Opposition ‘walk out’ over lack of access

| 26/05/2020 | 120 Comments
Cayman News Service
Opposition Leader Arden McLean addresses the LA, with Anthony Eden behind him

(CNS): Opposition Leader Arden McLean led an angry walk-out of the Legislative Assembly last week, accusing Cabinet of “truncating” the opposition. After complaining that no other business but that of government had been allowed on the order paper for the meeting, McLean said the government frontbench “should be ashamed of themselves”.

The opposition leader’s anger was fuelled by the fact that no provision had been made for private members’ businesses, such as questions or motions, to be submitted and handled during the LA meeting, which was set to rush through legislation to support the offshore sector and help get the Cayman Islands off the EU blacklist.

McLean claimed the government was falling foul of the Constitution because the opposition members were given no time to file their business, and this had been compounded by the speaker‘s refusal to waive Standing Orders allowing it to be added on the eve of the meeting.

Just a few minutes after the House proceedings opened on Wednesday, the opposition leader got to his feet and argued that everyone had to respect the proceedings of the parliament and that he and other members had the responsibility “to question the veracity of government’s actions, or indeed inactions”.

This was the key role of the opposition members, McLean said, adding that what had happened was “wrong, unreasonable and unfair”.

He said he appreciated the need to get the laws on the order paper dealt with as they relate to important issues for the financial industry, but it was no excuse for cutting out the opposition. He said government had known it had to bring these bills for over a month, and that the opposition was in full support of the legislation, so there would be very little debate.

There was no justification, he said, for the meeting date being fixed so late, but even after it had been, the opposition business could still have been included if the standing order dealing with the deadline had been waived.

When Deputy Speaker Barbara Conolly refused to deal with the question that McLean had raised, he led the walkout.

In response, Premier Alden McLaughlin accepted that the business for this meeting could have been better organised, as he indicated he was struggling to cope with his current workload.

But he was just as angry as the opposition leader, accusing McLean of being “ridiculous”, and he denied that government’s actions over the sitting were unconstitutional.

McLaughlin noted the urgent need for the meeting in order to bring a raft of bills, several of which were needed to remove Cayman from the EU blacklist and address the ever-evolving international compliance issue. He added that government was doing this in the middle of a public health and economic emergency.

He said the financial services sector had never been more important, but at a time like this, paid members of the House had packed up and left before a single piece of legislation had been debated. The premier implied that the opposition leader and his team preferred to go fishing when they were paid to be in the parliament.

McLaughlin accepted that government had not provided time, in accordance with the usual practice for opposition work to be submitted once a meeting date is fixed. But he pointed out that the opposition can submit their questions and motions at any time up to ten days before a meeting is formally fixed, and government was under no obligation to give a specific notice period.

“The leader of the opposition’s submission about breaches of the Standing Orders… was rubbish, utter nonsense, drivel,” he said.

McLaughlin said the meeting was fixed at short notice and it would have been better had it not. But government had failed to make the necessary provisions for the opposition because of the need to get the bills passed as soon as possible, and not by intent.

Taking full responsibility that his opponents were not provided with the customary notice and the usual time to prepare questions, McLaughlin said he wished circumstances had been different.

“Even though the circumstances… are less than ideal from an opposition standpoint, I accept that. But the intemperate remarks of the leader of the opposition and the childish withdrawal… from the Chamber at a time like this, when what is before the House are critical pieces of legislation… cannot possibly be justified or warranted,” the premier said.

He added that the “irresponsible behavior” was why the opposition leader and his team belong on “that side of the House”, as they were not capable of appreciating what government was doing and the importance of not trying to build a political platform on the back of the crisis we are in.

McLaughlin warned that the difficulties presented by the national emergency were such that he sometimes “cannot cope” and had “dropped the ball”. And he advised all members to submit their business as soon as they could and not wait until the last minute, because it might happen again.

The walkout was limited to the official opposition members; both Kenneth Bryan, the independent member for George Town Central, and the member for North Side, Ezzard Miller, remained in the LA.

See the meeting of LA on CIGTV below, the first video is set to start with the opposition leader’s address and the second with the premier’s response to the walkout:


Share your vote!


How do you feel after reading this?
  • Fascinated
  • Happy
  • Sad
  • Angry
  • Bored
  • Afraid
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Tags: , , ,

Category: Politics

Comments (120)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. Anonymous says:

    I can’t wait for when Mr. Arden becomes the next Premier. He will fix all of them expats

  2. Anonymous says:

    Arden is right though- The government clearly abused the standing orders to prevent the opposition bringing their motions. Politics here are a joke- the opposition has no real support team or budget, how are they supposed to ensure democracy is upheld when the government gets away with silencing them? All because Alden can’t let McKee a go. Disgusting. Alden, you did the right thing. People just don’t understand how important it is for the opposition to have a voice. Without that we may as well have a dictatorship!

    3
    2
    • Anonymous says:

      People can’t comprehend all that. People are not paying attention to the shenanigans the government is pulling off- just wait what bills they will try to squeeze in now. Dangerous games! Don’t take your eyes off Alden!

  3. Anonymous says:

    The MLA for East End, whom we hardly see except when he goes through High Rock Drive and then come into main East End via the Farm Road to visit his close confidant on John Mclean Drive? We hardly ever see him. He has been elected now for 3 years in this present term and I only remember one meeting which was was shortly after he was appointed Leader of Opposition. At that meeting he went on like a lunatic. I ended up leaving because that was not what I went there for.

    He said 3 years ago that these were his sunset years…but then again he also said to his committee that he only wanted 2 terms too…a man of his word right..

    11
    3
    • Anonymous says:

      When you say you hardly see him do you mean he isn’t offering you enough white goods? I see him all the time and he’s one of the most approachable of all the MLAs. I care less about fancy labels and degrees and more about integrity, which he has.

  4. Anonymous says:

    So you can walk off the job and still get paid ?

    23
    4
    • Anonymous says:

      Not actually on the job most of the time either. And still getting paid, because as the Premier says, simply being an MLA is a seven day a week job. Actually doing anything is not strictly required, let alone bothering to turn up at the LA and debate laws.

      22
      1
    • Anonymous says:

      They have been off the job for 95% of the time and still earn a full salary.

      11
      1
    • Anonymous says:

      He walked out because the government played games to prevent the opposition from brining very important motions- motions FOR the people. All this government cares about is the FSD- the people are starving and being taken advantage of at every turn. Arden had no other choice- he had to make a scene and you still just don’t get it.

  5. Anonymous says:

    Wish Arden would walk out of our lives, we would be grateful.

    23
    11
  6. Anonymous says:

    ….and all of this is so far removed from the day to day reality, concerns and needs of the engine of the economy: the Financial Services Industry.

    This is engine that pays for everything, more so today than ever before. But a BoBo boat Capitan, tour bus company owner or local “entrepreneur” has more interaction/face-time/clout with these blow-hard MLAs than anybody in the real and only remaining economy – the international one. Sad. Time, efforts and resources being squandered by blathering, arrogance and ignorance, when the islands are in real peril. The house bears no relation or relevance to international (and thus, local) economic reality. None what so ever.

    Sad.

    16
    5
    • Anonymous says:

      Yeah, I’m sure that you’re one of those FS geniuses who will take off to the next place of convenience when the FS sector implodes here through the actions of the greedy cartel of FS firms who only think of themselves and their massive profits, whilst talking about their great contribution to the Cayman economy.
      How long do you think we have before the CFATF moves the goalpost once again? What happens when they finally move it past that critical point when FS business is simply not viable in Cayman anymore? I’m sure that the big firms have a strategic plan to relocate, leaving this island behind to deal with the the fallout.
      It would simply be idiotic for Cayman to put all its eggs in a nest that is resting on the proverbial precipice.
      But, I understand that it’s important for those who have enjoyed the largesse of this jurisdiction, whilst simultaneously attracting the unwanted attention of the larger tax jurisdictions through their sharp practices. We will soon see how this story ends, and then we can have a discussion around the cost/benefit analysis of the FS sector.
      That’s why Gov’t should focus on real estate investment/development and enhance our tourism sector and, while they’re at it, find better ways to gain revenues from that, rather than handing out development concessions like Christmas candy.

      2
      2
      • Anonymous says:

        Bingo! The FS is nothing but a leech. Once the host has been sucked dry they will move along to where they smell fresh blood. And many of these “sophisticated” MLAs will go right along with them.

      • Anonymous says:

        I am fascinated by the fact that you know enough about the financial services industry to comment on the pressures it faces and yet betray a basic understanding of its importance to these islands and the people it benefits. Let’s get it out of the way: there are a few financial services firms here that make massive profits and are indeed run by people who have made millions and can and will fly off to the French Riviera or wherever when the party’s over. But there are many, many businesses in this space that do modestly well, and are owned and operated by, guess who, Every day Caymanians. There are plenty of generational Caymanians who own and work in these businesses not to mention newer “paper” Caymanians and permanent residents who have no intention of going anywhere. Where do you think these people are going to go. If you are a lawyer who has specialized in Cayman Islands law for 15 or 20 years, where do you think you go from here? Ditto the accounting firms.

        The stark reality is that the financial services industry is the most important thing going here. You don’t have to be a fan of big firm lawyers, accountants or insurance people but the fat cats make up such a small number of the people working in these firms.

        Why do you think there is real estate development and construction here? How do you think this island attracts wealthy retirees, tech people and wealth managers? You think there aren’t other places they can go? They come here because it’s safe, there are nice grocery stores, and there are things to do and nice restaurants to eat at – this is a pleasant place to be. Why is it a nice place to be? Not because mr fancy offshore magic circle jerk lawyer lives here – nobody wants to hang out with him, I agree. But because his firm employs Caymanians and expats as lawyers, secretaries, HR and IT people all of these people make nice salaries and can afford to consume products (at our local ludicrous prices). Company and regulatory fees also provide government jobs to Caymanians almost exclusively. All these workers can buy homes and hire service providers and there is your cycle of life.

        Financial services is not everything. But even a cursory look at government revenues show that it is the biggest thing. If it’s gone, I hope for all of our sake that there are enough billionaires to come here to support the real estate development projects that you think the government should be focusing on. Because without a financial services industry where does this country get its immigrants from? Where is middle class going to come from? You are worried about FS fat cats and government giving away concessions to developers, and at the same time saying we should encourage development? For whom? Fat cats who made money in an industry you personally find more palatable? You are obviously an intelligent person but I think you are off the mark here.

  7. anonymous says:

    What ever is said about the present Premier, what other choice can all you doom sayers
    suggest?! Better the devil we know!

    15
    23
    • Anonymous says:

      Winston, Wayne, Marco, …?

      20
      11
      • Anonymous says:

        No, Yes, No … but not actually in the LA right now. So ….?
        (And anyone on the Gov. bench is clearly not strong enough, or they would be the Premier.)

        5
        1
        • Anonymous says:

          I say No, Yes, Yes (and I don’t care that he’s arrogant, he’s sensible, unlike many of the single member constituency yahoos in there right now). I don’t need geniuses, I need people who are in it for country rather than their bank account.

      • Anonymous says:

        Winston, yes! The rest NO!!!!!!!!!!!

    • Anonymous says:

      What is really scary is that Opposition is traditionally the Government in waiting. Well I hope this bunch know they are going to wait a very long time.

      Folks look at each member of the Opposition and ask. What has anyone of them accomplished in their private lives?

      If they haven’t achieved much. How can they run these sophisticated islands.

      I mean Bernie ran an oil change company and a bakery. Both are closed. Do I really need to go on.

      29
      2
      • Anonymous says:

        Confused. Running an oil change company and a bakery is an accomplishment in his PRIVATE life?

        What do you mean by private life?
        Are you talking about businesses run along side MLA business?

        3
        1
    • Anonymous says:

      Wayne and Marco. These boys know their stuff and are part of the best and brightest on Island.

      21
      11
      • Anonymous says:

        Yeah; Wayne could outsource more jobs in the legal profession; he certainly is good at that, exactly what we need now! Where have you been?

      • Anonymous says:

        Marco, yes. The other, not a fan. Something is totally off.

  8. Anonymous says:

    And you have Alldone saying they are worth their wages? Wow! Infantile nonsense. When’s the next plane outta here?

    14
    21
    • BeaumontZodecloun says:

      Please don’t come back. People that belong here stick together, even while we’re pissing each other off.

      33
      17
      • Anonymous says:

        @6.23 Oh the irony of that statement. ‘People that belong here stick together’. And what have the opposition just done? Spat the dummy, threw the toys out the pram, petted their collective lips and huffed their way out of the LA. Not a lot of ‘sticking together’ there as far as I can see.

        12
        3
        • Anonymous says:

          The oppositions job is not to stick with the Government. Their job is to challenge the government and stick with the people. I think you are all missing the point that the opposition isn’t being allowed to bring to the floor of the house items that are also important and that the people want them to bring to the House. When Govt does that it isn’t sticking with the people, it’s selecting what of the people’s business should be done and shouldn’t be done.

          9
          3
          • Anonymous says:

            The reason we’re blacklisted is because they missed the OECD OECD deadline. If we remain blacklisted, we know who to blame. Appalling behaviour clearly showing lack of understanding of priorities on the world stage, where it can hurt Cayman the most. The opposition just kicked the financial services industry and Cayman’s world ranking in the balls. Shameful. Just shameful. Nothing to be proud of.

            They have valid points which need debating but any politician worth their salt would have acquiescenced to the debate on getting us off the blacklist and, make their protests known once that matter was dealt with.

            6
            6
            • Anonymous says:

              The government have known these deadlines for over a year. So you are going to blame the opposition when the Premier gives them less than 10 days notice to debate the laws when tabled. Think you are pointing the gun in the wrong direction.

              More fundamentally, is there anything to suggest that the opposition walking out meant that the bill couldn’t be passed? Thought the government still had a quorum and a majority?

          • Anonymous says:

            9:27 Glad someone else has sense! Exactly, the opposition is supposed to raise concerns and be the voice of the public. They are supposed to simply go along with what the government proposes. If you actually read the Cayman Compass article, you will see what the opposition was trying to discuss were important issues and concerns. It was not just about McKeeva and his position, although that is certainly a necessary problem to examine.

      • Anonymous says:

        Big Beau, Why do you and others always have a knee jerk reaction whenever someone says they are going to leave here? Rise above it Bobo.

        8
        1
        • BeaumontZodecloun says:

          Mostly I only have that reaction when they also piss on Cayman. Someone wants to leave here, fine, no problem. This particular person didn’t seem to have any heart. “I don’t like it, so I’m going”. WAH! Fine. No Stress. Don’t come back, because you don’t belong.

          Unlike many others, I believe that everyone who has invested their time and lives here — for whatever the reason — should have a voice.

          I get short-tempered when I read what sounds like a gnashing of teeth and stamping of their little feet because things aren’t going their way. Life is like that. People that don’t have the sand for it shouldn’t stay.

          Sorry you asked? 😀 😀

          5
          2
          • Anonymous says:

            I didn’t ask. But I’m happy with the answer. 🙂

          • Anonymous says:

            So just how long Big Beau, should I have to put up with 20 years of inaction on fixing the DUMP? Yes, I will piss on Cayman because I am totally fed up with the non action. Every time I drive by the DUMP I get mad and wonder how we do nothing.

            You should consider gnashing your teeth and stamping your big feet too. Your passivity and ongoing tolerance is part of the reason we are in the political mess we are in. Problem, Caymanians have is we are way too passive for our own good and our tolerance level and yours, is way too high so we put up with all the B.S. and nothing gets done on major issues like the DUMP and our terrible public education system.

    • SE says:

      What a way to start your electoral campaign. run away when you can’t get your way. Not to worry the following are in major trouble and will likely lose the Election.

      Arden. Is being out performed by his competition.

      Al. Do I need to comment

      Chris. Needs to keep his trap shut. Chris you have no idea who to trust.

      Eden. Will hopefully retire

      Bernie. Name 2 things Bernie had accomplished. when your claim to fame is resigning from her post you never performed in. You have to be in trouble. Wait he is an expert in Education.

      So look for fresh blood to replace this bunch.

      31
      6
      • Anonymous says:

        McKeeva coming back to save us next year.

        4
        34
      • Anonymous says:

        Boycotting is not running away. The government is using trickery to avoid the exercise of democratic rights. The governor should actually be stepping in!

        1
        1
    • Anonymous says:

      There are flights to Miami. The leadership is so much better in the U.S. right now. There’s a country that’s handling this pandemic nonsense the right way. You can go drink on the beach and you don’t even have to wear a mask!

      12
      21
      • Anonymous says:

        …if ever Darwinism was in need, now is the time…..!!!

        8
        1
      • Anonymous says:

        8:26pm Our Trump is trying to save lives but slicing the opposition out of representing us.

        3
        4
        • Anonymous says:

          Regrettably, the Trump strategy is divide, divide, divide. When what the President should be doing in these difficult times is uniting people.

          There are similarities in the Cayman Islands though must admit not as bad as Trump’s efforts at dividing everyone. Hope we do not go that far here.

          5
          2
          • Anonymous says:

            Why don’t you numb nuts concern yourselves with what is happening here and leave the US to sort out their problems? LEAVE TRUMP out of it. You live in Cayman. nuf said.

            7
            1
            • Anonymous says:

              Perhaps you have not noticed but what ultimately happens with the stable genius and the coronavirus will determine when we open tourism again here.

              No man is an island.

            • Anonymous says:

              How stupid. Trump impacts nearly everything here.

              2
              1
            • Anonymous says:

              You do realize that so many Caymanians have a condo or second home in Florida. Many also have family there. What happens in America impacts so many of us here whether you like it or not.

              Trump’s policies on testing and the virus will ultimately determine when we get back on the economic track.

            • Anonymous says:

              Over 100,000 coronavirus deaths in America in a couple of months and you think this has no impact on us? We are intricately tied to Trump and America whether we like it or not.

              You have been in island too long and need to get off again one day. Observe what is going on in America.

              1
              1
      • Anonymous says:

        8:26 I hope your comment is a joke. The US is a complete mess with that Cheeto as president.

        14
        7
      • Anonymous says:

        I’m sure the US will welcome you back with full arms, no 6 ft required. Gowon then, enjoy yourself.

  9. Anonymous says:

    “government was doing this in the middle of a public health and economic emergency”.

    And exactly whose fault was it that this was not already sufficiently sorted out at the end of 2019 per previous deadlines?

    The complete incompetence of the Unity Govt is the only reason these matters are having to be addressed, as a priority, during a pandemic. The Premier and the MoF should be ashamed.

    31
    7
    • Anonymous says:

      Is t that just their excuse to get away with everything!? “We have to, right now because we failed before and otherwise doomsday” it’s getting real old!

  10. Anonymous says:

    There’s an election coming round in less than 12 months, perhaps some new generation Caymanians with the right to stand for elected office (because some new generation Caymanians won’t have that right despite making Cayman their home and passion) will actually stand? The populace are pretty tired of the same old same old, and the astonishing corruption, whether its perceived or real. It really is time, and coming off the back of this pandemic, there has never been a better moment to re-position Cayman and start to clean our own house. Get rid of the lodgers. Take the country back, not from foreigners, but from the crooked. Shut the door on mass tourism. Properly re-purpose George Town. Invest in education. Entice Health City to expand and bring in more like it. Address the inequality in housing. Correct the abuse of beach access. Bring back Cayman culture to the fore. Sort the pensions, Alden is on to this, let him be a pension zar and leave him to fix it. and so on…

    38
    6
    • Anonymous says:

      “new generation Caymanians with the right to stand for elected office…” No such thing. Check out the grandparent rule. 3 generations here to qualify Homes, and better not have dual nationality or travel much…unless of course you are jetting off to Monaco for a bike ride or Dubai for some shopping…

      10
      2
      • Anonymous says:

        i read it as a new generation of politicians, not meaning brand new caymanians

        10
        • Anonymous says:

          I think this is reference to the rules to run for office here requiring generational Caymanians, and the requirements preventing difficulties those who have studied or lived abroad for any length of time. Case in point Tara Rivers and Nickolas DaCosta.

      • Anonymous says:

        The restrictions are almost certainly unlawful. All it would take is for someone to challenge it in court.

        5
        5
  11. Anonymous says:

    Dangerous game the premier is playing- if this isn’t abuse of parliamentary process then I don’t know what is!

    33
    10
    • BeaumontZodecloun says:

      All the more reason to expeditiously sort out the Speaker problem, or should I hopefully say “Honourable Former Speaker”? Mr. Bush should be forced to resign, as he isn’t fulfilling his office, yet his situation is undefined, holding the entire LA in limbo. We need a Speaker.

      If I walked away from my job after being charged (eventually) with assault, I would be fired for cause, and in the interest of continuing business, my employer would have quickly hired a replacement.

      52
      2
      • Anonymous says:

        Absolute absurdism that McKeeva is still being paid. If Alden can’t let him go maybe we should kill both birds with one no confidence motion.

        18
  12. Anonymous says:

    there is only one thing worse than the current government and that is the opposition.

    41
    8
  13. JTB says:

    What an exceptionally HONOURABLE bunch.

    How lucky we are.

    38
    2
  14. Anonymous says:

    BLAH! BLAH!!! BLAH!!

    All of the present government (FRONT and BACK ) are no better than the other. EACH session, is a finger pointing time and very little of importance gets done.

    You want to rally around a particular topic do this – AGREE TO TAKE A PAY CUT NOW. Never ever in your time in this present government have you not had to do so little.

    This pay cut can do so much for the people of the Cayman Islands who are struggling, day in and day out doing these unprecedented times, while you all in government continue to flex your little muscles at each other.

    People of the Cayman Islands lets demand that our politicians take a pay cut now.

    PAY CUT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PAY CUT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PAY CUT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    34
    43
  15. Anonymous says:

    Poor Arden just angry cause he know he starting his final year in the ring.

    41
    8
  16. Anonymous says:

    These are perfect representatives over all of the Caymanian people and their culture. Incompetent and completely self serving. All other cultures are not represented here. Caymanians do have the leadership they deserve. In the coming economic crisis They will serve non Caymanians better by not serving them at all. Watch as they do their thing and make all the money disappear. Again. While the dump continues to burn.

    39
    13
    • Anonymous says:

      Then why are you here…sharing your unnecessary two cents? You so blatantly hate Caymanians and their culture, yet you have the audacity to actually remain here. If you dislike it so much, then catch the next flight out. I am sure the people of these beautiful Islands will not miss your negativity and vitriol.

      17
      17
      • Anonymous says:

        WOW 5:58, you must really be impressed with the Caymanian political leadership if you are not totally pissed off with what is going on. But suspect you are one of those feeding at the trough.

        15
        12
        • Disgusted by hatefulness says:

          8:34 Your post is laughable. So because someone disagrees with the above post saying that incompetent and self serving leadership is what Cayman and Caymanians deserve they are feeding at the trough? That is hateful vitriol towards the people of these islands. It is unfortunate what is happening in Cayman regarding the government. Changes need to be made and hopefully in the next election people with morals, intellect and passion for these islands will come forward to run. However, it is absurd to say that what is currently happening is what Caymanians deserve, that is hateful and ignorant. I know many, many, wonderful Caymanians who are very unhappy with what is happening in Cayman but with recycled people to vote for, what are they to do?
          If you hate the island and people who have welcomed you to their shores, maybe this isn’t the place to be.

          8
          3
          • Anonymous says:

            It is really tiring hearing people say, both Caymanian or expat that if you dislike something, for example “FIX THE DUMP” or “charge Bush” then “leave the place”. Such a simple knee jerk reaction to so many outrageous things that occur on island.

            Caymanians elected these clowns and nobody better came forth to represent their interests, so no it is not absurd to say Caymanians deserve what they are now getting. You make your political decision and you live with that decision. That is certainly not hateful or ignorant.

            The time has come for Caymanians to step up to the political plate and stop the whining. The future is in your hands next year, so get off your asses and run and bring about positive change.

            As Hillary Clinton said after the last election, like her or not, “elections have consequences”. America is finding out about that now and so are the people of the Cayman Islands.

            5
            2
  17. Anonymous says:

    The OECD and FATF/CFATF have published numerous detailed reports, deadlines, and warnings over the years, all of which highlighted examples of the Cayman Islands’ failures to enact functional oversight and public transparency. Few of these critiques are new, and nothing will or has changed, even with the passage of another wave of optical amending legislation, so long as the redacting, non-participatory political culture maintains. That is the engine of the corruption identified in these reports, it’s the stench we smell and witness as well. That part must change, or none of the rest matters. The future viability of our Financial Services industry is on the line. The Governor needs to understand that he and the FCO may need to intercede on behalf of HRH to ensure a future that includes open good governance for the people and industry of the Cayman Islands.

    36
    7
    • Anonymous says:

      Look at the funds industry here compared to other (major) members of the OECD, EU, FATF… then you’ll understand why we are being targeted. other major countries just can’t fathom why such a small island could be so successful.

      23
      9
      • Anonymous says:

        Redacting public agreements, and negotiating behind dark curtains are not badges of honour. It’s been going on so long you believe the political elite when they gaslight you on what they tell you you deserve. It has nothing to do with the funds industry that will pack up and redomicile overnight if our entities are no longer allowed as clients at international custodians.

        13
        1
    • A Mature Caymanian says:

      Apparently good governance is not possible here with Caymanians in charge. For many years I thought it would not be a good thing if Mother England took over the governing of our Cayman Islands, but now I have changed my thinking. It has been proven that Caymanians can NOT govern themselves!

      25
      13
      • Anonymous says:

        The political class all over are usually of a certain personality type – especially when it’s a free-for-all without accountability. If SIPL actually grows teeth, most of our perennial political alliances, and their fixtures, will need to go retire or recede to the tall grass. They can’t survive in a climate where their assistant, receptionist, partner, or rival could be passing a file on them. Let’s hope that’s already happening.

        9
        1
      • Anonymous says:

        4:03, When I look at the actions and words of the Minister of Health and the Minister of Education and the Speaker of the House, I must reluctantly say as a Caymanian, that I must agree with you.

        34
        2
  18. Anonymous says:

    In one sense I feel badly for Mr. McLaughlin here – he has to protect Bush to keep his government together, but at the same time the opposition grandstanding is a bunch of nonsense. The business they are being denied isn’t anything to do with what’s important to the people of these Islands, e.g. how to salvage what we can of our economy, a plan to open up borders and keep tourism afloat, something related to the dump, pensions etc, it’s simply a no-confidence vote for McKeeva.

    By no means am I defending the behaviour of Mr. Bush, and in a just world he would have resigned or been removed by the rest of the Cabinet. But neither of those things have happened, and frankly we have more serious matters to deal with right now.

    It’s this kind of fiddling while the dump burns that got us on the blacklist in the first place. They wasted a ton of time on the port, gay marriage, and other things that don’t matter to the vast majority of people here while ignoring the issues that most people care about.

    If the public elects McKeeva again after this, they truly are getting the government they deserve.

    50
    18
    • Anonymous says:

      “If the public elects McKeeva again after this, they truly are getting the government they deserve.”

      Surely you must be new to the island!

      Google McKeewa and First Cayman Bank, Stan Thomas, China Harbour, Florida Casino incident, Use of Govt Credit Cards, Private Jet to Bahamas. And that’s the tip of the iceberg. Of course he will get re-elected.

      56
      5
      • Anonymous says:

        I’m not. And cynically I realise you are probably right. I am sort of hoping that a straight up assault is more than people will be willing to tolerate. I think the all of the other things have historically been viewed by his constituents as something akin to victimless crimes.

        30
        1
    • Anonymous says:

      “the behaviour of Mr. Bush” is actually “four counts of common assault”. Add to that 2017 arrest at South Florida casino where he was charged with simple battery or misdemeanor battery.

      There you have it: a history of battery against women. All with Premier’s silent approval. Premier IS an enabler of such conduct.

      71
      2
      • Anonymous says:

        12:30 pm, The premier is controlled by mac.

        11
        2
        • Anonymous says:

          How does he do that? Is he the boss of Caymanian Cosa Nostra?

          Does he control Cayman judicial system as well? Should we expect his case being pushed back again and again?

          12
          • Anonymous says:

            Watch and learn.

            8
            1
          • Anonymous says:

            McKeeva might not control the judicial system, but it is a matter of public record that his Cabinet status grants did include the current AG and the former DPP who is now on the Grand Court bench.
            Maybe we should ask those persons publicly why he has never been charged or prosecuted at all for the Stan Thomas affair, which was the most serious allegation of abuse of office and official corruption that this island has ever seen. I mean, the matter was reported by none other than the Chief Justice, after reading a sworn affidavit in a Grand Court civil case involving Thomas. These are matters of public record.
            Add to that all of that his many instances of irrefutably inappropriate behavior and alleged criminal conduct, including the most recent episode, and the picture emerges of someone who is clearly unfit for such high public office, whose political career would have been over many debacles ago in just about any other country. But so it goes here, I suppose. And McKeeva isn’t the only one who seems to enjoy that kind of immunity here.
            What I find hard to believe is that the UK government doesn’t know this, and I find it even harder to understand why they haven’t acted on it as yet.

            2
            1
    • BeaumontZodecloun says:

      I think what you wrote is a fair assessment of the situation. Mr. Bush has hurt us at the most critical moment. Surely next time we will value governance over appliances.

      15
      1
    • Anonymous says:

      Think again! The Oppositon had very important business to deal with in the Houe.

      “Regrettably, today’s Legislative Assembly session was a masterclass on the consequences of running the country as a lastminute.com We ended up on the EU Blacklist because the Government buried its head in the sand and refused to listen, and now we are in danger of being on the wrong side of the CFATF. The Opposition was in the process of filing several motions and questions on issues that matter to every resident in this island and will impact their quality of life. The impact of the curfew on smaller businesses; the disparity in retirement age between the private sector and the Civil Service; delay in accessing pensions, and the National Pension Report which is 10 years overdue; and the lack of action by Ofreg at a time when most people will be getting their largest bill ever from CUC, despite oil prices being at its lowest, are some of the issues that needed to urgently discussed.”

      • Anonymous says:

        I trust we will see all those things on the agenda for the next sitting then.

      • Anonymous says:

        That was not the reason and you know that. It was the underhanded, conniving and deceitful manner they were working to try and embarrass the government. It didn’t work and being the petulant children they are, they grabbed their marbles and ran home.

        1
        4
        • Anonymous says:

          1:14 oh please 🙄

          1
          1
        • Anonymous says:

          What an idiotic statement. Arden and the Opposition’s grievance with Alden is that Alden called a meeting of the LA with only 4 clear days notice, which under Standing Orders prevented the Opposition from putting any motions on the business paper, since 5 clear days is required. Then Alden also allowed McKeeva (rather than the newly elected Deputy Speaker) to block the presentation of the motion of no confidence against McKeeva himself (conflict of interest, much?) on the basis that the matter was sub judice, even though the motion didn’t refer to the criminal proceedings and was based on McKeeva’s public admissions. That is simply yet another corruption of the parliamentary process which in turn allows this country to continue to be embarrassed by McKeeva remaining as the speaker.
          Let me ask you this: do you think that trying to satiate yet another whim of the CFATF is more important than protecting the integrity of the due process of our legislature? Because if you do, you’re probably one of those guys that would choose to paddle a sinking boat than to bail it out.

      • Anonymous says:

        Well said 10.35, it was another attempted to bypass democracy by this government, and the opposition stood up to it, thank you Arden! Shame on you Alden!

        1
        1
  19. Anonymous says:

    any comment mr governor???

    36
    6
  20. Anonymous says:

    Shut up and open the border.

    20
    39
    • Anonymous says:

      Have to laught when reading the negative comments about caymanians. Many of you run from your country to this little rock and it saved your lives.
      If they could only find a virus to kill all BAD MIND people this world would be a better place. Amen.

      11
      4
    • Anonymous says:

      11:46 shut up and go home.

      7
      3

Leave a Reply to Anonymous Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.