Coat of Arms London party still on despite row with UK

| 11/05/2018 | 76 Comments

(CNS): Premier Alden McLaughlin will be leading a delegation to the UK next week to launch the celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the Cayman Islands Coat of Arms. The government has chosen to begin marking the diamond jubilee in London, despite tensions between Britain and its overseas territories over the threatened imposition of public beneficial owners registers. The dispute has not derailed the planned party, however, and celebrations are set to kick off with a reception at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) on Monday, 60 years after the Cayman Islands Coat of Arms was ordered by Queen Elizabeth II on 14 May 1958.

In a release, Premier Alden McLaughlin said, “The reception will bring the Cayman Islands to the heart of Westminster. We will showcase the very best of Cayman, from our food and culture through to our music and traditional arts.”

Read more on CNS Local Life: Celebration for Cayman Islands Coat of Arms

Accompanying the premier to London will be Cayman Islands Governor Anwar Choudhury, House Speaker McKeeva Bush, Opposition Leader Ezzard Miller, Councillors Barbara Conolly and Captain Eugene Ebanks, MLA for Bodden Town West Christopher Saunders, and Cabinet Secretary Samuel Rose.

The delegation is supported by Political Advisor to the Premier Roy Tatum, Communications Manager Julie Hutton, and GIS Electronic Media Unit Manager Martin Wilkinson.

In a release from the opposition on Friday, Miller said that they were happy to join the government in “showing the United Kingdom that we are proud of the Cayman Islands and that we are united in celebrating our history and the progress we are making in our development and emerging nationhood”. He said the trip was an opportunity to raise the profile of the Cayman Islands in Britain and that “honouring the adoption of the Coat of Arms is an important milestone in our history”.

As well as attending the reception, the two opposition members will attend the private lunch hosted by Michelin-star British chef Clare Smyth on Tuesday and make a courtesy call on Lord Ahmad, the UK minister responsible for the territories.

It is understood that the premier will be taking part in meetings relating to the challenge presented by the UK government’s decision to accept the amendment to the Sanctions and Anti-money Laundering Bill. This has led to a proposal to impose public registers showing who owns what in offshore financial centres in the British Overseas Territories, though not the Crown Dependencies, despite objections from all of the relevant jurisdictions.

Meanwhile, the “Celebrate Cayman” festivities are due to begin locally on Monday, 28 May, with a ceremony on the Glass House lawn next to the Government Administration Building.

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Comments (76)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    This is because its all a part of the show. There no real row only what they chose to show you blinded folk. Money is what still talks…never a verbal argue with these patties.

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  2. Anonymous says:

    How about the new sign on the main windows of the Government building… It did not put itself up over the weekend.

    A BIG scaffold, and looked like 3-4 guys and a two trucks there all weekend long. I doubt it cost 10k, but I bet it was more than 5K.

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  3. Anonymous says:

    Give unto Cayman that which is Caymanian and with hold that which is not. What is left for Caymanians? Their huge financial debt and some beat up cars and buildings. Cayman islands are lucky beyond their comprehension that the UK is still interested in taking responsibility for the islands.

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  4. Anonymous says:

    Warlock is correct our politicians don’t have the balls not to show up and we just have to sit back and take it while the UK nibbles away at our way of life to their own gain, in the guise of political correctness. They piss down our politicians heads and tell them its a shower. Get real.

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  5. Anonymous says:

    I hear they took the Swanky Kitchen Band with them as well

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    • Anon says:

      5:43: I assume that this is your version of humor?

      For the benefit of anyone who may not find it funny, the answer is no. Swanky was not included.

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      • MI6 in Paradise says:

        How much would you care to wager?

        Cayman is in potential crisis yet throwing a weeklong celebration in London for British MP’s committed to closing down Cayman’s Financial Services Industry.
        The judgement shown by your leaders at this critical time is shocking but demonstrates again why bad deals are consistently negotiated by your leaders who would rather a jolly and jig instead of buckling down for the serious graft and diplomacy required to insure your overall survival.

      • Anonymous says:

        I know that members of the band went to the celebration- this was not meant as a joke – it is a fact. Go ahead and do your research and see what you come up with.

      • Anonymous says:

        They were there. As was Boris.

      • Anonymous says:

        2:08pm. You are FAKE NEWS!

        There is live video on Facebook of Swanky Kitchen Band performing live in London.

        Why hide such a positive event – Swanky is a great Cayman Band doing us proud in London! Nothing to be ashamed of or to deny!

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  6. RICK says:

    Bananarisium has started .

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  7. Anonymous says:

    I hope Chris remembers to use his Caymanian accent and not the Jamaican one he dons to win over the Yardie Caymanians

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  8. Anonymous says:

    celebrating the ‘birthday’ of a coat of arms????……you can’t make this stuff up!
    cayman cannot go 5 mins without embarrassing itself on the international stage

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    • Anonymous says:

      A coat of arms is an important symbol. You’re not taking into account the context around its original grant. We got our first Constitution a year later – surely you agree that is worth celebrating? Well, this preceded it. We initiated the process because we felt developed enough to have a coat of arms; a year later we had a Constitution; three more years later, we were no longer a colony of Jamaica but of the UK, with the beginnings of ministerial government that developed further a decade later. So if you think our celebrations are laughable, you will be thoroughly entertained over the next 15 years.

      Milestones of all kinds are celebrated by every country, religion and organisation. There are always reasons why they are important. Why do you think this should not be celebrated?

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    • Ambassador of Absurdistan says:

      Just Another Day in Absurdistan

  9. Anonymous says:

    What a waste of time and money, accept the fact that all these years of following the same strategy of appeasement has failed remember Chamberlain with Hitler …. How about just saying NO … we are not going to do that. Let the British government incur the legal cost to enforce it, would be interesting to see if they will use the European Courts to enforce the Order or wait till the British courts have jurisdiction after Brexit ? the latter will take years. I’d continue providing the service as is and let the customers decided. I am certain more than a few MP’s and members of the House of Lords used and uses our services. Cayman needs to stand up and just say NO ! The hypocrisy of the British is legendary none of the OT’s were allowed to vote in the Brexit referendum but yet have to endure the consequences. Where is the human right activist and liberal lovelies in this situation ? Now a law can be passed without representation in what is termed a democracy to force an issue which excludes other dependences and again not a word from the human rights advocates. It is evident that there is only one way to deal with a bully – just stand up and say NO. We cannot allow such international blatant discrimination and yes let call a spade a spade racism to go unchallenged or ignored. We should have just not gone and used that platform on the world stage to gain awareness for what is an outright case of oppression.

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    • Anonymous says:

      What are you getting so riled up about? I have spoken to several senior people in financial services, none of us can see what effect this law will have on anyone, except for those that ought to be worried about it, in terms of tax evasion. Even then our regulators are amongst the toughest around, they liase with all other international regulators and tax authorities, and Cayman has long not been the place to evade taxes or money launder. Of course you get one or two bad apples everywhere, but that happens globally and they do get caught eventually.

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  10. Anonymous says:

    The system of global control in which we find ourselves unwilling participants is the same rebellion against God that Lucifer engineered with his convincing and subtle deceptions with promises of power for his ignorant followers.
    Nothing has changed. The one third has polluted this world with “systems of excellence” that rob our children of their unique identity in God.
    Money has become our god, not God.
    What will we say when we stand before Him?

    Seriously, people, I am not joking. We all need to take stock of our lives to ensure against the Day of Judgement. Whatever job you find yourselves in, do it as unto the Lord.

    People, eternity is a very, very, very long time.

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  11. Anonymous says:

    Hope they carried some cow itch to present to Theresa May..

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    • Observer says:

      It is an opportunity to dialogue formally and informally, and not so much about the Coat of Arms.

      However, that celebration—and a Diamond Jubilee is always significant—presents an opportunity to emphasize the links with the U.K. That has never been more germane than right now.

      Heard the old adage, “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer”? While we may not wish to entirely relegate the US to that status, they are surely not acting very friendly right now.

      Do the naysayers think that the govt and the opposition should cower in a state of paralysis?

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      • Anonymous says:

        Observer meant “the U.K.”, and not “the US”.

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      • Hoping for the best for Cayman says:

        Diplomacy comes in many shapes and forms.

        Now more than ever we need to strengthen our ties and try to forge the best possible outcomes to current situation.

        Why? We have no choice. They hold the handle.

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      • Anonymous says:

        this is sooo a PR comment who have hire again in London for a fortune to achieve nothing ???

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      • Anonymous says:

        The Premier’s social media expert is blogging bollocks again. Try getting a real job mate

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      • Anonymous says:

        Cower ? No ! Run back to England like a bunch of idiots ? Big No! Grow a pair Alden

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    • Anonymous says:

      At the reception alone, in attendance will be a phalanx of British Government Cabinet Ministers, MPs, and Peers.

      There are many other such informal events, courtesy calls, and formal appointments in the plans during this visit.

      Very often, impressions are formed and the best information gleaned in these informal, non-confrontational contacts.

      We have to engage the decision makers in discussions at more of these opportunities—not fewer.

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      • Anonymous says:

        The Premier’s social media expert is blogging bollocks again. Try getting a real job mate

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      • Anonymous says:

        We tried diplomacy, wineing and dining, begging, etc and none of that has worked, Alden needs to realize he is nothing but a puppet for the U.K. and now they have kicked him to the curb!!! What a sucker

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    • Anonymous says:

      9:04: No cow itch.

      Our government made a much better call as Swanky Kitchen Band will perform some traditional Caymanian music as part of the festivities.

      Congratulations ladies and gentlemen as I know that the Band will do us proud!

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  12. PPm Distress Signal says:

    Yes let us therefore brace ourselves that if the Cayman Empire last for 1 more year under this rinky dink leadership we are indeed very fortunate.Alden off to secret talks with the UK aaaah let us also remind our dear leader and his no use cohorts of his obligations as el presidente of the OT association in case he forgets his transparent underwear at home.

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  13. Anonymous says:

    A more apporpriate statement would be to not attend.

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    • Concerned Caymanian says:

      How is that 6:49 am?

      As in any marriage if we each retreat to our corner and refuse to dialogue, that is the surest predictor of failure.

      I am pleased that the government and the Opposition are joining forces.

      I hope that combined ideas, vision, resources will result in an outcome that will contribute to preserving the wellbeing of the Cayman Islands.

      We are grateful for your initiative and you have our support.

      On behalf of future generations, thank you for the sacrifices you make every single day.

      Right now, what you are doing to save the situation may very well become a pivotal moment in Cayman’s history.

      God bless your efforts.

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      • V says:

        It is advantageous to embarrass the perpetrator of a vile wrong. Starting a conversation from formal protest should be the basis. Not pussy footing around what you want but a formal and direct protest to such aggressive acts. A fledgling empire that is certainly on the back foot looking to playcatt the EU for their own advantage has and will continue to sacrifice their territories. That is really what this, and people need to call if for what it is.

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        • Anon says:

          8:45 am: I say work the problem from every angle. Try everything you’ve got.

          I am sure that when the Premier meets Prime Minister Mays he will forcefully make our case.

          But you have to remember that Cayman has long been a political football in the U.K. those forces only just now had an opportunity because of the weakened state over the U.K. Govt plank in Parliament.

          in the same way that our political forces try to enbarrass the govt here. There are forces at work in the U.K. to embarrass the Govt there and force them into a corner.

          The U.K. may not have had a choice — they could predict the outcome of the voting at the end of the day.

          But those same political renegades excluded Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man who basically operate the same way we do.

          They protected their own.

          Says a lot about the real agenda and the necessity of these new provisions.

  14. Anonymous says:

    Bitcoin sales will drive away the good cough cough ol’ uk enough

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  15. Anonymous says:

    There is no need to showcase anything with the UK. This is a waste of public money.

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  16. SMH says:

    This trip is a complete waste of public funds.

    The FCO do not give a toss about the Cayman Code of Arms much less the territory in case they forgot about the May 1st decision by the Tories in the House of Commons. SMH

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  17. Code name: Warlock says:

    Alldone going up to kiss the U.K. bonkeeeee and beg for forgiveness to secure his knighthood. Hazard going up to show them he’s a noorside tough guy while Big Mac going up on a jaunt to check out the casinos in Knightsbridge. After this trip direct rule might be a possibility. God help the Caymans.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Warlock: who are you? Do you even care about our future?

      If you are Caymanian — try to dig up a little patriotism.

      If you are non-Caymanian — are you just here like many others just for the money? If so, why not do us a favor and consider your options?

      As a Caymanian, going right back to the earliest settlers on Little Cayman, I have to remain optimistic and to hope that our leaders are able to carve out the best result.

      This is not the time for crass, destructive political drivel.

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  18. Mr Anon says:

    What benefit do all these people in attendance serve?

    None; this is just another unnecessary travel expense the public will paying for.

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    • Caymanian says:

      Mr. Anon: be careful you are not being short sighted.

      You may not realize how critical and precarious our situation is.

      We have to do everything possible to avert potential disaster.

      I, for one, do not think that it is too late. We have to pull out every possible card that we have.

      Go, team, go. We have your back.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Yes, but sending people from CIG is not going to help. It is going to make things worse.

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      • Jotnar says:

        Because a bunch of pols having a freebie in London and a party to celebrate our coat of arms is going to move the dial on UK public opinion and the anti offshore sentiment amongst populist politicians who see which way the public lean? And you realize this complete waste of tax payers money was organized way before the parliamentary vote right? Latter is being used as an excuse for the select few expending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a jaunt, money far better spent in organizing a coordinated response to the vote with the other BOTs. Give the money saved to Cayman Finance or Travers who can do something useful with it, rather than pay for Alden and McKeeva to have a private dinner prepared by a Michelin chef.

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        • Anonymous says:

          Another expensive piss up prepared by Eric Bush in London. Continued waste of money led by our local clowns to entertain the U.K. MP’s who seek to destroy Cayman’s main economic driver

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  19. Anonymous says:

    10 first class tickets and we’re already over $100k before accommodation and Michelin Star banquets. Nobody cares about our coat of arms. What a load of crap. Hire the QCs and get serious please! So many aimless first class junkets on our dime, with all the wrong attendees!

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  20. Cess Pita says:

    I want to know if the Speaker is taking his personal driver courtesy of the Port Director.

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  21. Anonymous says:

    out of dog house now ehhh?

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  22. Anonymous says:

    Hope they question who coloured the thatch rope blue, and change it!

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    • Caymanite says:

      Now’s the time to remove the Pineapple from the Coat of Arms. Nothing to do with Cayman.

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      • Anonymous says:

        The pineapple was to represent our ties with Jamaica. Nothing wrong with that.

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        • Jotnar says:

          We’ll replace it with a Glock and Ganga bush – damn sight more of that visible than pineapples.

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        • Anonymous says:

          I don’t think we need to be advertising that we were once a colony of Jamaica…

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          • Observer says:

            We have very short memories. But I remember the days when Janaica was our lifeline. I remember the days when colonies of Caymanians gathered around Jamaican seaports because our fathers and husbands shipped out of Jamaica, affording money to sustain the families.

            I remember the venerated Jamaican teachers who migrated here so our forebears could have an education.

            I remember when we had to travel to Jamsica for life giving medical care.

            May I also remind you guys of the many upstanding Jamaicans still giving here in our judiciary, legal systems, schools, across govt and in private sector.

            There is a lot about Jamaica today of which we cannot be proud. But don’t be so overcome with ingratitude that we are blinded to the historical sognificance of Jamaica and Jamaicans in making us what we are today.

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            • Anon says:

              2:34 pm: is true word dat –but you forgot to mention the pice de resistance — the ganja trade– all dem nice upstanding citizens … and those solid businesses of today.

              he hay –ha ha

      • Anonymous says:

        Agree.

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      • Cess Pita says:

        If we remove the pineapple we should replace it with a one armed bandit in recognition of our dedicated Speaker.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Why? I love pineapples. Small minded person you.

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    • Anonymous says:

      1:52 and who made the thatch hats that’s gone with them too ,.

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  23. Anonymous says:

    More wasted money!

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    • Anonymous says:

      I understand the entire swanky band are accross the pond. The U.K does not care about us, our culture, or homeland so why are they celebrating over there. The only celebrating should be on this rock. The Premier and a very select qualified few should go to discuss how the UK are treating the territories but there is no reason to celebrate over there.

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      • Anon says:

        7:13 pm: I understand your concern and identify with it.

        But isn’t it an opportunity to underscore our historical ties to the U.K.?

        The Queen signed the Coat of Arms into law in the U.K. 60 years ago today.

        I think that if it works as an an entree into the consciousness that we are part of you then it is useful.

        The U.K. cannot have it both ways — callously kicking us in the shins when it suits them but still reminding us that we are a dependency when it is convenient.

        On a larger scale, one of the things that they are forgetting is the strategic importance of Cayman in this part of the world. The same strategic importance we played in WW2 when the world was going to hell in a hand basket and when civilization was pulled back from the brink of total disaster because of the role that good people around the world played.

        Caymsn’s role might not have been huge, but we did our part.

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