by Vivian Tyson -SUN Senior Editor


Not waiting on Governor Gordon Wetherell to announce the date that the United Kingdom Government would hand back leadership to the local electorate, the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) is wasting no time in cranking up its election machinery in anticipation for that date, with the announcement of a shadow cabinet.

The cabinet was announced at the party’s installation banquet held on the grounds of its headquarters downtown Providenciales on Saturday, December 5.

Doug Parnell, who was officially installed as the leader of the party, assumes the role of shadow Premier, Minister of Development, Trade, Commerce and Home Affairs. Former minister Clarence Selver has been appointed shadow Deputy Premier, Minister of Health & Human Services and Agriculture.

Arthur Robinson, who held the North Back Salina seat before the British takeover, is given the role of shadow Minister of Finance, Tourism, and Civil Aviation & International Affairs. New-comer Ian Astwood has been appointed shadow Minister of Physical Planning, Natural Resources and Culture.

Wendy Been will speak as shadow Minister on Environment and District Administration. Seasoned campaigner Ashwood Forbes has been named shadow Minister of National Security, Border Control and Labour. Former deputy chief minister Samuel Harvey has been named shadow Minister of Works & Housing and Communications.

Party stalwart Jestina Delancy has been ushered into the capacity of her pet ministry - Education, Youth and Sports, while Kwame O. Smith- has been named shadow Speaker of the House.

In naming the cabinet, Hon. Douglas Parnell told the gathering that the PDM is the only party to restore some level of integrity to the Turks and Caicos Islands. According to him, it is incumbent on the party to take a leadership role on the political periphery if it were to reclaim the reins of power after the handover by the British is made.

During the installation banquet, the full slate of the party executive was affirmed and introduced. Parnell heads the bloc, with Selver as his deputy. Harvey  is the National Chairman, Cynclair Musgrove - 1st Vice Chair, Patricia Eke - Secretary General and Pastor Edwin Lightbourne - Party Chaplin.