MLAs to run independent parliament
(CNS): A bill that will see members of the Legislative Assembly manage the parliament themselves has been published on the government gazette ahead of its debate next month. The proposed law is designed to take away the management of the financial and day to day affairs of the political body from government and separate the staff from the civil service. Instead, a commission made up of MLAs will run the show.
The Legislative Assembly (Management) Bill calls for a commission that will be responsible for the running of the LA, including the budget and operational matters, and will establish the executive, management and administrative structure. In other words, rather like a statutory body or government company, the commission will directly employ the clerks, attendants and other staff, with the clerk of the Legislative Assembly becoming the chief officer.
The main goal is to enshrine the independence of what will eventually become the country’s parliament when, or if, the constitutional changes that were negotiated with the UK are implemented.
The concept of separating the affairs of the LA from the administrative arm of government has been supported by politicians for several years. The current speaker, McKeeva Bush, who returned to office last month despite facing criminal charges for assault, has been a long and vocal advocate of legislation to create real independence for the LA.
The law calls for a council to give power to the commission, which will be chaired by the speaker and include the premier and the leader of the opposition, along with three MLAs, who will be appointed in writing by the speaker based on the advice of the premier and the leader of the opposition, as well as the clerk of the Legislative Assembly.
The legislation is now open for public comment, which should be made to MLAs.
The bill can be seen in the CNS Library.
Category: Government Administration, Politics
If Caymanians don’t realize by now that their only chance of surviving is to have a referendum for a “NATIONAL VOTE”, then we will have to live with the same old cronies managing the country. This OMOV was strategically organized to ensure that they remain in power. Why settle for turkeys and ham prior to election, and then suffer for the next four years. Think about it Caymanians. Marco Archer and Wayne Panton …2021
A phrase about foxes and henhouses comes to mind….
Why have a Commission of 8 mlas to run the assembly? There are only 18 mlas altogether, 10 of which are ministers already. It looks like nothing but a chance for every single mla to get a minister’s salary. Also, last paragraph says this is “binding on the Crown.” Assuming the FCO is not unconscious, doubt that is going to happen. Can’t see what problem this fixes.
Not to mention monthly happy hour trips to Coral Beach!
I hope that there are no implications for McKeeva to return to the Speaker’s post.
So far I have seen no evidence of resolve (you can supply another word) of the Premier to hold firm to his promise that McKeeva would not return to the chair until his case is resolved?
That is the position on government when a civil servant is charged with a crime.
Shame on the government if it sits by and allows a man facing a criminal court case to resume his position—particularly with the independence that this proposed bill would bring about—before the case is tried.
McKeeva will be making a full political comeback next year. He has so many political IOU’s he can cash in next year. Caymanians in West Bay still think he is a God.
A political gift that just keeps giving. 😂 😂 😂
Only when you have your hand in large investors pockets, and government is deprived of duties and outstanding fees by the rich and famous.
People must stand firm in 2020 and sweep the LA of the useless representatives and those whose interest is only for the upper class.
If they can’t represent their people use your powerful vote to strike them out.
Mckeeva Has been running
McKeeva Bush has been running the Cayman Islands since he was first elected as the head honcho………. and, yes, he still is! “Honorable” for his title is a joke given to us by his loyal puppets.
The
10:19am
Have you heard about the one who speaks from the rear and not from the mouth? Figure it out for yourself. You can fool the people some of the time but you can’t fool all the people all the time. The grass is always greener in the other pasture and you know who would be shuffling across for the prize.
This man has brought disgrace onto the political scene here. He should not be allowed to resume job until exonerated at his trial. He should be ignored.
Putting McKeeva in charge of public money? Yeah that’ll end well…
Was t this matter debated and bill passed back in 2015? If so are in some kinda time warp here. Oh my I could be wrong but I await to hear from the experts at CNS. Thank you
Agreed. Fox in the chicken house.
Isn’t this a set up in preparation to eventually try to go independent? Isn’t that what they have been vying for, for quite some time?
We soon have our Cayman Regiment/defense team set up so…
We going to follow the Jamaican political model.
@CNS, I have clicked on the link and looked but cannot find the Draft Bill
CNS: I actually put it on the wrong page – must have been before coffee. It’s now on the correct page and the link is here, right at the top of the page. Sorry about that. I’ll change it in the article also.
Thank you
This should have been done long time ago.
Yeah, McKeeva could have really used a big top up.
There goes the credit card to bankruptcy. Security officers are you on stand-by.
Needed more than ever now. The sin in using past incident as an excuse for deplorable behavior, which was normal occurrence has the world wondering, what next?
Who sets the pay they receive?
This is a total power grab.
That’s funny, L. Z. They will set their own amount, and the sky will be the limit! (Plus what they can get on the sly………… just like always.)
So who will the Chief Officer report to?
12:55. I would think the Speaker. We will now have a true house of politics. Expect to see staff leaving in droves.
Yes, the Chief Officer will report to Brother Bush, just like it’s been for years. Of course, there might be a possibility that the lodge might change things………. but I doubt it.
Another Trump.
CNS why not mention that this is how it’s done across the Commonwealth ? Why not be transparent ?
Yes, but we are not an independent country in the Commonwealth. That is the difference.
Canada, UK, Barbados to name a few countries which have Parliaments which are similarly structured. Nothing new here folks. But yes a new thing to make snarky comments about.
They are countries. We are not. Spot the difference?
So many people living in the Cayman Islands really do believe we are a country.
There is something seriously lacking in our education system when it comes to learning about out Islands and government structure.
So many people living in the Cayman Islands really do believe we are a country.
There is something seriously lacking in our education system when it comes to learning about out Islands and government structure.
That. And Math, and English, and Science…
Momma UK come discipline your children!
Will OffReg regulate this too?
Now that’s funny!!!
Sounds like the proverbial cart before the horse. And it’s a big if should the horse ever come.
These fools can’t manage having a few drinks in a bar, let alone this s**t!
Seem to recall there have been MLA fisticuffs in the LA canteen before, as well as in bars 😉
Aside from the EXPECTED astronomical increase in costs for MLA salaries and perks like drivers for all MLAs etc, will the legal advisor to the LA remain as the Attorney General?
That guy seems HIGHLY conflicted as he also advises Cabinet AND the Civil Service
Wasn’t he highly conflicted when he accepted his cabinet status grant and then opined they were all lawful? Just askin…
Boondoggle with a capital B!
@CNS. But if they set the budget, does that mean that MLAs can pay themselves whatever they want and the government will have no say in the matter? This sounds like a breeding ground for corruption.
They set their salaries now. Parliament is supreme in any Westminster style democracy
12:37. You are wrong read the PSML. The Governor and Deputy Governor set MLA’S salaries. This will now change.
What role will Arden play?
1q1.15 Cue, first thing on their agenda, massive pay rise and no more elections…..ever. MLA for life now.
A breeding ground for corruption? Perish the thought!!!!!
CIG = Corruption in Grand.
Sounds like yet another club for Mackeeva to keep his tendrils on tings..
The Speaker as chairman…? The current Speaker ?
Somebody ring the Alarm bell.
Sounds like a power grab.
Oh mother in London, save us from ourselves.
Another corrupt power-grab. It’s the voters that should control the LA, not self-interested MLAs. The further we go down the autocratic road, the worse the outlook for stability, business, and/or real estate in the Cayman Islands.
This is such an uninformed statement, how is the public going to manage the LA ? Will they be taking turns paying the bills, ordering the lunch, typing up the records of the debates etc ?
Yeah, thats what keeps me up at night, worrying about who is gonna order their lunch for the 3 days a year that they meet. (Facepalm!!!!)
Don’t worry we have an Ethics commission to prevent that kind of thing, right.?
Where IS this committee?
They couldn’t even run a piss up in a brewery.
how much is this going to cost
Cha-Ching!!
It’s hard to say, but OfReg might give you some idea. They will all need new vehicles as part of their contract, credit cards, and a minimum of four “training” trips per year to Hong Kong, Dubai, Singapore etc.
More like Vegas, Monaco, and Baku!
Not to mention monthly happy hour trips to Coral Beach!
Probably democracy.
Cost won’t change it’s taking it from one department and putting it under another
It will require staffing to administer the existing staff and they will need deputies and accounting staff and someone to review credit card expenses. And for what?
A branch of Murphy’s law: The cost of government never goes down!
The cost of government never goes down!