DP bill fails as ministers break rank

| 29/07/2020 | 148 Comments
Cayman News Service
Premier Alden McLaughlin in the LA 29 July 2020

(CNS): Exercising a ‘conscience vote’, two Cabinet ministers voted against the Domestic Partnership Bill on Wednesday, ensuring its defeat by one vote. Education Minister Juliana O’Connor-Connolly and Health Minister Dwayne Seymour joined with the opposition benches against government on the contentious bill. But Premier Alden McLaughlin predicted the imposition of same-sex marriage by the UK within the month as a result of the defeat.

Immediately after the bill’s defeat Governor Martyn Roper issued a statement outlining his concern about the failure of the Legislative Assembly to address its legal obligation to provide a framework to end discrimination against same-sex couples and said he would be consulting with the UK.

“The Legislative Assembly has an overriding responsibility to uphold the rule of law to ensure it is compliant with the Cayman Islands Constitution, Court of Appeal Judgment and the European Convention on Human Rights,” he stated. “UK Ministers will consider carefully the implications of the Bill’s defeat.”

The bill was defeated nine votes to eight, with all of the opposition members voting ‘no’ with the exception of Ezzard Miller, who supported the bill. Government backbencher Capt. Eugene Ebanks as well as O’Connor-Connolly and Seymour also voted ‘no’. All other government members supported the bill.

As McLaughlin wrapped up the debate ahead of the vote, which was presented on Monday, he already knew it was heading for defeat. The PPM leader told members that he was not going to try to persuade anyone how they should vote, but he wanted them to vote their conscience with no abstentions and be fully aware of the consequences.

McLaughlin predicted that with the failure of this attempt to create consensus and finally address the long-standing breach of the Constitution and other legal obligations, the UK would impose full marriage equality within the next 30 days.

The premier said he had hoped to frame the debate on this bill on the real issues relating to the Legislative Assembly’s legal obligations and the need to uphold the family rights of the gay community, avoiding statements about the evils of homosexuality and alternative lifestyles. But he admitted that he had not “been entirely successful” in that, saying that members would have to answer for the things they had said.

He said people had a right to their own freedom of conscience but they were “not entitled to trample on other people’s rights”, as he explained that the purpose of human rights was to protect people from any discrimination from the state.

McLaughlin warned that it would not be the members who had supported this distinct legislation that would have prevented the introduction of same-sex marriage that would be blamed when it happened

He said it would be those who voted down the opportunity to create a bespoke regime for same-sex and non-religious partnerships who were to be blamed. He said same-sex marriage would be legalised again, as it had been when Chief Justice Anthony Smellie amended just eight words in the Marriage Law last year.

The simplicity of what the top judge had done, the premier said, was why it would be adopted and put in place. This, he said, was what all those who had opposed the Domestic Partnership Bill because they were standing up for the sanctity of marriage would now have to face.

McLaughlin hinted that if it was not for the COVID-19 situation and his love of country, he may have resigned over the issue, though he failed to spell this out.

However, he outlined the fight over the last seven years and the failure to arrive at some consensus for a legal framework for same-sex unions. The premier revealed that the government’s failure during that time to implement a legal framework to put an end to the infringement of the right to a family life in particular and the discrimination against gay couples resulted of from his desire to hold the National Unity coalition together.

See the breakdown of votes and read the governor’s full statement in response to the bill’s failure in the CNS Library.

Watch the premier’s full statement on CIGTV below:


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Category: Laws, Politics

Comments (148)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    May the late great John Robert Lewis rest in peace today. May his legacy live on through those that understand that no-one is free until we are all free and equal. Perhaps Cayman Islands members should understand their indignity and educate themselves on life outside of their cocoon.

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  2. Anonymous says:

    “Abortions are done in Cayman all of the time.”

    Can you elaborate on this? We wanted one but decided to bite the bullet and try to support a third child on our wages..

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  3. Anonymous says:

    “The premier revealed that the government’s failure during that time to implement a legal framework to put an end to the infringement of the right to a family life in particular and the discrimination against gay couples resulted of from his desire to hold the National Unity coalition together.”

    Very interesting

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    • MLAs as speakers says:

      This is an example why the speaker should not be an MLA. If we had speaker who was not an MLA the results would have been different because the MLA whi is the speaker would have gotten a chance to vote.

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      • Anonymous says:

        It would then have been a tied vote and the Speaker would have to vote for the Status quo..So no difference if Barbara or McKeeva..I don’t support either because one is a puppet and the other is a puppet handler…

  4. Cheese Face says:

    When I was young (and stupid) if you wished to insult someone in the playground you called them gay. I have since grown up.
    Now if I wish to insult someone, I call them an MLA. Or if I wish to really insult them, Minister Seymour / less.

    I can’t actually think of a job that he would be fit for, anyone?

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    • You should have followed your master says:

      Why didn’t capt do nothing show up the one time we didn’t want him to. Why could he just follow his master.

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  5. ThIs WrItInG Is VeRy IrRiTaTiNg says:

    Where were all these people voting their conscience when it was time to get rid of McKeeva after his drunken incident at the bar?

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    • Anonymous says:

      Talking of which, I see his absence from duties to deal with his issues means he was very conveniently not on hand to be involved in this vote- had he been, Barbara would have been free to vote for the government, securing a tie which guess what – the Speaker could have tie broken. This way he’s squeaky clean on a politically dangerous vote, all when being on leave from the LA for less than admirable reasons. Mr Teflon.

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  6. Anonymous says:

    WONDERFUL NEWS!!

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    • Anonymous says:

      It will be wonderful when the resulting Order in Council legalizes gay marriage in the Cayman Islands. Victory!

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      • Anonymous says:

        Children can’t behave, Mother will respond.

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      • alaw says:

        The WHOLE PLAN was to have GAY MARRIAGE by a DIFFERENT NAME!
        Let it be done by ENGLAND, GENERATIONS to come will know
        it was not the nine MLAs!

  7. Anonymous says:

    People fail to realize ALL the reasons gay people want to get married. It’s very hard to get things done as a family if you’re not married. Married couples get tons of benefits, gay couples can’t get those benefits because they aren’t married. Gay couples can’t get family rates on health insurance because they aren’t married, they also don’t get inheritance benefits, or leave benefits, just to name a few. Living as a family unmarried is hard. They are literally treated as second class citizens. It’s mind-blowing actually.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Plenty of people live together unmarried, so it can’t be that hard, stop whining. The majority don’t care.

      CNS: Plenty of people live together unmarried because that is their choice, not your choice. You can understand the difference, right? Nobody is whining; that is the kind of derogatory language that people use when they have no actual points. People lacking in empathy don’t care. That’s not something to aspire to and hopefully not the majority.

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  8. Anonymous says:

    While I supported the proposed domestic partnership legislation the failure of the same to pass was the right outcome. I say this because the ladies at the center of this issue were clearly not satisfied with a domestic partnership as they are continuing to appeal to the Privy Council for same sex marriage. The right way forward is for the Privy Council to make a ruling on same sex marriage and for their ruling to become the law of the land.

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    • Anonymous says:

      My 2 cents:

      1. Domestic Partnerships should be legalized in the Cayman Islands giving all the same rights and obligations as marriage.
      2. The DP Bill was poorly drafted, it needed attention from a specialist. There was no requirement for the DPartners to be in a relationship or live together. DP was not defined in any real way. There was no mechanism for immigration to decipher if a DP was being used for convenience as they can with marriage. There was no clear indication that the intestacy laws, family law etc would apply to DPs (and they should), there was no indication of any cultural education and sensitivity which from a purely social/cultural point of view should have been a requirement.
      3. The government failed to produce adequate legislation and to present it to the country properly.
      4. If the UK steps in to impose same sex marriage that is not an embarrassment, it means the UK is doing what it is entitled to do regarding one if it OTs – same sex marriage will happen and that will be that.

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      • Anonymous says:

        So the best way forward is simply to change the 8 words in the Marriage Law and be done with it. Equality for all.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Yes, and this way the views and rhetoric of the Ministers who voted against will remain on record for all to see.

      If the legislation had passed then the historical perspective would have been “the islands demonstrated their progressiveness despite a few naysayers,” now it is “these persons are responsible for robbing the islands of our opportunity to do the right thing of our own will”

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  9. Anonymous says:

    Another failure of our premier. Heard he’s decided not to run again next election….smar move quitting before he’s resoundingly rejected.

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    • Anonymous says:

      How is it the Premier’s failure? Seems to me he tried to do the right thing. The No voting dino’s are the reason for the failure.

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      • Anonymous says:

        He can’t convince even his own members…some of them voted for it merely as they all knew it was going to fail anyway.
        He’s weak and has done incredible damage to the future of caymanians…time to go.

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        • Anonymous says:

          The MLAs are given the entitlement to vote their conscience as opposed to being required to vote in line with the Premeier or government – its literally what a democracy is. Not about convincing, they voted the way they wanted to (or based on the majority indication of their constituency). They know the UK will step in and if they truly don’t support the Bill then voting no is their right just as its the right of the UK to intervene. People complain no matter what, this was a democratic process that didnt yield the desired outcome so another route will be taken to achieve it.

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    • Anonymous says:

      3.50 You just heard… Keep up as to why and when he is leaving and not quitting.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Well he’s kind of been prepping for retirement this whole term. Implementing policies for benefit of him and his benefactors with no regard to devastation of the future of caymanians….the port and WORC are a couple of worst examples.

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        • Anonymous says:

          He has served two terms so cannot run again anyway.

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        • Anonymous says:

          Don’t mention WORC. Now that is what you call a DISASTER! Just try and apply for a job or to fill a vacancy. Nothng but a disaster, it’s taking weeks just to get registered. And then, more red tape and foolishness to get through.Who thought up this no brain foolishness? Poor people, trying to get work can’t even get registered, never mind work.

          • Anonymous says:

            It wasn’t meant to help un or under employed caymanians….as Ms Roulstone indicated its immediate concerns were streamlining the process for employers. That they require you to register to even see the vacancies is really only for two reasons….1) they know many employed Caymanians won’t apply as they don’t want their current employer (who likely has access to the site) to know they are looking and 2) they allow employers to see what caymanians are available so they can build the job requirements around the available skills. The latter is the same thing the scummy recruitment agencies here have been doing for decades. WORC doesn’t even pretend it is for the Caymanian people. Just another way Aldart is catering to his rich benefactors.

  10. Anonymous says:

    Because MORE international bad press is exactly what the Cayman Islands needs right now…

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    • Anonymous says:

      From whom? Who are we scared of that will write yet another scathing review of Cayman. I work in financial services and business never stopped. Our clients couldnt care less. Tourism never hinged on the outcome neither does construction.

      FATF/CFATF hate Cayman regardless and other countries who criticize us are our competition. Adverse media means nothing unless we let it. Even when the UK steps in to require same sex marriages, business will carry on.

      This is a social/cultural matter and it should be introduced humanely and with the understanding that equal rights is paramount. Cayman can survive negative media but its not about survival its about making a decision as a nation to ensure the rights of all are protected equally.

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  11. Anonymous says:

    While at it the FCO should also legalize abortion. Why should a Caymanian who is British Citizen have to fly all the way to England to have an abortion (done for free).

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    • Anonymous says:

      LOL!

      Abortions are done in Cayman all of the time. It is not illegal in practice and nobody will be prosecuted for providing abortion services. The law is there to satisfy the group that does not want it removed.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Yep, the rights of gay people are much more important than the rights of the unborn child. Life begins the moment the cell divides yet man has decided that is not so, for the convenience of not calling it murder.

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  12. Anonymous says:

    LABOUR & IMMIGRATION BOARD cough. cough… but we are not ready for that conversation. Human rights violations to be Cont’d.

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    • Anonymous says:

      You mean how Aldart has made the expat the entitled…that’s more a short sighted economic policy for his personal financial benefit.

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  13. Anonymous says:

    Shame, Shame, Shame!

    The entire world is contemplating if Cayman is truly a 3’rd world back-water cesspool. We are proving them correct.

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  14. Elvis says:

    Ok mother nation your on.
    Force the bill please will you?

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  15. Anonymous says:

    If it has not already been done would somebody please make a 15-20 minute montage of the most phobic and otherwise idiotic statements from yesterday’s debate? A copy should be kept in the Official Archive so that future generations can see how bad it was in 2020. Perhaps a copy could also be sent to the UK Minister responsible for the Overseas Territories, and the UK press. It would provide a distraction from Covid-19 – something that they can actually fix.

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    • nauticalone345 says:

      Brilliant idea!

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    • Anonymous says:

      Let me start.

      A full moon and horny woman. Health minister

      That woman. Leader of the opposition

      The three queers of West Bay. Capt somebody who no one has heard of

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    • Anonymous says:

      @ 71.9 Sorry but 15-20 minutes is nowhere near long enough. The entire debate was a laughing stock. Jon-Jon’s ‘sexy full moon’ stuff was the highlight for me though. Absurdity at it’s finest. Go Jon-Jon 😄

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  16. Expat Exit says:

    Our firm had decided if this bill failed, we would leave along with 44 jobs, 30 which are Caymanian.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Well leave

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    • Anonymous says:

      Awesome. It’s been fun. Take care and all the best to you.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Bye.

      Sounds like an unethical way to sway politics by unemploying Caymanians if you don’t get your way. I’m sure you say that to get permits passed for the expats you do employ including yourself. A part of the systematic corruption that takes place here.

      Every single one of those members voted for their beliefs. I can respect that. It’s an END of an erra for them as Caymanians, even for me, and for this island. I can recognize that and I have nothing against gay marriage.

      I welcome the change but I understand without any hate that our little island will never be the same.

      It’s a victory and a loss. I think both can be embraced. The vote was not about being politically correct, more so of MLAs representing a generation and a heritage that was once the core of this island.

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      • Anonymous says:

        And that is the same argument many in former USA Confederate State make to keep their statues of traitors and slave owners and the confederate flag. “It is our heritage.” They pine for the “days of old” when slavery was the road to riches on the backs of others. And you want to retain bigotry and legal discrimination and repression of citizens who are different from you.

        Such ignorance is appalling.

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        • Anonymous says:

          Yea because we are like the USA that think wearing a mask is a conspiracy.

          We are not the same.

        • Anonymous says:

          It’s Cayman heritage in that traditionally all the virile young men when to sea for long periods of time with other virile young men. You can do the math.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Ta ta.. you sure it’s not because you need an excuse ? Covid and all.. most firms are making way too much cash here to leave for moral reasons.

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    • Anonymous says:

      I also am contemplating selling out and leaving. I cannot vote, but do have the option to leave and go elsewhere that actually respects rights. I support the community I live in, and it is becoming clear that Cayman is not where I wish to be after 36 years.

      Many in Cayman will welcome my departure. Beware of what you wish for! Your salary, your food, the tuition for your daughter may also be leaving.

      But I guess you have more pressing issues to be mindful of given that a full moon is approaching. Chain your daughters to their rooms, lest the Minister of Health comes for a visit!

      What a disgrace.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Funny you would say that. I never thought that I would contemplate leaving Cayman after 40 years.
        Initially, I was filled with trepidation, but now I feel totally liberated from the Caymanian bubble.

        Your daughter may appreciate the higher standard of tuition in other areas and you may just enjoy a country walk and picking some fruit off some random bushes out in the open.

        You might enjoy the less humid areas of the world with their fabulous seasons and meeting rural folk who can actually tell you the history of the place they were born.

        Whatever decision you take, all the best.

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      • Anonymous says:

        👏👏👏Bye 👋🏻 let us know when you 🧳✈️🚁🛳so the 🎂🍾🎉🍦can begin 💔💔

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      • Anonymous says:

        The reaction to this vote should show you that those Ministers DO NOT represent what Cayman is actually about. I understand being disheartened, but keep in mind the broader perspective. As for these ministers, their days in politics are numbered.

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      • Anonymous says:

        10.10 I would only leave if Independence was a serious threat promoted by the uneducated unemployable MLAs. I don’t want to live in a Cayman that follows Jamaica in politics and corruption.

    • Anonymous says:

      I doubt that you are telling the truth. The comment is designed to instill fear and push your personal agenda.

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    • Anonymous says:

      You are just the beginning. Ethical people have no representation here. We will leave until God wipes out the evil that is Caymanian.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Doubt you are telling the truth, name the firm! And isn’t that a little ‘bigoted’?

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    • Anonymous says:

      Don’t go away mad..just go away. Buuuuh bye

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    • Anonymous says:

      Aren’t you also relocating unless you get every permit you want approved? Not sure where you’re gonna be happy Twinkle-toes.

    • Anonymous says:

      You just gave all your employees a solid unfair dismissal and wrongful dismissal leg to stand on. Maybe that is why your firm is closing, incompetence.

      Please name the firm so that we may approach your employees to give them jobs. They deserve better.

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  17. Anonymous says:

    Another clinic in predictable disqualifying incompetence, for the ever-expanding library of maladministration. Prudent (or even just pragmatic) decision-making is beyond the mental acuity of our simpleton lawmakers. They are literally too dense and lazy to read and digest the avalanche of legal decisions that command their immediate action. Bravo imbeciles, time for the UK to step in.

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  18. Anonymous says:

    The presentations from the no vote contributors were straight out of theater of the absurd.

    If anyone has done science beyond third year primary school and wants to have a good laugh then I suggest that you watch the following segment of the debate starting at about 48 minutes.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_7NaUJl2qw

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    • BeaumontZodecloun says:

      Thank you for the link. I tried, I really did. I watched the debate with an open mind, for all five minutes past 48 minutes that I could stand to watch.

      I support anyone’s right to be prejudiced, and hope that those who misuse religion to support their bigotry might open that great book and review what is written there about judgement, persecution and sin.

      This is a matter of equal rights, and nothing more. Equality isn’t measured in degrees; the scales are balanced or they are not.

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  19. Anonymous says:

    At least Alden showed everyone that the Cayman Islands has a politician who can stand up and make a long, impassioned and well argued speech. I don’t always agree with him but I watched his whole speech and he was impressive today. Unfortunately we have some MLAs who are extremely dim and inarticulate. Incidentally those MLAs all voted the same way.

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    • Res Ipsa Loquitur says:

      Please do not fall for the Premier faux emotions of concern. He knew that Cabinet members in his Unity government Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, Dwayne Seymour and Capt. Eugene Ebanks were never going to support this bill neither was the Co-Leader of this government and Speaker McKeeva Bush. Their voting base was clear and like every politician they will do whatever it takes to guarantee reelection.

      Alden McLaughlin has been a two term Premier and had 7 years to address this issue and educate the country on the reality of the situation. He has failed to engage in the requisite level of public education and engagement on such a polarizing topic. This bill was rushed and seemed incomplete. He does not deserve sympathy. He is now a lame duck Premier and dangerous because he has been embarrassed yet again and betrayed by members of his own government. Why did he bring this bill at this time? There is more to this story than the public are being told.

      Listening to the quality of the debate or lack thereof it is evident that the bar for leadership in Parliament is low in Cayman. Cayman deserves better candidates and leaders that understand what representation includes and the value of transparency and accountability. I was horrified to listen to the double speak, half truths, bible thumping and vitriol that was spouted by both sides of the floor. Caymanian voters must demand better and refuse to accept the fake tears and long empty speeches from the members on the Government bench and the Opposition.

      The way the Premier has handled key moments like the Domestic Partnership Bill, the People’s Initiated Referendum, about the cruise port project and even the Legal Practitioners Bill are proof that his arrogance and lack of respect for the people is why he has been exposed as a failed leader that is detached from the mood of the people as he captains a sinking ship of rats.

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  20. Anonymous says:

    I appreciate that Alden was at least trying to be a bit open-minded, but I’m not surprised by these results. I’m still shocked by the comments some of these ministers made about gay people. It’s irresponsible and disgusting seeing as gay students are bullied in school for that reason and sometimes it can be fatal. What if someone in their family is gay? And they’re talking like this. Just a complete lack of compassion, and coming from so-called ‘Christians’. The UK needs to step in now because our government is incompetent and we can’t rely on them for anything. I am truly disappointed in my country this day.

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    • nauticalone345 says:

      Agreed. And all the talk of people “choosing the lifestyle”? Clueless and dangerous, as that only incites Bullying! and shame.

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  21. Anonymous says:

    The Premier spoke eloquently. Others demonstrated something less when they spoke.

    Does anyone know how many minutes into his presentation John-John revealed the eternal wisdom of full moon horny time? I would love to see that as a short video clip.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Including him licking his lips with his tongue during the period!

      Totally out of his depth, bless his little heart!

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    • Anonymous says:

      Between Mary riding off on a jackass and this utter lack of one sensible word in a minister’s presentation I am appalled that someone thought he was a good choice for Minister of health. SMH

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      • Anonymous says:

        He was Alden’s choice and pet drinking buddy who should have been replaced on numerous occasions for being unfit for the position. Emperor Alden has retained Osbourne Bodden and Dwayne Seymour as Minister when both have proven themselves unfit for a Cabinet role. That should tell you all you need to know about Alden McLaughlin as a Premier and the quality of options available in Bodden Town East

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      • Anonymous says:

        Maybe he got a little mixed up with his nursery rhyme and it was horny Mary on a jackass jumping over a full moon.
        Poor old Jon Jon

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    • Anonymous says:

      48ish minutes, peak stupidity is achieved.

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  22. Anonymous says:

    I am very happy that the DP Bill has failed.
    Thank God.

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  23. Anonymous says:

    I watched all 20+ hours of the debate and while I admit that the wrong decision was eventually made, I agree with Kenneth, if the Bill was so important why no education programme was launched trying to convince the public as to its importance so the Religious fence sitters might be persuaded from their folly???

    To the average voter the position is this “one judge say SSM … he be wrong, three judge say no marriage but SSU they may be wrong too” EDUCATE the people don’t just force it down their throats no matter how right the position is!

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    • Anonymous says:

      Here’s the lesson: Two consenting adults want to get married. It’s none of your business, get over it.

      Nothing more to learn.

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    • Anonymous says:

      What have you been doing for the last 10+ years?
      Have you not had time to educate yourself on the universal matter?
      Did someone need to visit your living room to conduct the equality course?

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    • Anonymous says:

      Bless your heart. You think a few week education program is going to address the attitudes and lack of comprehension of basic issues of human rights and bigotry that already manifest itself in the election by the same electors of the likes of Dwayne Seymour, Anthony Eden or Arden McLean?

  24. Anonymous says:

    If they can’t pass something a straight forward as this bill I know I’ll never be able to smoke a spliff in peace, time to move to Amsterdam or Barcelona

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  25. Anonymous says:

    DP Bill…what an unfortunate term.

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  26. Anonymous says:

    This further demonstrates that prudent (or even just pragmatic) decision-making is beyond the mental acuity of our simpleton lawmakers. Our MLAs are too stupid to understand what good governance looks like, even when pretending for optics. Well done imbeciles, time for the UK to step in.

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  27. Anon says:

    What an international embarassment for Cayman. Hopefully these no voters are ousted in the next GE and Cayman can one day have a modern, non-religious, respectable government to match it’s expat population and the normal rational caymanians

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    • Anon says:

      What an insulting post. Surely you knew the type of community you were choosing to live in. If you were happy in your non religious home country you should have stayed at home. Instead you come to our country for your financial gain and expect our lawmakers to make laws to your liking! I may not agree with the outcome of the vote but my blood is boiling at your comment. Feel free to return home on the next flight, your kind will not be missed.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Yawn. If you don’t like it leave….? Wake up. We ain’t leaving and we are sicked and tired of your empty threats. “We” are Caymanian now…..!
        Was sickened by the hateful, immature and often machismo speaches made by the different elected representatives who forgot they represent not only some of their electorate but the whole country and constitution which they are failing to uphold!

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      • Anonymous says:

        8:29

        And thus the bigotry continues. Not be missed? You really are ignorant. May your blood boil as you cash your next paycheck without our support.

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      • Anonymous says:

        As an 8th generation native I find your post insulting. Equality should be for all. Simple really. Just remember that you ONLY speak for yourself.

  28. Anonymous says:

    I thought dinosaurs went extinct 65 million years ago? I guess not.

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  29. Anonymous says:

    Don’t be fooled by Alden. The failure of proposed DP legislation to pass is a result of him putting himself and his government coalition above what is right for the country.

    Alden should have axed a few of his ministers for incompetence a long time ago. Even if the government collapsed and the country had to go back to the polls it would have been better than what he has allowed to happen to the country.

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  30. Anonymous says:

    Great speech by the Premier, shame on the short-sighted people in the house.

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  31. Anonymous says:

    Just a note for the list in your library: Dwayne Seymour is independent, not PPM

    CNS: Oops! Thank you!

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    • Anonymous says:

      Independent of reality, mainly.

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    • Anonymous says:

      He doesn’t look very independent to me. He looks like a steer being led around by its nose ring on a full moon, only too late to realize he has no cajones for play time!

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  32. Anonymous says:

    Caymankind. Are you kidding me!!

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  33. Anonymous says:

    Hats off to you Alden for trying to do the right thing. ALL people deserve basic rights regardless of your religious beliefs. I for one think Alden has redeemed himself since his fight for the Port and development of Smith Cove. 100% agree with the way he has handled COVID 19 and trying to pass this bill. Well done Sir.

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  34. Anonymous says:

    All the Christian bigots please stand up… but only before your extra-martial fornication affairs, not after. The Lord won’t take too kindly to that now.

    What a bunch of hypocrites!

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  35. UK, please be the parent says:

    It’s a relief that this deeply flawed bill didn’t pass. It failed to provide either equality or equivalency. To the UK: Please be the parent in the room and impose discipline on your child. Please bring about equality by mandating MARRIAGE rights for all. Doing so is the only way that this long-festering wound will heal because people will come to realize, as they have in other countries, that gay marriage does NOT cause the sky to fall in, but rather, the straight community actually gains, not loses, by spreading fairness to all.

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    • Anonymous says:

      I half wondered if this really is what should have happened all along. Full marriage is better than this compromise and register proposal. Maybe the UK will just make that happen and we can all move on

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    • Anon says:

      What an insulting post. Surely you knew the type of community you were choosing to live in. If you were happy in your non religious home country you should have stayed at home. Instead you come to our country for your financial gain and expect our lawmakers to make laws to your liking! I may not agree with the outcome of the vote but my blood is boiling at your comment. Feel free to return home on the next flight, your kind will not be missed.

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      • Anonymous says:

        umm mate, how do you know they were not born here.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Can’t even substitute a single word instead of a simple copy/paste? OK, I guess you exceeded your linguistic grey matter.

      • Anonymous says:

        And yet you Caymanians were happy to take my money and fees every step of the way. You seem to think you can take the money and have no obligations in return. Surprise! — the world doesn’t operate that way. You claim you “blood is boiling”. Well, take a blood pressure pill and calm down…

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      • Anonymous says:

        There are gay Caymanians, you wretch! Blood boiling nothing, I want to vomit blood knowing I share my heritage with dispicable people like you.

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  36. Dave says:

    Premier you did you’re absolute best over the last few day to convince the idiots, bigots and wannabes.
    I so appreciate having you as leader of our country. I look around at the rest that sit in the LA and thank god you are there. I for one am dreading what will happen at the next election when you are no longer able to lead this country. We should all be very afraid – and the ones that talk the most BS are the ones that fancy themselves as the next leader. May god help us all.

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  37. Anonymous says:

    Alden’s finest hour

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  38. Anonymous says:

    I just had a friend from overseas call me to say she read the vote and it is such a shame that a beautiful country has such backward people. She went on to say if one of their ministers talked about the moon they way ours did they would be escorted out for a mental evaluation and dismissed. She is heterosexual. The world is watching and laughing at us. I pray the UK steps up sooner rather than later.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Can’t say I agree or disagree with the outcome but I can say that that moon speech was wacky.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Everything out of our Health ministers mouth this year (I dint pay attention before Covid-19) is wacky. SMH

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  39. Anonymous says:

    “he premier revealed that the government’s failure during that time to implement a legal framework to put an end to the infringement of the right to a family life in particular and the discrimination against gay couples resulted of from his desire to hold the National Unity coalition together.”

    And there you have it. Not about what is right, about what is politically expedient. Except he seems to have got that wrong too. No problem – the UK will fix what the Premier has demonstrated he is incapable of doing.

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    • Anonymous says:

      You have a coalition of currently sitting MLAs you would prefer to see over the Cabinet we now have? – Remember, the Unity Government disuniting doesn’t mean a new election, just a new coalition within the LA.

  40. Anonymous says:

    Well done, Alden!

    My grandmother taught me that once you’ve done your best, angels couldn’t do any better. You indeed did your best. God Bless you for that.

    The stupidity of those nine idiots will very soon manifest itself. Let’s see what they say and who they will blame. For sure it can’t be you, Alden for God knows you did all you could to remove the hoodwinks from their eyes. But it’s a true saying that there are none so blind as those who will not see.

    Let’s see how the churches and our ministers react when they are required by law to marry two same sex persons. They will have only three options: marry them, resign or have their appointment as marriage officers revoked or be prosecuted in the courts. The same courts that said that our present system is flawed.

    Do any of these bible bashers realise that homosexuals actually worship in the same churches as they do? Do they realise that some homosexuals are perhaps better Christians than they are? Do they not know that homosexuals are in almost every Caymanian family?

    I am not a homosexual and I don’t necessarily agree with their lifestyle. But I will stand side by side with any of my offsprings who are and dare anyone to be derogatory to them in my presence. They are all members of the same human race. All members of our own tribes and families. All God’s children.

    So Alden, I share your pain in the defeat. But I know you will rise above this just as sure as the sun will indeed rise tomorrow morning.

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    • anonymous says:

      What is this term “don’t agree with the lifestyle” but supportive anyway. Are you talking about the sexual acts between 2 consenting adults. Perhaps a lot of people do agree with your lifestyle.

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      • Anonymous says:

        You know, ‘the lifestyle’. It means acting camp, liking kitsch stuff, and trying to have rampant sex with literally everyone the same gender.

        The lifestyle of many straight people sickens me. Beating up their partner on a regular basis etc. GTF.

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  41. Anonymous says:

    By voting it down, the opposition and a couple dissenting Cabinet Ministers have essentially voted Yes to the imposition of same-sex marriage laws.
    Sounds like a WIN for society, even if the path wasn’t linear.

    Over to you British Ministers- your move.

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    • Some thing does not add up says:

      What happen to the two members that was not in the house for the vote 9 against 8 for. That is only 17. I thought we had 19 representatives.

      CNS: Follow the link to the CNS Library. It is explained there.

      • Anonymous says:

        Some day you’ll awaken from your stupor!

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      • Anonymous says:

        Speaker Bush was not there and Councillor Conolly was deputising as Speaker .

      • Anonymous says:

        To 4.33pm.The other two are 1) MLA Barbara is Deputy Speaker and was presiding on this occasion thetefore she was not allowed to vote. 2) MLA McKeeva Bush is the Speaker of the LA, currently on leave.

    • ThIs WrItInG Is VeRy IrRiTaTiNg says:

      I agree with you but come election time the dissenters will tell their voters that they did all they could to stop the madness and the UK forced same sex marriage on the Cayman Islands. Hopefully, there will be enough educated people in their districts to fix the problem.

    • Anonymous says:

      4:10 This had to do with CONSCIENCE, Google it!

  42. Anonymous says:

    The Premier was a Statesman today. Well done Sir.

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