McLean and Miller file motion to oust speaker

| 28/01/2021 | 109 Comments
Speaker McKeeva Bush, Premier Alden McLaughlin and Deputy Premier Moses Kirkconnell unveil the plaque in Parliament at the renaming ceremony

(CNS): Opposition Leader Arden McLean (EE) and Independent MP Ezzard Miller (NS) have filed a no confidence motion calling for McKeeva Bush to be ousted from his prestigious parliamentary position as speaker. The motion is a second attempt after Kenneth Bryan MP thwarted their first effort and the government has since refused to entertain the idea of a vote to remove Bush until the charges against him for assault were settled.

Now that Bush has been convicted and is currently serving a suspended sentence for his attack on the female manager of the Coral Beach Bar in February last year, there are no legal excuses for the government to hide behind. However, the efforts by the two men are unlikely to result in Bush being kicked out of his high office, even if the motion makes it to the floor.

A no confidence motion needs two thirds of the MPs to support it to succeed, which means that if the motion is supported by the entire opposition benches, they will still need five people from government to join them. But if Miller and McLean can get the motion onto the floor of the parliament before it is dissolved in March ahead of the elections, it will force the government MPs, who have all been deafeningly silent on the issue, to say exactly why Bush should keep his high office.

Miller and McLean said the refusal of the Government of National Unity to take action against their colleague was the primary reason for the motion. and McLean had warned the premier in a recent letter that this would be forthcoming if he did nothing.

“The Speaker of the Parliament is one of the most esteemed roles an elected member can hold under our Constitution,” he noted in a release. Bush, by virtue of his previous leadership and ministerial roles, holds the title ‘Honourable’ for life, and McLean said that many Caymanians had hoped he would do “the Honorable thing” and resign, in light of his conviction.

“While it came as no surprise that Speaker Bush refused to resign despite his criminal conviction and suspended custodial sentence, I am surprised that Premier McLaughlin, as the leader of the Unity Government, refused to demand his resignation or take the necessary steps to remove him,” the opposition leader added.

“It was my hope that Premier McLaughlin would have exercised the same moral conviction, integrity, and leadership that he displayed more than eight years ago when he moved a no confidence motion against McKeeva Bush after he was arrested and charged,” he said.

The failure by both men to do the right thing “demonstrated contempt for our democratic principles and will further serve to marginalise women in our society”.

Miller, who has never let up his public calls for the speaker to be removed, said Bush and McLaughlin’s behaviour displayed the highest level of dishonour and disrespect to women and everyone that calls the Cayman Islands home.

“Both our Court of Law and our Court of Public Opinion have found Speaker Bush guilty and it is not right that a convicted criminal should hold one of the highest positions in our Parliament,” he said. Miller said he was “also saddened” that every member of government, “especially the women MPs, have chosen to remain silent on this issue where a woman was assaulted, and the perpetrator was found guilty in our courts. What message is this sending to women and the community?”

Miller said the motion should not have had to come from the opposition members. “But this is what happens when politicians decide to worry about re-election and how it will go down with the people who support Speaker Bush. This is shameful,” he added.

McLaughlin made his position clear following Bush’s conviction when he told CNS that he didn’t think the “the country would be well served” by bringing his government down because of demands for his resignation. The premier also stated that he was not sure if the Parliament would even meet before it was dissolved.

See the motion in the CNS Library.


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Comments (109)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Bush seems more powerful than the premier. Maybe there should be a no confidence vote on Alden.

    • Anonymous says:

      Alden’s always been a weak guy but additionally he knows his days are numbered and has just been stripping the country for the last 4 years.

  2. Anonymous says:

    Alden, you are a pathetic excuse for a premier!!!!

  3. Anonymous says:

    The filing of this motion will ensure that Parliament will not reconvene before elections. Just saying. This was just Arden’s way of ensuring that he got back in. There is no sincerity here.

  4. Anon says:

    Anyone remember at the last election where a certain individual (GR) mediated a settlement between Alden and McKeeva when PPM won? There is a reason he was given the speaker’s chair (probably as a direct result of that agreement) and for that same reason, Alden and the majority of MPs won’t vote him out of it.

    There is a bigger picture as to why all MPs (with the exception of Ezzard) are all silent on this matter. The corruption runs deep.

    I just have one question for all of them (especially Tara, Barbara and the so-called God fearing Juliana – you all disgust me to my core btw!!!), if the woman that was attacked so brutally that night, was your mother, sister or daughter, would you have still sat silent? Just what if it was? Because I genuinely would like to know. This is not even a first time issue with McKeeva. He is well-known for his indecent behavior, yet it is always swept under the rug.

    It is truly a shame to see such low moral and ethical standards amongst these MPs.

    Signed,
    A born Caymanian to born Caymanian parents!

    • Anonymous says:

      A fine letter, but what does a born Caymanian, born to a born Caymanian parents have to do with anything?

      • Anonymous says:

        It means we come from the same place as them the politicos… Like if you were from a village is Scotland you might sign off M. McClean Isle of Mull. The last name and the village would tell people that your ‘clan’ or the pattern on your kilt or something belong to such a place.

        It’s call being accountable to your community being your peers. If youre an expat after 50 years youll understand if you don’t go back to the village where youre from which is perfectly OK too! Happy for you to join us or to go either way were good.

        I don’t see a problem with Caymanians having an identity .. Cayman is blessed take a look at the R. O. W… Breathe in and thank God your here with the sensible and community minded Caymanians ( you should celebrate our sensible and kind nature) that are the majority. Our culture of caring means you don’t covid and also that you can go out to the bar or dinner and have a normalish life.. have you figured that out yet? or do you have a problem with the coconuts on the trees here too?

        Did you know Caymanians have and have had an extremely good reputation for a very very long time. Believe me we’re loved around the world and ive been there so much so that every woman that sets foot on the island dons a pendant.

        We also stand up to our politicos and for the environment when things go to far.

        So just take it easy man.. And watch you might learn and thing or to from the Caymanian disposition.

        • Anonymous says:

          “We also stand up to our politicos and for the environment when things go too far”. What a pile of crap. Clearly, you don’t. There is widespread refusal to accept that this is the corrupt political system Caymanians created and continue to coddle and tolerate. Your club of autocratic privilege and opacity continues unabated as a result. Even the so-called corruption watchdogs are complicit!

          • Anonymous says:

            Yep! “when things go too far”?? That’s rich! Things went to far from long time!

            Double dipping their pension
            Paying them off with a severance package when they lose their job to being woted out.
            Continual increased in wages with less work being done.
            A huge pile of petty cash/slush funds to pay off your constituents.
            Continual deeply ingrained corruption throughout the entire CIG

            The list goes on and on but, oh! NOW you’re fed up?? What? Didn’t get your appliance yet?

    • Anonymous says:

      Thank you for pointing this out..

      “There is a bigger picture as to why all MPs (with the exception of Ezzard) are all silent on this matter.”

      “There is a bigger picture as to why all MPs (with the exception of Ezzard) are all silent on this matter.”

      “There is a bigger picture as to why all MPs (with the exception of Ezzard) are all silent on this matter.”

    • Anonymous says:

      This incident is of no material or otherwise,hurt to this country.

      It doesn’t stop anyone from paying their bills nor helps those who can’t pay their bills.

      Arden and Ezzard should as so-called leaders come up with a national plan to deal with covid now and in the future.

      Ezzard and Arden have no moral and ethical high ground to challenge me.

      The hon House would also like to hear how the leader of the Opposition would take the high moral and ethical ground in dealing with a member who beats up his wife and ties her up leaving her locked up in the house for 2 days,
      Or,how a member is dealt with who beats up his girlfriend (who’s is his sons mother) so often that the school teacher’s has to take the son to counseling;

      And The House would like to hear from The member for North Side how he would take the high moral and ethical ground to deal with a member who beats up his wife and blacks her eye to the point that she leave the family house to rescue and shelter In a friends house!!

      • Da-wa-u-get says:

        Anonymous 10:22 your comments are not without merit! The despicable practices you speak of are well known. The difference in this case is, the Speaker admitted his guilt and was convicted!

      • Anonymous says:

        Are you serious, 10:22 am? Or can it be maybe your brain has stopped working…. or maybe it has never worked properly. Try taking a very long walk on a short pier. If it doesn’t help you, it should help the Cayman Islands.

      • Anonymous says:

        My, my, my…

        Mr. Leader of Opposition and MP for North Side, please respond to the questions/statements above.

    • Positive Banon says:

      Anon. You keep changing your story. I thought you were a foreign national in the dive business. Who was about the leave the island.

      I keep saying you need prayer.

  5. Anonymous says:

    The way I see it his base in WB is comprised of the same people who voted him back in. First, the Uneducated Caymanians who are not smart enough to realize the damage he is doing to them and their country. Second, Jamaicans who won status for a vote and status and a new whirlpool are more important to them than the reputation of the Cayman Islands.

  6. The situation we are in is entirely due to the fact that the current government was appointed unconstitutionally under breach of s.49(3) of the Constitution by the former Governor with many others complicit, including some anonymous commentators here.

    If we really want to avoid this cycle of illegitimacy being repeated, we need to get this publicly understood and internalised so that the democratic intent of the next election result is not overturned in a similar fashion to the way the 2017 result has been.

  7. Anonymous says:

    Listen West Bayers, this reign of terror and embarrassment needs to end. You need to understand that this man is causing you, this country and our people damage. You have daughters, wives and sisters to whom you owe it to do the right thing. This country can no longer afford to have criminals running the show. Let’s do better! Please!!!

  8. Anonymous says:

    What were all the west bay trips for? Has a deal been made for the new Premiers spot?

  9. Anonymous says:

    Ezzard and Arden need to do something for their constituents and communities and let the people decide McKeeva’s fate at the polls in
    a few months, stop wasting time on this and focus on something else. Kmt

    • JTB says:

      Hush, McKeeva

    • Anonymous says:

      The trouble is, the “people” will vote him back in. The lure of a free washing machine will be too much for them!

    • Anonymous says:

      Yeah, 850 voters in WBW should absolutely determine whether or not a convicted man should be the public face of Cayman democracy. Sounds entirely fair.

    • Anonymous says:

      People can’t “decide at the polls” if no one contests his seat. It’s basically whoever has the most votes wins. If the Election law required getting a minimum % of votes (based on total registered voters in the district) in order to win, it would better.

    • Anonymous says:

      They are trying to stay relevant

    • Anonymous says:

      Marginislise women???

      Can anyone truthfully ever say that Mckeeva Bush has ever sought to trivialize the value and involvement of women in various avenues of nation-building, including the political arena.?

      Instead, McKeeva has chosen women Candidates,
      A women deputy premier,
      He sought and appointed Hon Sybil Mclaughlin as our very speaker hon Julianna as our second woman speaker,
      And Hon Mary Lawrence as our third woman speaker
      He appointed 3 women as national Heroes
      Hon Sybil Mclaughlin
      Hon Evelyn Wood
      Hon Joyce Hylton.
      McKeeva has done quite a lot, he should not resign.

      As the first minister of women’s affairs I put in place Programmes that assisted young women that lifted them up,
      that helped them to get an education after getting pregnant in school when they were pushed out of school,and then a job!

      • Anonymous says:

        Gave away your anonymity with your terrible English.

      • Anonymous says:

        BULLSHIT!

      • Anonymous says:

        Muck – for pete’s sake decide whether you are in the first person or the third person! You are giving me a headache!

        In any event, it matters not whether you participated in making decisions to benefit women! You make decisions purely out of political expediency – women make up the majority of the voters! On the other hand you cant hide your aggressive nature towards people who disagree with you but women in particular XXXX.

        You beat up a woman – one that is employed by you and one that was trying to help you no less. It was all recorded.

        Now you really expect us to allow you to remain in one of the highest offices in the country that demands impeccable standards of behaviour and respect? No man – you have embarrassed your family and this Country long enough – you need to go!!

      • Anonymous says:

        Mckeeva should try to Run things from a cell in Her Majesty’s Cayman Islands Prison!

  10. Anonymous says:

    Lets not get our panties in a knot…within the next few weeks, all members will jump ship and require Mac to walk the plank.

    And as for Mr.”Go against foreigners”, please don’t expect anything from him. He stepped down due to his incompetence.

    • Anonymous says:

      No they won’t! They will all stick together to share the trough!

    • Anonymous says:

      No, we’ll get a hung parliament like last time, and Mac will swing his supporters behind whomever will give him the Speakers chair, a government ministry or god forbid the Premiers chair, depending on how desperate they are or how much Mac has on them.

    • Anonymous says:

      That would be nice.

  11. Anonymous says:

    Bush shouldn’t be an MP/MLA, which would disqualify him as Speaker. He shouldn’t be Chair of Overseas Territories Committee either. Enough!

  12. Right ya so says:

    I have voted in every election since I was 18, I’m now 57 – not once has a single candidate shown up on my doorstep. Not one. Same with the masks they handed out in the midst of Covid – still waiting on mine. But I still vote and I will again this year, not sure who I’ll be voting for but I hope we have a better selection than this pathetic bunch.

    • Anonymous says:

      I have never voted so I cannot be blamed for the morons that people like you have elected.
      Why don’t you vote for electoral change and more people-driven referendums?
      That would straighten the bastards up pretty quickly.
      But no, you will just go to the polls like every other sheep and help inflict four more years of lies, corruption and general bullshit on the rest of us.
      Until the voters wake up, we will never see change. I hope my post has opened your eyes?
      Be the change.

      • Anonymous says:

        Its because you have never exercised your right to vote, that you are part of the problem. Even if you don’t support the other candidate politically, Bush is such an odious character that anyone voted in to replace him, would be better than him!

        • Sheep go baa baa says:

          That’s called a bandaid solution. Here let me tear it off for you quickly.

          Voting for one person over the other when you only have two (or few) options is not by definition a “choice” but, rather an ultimatum.

          You aren’t voicing thing when you vote. Don’t kid yourself.

          It’s voters who are resposible for allowing such individuals to be elected to represent the majority then, turn around and blame non voters for not being a sheep to the system and subjecting themselves to the inevitable outcome.

        • Anonymous says:

          Why should second class citizens vote?

      • Anonymous says:

        4:18 if anyone is a “sheep” it is you thinking that you are not part of the problem. You are prime example of what is wrong in this country, so quick to throw barbs but never exercise your right to use your voice.

      • Anonymous says:

        4:17 am, you and people like you are part of the problem, by not voting for some one that’s honourable, by not voting, the other fool voters puts in the trash and women beaters and those that was involved in Drugs. Think about it every vote counts.

        • Da-wa-u-get says:

          Yes you’re right, every vote counts! Including the one that was not cast! Let me give you an example: in the last election there was a new candidate running against an incumbent, the new- first time candidate lost by 6 votes. that type of result will encourage others to try again. In the other constituency 2 last minute candidates were running against Mac who has bought and paid for many votes in West Bay. Many Voters might have thought the last minute candidates didn’t have much of a chance and didn’t vote. Mac won by a large margin. The result: potential candidates feel that Mac has an Iron grip on the votes, so they won’t contest the seat in that constituency, democracy and Cayman loses because of the non-voting bloc.

  13. Anonymous says:

    This a such a fundamental value of principle, morality ethics and integrity yet only 2 elected MPs are brave enough to acknowledge it and be recognised that they get it, – an absolute travesty for Caymanians, the entire population and representation to global humanity as a marker to the premeditated limits we are thwarted by; sad, sad, sad, indeed.

  14. Anonymous says:

    Might as well say the Republicans will impeach Trump..McKeeva has Alden by the cajones and all of his minions will fall in line when he speaks…

    • Anonymous says:

      And not just Alden – you think the silence from the rest of the opposition is an accident? Mac owns their souls. Or of course that they simply don’t care. Either way… are those the people you want to tell your kids you voted for?

      • Anonymous says:

        Bush is like Heinrich Himmler. He has a little black book detailing all the other MPs’ skeletons. If they speak up against him, that would be the end of their political careers as the scandals would emerge into the public domain!

        • Anonymous says:

          You guys keep spinning this charade about Mac and his little Black Book of secrets. You said the same thing the last time he was removed by the assembly including some members that were very close to him and owed him their political lives. They stood up together and removed him. They weren’t punished for that act by Mac revealing details from his “Little Black Book” they were punished by the voters. And those that are now being pushed to do the morally correct thing know that they will suffer the same fate not from mac but from the voting public so why should they take a stand to be punished by the same people that are encouraging them to stand, I think not.

        • Anonymous says:

          Urban legend – when has he ever exercised that nuclear option

  15. Anonymous says:

    MAC NEEDS TO GO, Alden needs to go, Austin needs to go, Kenneth needs to go, Barbara needs to go, Tara needs to go, Joey needs to go, Alva needs to go, Eugene needs to go, they all need to be trashed and never recycled!

  16. Anonymous says:

    Ever heard of CPR Cayman? Short memory I guess. Look it up online

  17. Elvis says:

    Its too late now. Cayman has embarrassed itself beyond belief over this fiasco.
    Give him a months wages and a bottle of booze

  18. Pampers and politicians says:

    Austin: On behalf of Prospect, I hope you represent your constituency by voting Yes to this Motion. To all MPs: grow a pair and make sure the Motion makes it to the next seating. Bush does not represent decent Caymanians and the Parliament is for all of us, not just his constituents.

  19. Anonymous says:

    There is NO excuse for why McKeeva has not been removed! So disgraceful and disgusting.

  20. Anonymous says:

    Alden thinks too much of himself and his government. None of them are so important that he should not have done the right things. The country will be just fine with or without Alden and his crew.

  21. Diogenes says:

    “The premier also stated that he was not sure if the Parliament would even meet before it was dissolved.” I bet it doesn’t now! Why should we actually expect them to sit and do their job making laws for the pittance we pay them.

  22. Anonymous says:

    As Miller now mentions, public opinion. Nothing would have been said or done (still not done) if it wasn’t for CNS allowing the public to voice their opinion and publush news that the general public would know nothing about, especially now without a public TV station. McLean and Miller are talking/acting on the back of the public been outspoken for a change, for their own reasons – but at least something.

  23. Anonymous says:

    Someone should remind these two fools that they can’t both be Premier, which is really all this is about.

  24. Sale or Rent says:

    I can’t believe Bernie has not spoken out.

    2021 is here.

    • Anonymous says:

      Bernie resigned as Deputy Speaker in protest because he would not allow Alden to use him and knew they would not remove McKeeva

    • Anonymous says:

      None of those self serving cowards have spoken out, especially Kenneth whogad the chance to do the right thing, and has since then clammed up.

  25. bracca@hotmail.com says:

    CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP!!! Get him out!

  26. Anonymous says:

    ‘The premier also stated that he was not sure if the Parliament would even meet before it was dissolved’.

    So what the hell will they be doing then? Why are we paying them to do nothing? Words fail me.

    • Anonymous says:

      Gongs, awards, back patting ceremonies, even allowing that devil on stage giving out awards!!!

  27. Anonymous says:

    What are your thoughts Tara Rivers?

    • Anonymous says:

      Might as well be asking a rock for a response.

    • Philip says:

      Really looking forward to her knocking on my door doing her vote canvassing, she will get an earful,Tara if your reading this 3 votes gone from my household, your a disgrace to all women and a coward ,plan and simple

    • Anonymous says:

      What are your thoughts Barbara? GTS wants to know.

  28. Johann Moxam says:

    This is now a test of the character of each elected member of Parliament.

    If the Premier, Parliament business committee, the Cabinet members and all other elected MPs reject the motion or fail to have it addressed prior to the Parliament being prorogued in March 2021 in order for the status quo to remain after a guilty plea and conviction, their fate is sealed. It will speak volumes about their own ethics, moral compass, judgement, respect for the office they hold, the people the represent and their character.

    It is highly probable that Premier Alden McLaughlin will keep tight reins on the Unity/PPM members. If they cannot or will not clearly state their positions on the severity of this situation now in public, that surely demonstrates a lot about their individual and collective character and ethics as elected leaders.

    Sadly for our country, political expediency is the modus operandi for the current government and all elected officials in it. They have placed their own political survival above demonstrating they understand the responsibilities of being a leader and representing the views of the majority. Make no mistake, this vote is a simple matter of right vs wrong and respect for the office they each hold.

    If any member of the government is to demonstrate they have or understand the ability to do the right thing, it is now; it is important to understand it is a desperate last throw of the dice in order to be seen as doing the right thing, particularly as there is a general election on May 26 2021.

    What we as voters should demand is an explanation from each MP, how did you make your decisions and why has it taken you so long?

    In my opinion, what happens next in this sad chapter will speak volumes about the character of those currently in leadership positions in the Cayman Islands. Their track record over the last four years defines them all.

    There’s an old saying that seems appropriate given the circumstances about what hangs in the balance:

    “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” – Maya Angelou

    Regards

    Johann Moxam

    • Anonymous says:

      The test has already been done and they have been found wonting. They have already proven their characters.

    • Anonymous says:

      As per the quote by Maya Angelou, believe the first time, what else is there to prove now with these ‘characters’.

    • Anonymous says:

      I couldn’t agree more. Joey, what do you say on this matter? As my elected district MP, you will not be getting my vote nor my wife’s vote should you continue to stick your head in the sand and remain silent on this issue. If you come canvassing to my home in Snug Harbour, you better be prepared to answer the question.

    • Anonymous says:

      What district you running in Johann

    • Concerned Diver says:

      Thank you. So well said. That is exactly what I will be doing with my MP. Holding him to account! We are three votes in my household and I want action not silence or spineless behaviour!

    • Johann Moxam says:

      Mr. Walsh

      If you are interested in a respectful discussion based on facts. Please call me to arrange chat over coffee on 13459260984.

      Regards

      Johann Moxam

  29. Anonymous says:

    The amount of honesty, integrity, and ethics represented in the photo is like negative.

  30. Anonymous says:

    This motion will not make it to the floor of the house, the government is committed conviction or not to never having to address this issue, they haven’t remained in lockstep with the wagons circled around Mckeeeva for almost a year to let the Opposition get the last word in right before an election

  31. Anonymous says:

    Political postering by Arden McLean

    • Anonymous says:

      So what. Doesn’t stop it being the case that a convicted criminal is the Speaker of our parliament, and is being kept in that position by the government of the day. Just because Arden wants to take political advantage of it doesn’t stop it being true.

      Alden could kill off the political point by agreeing to Mac’s removal – but he wont. Hell, he has openly said he is not going to do so because it would topple his government (which he believes is dental to all our health and well being and completely irreplaceable lol) – what’s that but naked self interest. Don’t see you having a pop at him for that.

    • Anonymous says:

      Arden knows this won’t work he is just trying to look big!

    • Anonymous says:

      His last 4 years and his claim to fame is a motion to oust Mac. What has he done for his people in East End other than the usual, “my hands are tied” and trying to bully people who he knows no longer support him.

      Oh yes, my friend from East End says he was on a roof looking votes a few weeks ago….

  32. anon says:

    That outfit he’s wearing would suit an African dictator. They should have draped that curtain over his head.

    • Anonymous says:

      Tres British.

      • Anonymous says:

        He hates Brits but loves dressing up and playing pretend in their regalia like the big buffoon he is. Mac you don’t need to dress important to be impotent. FYI the UK Speaker of the House stopped wearing those duds years ago you fool.

        • Anonymous says:

          Loves his Chineze gear too, especially at award ceremonies.

        • SystemAllowsCrap says:

          Mac doesn’t hate Brits. EVERYBODY HATES GBR past worse evils and atrocities, which haven’t been acknowledged and turned from.

          It’s the British system that has made Mac and fueling A.M. and other corruption.

          Like BVI we reject the double standard system.

          Fact Is, if the system was GOOD, Mac would be OUT.

          Just that we don’t know the extent of what goes on in UK. ..oh mate!!!

  33. Cheese Face says:

    Get him out now! The rest who have remained silent, can be voted out soon enough 😉

  34. Anonymous says:

    The silence is deafening. Speak up MP’s elections are coming………

    • Anonymous says:

      Too late for them to speak now! Cant get blood from a stone!

    • Anonymous says:

      The M P’s know the majority of their voters are stupid and will omly believes what they tell them a few weeks before election day, so they are not worried.

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