| Parnell’s U.K. visit: New attitude is developing | | Print | |
| Thursday, 08 July 2010 10:53 | |||
 Returning from a five-day trip to the U.K., People’s Democratic Movement party leader Doug Parnell said people should pay close attention to what he says is a positive change in attitude being shown by the British. On July 1, the U.K. government officially announced its intention to loan the Turks and Caicos government approximately $15 million to help meet monthly obligations. Parnell says this news, along with the impressions he gathered during his trip, show a change in attitude of the British toward the overseas territory. “We have witnessed the development of a new attitude towards the positive growth and development of the Turks and Caicos Islands and our people, and we have exposed our pro-growth but balanced development program to decision makers at all levels in the U.K. government,” he said. Parnell, who traveled with a delegation including Deputy Leader Clarence Selver and former Chief Minister Derek Taylor, said he held talks with a number of key policy and decision makers in the United Kingdom. “Our meetings were successful, and by all accounts we were well received,” Parnell said. “The kind of reception we received is a good indication that they are beginning to take a different look and approach to the way how the UK deals with the Turks and Caicos,” added Deputy leader Selver. The PDM’s main goal was to bring a number of concerns of the TCI people to the attention of the U.K. government, Parnell said. In welcoming Parnell, Bellingham spoke of the British government’s wish to build a new dynamic relationship with the Overseas Territories and to see the Turks and Caicos Islands on a sustainable and stable footing. “Mr. Parnell and I enjoyed a brief but frank exchange on issues of concern to TCI,” Bellingham said after their meeting. “I look forward to visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands in the future.” Parnell said that his delegation “made sure that the (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) Minister understood that TCI is not a basket case, but a misunderstood case and that the right people on the ground in the TCI along with a mature attitude in London is what is needed to create lasting positive growth and change for the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.” The delegation also attended the Annual General Meeting of the TCI All Party Parliamentary Group of the House of Commons, where they witnessed the election of Andrew Rosindell, Conservative Member of Parliament for Romford, as chairman. “I do believe that Mr. Rosindell possesses a desire to help keep the U.K. Parliament’s attention on Turks and Caicos Islands,” Parnell said. At that meeting Parnell says he presented a comprehensive picture for MPs on the situation in TCI. He says his party has fostered relationships with important decision makers in the United Kingdom who can impact the conditions in the country. Parnell, Selver and Taylor also took in a number of other meetings relating to the TCI, including meetings with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association; British Airways; the House of Lords and House of Commons; directors of the FCO, Department For International Development and European Union; the U.S. Embassy; and the Conservative Party International Office. They also attended a reception on Territorial Day for the British Virgin Islands at BVI House, and St. Kitts and Nevis Luxury Yacht registry launch. They also paid courtesy calls on a number of MPs of the House of Commons, including former Minister for the Overseas Territories.
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