Premier to represent BOTs at Commonwealth talk-shop
Premier Alden McLaughlin (left) and Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
(CNS): Premier Alden McLaughlin will be heading to London Thursday for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit as the representative for the British Overseas Territories. The Cayman Islands leader is currently serving as the United Kingdom Overseas Territories Association (UKOTA) president and has been invited to the international talking-shop by Lord Ahmad, the FCO territories minister. The event will present an opportunity for McLaughlin to talk trade, showcase investment opportunities and promote sustainable development.
As well as attending the ceremonial gatherings, including the formal opening at Buckingham Palace, the welcome reception at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre and the Lord Mayor’s Banquet at the Guildhall, City of London at the Commonwealth Business Forum, he will be meeting with British political and business leaders.
“While there, I will also take the opportunity to meet with United Kingdom Government officials to discuss issues and concerns that are common to the United Kingdom, the overseas territories and the Cayman Islands in particular,” McLaughlin said in a release from his office.
The event is expected to attract business leaders from across the Commonwealth, as well as the heads of government and ministers. The Business Forum will touch on topics such as the global economic outlook, how technology is changing our world and the way we work, economic and climate volatility for island states, new models of healthcare, the maritime industry, the economic empowerment of women, investing in infrastructure, fintech and innovations in financial services, and how business can be made easier between Commonwealth countries.
“These topics, and the others on the agenda of the Business Forum, are important to us as an overseas territory and attending is a natural progression from our recent trip to the GREAT Festival of Innovation in Hong Kong,” McLaughlin said. “Attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government events and attending the Commonwealth Business Forum are part of ongoing relationship building with the United Kingdom as it seeks to leave the European Union.
“The Cayman Islands, as well as all of the UK Overseas Territories, see ourselves as a very important part of Global Britain and I am honoured, as the president of the Political Council of UKOTA, to be invited to take part in these events,” he added.
Cabinet Secretary Samuel Rose and Senior Political Advisor to the Premier Roy Tatum will be accompanying McLaughlin on the trip. Joining them in London will be Eric Bush, head of the Cayman Islands London Office.
Category: Local News
paid vacation on public purse
Idea: for these frequent expert junkets, we should requisition a special Cayman Islands protocol balloon that Team Unity can keep aloft with their hot air. With a cruising ceiling of 80,000 ft, Thatch Force One would be the shimmering jewel of the Territories.
And there could be a new statue in the statue-fest of “Heroes” Square, celebrating the balloonists of Cayman…
Was there no-one competent available?
How unfortunate!
Well.. another trip away and a break from the critic’s he has in Cayman! Plus it also will fulfill his ego to rub shoulders with those in the UK political sphere….. a week away from Cayman and more posts on facebook & twitter to show he doing something! Is this why the meetings of the LA have been reduced and the Premier’s travel increased?… because he does seem to spend a lot of time away… but who knows maybe that’s the plan! Traveling the world but yet so much at home not dealt with after all these years; many of which have been under his leadership!
Can someone answer me this…. why is it that we have a Premier that supposed to be a leader but don’t really talk to the people? It’s like one of those fairy tales where the princess sits up in the clouds in their castle in the mountains where no one can see them but yet they looking down on all the peasants/commoners! The most interaction we get is through social media, blogs, and pictures! WHAT THE HELL! This is unacceptable and something gotta change before 2021…. this is disgraceful but yet his party campaigned about ‘for the love of country’! That slogan better change to ‘for the love of self, my buddies and all others that continue to drink the kool aid and collect the hams & turkeys! #weneedanewpremier #newleadership #aldenneedretire
We need new politicians period. None of the current options will do any better. It’s time for change. We need responsible, accountable, respectable and honorable (in character not in title).
How can the premier represent the BOTs commonwealth talk-shops and the premier leadership were not even wanted and still not wanted in cayman. Mr. Premier take Mr. Erick Bush job and send Mr. Erick Bush back to cayman to work with his friend the deputy governor in the deputy governor’s office grilling Bar-b-que chicken to feed the hungry people in cayman.
Good suggestion, I think the Premier should be the head of the london office especially as he would be residing in the UK and far away from Cayman!
They should be sending the new Gov and Jude Scott. Horses for courses.
He doesn’t bother representing us, how the hell is he going to represent them?
Diogenes