| Ewing wins PNP party leadership | | Print | |
| Tuesday, 05 June 2012 14:45 | |||
|
Ewing defeated challenger Carlos Simons in a close 52-46 vote and stands to become the next premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands if the PNP wins the next elections, a date for which has not been set. Ewing said his first priority would be to organize the party to move toward elections. The party’s first issues would be to improve voter registration and take a position on the imposition of value-added taxes (VAT) set for April 1, 2013. With a little more than 3,000 registering so far to vote from among more than 7,000 who voted in the last election, Ewing said the registration period ending June 29 was too short. The requirement for birth certificates to confirm status — an internationally accepted practice — amounted to a poll tax at cost of $20 per certificate, which might be preventing some from registering, he said. Although the governor has rejected suggestions of waiving the fee for birth certificates until June 29 — already reduced from $40 to $20 — Ewing proposes waiving the entire fee for a certificate only valid for voter registration, a proposal the party plans to take to the governor. He also said steps should be taken to make sure shut-in voters are getting the opportunity to register. Ewing also believes the interim government is moving too quickly on the imposition of VAT, and the party will form a committee to review the VAT Green Paper and present a position before VAT is set in law in July as proposed. In a July 2009 interview, former PNP Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance Floyd B. Hall told the fp: “I do believe … that we may need to convert from an import duty tax base to value added tax.” Ewing also said he has shortlisted potential candidates for the post of deputy leader and would make an announcement by June 8. He confirmed that Simons was on the list but wouldn’t identify anyone else. “I am disappointed but not discouraged; dismayed but not disheartened; saddened but not bitter,” Simons said. “So I will not abandon my party or my country. I will take time to rest and reflect and in consultation with those who support me. I will then decide what should come next in my quest to be of service.” Son of former Deputy Chief Minister Hilly Ewing, Ewing is a doctor who worked in government for 11 years. He recently helped revive and lead the Civil Service Association, which has been negotiating with the interim government on various employee issues and has been involved in several strikes protesting government policies. Ewing said he resigned in March as director of Medical Services for the Ministry of Health and Human Services so that he could speak more freely on important issues. He announced his candidacy for leadership on April 11, saying that independence from the U.K. would be part of his platform, but that he doesn’t know if most Turks and Caicos Islanders want independence because a referendum hasn’t been held. Ewing takes over leadership from Greene, who was charged Feb. 7 with three counts of laundering money by the Special Investigation and Prosecution Team. Greene, who says he’s innocent and will fight the charges, did not seek re-election as party leader. Meeting on Providenciales under the theme “Moving Forward Together,” the National Congress also chose the following new members:
Ewing also appointed the following positions:
|
Updated 6-6-12: Dr. Rufus Ewing was chosen leader of the Progressive National Party during the party’s 2012 National Congress over the weekend of June 1.Related Articles
Entertainment: Your Island Guide
|
Top things to do in April Top things to do in April 1. From Golfing to More... |
|
Valentine’s Day Cup 2013 model sailboat races The Middle Caicos Sailboat Association will once again present the annual model sailboat races at More... |
|
Lime and Tourist Board announce weekly Fish Fry The Turks & Caicos Tourist Board & LIME partner with Cultural Fish Fry The Turks & Caicos Tourist More... |
|
Turks & Caicos Reef Fun to host dazzling evening The Turks and Caicos Reef Fund will host its 2nd Annual Cocktail Party Reception on Jan. 26 at the More... |
|
Fashion Glam at Regent Palms The Regent Palms is inviting everyone to an evening of fashion and glamour at their event being More... |
Latest Community News
|
Cholera Clinical Management Training Held in the TCI Healthcare professionals from the TCI Health Services were trained in the Clinical Management of More... |
|
Illegal Haitian immigrants Intercepted Illegal Haitian Immigrants Intercepted, to the Repatriated According to the Ministry of Border More... |
|
Ministry of Health Reminding public about sanitation Health surveillance teams attached to the Ministry of Health and Human Services (MOHHS) have More... |
|
Scholarship applications now being accepted The Ministry of Education has announced that they are now accepting applications for scholarships More... |
|
History and traditions stay alive at the 13th annual boat races in Middle Caicos The 2013 Valentines Day Cup welcomed many fun loving residents and tourists to Middle Caicos’ More... |