has little or no support from the PNP supporters. Parnell indicated that negative media coverage had caused concern among current and potential investors, which was unfounded due to British controls being in place for 200 years in the TCI. The British have been and remain in control of the administration of the territory’s police, defence, judicial appointments and civil service. “We are therefore politically stabile as opposed to independent nations in our region,” Parnell said. Later in the interview, Morris indicated his support of the idea of independence. This issue, which was floated after the Enquiry was called, does not appear to have any significant support from the general public, who are anxiously awaiting the British takeover. A quick, unannounced straw poll taken by former PNP minister and now talk show host Robert Hall, months ago indicated 90 percent of listeners were against the independence issue. However, a recent poll announced in advance by Hall had the independence issue almost a tie from a little over 50 callers, leading listeners to view the poll as stacked. In recent weeks, Hall has become more obvious in his underlying support for the former premier, telling him he has “greatness stamped on his forehead” and referring to him as the “brilliant man from Bottle Creek”. Hall has told his listeners that he fully supports the Misick legal appeals. The WIV interview was conducted by the general manager of TV station WIV channel 4, Sheryl Shand, who took over WIV from the former general manager and belonger licence holder Peter Stubbs, who parted company with the owners, who also own the electrical power company TCU, which furnishes power on the capital island of Grand Turk. Shand had previously made news when she decided to exclude the PDM from purchasing programme time and for refusing to host a paid rebroadcast of a sermon from Pastor Handfield, who was highly critical of then Premier Misick. Shand is the granddaughter of deceased former PNP Chief Minister Nathaniel “Bops” Francis, who left office as a result of negative findings in the earlier Blom-Cooper Commission of Enquiry. In recent months, Jay Saunders, son of former PNP Chief Minister Norman Saunders, has made public his intention of purchasing the TV station, which has been operating without a licence. The junior Saunders is the belonger head of local telephone company Digicel of the TCI. The status of the proposed buy-out remains unknown at this time.   Reads : 547 Back... Comments: No comments on this topic yet. Be the first one to submit a comment. Back... Send us your comments!   Send us your comments on this article for publication in our Readers' Forum or as a Letter to the Editor. 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