Former Deputy Premier Sean Astwood hasexpressed serious concerns about the current government's lack of transparencyand accountability, particularly regarding the inconsistent publication ofCabinet minutes and a recent decision to increase retirement allowances forformer legislators. Astwood highlighted that the government had stopped postingCabinet minutes, a key mechanism for maintaining public trust. Although thepractice briefly resumed following public criticism, the minutes have onceagain disappeared, with the last half of 2023 remaining unpublished. Astwoodfurther revealed that a recent Cabinet decision to raise retirement allowancesby 20% effective April 2024 was buried in a four-month "informationdump" of minutes, which he believes was an intentional move to avoidscrutiny, especially after the government approved a 40% salary increase forthemselves late last year.

Astwood emphasized the importance oftransparency as a cornerstone of democracy, calling on the government toimmediately resume posting Cabinet minutes consistently, provide a clearjustification for the retirement allowance increase, and ensure that alldocumentation is presented with uniform detail to prevent manipulation. He alsocriticized the government for inconsistencies in how tenders are reported,which he argued fosters public distrust. Astwood urged the government to adoptmore transparent practices to restore confidence and ensure the public is fullyinformed about how resources and decisions are managed.

Running as an At-Large candidate in thenext general election, Astwood remains a prominent advocate for goodgovernance, small business development, and the use of technology to improvelives across the Turks and Caicos Islands. Known for his commitment to publicaccountability, he reaffirmed that these issues transcend partisanship andshould be addressed to strengthen democratic processes. Through his platform,he continues to champion transparency and calls for leadership that prioritizesthe people's trust and engagement in national decision-making.