The Progressive National Party is a political party in the Turks and Caicos Islands, currently led by Washington Misick. The PNP holds 16 of the 21 elected seats in the House of Assembly and has been the government since 20 Feb 2021.
History
Origins and Founding of the Progressive National Party
In the early 1970s, elected members of the Legislative Assembly grew increasingly frustrated with the limited authority granted under the existing bicameral system of government, where real power remained with British-appointed administrators. By 1975, this frustration had led to a united call among elected representatives for constitutional reform that would allow for Ministerial Government and greater local decision-making.
A delegation of elected officials—including Norman B. Saunders Sr., Nathaniel Francis, Headley Durham, Albray V. Butterfield Sr., Charles Missick, Hilly Ewing, and Alexander Smith—entered into negotiations with the British Government. On the advice of Ivan Buchanan, the group retained the services of constitutional lawyer Dr. Billy Herbert to support the talks. In the lead-up to the 1976 General Election, the group formalized its leadership structure. Both Saunders and Francis were expected to contest the leadership of the Progressive National Organization, and each had their name put forward at nomination. However, Francis withdrew his candidacy, stating that Saunders had “everything to make an able leader of the party.” Saunders then received unanimous support as the Progressive National Organization’s first leader. The remaining two seats were held by independents Liam McGuire and Danny Williams. Saunders and the PNO sought to form Government and engaged both independents in discussions. The PNO unanimously agreed that McGuire, an Englishman and therefore a foreigner, should not hold a permanent office in Government. “We were proud to be the Opposition rather than having McGuire in our midst with that authority.” The PNO collectively agreed they would rather serve in Opposition than concede to his demands. Saunders, who ran in South Caicos - North, won with 84.5% of the vote and subsequently became the third Chief Minister of the Turks and Caicos Islands—the second to be elected through a general election, and the first from the Progressive National Party.