The Belongers

By David Robertson

The split of Michael Misick former Prime Minister of Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) and Lisa Raye, an American actress and model, whilst being a personal misfortune for the couple seems to have triggered a constitutional crisis with dire consequences for the country. The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) are a British Overseas Territory, lying about 50 miles (80 km) southeast of the Bahamas, with a total land area of 166 square miles (430 km2). The islands are a tropical paradise with a total population of about 30,000. It’s an exclusive retreat boasting coral reefs, white sandy beaches and since it’s a tax haven, no income tax, unsurprisingly its home to the rich and famous including an array of Hollywood A-list stars. Sadly though it appears that even paradise has a dark side; for the Belongers the fallout of the marital break up could even mean the return of direct rule from Britain.

Belonger sounds like an arcane somewhat quaint word from a bygone era and in some ways it is, however it is in fact a legal term used in reference to people from the British Overseas Territories (BOT). It refers to people who have close ties to a specific territory, normally by birth and/or ancestry. Anyone with Belonger status has the rights usually associated with citizenship or nationality, for example they can reside in the territory without any immigration restrictions, vote in local elections, hold elected office, have property rights, and don’t require a work permit in order to engage in employment. However, as the BOTs are not independent countries, the populace cannot be granted citizenship, in its place those with close ties to Britain's Overseas Territories, have the status of British Overseas Territories Citizen (BOTC). The BOT’s are the last vestiges of Britain’s colonial past, an amalgamation of islands and tracts of land scattered across the globe with varying degrees of autonomy.

The revelations by Lisa Raye the former First Lady and PM’s ex-wife of the couple’s lavish lifestyle, which included her having a $200,000 a month clothing allowance, and stories of them traversing the world by private jet, resulted in the British government launching a Commission of Inquiry into the running of the islands. During the inquiry headed by Sir Robin Auld, a retired British judge, it was alleged that Mr Misick had received undeclared loans of $20 million (£14 million) from a number of financial institutions, foreign companies and members of his own Government. The British newspapers have been filled with a whole host of stories including the claim by a European property developer with links to the criminal underworld that he “owned the government” and that the former PM’s brother Chal Misick was also involved in the fraudulent leasing of crown property.

The interim report identified widespread corruption and mismanagement of the TCI's economy and proposes sweeping measures by Britain: the interim report recommended “the suspension of the entire Constitution for an indeterminate period, to replace the democratic process presently provided by the Cabinet and the House of Assembly with direct rule from Westminster, acting through the Governor with, but not bound by, the advice of an Advisory Executive Council”. The important bit to note is “direct rule from Westminster”, no more self-governance.
It’s a bit of a paradox, that although the UK has been committing troops and actively ensuring the spread of democracy in Iraq, Afghanistan and other far flung corners of the globe, it appears that in the Turks and Caicos Islands, this process seems to be going in reverse.

I must add that the findings of the interim report are pretty damning indeed, citing a web of "political amorality", "systemic venality" and "chronic ills collectively amounting to a national emergency". After the report was made public in early March the PM Michael Misick resigned and was replaced by Galmo Williams. However, it is claimed that Misick is still very much in charge and Williams the new PM merely a figurehead.
There are those who argue that this is simply another example of the greed of politicians and ex-colonials yet again being unable to govern themselves. While acknowledging the avarice of the political classes and ruling elite, this is also very much about the failings of the Westminster parliamentary system, like all democratic political systems where power is concentrated into the hands of a few, it leads to a system of patronage and the inevitable corruption. So is it in the TCI’s but it’s not intrinsically Caribbean it’s a worldwide problem.

Corrupt politicians are nothing new, in fact there are many who would claim that term should really be a compound word such is the scale of the problem. The cynics who state that all politicians are corrupt; the only difference between them is the extent to which they misappropriate public funds and exploit their positions for gain, could well be onto something. In the UK the machinations of the British Members of Parliament and the ruling Labour government are increasingly coming under the spotlight. At the moment their transgressions are small but who knows what wrongdoing lies beneath the surface. Maybe Britain could do well to put its own house in order before moralizing about the TCI. I’m not sure the extent to which the British have the moral authority but I guess under law they have a responsibility. The truth is they’re all at it, fingers in the pie, skimming off the top, so much so that I’m reminded of the old saying, “Crime is merely politics without the excuses”.

The Commission’s assertion of “clear signs” of corruption is the justification for the British seeking more control of the islands. Well, if Mr Misick or any of the other politicians are guilty of corruption then they should be taken before the courts, but why take such drastic action that will impact on the entire population. Direct rule will also mean the removal of trial by jury. I see this as an alienable right and something that should not be taken lightly. Is it really the case that amongst the islands population of 30,000 it’s impossible to find 12 men and women who are honest and true?

The TCI’s are fighting back however they have taken the matter to court in order to stop the British from suspending the constitution or implementing direct rule. The British in turn are awaiting the final report of the Commission before they are in a position to do anything.

So as we await the outcome, the last thing the ‘Belongers’ need is yet another self-serving politician or the return of British hegemony. Maybe instead of continuing to be one of the British Overseas Territories, it could be that its time for the TCI to be an independent nation. What’s needed is for the people of Turks and Caicos Islands to have more control over their lives and for true self-determination. I’m talking about truly devolving power to the people not the ruling elites but people power. The prospect of having to be responsible for their own future may well concentrate the minds of politicians and the public alike but they won’t be the first to realise that not only can freedom be quite daunting; it also comes at a price.

(David Robertson is a is a contributor to Island Vibes Magazine and writes about culture, politics, and social issues, from his perspective. For comments, please feel free to contact him at david@islandvibesmag.com.)