Bush not seeking leadership after elections
(CNS): McKeeva Bush declared from the speakers chair on Monday that he will be running in the 2021 General Election to defend his West Bay West seat but he is not seeking to be premier or even a minister, as he said younger people should now be taking the reins. During his address on the transition of the Legislative Assembly to a Parliament, Bush reviewed his political career, but from the outset said he did not want the top job.
However, he remained silent on whether he hoped to hold on to his current prestigious office or how he would be running his campaign.
“While I will be campaigning next year, God willing, to keep my seat in West Bay West, I will not be a candidate for a ministry seat nor to campaign to be the premier,” he said. “I’ve been there and then some. At my age I want to help make sure younger persons with a heart to help the poor and others in need are ready and willing to face those challenges.”
Bush added that he had been elected to care for the less fortunate and make a better way for them. He claimed that was his only intention when he campaigned for election and had never thought he would reach any “lofty positions”.
Before he gave a potted version of his more than thirty years in politics, skimming over many of the more notable and notorious moments, Bush gave no further indications of how he will be campaigning. He did not say whether or not he will be sharing a platform with his former political nemesis and current premier, Alden McLaughlin, or if he plans to run on his own party platform again with a full slate of candidates.
Bush remains the leader of the Cayman Democratic Party, the political ticket on which he rode to the LA in 2017 with both Bernie Bush (WBN) and Capt Eugene Ebanks (WBC). Bush implied that he will again be sharing a platform with Ebanks, who has remained with his long-time party colleague in coalition with the PPM-led government. Bernie Bush has since partied company with the speaker and crossed the floor to join the official opposition.
Next month Bush has to deal with his criminal trial in summary court, having been charged with a violent assault on he bar manager at Coral Beach, but this is unlikely to hinder his political career. He has denied the allegations relating to a drunken evening at the Seven Mile bar in February.
Bush had taken some unexplained leave of absence following the well publicised assault on the female victim, after he suggested that his behaviour and problems with alcohol were related to grief and his failure to deal with the death of his daughter in 2011. He nevertheless returned to work in his prestigious position a few months ago, claiming there was no reason for him not to return, despite facing these criminal charges.
Regardless of the outcome of the case, Bush will not be prohibited from running for election in May because even with a guilty verdict, it is almost certain that he will not receive a custodial sentence.
This is by no means his first run-in with the law over his three decades long career, and none of them have affected his constituency base, who have elected him nine times. During his speech he described his seat in West Bay as an expensive one, though he suggested that defending it cost him “in more ways than one”.
Bush spoke about people trying to tear him to pieces or tell lies about him and said he was amazed that as soon as he became a member of the Executive Council he was “he was scandalized for being a bad person”. But he said all he knew was that he had a million dollar mortgage.
Bush claimed he had never planned to deliberately hurt anybody during his career but he had made some mistakes as a result of his own weaknesses.
See his address on CIGTV below:
Category: 2021 General Elections, Elections, Politics
Can @CNS or someone explain why it is ‘almost certain that he will not receive a custodial sentence’? Privilege or the offense isn’t of that nature?
CNS: It’s based on the Austin Harris case, which was precedent setting with very similar circumstances.
https://caymannewsservice.com/2015/05/radio-host-dodges-sanction-in-assault-case/
Unbelievable!
So all people who “ made some mistakes as a result of [their] own weaknesses” and ended up in prison must be acquitted, especially those who were drunk?
In Austin Harris case it was his girlfriend, though not an excuse, but it does differ from allegedly assaulting a stranger, even if he knew her, who was at work performing her duties.
What an idiot
Does anyone believe this man? I do not see this ever happening. Maybe what he should have said is he is not running for a seat in the 2021 General Elections. That would be better for his overall mental, physical, psychological, emotional, and social health. That is what should be recommended to him.
Enjoy your life and retire from politics. Remember you can’t take a penny with ya and past time cannot be bought back.
Wheew, for a second there I thought he wasn’t going to represent West Ghetto Bay any longer. Every hood needs a Top Rat, and he is the topmost among them. Thank ya Masta Bush, your exploits are legendsry and unrivaled. Bush for president. We cannot afford another 4 years of Alden.
He is a God in West Bay. Looking forward to a new fridge and turkey next month. So generous.
Bobo, with today’s rate of inflation, the least he could do is throw in some more food and drink with that fridge and turkey. Cheap a$$ is all I have to say. Up my way, we have ourselves some good old high-paying CEO & Board positions available, no experience required. Remember to vote.
Fingers crossed, but this will probably happen the same time as the squadron of pigs flies past my window.
McKeeva Bush, “help the poor”? Give me a break! As recently as yesterday didn’t you make initial “moves” to evict a homeless and jobless man in West Bay from the house where he has been squatting for 12 years, without offering him an option? Is that help?
At least they are born caymanian, this is their island
“elected to care for the less fortunate and make a better way for them”
After 30+ years what has been achieved to show any evidence of this? Many of them and their children are in the same or worse position. I cannot ever recall him being an advocate to these persons educating themselves and pushing them to do so.
WBW you deserve better. Don’t be fooled again.
p.s. – He did not want the top job just took the top rewards.
If he is so worried about the less fortunate why not donate his excessive salary and double dipping pension to charity.
A man who takes two pensions from government funds foe the same job is no better than a thief.
LOL Would that be ‘Community Service’ already arranged….
No really funny. Ask the bar manager if it was funny for her.
12.28pm Not LOL for what happened and situation, LOL for his ignorant speech and comments: ‘At my age I want to help make sure younger persons with a heart to help the poor and others in need are ready and willing to face those challenges.”
I wish a had a magic wand to make him disappear for good. Ignoramus.
So, he simply wants to maintain a title and cushy salary while reducing his responsibilities to the bare minimum. Of course Mac, of course.
He is sooooo predictable isn’t he?
Well with a bit of luck, by the time of the election he’ll no longer be eligible to stand.
Section 62(1)(e) of the Constitution has something to say about that.
Bit of luck? How about enforcing laws?
‘Bit of luck’ because although I hope he is convicted and given a sentenced which disqualifies him, I also recognise that, like anyone else, he is innocent until proven guilty and the Crown have to make their case.
Is the crown involved? They have never done anything with him in the past!
We don’t enforce laws here.
I think it’s safe to say that if a barman twice the size of Mac had attacked him the law would have already been enforced!
Paraphrasing today’s headline(elsewhere):
“Does he think we are fools?”
Disqualifications for elected membership
62.—(1) No person shall be qualified to be elected as a member of the Legislative Assembly
who—
(e) subject to subsection (2), is serving or has served a sentence of imprisonment (by whatever name called) exceeding twelve months imposed on him or her by a court in any country or substituted by competent authority for some other sentence imposed on him or her by such a court, or is under such a sentence of imprisonment the execution of which has been suspended, or has been convicted by any court in any country of an offence involving dishonesty;
Cayman penal code
Part VI- Offenses Against Person
215 Common assault
215. A person who unlawfully assaults another commits an offence and, if the assault is not committed in circumstances for which a greater punishment is provided by this or any other law, is liable to imprisonment for one year.
216 Assault causing actual bodily harm
216. A person who commits an assault occasioning actual bodily harm commits an
offence and is liable to imprisonment for five years.
I agree XXXX, but please if you gain quote constitution, it necessary to understand he must be “convicted “ first to become ineligible to stand for office.
But, even if he is convicted, the ABH offence on the lady wasn’t serious enough to justify a sentence long enough to disqualify him from parliament (“more than one year”) – suspended or otherwise.
Why he hasn’t been tried for the assault yet? He is charged with four❗️❗️❗️❗️ counts for assaulting bar manager.
What is going on? It has been pushed back 3 times already. Why? It is beginning to look like insult to injury. Or not very funny game is being played here.
Meantime he is “earning”over $200,000 per annum plus expenses and allowances.
Has a judge been appointed?
Check the Courts list before your uneducated rants.
Courts lists? The trial was moved 3 times already on lame, in my opinion; excuses.
They are very swift if they want to. That Madison woman ghost should keep all involved awake every single night.
You asked why hasnt he been tried. The Courts list will tell you when and what day as well as sentencing…
December 7:
Will the trial be open to the public?
I am convinced only people like him, or not able to see and analyze the impact of their decision, vote for him. Then again, it comes down to options: what OPTIONS are there for the electors? Surely we have eligible Caymanians under 45 willing – and able – to earn our vote? Professionals of the irk of like Cindy Scotland, Sophia Harris, Winston Connolly, Wayne Pantons – to name but a handful! Come on, people! We work with you or see the results of your leadership; we know you exist. Please think about it.
Never underestimate how few people you need to get elected in Cayman. McKeeva was elected with 605 votes.
Over 30 years, it’s really not hard to buy that many people. A job for young Johnny over there, and that’s a family of 4 or 5 in the bag. A turkey or washing machine for the Lake family and that’s another 4 or 5. A smooth word with immigration regarding that lady’s overstaying boyfriend, and that’s her in the bag. 30 years of favours, gifts and good will.
It’s so few people to impress.
How would he know if they voted for him after taking a turkey?
At that point, he doesn’t care.
A vote in West Bay is worth a free turkey. We can be bought.
Mac and the windbag from East End working together. They have an agreement that Mac will support him for Premier and Arden will support him for speaker.
What a conundrum. Arden for Premier…lord help us!
This country needs 4 years of Arden at the helm. At the very least the discrimination against Caymanians will end!
Have mercy. Are you off your medications? Four years with Arden at the helm?
You must be one of his brown nosers
Really, it got worse
As I understand it anyone can run in any district. I urge Mr. Moxam to run against Bush inWest Bay. If he can’t win it will prove once and for all that we are lost and have no hope of ever righting the ship.
Pshew he na gains no where believe it. He such a prisa . He farer might go and talk Fe him and get him a few wotes and pull a few shoe strings Fe him but he na ready. Only accessible when he wants to be,never seen him doing good dorks, forget bout the chamber he was just token meat for business community fine doer he’s then and now.
Cha ona go sit down . Dont let Joey and Big T let loose the twins on I’m cause dat will be fire fire fire in he wire . Johann take off the flippers and put on de kicks if ya hear dem coming Fe ya. Ya a ready Iah! 4 more years of serious work and mot just flowery preachers will fo the trick for you and oh a complete makeover done high heels and padded suits may help. Port mattereS certainly s convenient ploy but not good enough. Sayonara dear one.
I wote that he weaves his job as soon as possible. Absolutely embarrassing dinosaur, even by the standards set by Eden et al.
Promises, Promises…let’s see!
You should not believe a single word Bush says.
He always has a hidden agenda, and there’s always something in it for him.
Substitute “Trump” for “Bush”.
Even Trump isn’t that bad!
Substitute your brain for sh1t. Oops, looks like that has already taken place.
the impudence in suggesting if he wanted to he would against his recent history is staggering.
My advice to the public: totally disregard anything Mr Bush says.
God bless Mr. Speaker!
Lol. And he going back in too.
He should just retire then. Don’t believe him at all. He’ll say God called him back to do good…bla…bla…bla…
Time for all of them to go including all those loyal to McKeeva and Alden that need them for a job as mla. They have sold out this country. Time to drain the Cayman swamp.
You just simply cannot believe a word that spews forth from his mouth. That is a proven fact.
I hope he does run. And I pray that whoever runs against him wins by a landslide. Nothing could be more fitting.
Shame on you Mckeeva. Shame. Shame.
Thank the Lord for small mercies.