Bush won’t run to keep his seat in 2025

| 24/11/2022 | 115 Comments
Cayman News Service
Bush on Talk Today

(CNS): McKeeva Bush has announced that after almost four decades as a political representative, he will not run in the next general election in 2025. Bush said this was the first time he had confirmed that he would not stand for election and that 40 years was enough. His announcement followed the news that he is the subject of yet another police investigation in relation to a historic sexual assault allegation. Bush made no mention of his latest legal troubles but he questioned where was the “loyalty” and “honour” for his service.

Appearing on Radio Cayman’s Talk Today show with Sterling Dwayne Ebanks on Wednesday, Bush was emphatic that he was not going to run again. “I’ve won ten elections,” he said. While he was first elected in 1984, Bush noted that he had been involved in politics since 1972. “I have made a decision with my family that I am not running the next time,” he said, adding that he would be working with some very competent young people whom he could support.

Addressing people who might dismiss his announcement, he noted that this was the first time he had ever said he was not going to run as a representative, and stressed that he meant it. “I have never said I was not going to run but I am saying so now,” he pointed out.

Bush said he believed he had done a lot of good over the years. “There have been issues, you would say, controversial. Yes, there were. I’m talking about public issues with government stuff,” he said. “I have had my share of licks and it has come to a point where I am saying, where’s the loyalty, where is the honour in serving just to serve?”

He continued, “My opposers can say what they like but I certainly am not wealthy. If they think McKeeva Bush is a wealthy man, then go check the bank and see. And I know they have investigated and investigated and investigated.” He said he had no extra income, and although he received a good salary, he had a huge mortgage.

Bush spoke about being relieved to give up the speaker’s post, but said he would miss the parliament once he left. However, despite being surrounded by controversy, he will still have an important role in the election of his successor. As Father of the House (the MP who has served the longest), Bush will preside over the election of the new speaker tomorrow, Friday 25 November, at a special meeting ahead of the next parliamentary session, which is set to open on 7 December.

He said that before he steps away from politics, there were some issues he wanted to see addressed, noting that he had not been able to engage in policy issues in recent years because of his role as speaker and he had not been a part of the PACT caucus.

But at the forthcoming session of parliament, it is clear that Bush will be back in the thick of the political fray. He said that, with the support of Dwayne Seymour, he would be bringing some private member’s motions, one of which would be about increasing building heights. He said it was time to allow MPs to weigh in on this issue, and that he believes developers should be able to build to twenty or even thirty floors in some areas.

Bush said he would also be bringing a motion dealing with issues in the North Sound to create a task force to examine wider tourism operations there, reduce the number of operators at the Wildlife Interaction Zones and address the issue of Caymanians being disadvantaged in watersports operators partnerships.

See Bush on Talk Today below:


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Category: Politics

Comments (115)

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  1. Anon says:

    Replace Mckeeva with Mario Ebanks! Let’s be hones, that is as dumb as begging Mckeeva not to retire. People forget easily that he was a civil servant and did such wonderful thing as cutting the budget on garbage collection (it used to be collected 2/3 times a week, now it is down to once a week. And the wonderful Pension laws that only benefits the Auditors and Pension managers and you have to keep you pension funds in US Dollars. Be careful what you hope for, McKeeva maybe worse than you all you say he is, but there are still worse choices floating around out there. Stay away from false friends.

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    • Anonymous says:

      I agree with you regarding Mario. He travels the world so you would think he is enlightened but unfortunately, he is not. Same backward mentality as McKeeva so he would not be my choice but there are plenty more people in West Bay besides those two idiots.

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  2. Anonymous says:

    Dear Honorable McKeevas,
    Please do not retire. My wife needs new washing machine and my driveway needs a proper paving. I will vote for you hero statue in town.

    Thank you for your service.
    #blessed #Jesus

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  3. Anonymous says:

    Why is everyone out with pitchforks?

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  4. Anonymous says:

    Sterling Dwayne Ebanks, when he comes on the radio, I have no idea what he is talking about.
    He has a horrible pronunciation and articulation of basic English words.

    I have to turn it off.

    A typical naïve caymanian, getting a piece of human waste on the radio.
    Ask the man hard questions, dude. Don’t be a mouthpiece for such a horrible individual.

    That’s what we miss here, hard strong journalists.
    Wendy is trying, but that’s about it.

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  5. anonymous says:

    At least getting rid of this human piece of garbage is a start. For over 12 years I have been disgusted by this man – west bay must be looking forward now to having someone who is not forever in the news creating mayhem. I for one hope to never lay eyes on the man again.

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  6. Anonymous says:

    Buy land and forget about it and this island for about 10 years then return. Maybe it will self-destruct and we might possibly have some pieces to return to.

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  7. Anonymous says:

    Should have just voted for Mario, but no….. unna can’t hear.

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  8. Anonymous says:

    Thank God, now if only we could get rid of fool fool Jon Jon and dumb Kenneth.

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  9. Anonymous says:

    I will believe it when in happens. He’s just looking sympathy right now. Most likely he will wait until the last minute and then say his constituents have pleaded with him to run one more time. That or he “prayed” about it and the Lord told him to run again. What a nasty human being and a disaster in so many ways for our poor islands.

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    • Anonymous says:

      leave honorable Bush alone. he save Cayman so many times. We always love you Mr McKeeva.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Saved us from what exactly Genuinely curious as to what you think he did for the country. I get what he did for a certain group in West Bay, and what he did for himself, but for Cayman?

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      • Anonymous says:

        I’m sure I don’t need to say anything about this comment as the way it is written says it all doesn’t it???

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      • Anonymous says:

        Yes he did a lot that will forever damage Caymanian people, like the over 3,000 status Grants that made over 10,000 instant Paper Caymanians.

        Many of these Paper Caymanians receive NAU MONEY.

        Thank you for nothing Mr. Bush.

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  10. Anon says:

    If he makes it to 2025. Ask him to walk a block, can’t. Huff + puff, lean on everything.

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  11. Anonymous says:

    Not 100% related to this article but it goes along with it..

    Do you, as a citizen of this island, feel represented by those who decide the direction of this island?

    Do you feel as if those who take large amounts of your money (which you cannot get a definitive amount for their salaries) are using it to represent you and your interests?

    Who is benefitting from all the decisions made by those in power? Are you feeling any relief? Are you living large and safe like our representatives? Do you think they worry about gas money or even the climate like they tell us about when they travel?

    Do you feel all the allowances they are given are being spent for the appropriate cause?

    We need to start taking a look at this and demanding better. We cannot allow this to reach a point of no return.

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  12. Anonymous says:

    What about the commissions he received as a “real estate agent” for “selling” various Ritz condos in the Michael Ryan days pre-opening?

    Or the private jet trip to Las Vegas in 03 or 04 with Michael Ryan and crew (…in hopes that Ritz would be granted a casino license in Cayman)?

    Nope, nothing to see here…..nuttin’

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  13. Anonymous says:

    Honorable Sir, Thank you for your service over the last 40 years. What a kind and humble gentleman, who in my opinion should be knighted for his service to these islands.

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  14. Anonymous says:

    Praise Buddha. Good riddance.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Take your false god praises out of here. We only concern ourselves with Jesus, Yeshua, Jireh, Yaweh, Most High. Not your telly tubby statue that’s deaf, dumb and blind.

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      • Anonymous says:

        I guess that would include Allah ?

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      • Anonymous says:

        Buddha of course is not a god. Nor is there any concept of a creator or immortal god in Buddhism. Buddha is revered as a teacher and an example of how to live well and achieve nirvana. Your insult should read “take your atheist praises out of here”.

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  15. Anon says:

    I reluctantly supported him in 1984 and took a chance again in 1988 but have no regrets that was the last time. He leaves a legacy of disastrous judgement, giving the West Bay Road and other properties to multi-millionaires, passing legislation that favours wealthy people (various stamp Duty amendments) and brainwashing local people in the process. He should have been voted out since 1992. Good riddance. But wait, money is still the medium of exchange. Oh well I will wait to 2025, God’s willing.

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  16. Anonymous says:

    Mr. Bush, XXXX Where was the honour in throwing that poor girl around at Coral Beach? Be gone, you fool.

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  17. Anonymous says:

    Good riddance!!! Now get some help.

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  18. Anonymous says:

    Good riddance, but this is already leading Jon Jon into a possible deputy speaker position. Any news on why he wasn’t breathalyzed after leaving “the office” and crashing?

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    • Anonymous says:

      Because Wayne was there and probably made sure they didn’t breathalyze JonJon. Bout “working late” – they’re all a bunch of children.

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    • Anon says:

      We can and will do better than Jon Jon.

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    • Stupid Circus says:

      We all know why you see,
      some rules for me then there are others for thee.
      A pig in a wig,
      a moonlit donkey up a tree,
      remains all the same for you and me.

      Too hot in the kitchen for precious now he takin’ a knee,
      means nothing for the betterment of you or me.
      Damage done long ago now done set in stone,
      in the furtherance of ivory towers,
      the traitorous wigged pig pursues his supposed last bone.

      The monopolist vultures smirk with glee,
      as he and they hide behind virtual financial anonymity.
      The previously wigged pig has his feathered blanket,
      bankrolled and hidden away,
      the secretive banker and lawyer they have had their way.

      Mutually assured destruction of the highest disorder, protected from justice within the cabals of this border.
      Behind smoke and mirrors trading darkened hall blighs,
      The Fat F*#@ing Buffoon once thought his games to be wise.
      He now bows to the predator to whom he fed so many lives.

      A circus of stupid incomprehensibly so,
      down the drain we continue to go.
      Naked emperors in sandcastles,
      teacups and unicorns swinging magic wands,
      yet like brainwashed Bo Bo’s we retain these bonds.

      Charlatan nutbars pretending they care about ponds,
      rules for me different than rules for thee,
      can you not yet see?
      Within Andora’s pandora if truth were ever to be known,
      would be the crumpet’s last trumpet to ever be blown.

      The traitorous thug never once acted alone,
      barely tolerated in a cesspoolian cocktail circuit,
      a whored out future of Cayman was forced to twerk it.
      Tis what you refused to see which is destructive for thee,
      matters not anymore if you take it from me.

      Good riddance to the pig if this truly be so,
      nothing but a Mackinational cog in international fiasco.
      Tis for whom he facilitated,
      that you should reserve your true hatred.
      If you have enough sense yet to realize is to be debated.

      At the end of it all he is nothing but a remunerated tool,
      it is the people of this place who remain the fooled.
      Tally ho and tut tut he got his illegitimate cut,
      they got what they wanted out of the bone sucking mutt.
      Now the mirage of economy is stuck in a monopolized rut.

      He sold the soul of these rocks a long time ago,
      matters now little to nothing where he may or may not go.
      Same con artist dog puppy coming up along now as we speak,
      hollow rhetoric splattering from many a parrot’s beak,
      populist paper tigers yammering with constitutions weak.

      When will you see my friend or even my foe,
      whether they be royalist tyrants or home grown punks,
      that they all share the same trait as odiferous skunks.
      This system is as useful as a one legged donkey,
      for to them we are just a trained circus monkey.

      So carry on then, let’s see where this takes us.
      Humptus Dumptus may not get back up again,
      a belligerent pimp but he was never driving the train.
      With architects of destruction plotting around the bend,
      we as pawns for some farcical fairytailed king to expend.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Serious lack of integrity or knowledge on the part of the RCIPS cops who were there. Probably both actually.

  19. Anonymous says:

    Anyone who allows themselves to be perceived as being this man’s protégé would be placing themselves in the gray area of public opinion from the get go. He is the proverbial poisoned tree of the proverbial political garden.

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    • Anonymous says:

      And they haven’t already? Always have trained their puppets on both sides of arena before they ‘walk’, why else would they.

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  20. Anonymous says:

    Can’t trust anything this man says. So he will stay in the spotlight right up to nomination day in 2025, with the press saying “will he, won’t he”. That sad little man had his time and I supported him at the beginning. But as time wore on, he became less relevant to a maturing audience, and resorted to being controversial at every opportunity. And with no effective punishment for scandals, carried on being a real pain in the behind…and still is. Then a parting shot about increasing heights of buildings, which no one wants except those who will benefit financially and then walk away – the developers and their enablers. The end of an “error” as another person wrote. Long overdue.

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  21. Anonymous says:

    Scumbag. Bush has held this country back to serve his own murky interests. Good riddance.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Wish he could take all the riff-raff he gave Status to, with him. Unfortunately we will never recover from that fiasco.

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    • Anonymous says:

      He will concentrate on WMB Consulting .
      Low Friends in high places will make sure he is kept busy, and he in turn will make sure they’re looked after . Noting will change .

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  22. Anonymous says:

    WTF, taller buildings? Why? For whom? Do the people on Watercourse Road need 20/30 storeys? Will they be able to afford a residence there via the job they gained with the education you insisted they get? Maybe when they can’t they will finally see how badly you failed them and their families.

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  23. Anonymous says:

    Shame it is 30 years too late.
    Probably correct that he is not wealthy, lost most of it in the various casinos he loved to visit often.

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    • Anonymous says:

      I just wonder how much of our money he lost in Casinos, using the government credit card, disguised as “expenses”.

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  24. More to come says:

    Of course higher buildings. mo money from the you know who ! I tought he would move to Owen Island.

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  25. Anonymous says:

    China

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  26. Anonymous says:

    “…but he questioned where was the “loyalty” and the “honour” for his service….”.. I think that is a question we should be asking of him.

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    • Anonymous says:

      This vindictive low life asks for Loyalty…?
      Don’t think the man knows what that is .
      It’s a one way street with Mac, he craves loyalty but is unable to show it to others.

  27. Hancock says:

    When he goes it will bring up the average IQ of the LA.

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  28. Anonymous says:

    Is today April’s Fools Day? Hope springs eternal thank you God, Jesus, Universe!! Should have happen 40 years ago.

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    • Anonymous says:

      GoodBye and don’t let the door hit you on the way out! Real Idjut!!!

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    • Anonymous says:

      The political success of McKeeva would never have happened if there were not so many stupid voters and people in West Bay.

      We inflict so much political pain on ourselves.

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      • Anonymous says:

        And also on the rest of us. I had a conversation with a senior person from WB and asked her how she could continue to support. Her response was “he looks after we” apparently he had just spearheaded the pension for the elderly. Need I say more.

  29. Raise the Standards says:

    Forty years is a long time for any one human to listen to the nagging and whining of an ungrateful population everyday. Regardless of anything – politicians are real people, with real families that give themselves over to public scrutiny and vicious criticism.

    With politics, it is “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” and no matter how much good you do, there will always be mudslingers and those who focus the floodlights on any negative they can find on you.

    Congratulations on your retirement Mr. Bush – it is surely time to leave the long hours and restlessness of politics behind.

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    • Anonymous says:

      very interesting timing in this announcement given the most recent accusations being investigated which could prove to be the most serious by far. this man has been a blight on these wonderful islands for too long. thank god this shameful era might finally be coming to an end.

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    • Anonymous says:

      4.15 you are too kind.
      It has been 40 years of self service.

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  30. Anonymous says:

    ‘Honour’ ?

    Don’t make me laugh.

    Goodbye and good riddance. It’s the end of an error, as they say.

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  31. Anonymous says:

    its always what they did for the Country, never what the Country did for them. Some never had a decent good paying job until they got voted in. Some did a good job, (that was their job) all got payed good wages.

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  32. Anonymous says:

    Huge mortgage, you say? Well then buckle up with the new interest rates. You’re either going to have to run in ‘25 or be … entrepreneurial… with your new found time. Will be fun to watch it unfold.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Mortgage at his age after milking the country for 40 years? Where did all the money go.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Haha, at his age with a huge mortgage still?
      He should be embarrassed. Perhaps he should have learnt a few things for himself whilst in government about finances…SHAME…

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      • Figuring It Out says:

        Probably paving the way expecting a civil suit after the possible criminal showdown or maybe moving assets Anything is Possible.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Looks like he manages his personal finances same way as he did the public purse, and a certain bank many moons ago…

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  33. Anonymous says:

    he has said this before and did his usual flip-flop.
    how can we check his bank balance?
    why has he got a huge mortgage?
    he should resign now.
    why is he on radio being asked the usual non-questions by a cig civil servant?….
    welcome to wonderland.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Now that you mention being on the radio” what is the problem with Talk today host.? He. Am sure ask some nonsensical questions.

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    • anonymous says:

      why has he got a big mortgage? well just look at his gambling record (on the government dime which he claims he paid back???) and lets face it, if he was a successful gambler his mortgage would be paid off years ago, not forgetting his inflated salary too.
      Either way – his pension will have to support him now – and of course it will as he has been in employment for a long time even when he should have been fired for his misdemeanours. Don’t lose sleep over this man!!

  34. Anonymous says:

    I am waiting for the comments … three two one ….

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  35. Anonymous says:

    Good riddance. Not only should you be banned from ever running for election again. And since your announcement might just be another lie but you need to prohibited from influencing or financially supporting any would be or incumbent minister(s) period.

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  36. Anonymous says:

    No man has ever lived that I am aware of has been worse for the people of the Cayman Islands. Goodbye and good riddance, ex-Premier.

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  37. Looking forward to 2025 says:

    2025 will be a glorious year indeed

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  38. Anonymous says:

    This was a long time coming but please for the love of all that is good do not appoint Alric as speaker.

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  39. Anonymous says:

    Christmas came early!

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  40. Anonymous says:

    “he would be working with some very competent young people whom he could support”

    This concerns me.

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  41. Anonymous says:

    Good riddance to bad rubbish

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