Bryan blocks meeting to debate ousting speaker
(CNS): The special meeting of the Legislative Assembly to debate a no confidence vote in House Speaker McKeeva Bush and elect a new deputy speaker will not take place because Kenneth Bryan (GTC) voted against it at a meeting of opposition members over the weekend. Under the Constitution, seven MLAs can force a meeting of the LA, but this would require all back-bench members to agree, unless at least one member from the government bench broke ranks and sided with the opposition.
The special meeting was proposed by MLA Ezzard Miller (NS) on Friday, when he asked the official opposition members to join him in requesting the LA meeting. According to a release from the opposition Monday morning, Miller’s proposal is supported by five of them: Arden McLean (leader of the opposition), Anthony Eden, Alva Suckoo, Chris Saunders and Bernie Bush.
“Unfortunately, the official opposition could not get unanimous support as one member of the group, MLA Kenneth Bryan, was not in support. Without his support, the opposition cannot get the signatures of seven members, as required by Standing Orders, to request the meeting of the Legislative Assembly” the opposition statement read.
This followed a release earlier Monday morning from Bryan, in which he stated that he believed “the request for the speaker to be removed is premature in light of limited information and with an ongoing investigation by police as to what exactly happened”.
Bryan’s comment offered no support or sympathy for the victim of the assault that took place at a bar early Saturday morning or acknowledged that Bush has already apologised for his involvement and admitted that alcohol was a factor.
Bryan said he was “publicly registering my opposition to any abuse of a woman or abuse of any person”, but added that it was “also important that I caution us all to remember that we shouldn’t presume guilt before innocence, especially without all the relevant facts and details”.
His position contrasted sharply with the outpouring of emotion from members of the public on social media, in the CNS comments and at Friday morning’s public protest, as well as the position of the other opposition members.
Their release, which included the hashtag #sheissupported, stated, “The remaining members of the opposition believe that the public should expect, and rightfully so, that those who seek, and are privileged to hold, public office should be held to a higher standard of conduct and that they are duty bound to protect the integrity of the people’s House.”
In an apparent rebuke of the position taken by Bryan as well as the government MLAs, the other opposition members said it was “imperative that all of us, as elected representatives of the people, demonstrate our mettle and let the public know where we stand on this very serious issue”.
They pointedly noted that they were also aware of the ongoing criminal investigation. However, they said it would be hypocritical of them, as political leaders, to require government workers to uphold the Public Servant’s Code of Conduct, which is set out in the Public Service Management Law, but have a different standard for their own conduct.
The release highlighted section 5 (2) (e), which requires public sector workers to “not, at any time, engage in any activity that brings his ministry, portfolio, statutory authority, government company, the public service or the government into disrepute”.
“Inaction is therefore not an option,” the opposition stated. “We must ensure the decisions taken about the functioning of the Legislative Assembly are democratic and constitutionally legitimate. This is the time for the Legislative Assembly to function at its best.”
They said that MLAs had two choices in this particular matter. “Either we rise to meet the demands of our office, or we pull our office down to a lower level. We cannot say we value fairness and accountability and be silent or passive when we were elected to be the voice of the voiceless.”
Calling for the support of front-bench MLAs to request the special meeting of the LA, the opposition stated, “We now urge all elected members of government to support the opening of the Legislative Assembly to address this urgent matter.”
However, in his statement Bryan hinted that his position is not set in stone and he could be swayed by the voters in his district. Saying that it was important to allow “the capable police commissioner and his staff to conduct their investigations”, he also said he was “guided by the voters of George Town Central”.
He added, “If they feel that there is enough information already available in the public domain that warrants a vote of no confidence on the speaker, then I am guided by their direction. Until that point, I will await further details that will bring better clarity to what transpired on the 21 February regarding the speaker of the Legislative Assembly.”
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Category: Politics
bryan and mac…politically speaking…are dead men walking.
The role of Deputy Speaker is vacant. The salary for the Deputy Speaker is $30,000.00 per annum on top of the MLA salary.
I wonder who Alden and the Unity Government will pick to fill this critical vacancy?
What a bunch of fickle minded , manipulators. Nothing but good stuff for the Opposition last week and this week persecuting Kenneth and throwing him under the bus. Why? Because he dares to have a mind of his own and refuses to be rushed by would be manipulators. All this fake outrage because a woman was allegedly assaulted but nothing , I repeat, nothing when a man was assaultex and died outside a local bar. But no outrage, no marching , no protests .Why? Because it was a man or because of his nationality. Fake outrage just to stir up the public. Why?. Stay tuned.
Rushing to the defense of the Speaker of the House (no less) who collapsed in a drunken stupor in public and lashed out at a women who came to his assistance– who, as reported, received minor injuries in the process– is not only ignorant and stupid, it’s political suicide. There is NO JUSTIFICATION for the actions of the Speaker. . .NONE. . .PERIOD, and comparisons to other events are irrelevant.
No normal person could think our speaker of the house is “Honourable”. Therefore, we must have many ignorant and/or dishonourable people in the cayman Islands.
He will soon be on Rooster trying to explain why he thinks it is honorable to support a woman beater. Bryan is a jelly fish. One has to wonder how he is able to stand in the house when he does not have a backbone. Useless.
The real problem is #Bushissupported by a large group of people that have the same values as he does. That is where his power to do anything he wants and get away with it comes from. A large enough percentage of the people of the Cayman islands. He will not be charged or arrested (again) because of this.
#Bushissupported by West Bay voters
#Bushissupported by The Progressives
#Bushissupported by the supporters of The Progressives
#Bushissupported by Austin Harris, Dwayne Seymour and Tara Rivers
#Bushissupported by the sponsors and funders for all of the above
Why has this decision been placed on Kenneth’s shoulders? Why has no other member cast their vote? Why hasn’t any members of government broken ranks and sided wit the opposition to force a meeting? I thought they ALL want Mac gone? Why are the rest not being held accountable?
Could it be a case of ” He without sin cast the first stone”? Or has this been blown out of proportion.
I’m not saying what Mac did wasn’t wrong but I find it hard to believe that in this technology driven day and age we live in that its hard think that no one caught this horrific assault on camera? no cell phone video or security camera video exist?
Maybe why no one else has voted is because it didn’t go down the way they said it did.
And if anyone was there and said it was as bad as they say, then shame on you for not getting proof because if their was hard evidence no one in government would hold back their vote and we would be here pointing fingers and using Kenneth as a scapegoat.
Kenneth is protecting his master plain and simple don’t try and distract from what he “didn’t do”
There’s tonnes of proof. Videos are circulating on social media if you have the stomach for it.
Where other than Faceboak?
One bad decision can end a political career. Kenneth has just made that decision.
When you look in the mirror Kenny, that guy is not who the rest of us see.
So TIRED listening to you pontificating on the radio.
NOW you have the arrogance to say its “important that I CAUTION US ALL to remember that we shouldn’t presume guilt before innocence”, Would you f… off and get a life. You got some ground to make up fast or you wont be coming back for another term.
What a LOSER!
Kenneth ‘guided by the voters of GT Central’,
How many Kenneth ???? – gauging by the comments on an open page here of 144, – let’s assume there’s a few multiple posters here so will very generously afford 44, that’s still approx only 4% at best that agree with the stance you’ve taken.
Vote of no confidence, Kenneth Bryan’
Never had any to begin with.
Kenneth I know you personally and let me make this very clear Bro I AM VERY ASHAMED OF YOU. YOU ARE AN EMBARRASSMENT TO CAYMAN.
It’s astonishing that so many so-called God-fearing people are willing to compulsively lie to His face and conspire against honesty. One doesn’t need to swear upon a stack of Bibles in front of a judge to know there is a requirement to tell the truth. If God is everywhere, He is already shaking His head with disappointment at our LA and booking these people in for a long term stay in the pitchfork lava pool underworld, though some of them have long-held reservations.
Kenneth, MAC, Alden, Tara, Juju, Whogene, Bernie, Barbara, Moses, Roy, Dwayne, Austin and David Wight. Do NOT re-elect these useless freeloaders. They do not represent you or anyone other than themselves.
Don’t be fooled if they pick up your CUC bills one month, pave your driveway or buy you a new washing machine. It’s not their money and they don’t care about you at all. They only care about keeping their snouts in the trough for another term.
They are the bad guys and they need to go. No positive changes can happen in this country while they are around.
If I had my way there’s not one current member I would re-elect.
9.19am Good that you can’t have it your way.Funny that Kenneth was on the ok list last week : now he’s a nobody because you can’t dictate to him. Talk about fickle loyalty.
Poor old Kenneth following Papa Doc Bushka down his likle grab hole. Just another Would be wanna be ! Leave him Folks any man who has daughters and don’t stand up to this bullshit of beating women simply ain’t no man. There lies our real problem too many in our legislative Aka “Parliament” are sitting down with their Big Mouths Shut because they too are no HOMBRE.
Predictable as this is, the actual problem is that such a motion would require 2/3 support, which we have seen won’t happen. Our ostrich voters need to pull their heads out of the sand and be LOUDER with their disgust, or nothing will change.
But at least those spineless layabouts, including the premier, Tara and Juju, would have to publicly put their hand in the air and vote in support of a scumbag who just randomly attacked a woman continuing as Honorable Speaker and we could hold them accountable for that.
They would just call in sick that day.
Spineless and totally out of sync with all of your voters. A pathetic excuse of a man, both you and Mac………
Mr. Bryan has no idea what a moral compass is. He should be shame of himself.
Kenneth you miss the point.
This is not about your buddy Mac. It is about a man in a position of power who has , not for the first time, publicly abused the high standards demanded of the office.
Such a person should not be allowed to continue in that position, it’s really that simple.
When you see a man who is clearly not stupid do something which seems to demonstrate a complete misunderstanding of what they are doing or the implications, and which coincidentally benefits a number of vested interests, you wonder if it’s a temporary brain fart or quite deliberate. Unlike a lot of people in the MLA I don’t think Kenneth is stupid. Which is sad. I would rather believe he is honest and perhaps misguided- but this is a step too far.
Mr. Bryan desperately wants to be part of the unity government and they gave him a resounding no for an answer. Now in an effort to prove his loyalty to them – he refuses to participate in the call for a “no confidence” vote.
Shame on you Mr. Bryan and shame on you unity government. Very disappointed in my elected representative, Ms. Julie, as I really thought she would stand up against Mr. Mckeeva just as she did before starting PNA.
Btw, you can spray all kinds of expensive perfume and cologne on dog sh1t…at the end of the day it’s still dog sh1t. A suit does not a person make….
Or put a wig on it.
Vote no confidence on Kenneth too.
What did you people expect? Doing the same thing over again and expecting different results is folly… The Cayman Islands are run by a combination of the following:
a) the illiterate/uneducated ethically & morally corrupt
b) the educated but ethically & morally corrupt
c) the religious, but ethically & morally corrupt
d) the “Cayman trash” ethically & morally corrupt
e) one moral and ethical representative (read Ezzra) who unfortunately happens to be somewhat powerless over the others
Little Bobo justifies his sell-out by hanging on to the old adage “innocent until proven guilty”. But but but but, he is innocent ’cause he’s not guilty yet. But but but he didn’t do it because nobody in this 3rd-world-run country has found him guilty of doing it.
Yea, “innocent until proven guilty” if there hadn’t been 100 witnesses to see the incident, and if Big Bobo hadn’t admitted to it. Nice try Bobo, people aren’t stupid. And you don’t come across as being all that smart trying to pull that card. Man up son.
I know you wanted make your post a “cayman” only deal but you pretty much summarized the description of most leadership worldwide ! Look around buddy….
Sorry, not sure what your point is. We are talking about the Cayman Islands here, are we not? If I wanted to speak about Russia, I’d be posting on a Russian website. You are somewhat correct to say that most leadership around the world is pathetic, but the one in the Cayman Islands is a few levels above pathetic. For example, as a percent, there are far more women beaters in the Cayman Island Legislative Assembly than in most 1st world countries’ Legislative Assemblies.
Point aside, the “it’s happening everywhere else argument…” is not a good argument to make. I’m sure your Mommy told you when you were younger that just because Garfield and Chad jumped off the bridge, doing the same was not a bright idea…
BTC ..What is the percentage in these countries..Canada, USA, UK,Japan,Italy?
Yeah and that makes it ok then! Doesn’t matter what our guys too if there is someone elsewhere that’s worse. Sigh. ( is that you Whodatis?).
Mr. Bryan is a waste of time. At one time I was trying to make myself believe that he was different and would do the right thing but he has shown his true colors. He can be bought for the right price.
I was shocked when you got elected but slowly you gained my respect, you do seem to learn the politicks quickly and look after your constituents very well. This decision however just proves your a no good chameleon sell out. All that good work has just gone down the drain with the worst decision you have made since your early days. Grow a pair of balls man !
I don’t know why this is unexpected. You have to remember that when Alden through Kenneth out, it was McKeeva that went to his rescue..
Unfortunately, Kenneth knows that to survive the favor must be repaid.
It is the political world we live in folks, tit for tat..got to say though Alden and Mckeeva are seasoned veterans at the game and know how to call in their chips when need be..
Wow, what a hero of the people. I’ve literally met 6 year olds with more integrity than this. And I’ve never met a 6 year old with less integrity than McKeeva Bush.
Ken what is your operandus mundi? Nevertheless I believe there should be a vote of no confidence for yourself. You really believe you want us to think your constituents agreed to this BS?
Kenneth I hope this is the last term you have in the house. Shame on you!
Can we stop pretending this was a decision he made himself? The only decision he made was to pathetically do what he was told by Mac and Alden. Hope he at least negotiated a good price.
Nah, he’s not a baby.
He must agree with beating on women if that’s the stand he takes more of the same sucking up to McKeeva more garbage in the houst
Roy McTaggart you’re up. Make the right thing happen here.
To late. They have all chosen power over integrity and decency. I have never been so disgusted by the conduct of our leadership. We need to drain the swamp.
Mc Taggart is spineless and does what he is told. Like the rest of them trying to hold on to their positions by any means. Sad state of affairs, but that is what we have to deal with. It doesn’t appear that the sitting government has any inclination to bring honour back to the house, but then again that isn’t surprising, as these are the same individuals who disrespected the house and the people by electing Bush speaker. They are all quietly doing a Kenneth.
I have to assume you would have thought at some length about this Kenneth, – I can’t however for the life of me figure out if that makes it worse or better : (
DISGUSTING. He’s obviously in bed with mckeeva, politically speaking.
McKeeva is cashing in a political IOU with Kenneth. Simple as that.
What a bad move Kenneth! I thought that you had some form of a moral compass and manliness to you to distinguish right from wrong! Abuse is abuse!
#sheissupported
#justicemustbeserved
I am so happy i am not caymanian.
What an embarrassment to the world.
I’m Caymanian and I’m disgusted by his stance as a person and politician. Being Caymanian has got sweet FA to do with it. If you think it does in this case perhaps you should head back to your home country and put the political landscape to rights there.
I am so unhappy to be an American.
Trump is an embarrassment to the world.
Will be voting in November to hopefully change the situation.
I am an American and if you looked at facts instead of news it’s easy to see he has done well for us Americans. But if you are only brainwashed by news then you are being used. Like Caymanians.
Trump has done well for you because you are in the top income bracket with no concerns about health insurance. For the majority of Americans health insurance costs are so out of control they are killing people both financially and literally.
That’s a fact that you choose to ignore.
Yes, you are right 2:19. Americans don’t get that Trump is the greatest leader in the history of the world. Not only is he a “subtle genius” but a superb racist too. Your kind of leader. I watch FOX News so I have my facts. Just listen to Trump’s statements and rally speeches and you too will be enlightened. Of course, your brain might be frazzled by his “brilliant speeches”.
So Kenneth! all that talk about being a “game changer” and doing things differently was just talk huh ? You are just like the people you claim to want to get rid of.
For God Sake show some integrity and sign the letter, you really are a selfish twit looking to make a name for yourself and you do not even have the sense to know you are actually huritng your country.
Go and join Mac so that when he goes down you go wth him please. So over you and your “new young approach”, all just a sham.
How exactly did the “voters of George Town” guide him to this decision?
He didn’t ask me and I control 27 votes In GTC
The fact you say you control 27 votes is itself a sad statement of how democracy translates into reality in Cayman. Why the Mackeevas ( and the Bryants perhaps) can do wtf they like without fear of consequences. One person claims he controls more votes than the difference between the winning and losing candidate? More than 3% of the entire constituency vote? If that’s true and not just bragging what kind of political system do we have?
Troll 8.07. You are just a troll trying to make GTC voters look bad.
https://caymannewsservice.com/2015/03/premier-sacks-political-assistant/
Not guilty by #heissupported. You all know he will never be arrested or charged here.
“I am guided by the voters of George Town Central,”
“If they feel that there is enough information already available in the public domain that warrants a vote of no confidence on the Speaker, then I am guided by their direction. Until that point, I will await further details that will bring better clarity to what transpired on the 21 February regarding the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly,”
– Kenneth Bryan
Ken, based on the comments here, I hope you will realize that this was probably the worst decision of what is now surely your short political career.
I hope that the rest of the MLA’s are taking notes.
We, the people, are over your bullshit!! XXXX
MLA Kenneth Bryan writes, “I believe the request for the Speaker to be removed is premature in light of limited information and with an ongoing investigation by police as to what exactly happened…”
But what I don’t understand, didn’t McKeeva Bush publicly confessed that he is having serious mental issues. Could not that alone disqualify him from being Speaker of the House. Yes, the investigation of an assault transpired, and even Bush confessed to that.
So…. it puzzles me why Kenneth Bryan can’t vote for a No Confidence in McKeeva Bush. He evern confessed in hitting the woman and it was associated with his mental issues, what more do you need ???? 🤷🏾♂️
No he didn’t, read mac’s statement again.
Yep Mac may be an idiot. but he’s no fool. Carefully crafted statement by a lawyer where he admits he passed out drunk, but is then ‘told’ he reacted badly to those helping him. Everyone reads between the lines, but in terms of anything incriminating that could be used against him, he’s admitted nothing. Saying that, being drunk doesn’t absolve you of your actions. If his fake apology wasn’t bad enough I heard that the ‘story’ being crafted now is that he was defending the rights of the workers at the bar he co-owns. The manager was favouring the Canadian WP holders and that he had gone to challenge her on this…honestly you couldn’t make this stuff up. the story continues that he was attacked by all her cross-fit buddies….So by his own words he was passed out drunk and he remembers nothing, or he was cogniscent enough to decide to challenge a staff member over workers rights and end up in some sort of lycra punch-up. I feel sorry for people who would believe the second version, there are probably many versions being crafted in order to confuse the situation. The only version we can currently rely on is that ‘he passed out drunk…fell off a bar stool…and reacted badly to those helping him’. Which is bad enough in my book.
Fancy he resembles a ‘doctor-fish’. Kenneth- SHAME on you for taking this route. SHAME, SHAME, SHAME
So Mr Bryan has decided he doesn’t want to be re-elected.
Fair enough.
Shame on you, Bryan. You’re OK with women being assaulted? Hopefully, both you and Bush will be voted out of office in the next election.
Oh shut up, did you even read what he said…foooooooooll.!!
5.25pm Typical snob. Talking down to locals. Sowi?g division.
for his sake he better have some backroom dealing with McAlDart to secure his political future as he just lost a bunch of votes with this stunt.
Not likely. It is GTC.
McAlDart?
One thing is for sure. It’s never a dull day when it comes politics !
Kenneth, do what you believe is the right thing to do. Do not be swayed by the naysayers who believe in destruction at all costs. Do not be guided by the social media jury. I and many others will continue to support you
For essentially agreeing to stop a debate about people in power beating women? You may be in a very small minority, good luck with that.
No surprise that a person like Bush has a large following of people like Bush.
Ken – I pray that you follow this fool’s words; for you will definitely not be in any seat come next election
yea kenneth, ignore them and just resign, that will teach them. Do it trust me, I am a GTC voter and I want you to resign
Of course you are.
Recall time.
The fact is Hon Bush confessed to the Workplace Abuse with his signature. It so happens it was a female. Would a Male get the same support? Let’s not be discriminatory here. The MAIN issue is WORKPLACE ABUSE across the board in many forms across our Islands.
This so happens that this was a Bar and female. She was so terrified to make a report. What do you say to persons in other private and public jobs, who know the Labour Law and the Govt are weak to protect them. They are so terrified to report anything. That is unjust and unfair.
There should be an outcry for better Protection in the Workplace. Managers, Owners and Companies should be held accountable for ANY FORM OF ABUSE.
Apparently, the abused was marginalize by insults regarding her performance as a manager. What happens when there is no outside recourse for support when a person performs well, has the evidence, but the company intentionally suppress the worker?
Yes there may be need for LA action against the Speaker without a police report, but the Govt has to be pressured to act on more protection for workers across the board.
No he didn’t, he confessed to being drunk.
I don’t know why anyone would believe that this decision will affect Kenneth’s chance of being re-elected. The only thing that will remove him is the same thing that got him elected. Someone has to be prepared to pay more electricity and water bills, and be prepared to fork over more cash every time someone from the constituency comes looking for a handout. Unfortunately, those type of people outnumber the good people from Central by a significant margin.
I doubt even Dr. Tomlinson will pick up that mantle for him anymore…or maybe Mac and Alden has promised him to take up the slack for him and keep the people paid and dumb and guaranteeing his votes…
Deputy Speaker maybe? What is the salary difference between a regular MLA and the Deputy Speaker?
Sorry??? What??? Another fool.
Very disappointing. I used to have some faith in Mr. Bryan. However it’s clear he is just a younger version of the same old clowns running this place into the ground. Just more of the same writing on the walls