Why go into politics if there is interference from the non-elected officials?

Introduction

I know there are a few concerns about the approval of $1,000 cost of living relief given that the election is imminent. I read an article where it was stated that the previous administration wanted to provide stimulus around election time, but it was denied in the cabinet by the Governor saying it being an incentive for the electorate to vote for the Government of the day. That same article suggests that the current Governor should leave because she sided with the Government for the distribution of the cost-of-living relief funds which basically would have been the same thing if the previous Governor had agreed to the stimulus under the former administration. I think many of us are underestimating the intelligence of our electorate. I think most people will vote for who they want to vote for whether they receive a stimulus or not. In fact, I think most people have already made up their minds who they will vote for.

Anyway, this article is not about $1,000, (I wrote an article about it already). This article is about the role of Governor and the elected officials. I honestly believe that our elected officials should have the final say in the cabinet. If the elected officials in cabinet can justify their cabinet paper or proposals to the rest of the non-elected officials including the Governor, and the non-elected officials agree to their proposals, then what is the problem. Isn’t this what we want? Don’t we talk about the hands of the parliamentarians being tied?

The Role of the Governor

The Governor is appointed by the monarch on the advice of the British Government. The Governor is responsible for defense, external affairs, internal security and financial services. Even though the Governor is ultimately responsible for these areas, the Government is also responsible since they are the ones that fund these areas except for financial services which are self-funded.

The Governor presides over the meetings of cabinet and those meetings require a consensus. The cabinet comprises of the Governor, the Deputy Governor, the Attorney General, the Premier and the Minsters.

The Governor must be neutral and impartial when it comes to our politics. Of course, working along side individuals can be challenged as you may become close but it should not compromise your role.

While the Governor must ensure that there is good governance and that our elected officials are governing in compliance with our rules and regulations, I don’t think that any Governor should interfere with the mandate of our elected officials especially if the mandate is clear, legal and not contrary to the functions of Government.

I remember the former Governor saying his role is to ensure that the Government fulfils its manifesto. In my opinion, the former Governor was very close with both administrations, and no one ever asked him to leave or resign.

The role of the Government.

I think many of us have the roles of Government mixed up. I blamed some of the politicians because they do not tell the electorate the truth and how Government works. The elected officials are basically policy makers and the provision of budgets. That is their main role, and a lot of these bills emanated from the cabinet and then to the House of Assembly.

Some current and former parliamentarians complained about how the cabinet works. At the end of day, there must be a consensus, and consensus normally means all the members of cabinet agree. A parliamentarian told me he would not return to politics until we become an independent nation or if the operation of cabinet changes. I asked him why. He said it was because of the challenge in getting things done in the cabinet. I also asked another parliamentarian as to why all the incentives such as free tuition and stimulus include both British Overseas Territories Citizens with Turks and Caicos Islanders. It appeared that the only way some things get passed in cabinet if they include both BOTC and TCIslanders.

While we do have the Governor, Deputy Governor and Attorney General in the cabinet, I believe the elected officials should be allowed to carry out their agenda. I think if most of the elected officials agree to something in the cabinet, it should be allowed to proceed.

Don’t we want our elected officials to have more power in the cabinet? The people of this country voted for the parliamentarians, not the Governor, the Deputy Governor or the Attorney General. While these last three have a role, I think our elected officials should have the final say. After all, what is the point of being a legislator if you cannot get things approved or done.

Conclusion

Some of us want an independent Turks and Caicos yet we want our elected officials to be dependent on the Governor. I think any parliamentarian (current or future) would want a Governor in cabinet who will support their agenda. The Opposition should not focus on whether this Governor sided with the Government or not. What if the Opposition becomes the next Government? Wouldn’t you want the Governor to side with you? If she does not side with you, then you will say your hands are tied and the Governor is working against you. At the end of the day, elected officials should be allowed to carry out their mandate. In fact, I think if the majority of elected officials in cabinet wants something, it should be approved.