Progressive National Party (Turks and Caicos Islands)

The Progressive National Party is a political party in the Turks and Caicos Islands, currently led by Washington Misick.^[4] The PNP holds 16 of the 21 elected seats in the House of Assembly and has been the government since 20 Feb 2021.

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.^[5]

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.^[5] With limited public funding available, the legal effort was primarily financed by Saunders and Butterfield, with additional private support from businessman Robin Laing.^[5] These efforts resulted in the 1976 Constitution, which introduced Ministerial Government and paved the way for the establishment of political parties in the Turks and Caicos Islands.^[5]

Following the passage of the new Constitution, Saunders and several other sitting legislators co-founded the Progressive National Organization (PNO), which was later renamed the Progressive National Party (PNP). The founding group included Saunders, Francis, Durham, Butterfield, Ewing, Missick, and Smith.^[6] 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.^[6]

The 1976 Turks and Caicos Islands General Election marked a pivotal moment in Turks and Caicos Islands politics, as it was the first to be held under the newly adopted Constitution introducing Ministerial Government.^[5] In the lead-up to the election, the Progressive National Organization (PNO) unanimously selected Norman B. Saunders Sr. as its first leader.^[6]

In the election itself, no single party won a clear majority. The People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) secured five seats, while the PNO won four.^[7] 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.^[7] However, when McGuire requested a ministerial appointment—specifically the Ministry of Development—in exchange for his support, the PNO declined.^[8] 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.”^[8]

McGuire “wanted to be everything,” expressing a desire to control several of the most influential ministerial roles.^[9] The PNO collectively agreed they would rather serve in Opposition than concede to his demands.^[9]

McGuire’s alignment with the PDM gave the PDM the majority needed to form the first government under the new constitutional framework.^[7] When McGuire and Williams joined the PDM, McGuire assumed control of key ministries—including Development and Tourism—leading many to refer to him as "the de facto Chief Minister".^[9]

Saunders, having led the PNO’s 1976 election campaign, became the Turks and Caicos Islands' first Leader of the Opposition^[5] after his party declined to form Government under the terms proposed by the independent candidates.^[8]

Despite the setback, the PNO continued building its organizational foundation and broadened its support across the Turks and Caicos Islands. During this period, the group formally adopted the name Progressive National Party (PNP),^[6] a step that coincided with a broader political consolidation that would lead to a landslide victory in the 1980 Turks and Caicos Islands General Election.^[6]

At the 2003 legislative elections, the party won six out of 13 seats. It won two extra seats at a by-election on 7 August 2003, bringing the party to power.

In the 9 February 2007 elections the party won 13 out of 15 seats, the largest margin in history until the 2021 general election.

Their 2016 election opponents were the People's Democratic Movement and the Progressive Democratic Alliance.

• Official web site