Mac denies desire to be leader again
(CNS): As he opened the proceedings at the first meeting of the year for the Legislative Assembly, Speaker McKeeva Bush oscillated between an angry rant against people not supporting government and giving thanks for surviving the earthquake. The representative for West Bay stated that he had no desire to be premier again or even a Cabinet minister, but said he planned to retain his West Bay seat next year.
Bush, who is the leader of the CDP and partner in the coalition government, appeared to be enraged by posts on social media criticisng the government, even though for the two decades prior to this administration he, himself, was a constant critic of the current premier (and vice-versa). While he raged about people not backing or praising government and urged members of the community to be good citizens, the speaker did not say what specifically had caused his apparent vexation.
He urged the members of the Legislative Assembly to stand behind government and its policies and stop tearing each other apart. He used the earthquake to demonstrate that, historically, governments have been right about the things they have done. He said the government had been cursed for introducing building codes but it had proved to be good for the islands.
Bush berated people on social media who were posting complaints about government and the MLAs because of their own political agenda, which he said was “the mindset of this country and it is wrong”, as he said people were complaining about photos.
“While we are accused, the facts are showing differently,” he said, as he accused the accusers of belittling members and lying. He said the public ought to be careful and that a “pack of lies hurts the nation”.
Bush told the members that he was not “seeking any higher office”. He said, “Let me debunk that,” adding that he did not want “to face that as the premier” or in Cabinet. However, he indicated that he would still be running in West Bay and hinted he wanted to remain speaker.
See the speaker’s remarks on CIGTV and the official Hansard report below:
Official Hansard Report Excerpt, Speakers remarks 30 January 2020
- Fascinated
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Bored
- Afraid
Category: Politics
It’s good to see the youth is thinking about serving for their country in LA. I believe it’s time for some of the born Caymanians whose parents are from other countries to put in there two cents. I would like to see enforcement of the many conservation laws in the seas. We seem to have a lot of youth who are concerned by the loss of sand on 7 mile beach and fish and corals. Well, stand for the LA. I have no problem if they are fair and well educated, why not.
their not there
Time for a Green Party in the Cayman Islands led by Cayman youth. Their parents and grandparents have sold out their birthright and their local environment.
His way of saying that he will run again.
The question is, who other than Dr McKeeva would want him to be the “leader” of our affairs again, let alone hold any senior office of influence in Public Life? We need to enact the amended and watered-down Standards in Public Life Law, twice approved in the LA. The only reason it hasn’t been enacted are those still actively peddling their own corrupt influence over public policy outcomes.
The many big names who benefitted from his leadership, would want him to be “leader” again.
He never was a leader
A leader by Caymanian standards of leadership.
Who wants to bet that the wig ain’t washed on the regular?
Mac is a national treasure and our fair Islands owe a huge debt of thanks for his tireless service.
Hey, 12:43 pm; People can go to hell for lying!
Guess we know where Trump is going.
Guess a lot of people in West Bay are going to hell.
Sarcasm much..?
12.43pm I suppose you have been voting for him for the last 40 years thanks to a little “encouragement”.
There seems to be a lot of sarcasm missed here…by many.
National treasure or natural disaster…
I think “Assembly Idiot” fits better than “National Treasure”!
Got up this morning and had a big glass of koolade again, didn’t ya?
A God in West Bay and MLA for life. The best and brightest Cayman offers.
Id say a little senile and getting a bit too big for his britches. Time to change the dirty underwear!
MLA Term Limits, Age Limits, Budget Limits, Power Limits, World Communication Limits
Come on older generations you can’t take on us rascals, we got time and health on our side. Funny how time catches everyones. MLAS soon be in the 70s and 80s the next 10-15 years.
Dead beat old fragile men just need to leave Cayman and stop spoiling it for the next x00+ years.
Now tell me how many of you MLA’s went and stood on at the dump with a sign to fix it promoting and serving the community.
Please sit and shhh LA your time will be over soon.
I honestly enjoyed your comment, Anonymous 11:57 a.m., and I am as old or older than anyone you know. Even older than all those “Honorable” men who are supposed to be attending to the health, well-being and happiness of all the people of the Cayman Islands…… but seem to be only interested in what they can get out of it for themselves. Wouldn’t it be a blessing if we could get some intelligent younger representatives to get our islands out of the pit that has been dug by sub-standard representation? Go for it, 11:57………..Your time has come!
If the next Government allow this man to remain as Speaker, they are not fit to govern. I would like him to explain exactly how he gets all these West Bayers to vote for him, over decades, when he is vilified by just about every one else.
40 years of “West Bay District Annual Seniors Christmas Parties” hosted and paid for by McKeeva/CDP(UDP) and aligned MLAs. Prizes and giveaways, and each senior gets a bag of groceries and sometimes a turkey or ham. Very popular. Old people come from all districts now.
https://www.caymancompass.com/2019/12/16/west-bay-seniors-celebrated/
So what. The Rotary Club of Grand Cayman has been doing just that for almost 60years thanks to people whose idea it was including Mr Benson, Mr Haig, Mr Harry , Mr Bill , Sonnyboy etc. The club organizes buses from all districts to cater for our elderly citizens.
Mr Bush you are eligible to attend.
Sounds like mobsters…hmm organized crime don’t have to be done by bad folks…hehe
11.52 You omitted the Tv’s and fridges.
Was it put on his credit card?
Or ours (CIG)
When you have money and spread it around you get votes.
Especially in West Bay where Cayman’s finest live.
Well he and the Leader of the Losers are now such close bosom buddies. The same one that wanted to see him in hand cuffs
Oldest political trick in the book. Issue an official denial of something no-one is talking about in order to gauge public reaction. If it’s bad stick to your denial. If it’s good, allow yourself to be persuaded to change your mind. This is effectively an announcement that he would like to be leader again. I hope for the sake of this country that the voters remember the junkets, gambling, conflicts of interest (to put it mildly), poor decision-making and ranting insanity that is Mac’s leadership style and hold him to that denial!
Bingo- great interpretation!
Why is he denying something that no-one asked him?
List the plot. Getting a little confused so defaults to defence mode.
Poor Mac really thinks he will be a WB representative next election. Just remember the younger generation are now registered voters!
But the older generation in West Bay votes en mass. The younger generation of Caymanians rarely vote as they are too passive.
Many didn’t apply for continuance of status at 18, so can’t even register. Ghost Caymanians.
Robberies are passive? Shooting and stabbings too? Where you from man….
Ha, ha 8:58. Heard your line many times before. McKeeva forever in West Bay. Build a monument to him now. Younger generation sits on their asses politically in West Bay.
the Legislative Assembly is now called ‘Parliament’ – a grown up name – for a bunch of children (my apologies, that’s an insult to children)!
He “plans” to keep his WB seat? Perhaps he should hope to keep it, and I hope that he wont!!
My former gardener is on one magnificent gravy train. He would be a fool to ever get off the gravy train.
McKeeva is forever in West Bay till they bury him. The best and brightest of West Bay.
Never in my life have I seen a speaker so.. not neutral
McKeeva is the best and the brightest of what the Cayman Islands can offer.
He has proved it time and time again and the people of West Bay think he is a God.
Sadly McKeeva is the best that West Bay and the Cayman Islands can offer.
Wow, seems you should consider migrating somewhere else, if you are a resident, if you think so poorly of us.
Your elected MLA’s elected him Speaker. Obviously Bush is a reflection of your elected representatives as they voted for him. While that does not make me happy, it is reality, whether one likes it or not. See no reason why the individual should migrate.
@ 2:14 Surely that isn’t true! If it is, we are doomed!
Caribbean Trump, that is what he is, an experienced clown that has nothing helpful to bring to the table.
Don’t insult clowns.
MAGA! We’re all good up here.
Now if he will only keep his word..Praise Jesus!
I seriously doubt it..Remember alden said he would resign as Premier as well if the referendum passed…
They both love power and greed too much and will say anything to make them look good.
It’s not just the power – it’s covering your back. Step down and see how long it is before someone decides to open an investigation into your actions.
Will never happen. Dream on.
These members of the LA forget they are the servants of the people. You should see how swiftly some of them left civil servants on Tuesday in the GAB.
Vote No
Vote Yes
From his remarks, the Speaker of the House clearly does not understand that government works for the people and not vice versa. Complaining that the people do not support government is absurd. The record of the government id shameful at a minimum, and inept at worst.
The majority of projects the CIG has undertake in recent years has be delivered late, over-cost, abandoned, determined less than effective, poorly planned, poorly executed and mostly to the benefit of government or insiders. Cronies, influential businessmen, family members and colleagues support the whims and wishes of government, not to the benefit of the islands or the people in general, but to select chose few.
Most important is the issue of Open Government. The secret hidden details of the Port Project is a primary example, but the airport expansion, school construction and hand-outs. Public finds going to the all powerful churches on the islands are secretive deals that get the votes for the chosen few. Government In The Sunshine laws effectively work in other jurisctions, and in a small country like Cayman, they could be especially effective. If government has solid, fair and responsible reasons devoid of conflicts of interest, it should be proud to open its books and contracts to the people, and most certainly to the press.
So, Honorable Speaker, stop whining about lack of public support, and step up (or down) to support government that benefits these islands as a whole and not just the special interests.
Very well written.
Rod, we need vocal Caymanians like you to please start an online petition to enact SIPL, and circulate the link for voter support. It seems the Unity gov’t will have to confirm it a second time anyway, so the first warning shot across the bow might as well be an online petition.
Yes, for the love of God, please start the petition.
So much for the idea of the Speaker being neutral. Fortunately, the legislative assembly hardly ever meets so we don’t have to hear much from him.
Physical or mental age?
Oh, that’s surprising. Perhaps he’d like to enact SIPL, or detail the terms of his being given the LA Speaker role, or the mechanism by which he asserts he has achieved a doctorate degree? Thought not!
Is this man for real? The whole point of Parliament is for the opposition to to keep the government in check – What is he talking about by urging members of the LA to stand behind the government?!
Awwe come on Mac, we all know ya can taste the fine wine, food and all the other perks tnat come with being premier.
Additionally be sure, while Alden needs you to hold his government togethet, get the PPM to sign a binding contract to support you being the next premier.
We gotta keep the poor governance going.
Politricks makes strange bedfellows!!!
Bet he wants to eventually declared a “National Hero” though!!!!!!!!!!
Please don’t put ideas into his head.
He already thinks he is.
What an IDIOT! It truly doesn’t get any worse. What is his definition of a “Good Citizen”? The on way Mac will exit the political arena is when, or should i say if, the Standards in Public Life Law is passed.
He will run, not walk, to a non-extradition country with Casinos…
Quick! Hide the government’s credit cards!
Poor thing, he is just dragging around now. He needs to now just depart gracefully (oops Mac and graceful?). He must have a nice nest egg put aside, I imagine he has made many many ” you owe me” relationships over the years so isn’t it a good time to sit back and enjoy his golden years. I watched a story on CITV earlier this morning with the Premier and his farm. I am not sure if it is a new episode but it sounds like he is planning to soon retire and enjoy what is going on at the farm. From experience I doubt if there is any other outdoor activities as relaxing. Mac should find himself a nice hobby and chill out!
Unfortunately Macs hobby has consumed a huge amount of money derived from his political appointments and private businesses – he has to keep slaving away to keep his interests fed – can’t afford to retire, plus not sure he would feel comfortable retiring and not being in a position to ensure someone doesn’t decide to investigate his actions whilst in office.
All of these extracurricular deals were brokered with the assistance of myriad trusted associates and advisors, private and public, who have benefitted themselves over the years, that would then be legally obliged to come forward if SIPL was in effect. There are some notorious lawyer and accountant names that come to mind.
Time to put an age limit on MLAs? And before anyone jumps in with any ageist comments – I’m 69 and happily retired.
Ageist comm…Huh?
There defo needs to be a TERM limit on MLA’s
Who cares how old YOU are?