UK still wants direct taxation, Saunders claims
(CNS): Former Cabinet minister Chris Saunders has said Caymanians should be cautious about the relationship with the UK as he believes the UK government would still like to impose direct taxation here. He claimed that if the Cayman Islands Government’s finances take a turn for the worse in the coming years, which he believes is a real possibility given the ReGen project, Britain will take control of the Cayman Islands’ finances.
In another WhatsApp message to his constituents in the wake of his departure from Cabinet, Saunders confirmed his dispute with Governor Martyn Roper over the gambling bill. But he also indicated that the UK’s representative has been pushing for other domestic legislative changes that Saunders said he does not support because they are not in this country’s interests.
“While Governors will come and go, their loyalty and duty will always be to the United Kingdom first. The interests of the UK Government and the UK People will always come before the interests of the Cayman Islands and the Caymanian people. Plain and simple,” Saunders stated in the lengthy message.
Saunders implied that these moves by the UK could pave the way for direct taxes, not just on expatriates living here, a proposal raised in 2009 by McKeeva Bush but dropped in 2012 when he was premier, but on Caymanians too.
Saunders, who was the finance minister before his departure, said that if the Framework for Fiscal Responsibility (FFR) is breached, the UK is prepared to introduce a tax system, which he suggested would be assisted by the introduction of the already controversial National Identity Programme.
“Here is something I want you to consider, really consider,” Saunders said in a message circulated on WhatsApp Wednesday “Do you know why it was easier to propose a tax on just foreign workers? The government has all their information via the Immigration system. Do you know who they don’t have as much information on? Caymanians.”
Saunders wrote that the push towards a mandatory ID card was blocked by his former Cabinet colleagues Jay Ebanks and Kenneth Bryan, though he did not say this was because it would pave the way to collect future direct taxes. However, Saunders claimed he had refused, “much to the disappointment of the premier”, to bring to parliament another piece of pending legislation related to the national ID system that fell under his ministry.
“That piece of legislation is the last piece of the puzzle, and my mother didn’t raise no fool,” Saunders said in his message. While he provided no details of that proposed bill, he urged people to contact his replacement, Minister Dwayne Seymour, who is now responsible for Border Control and Labour, and ask him not to bring it.
“My friends, it is no secret that the UK Government has been pushing for the introduction of direct taxation in the Cayman Islands and we are heading down a path that once we lose control of our finances, God help us all.,” he said. “For centuries, UK Politicians have mastered the art of ‘divide and conquer’. Today, it is very easy to do so as we can become easily distracted with salacious and tantalizing gossip and even more easier when you have individuals that can easily be bought to spread lies and propaganda.”
Saunders said the allegations against him were a distraction. “Do not let them convince you to listen to and engage in salacious and outrageous discussions, whilst they sell the country out from under you!” he added, as he raged against the costly dump project, which he believes could be the country’s downfall. “The UK government knows how to play the long game and they certainly know how to divide and conquer. And they definitely know how to utilize and exploit the shortcomings of local leadership.”
Saunders said that by saying ‘no’ to the “extraordinarily expensive dump project”, the country will also be saying a bigger ‘no’ to direct taxation. “My friends, the Cayman Islands need bold leadership. Not leadership that cow tows [sic] to the Governor and the UK Government,” he said.
In the message, Saunders denied that there had been any complaints about his conduct and continued to claim that he had resigned from Cabinet because of policy differences related to the dump, the gambling legislation and other issues where he had clashed with Roper, who is leaving the Cayman Islands this evening after more than four years as governor.
It’s already becoming clear that since leaving his official ministerial role and post as deputy premier just two days ago, whether he was fired or resigned, Saunders has no intention of staying quiet or out of the political fray.
Armed with inside information and clearly at odds with the premier over policy as well as the allegations of misconduct, the Bodden Town MP, who secured more than 79% of the vote in his growing constituency, could prove to be an even bigger thorn in the PACT side that the official opposition.
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Category: Politics
If we go independent, not even God may be able to help us from the elected members!! Please Caymanians, as one of you, independence will be the death of us, seriously think about this!! Chris has been hinting at independence before, do not let them destroy these beautiful islands, as most of the other Caribbean islands has, by going independent!!
Independence in these small territories only benefits the politicians at the top.
They have no oversight and can vote themselves a private jet, massive salaries and expenses, live in mansions and stay in power by granting privileges and cash incentives to their followers.
Look at Haiti, Jamaica, Zimbabwe, etc. etc.
Guess Chris, Kenny Mac and Seymour are lining up for such a future.
It angers me more that this guy wastes precious oxygen with this crap. Good riddance.
When cornered, time to make shit up.
Remember his roots and connection. We are being swamped with more of that nationality and culture. Wake up WORC, stay on track and guide the shop off the rocks.
He has no loyalty to these Cayman Islands, and should be removed completely from ever seeking a political seat He is a threat to staple government. His type of rant and behavior is not what this country needs. What you sow is what you reap.
Im just here for the comments …
Typical rhetoric … you are Caymanian until you piss them off then you turn Jamaican … Self-loathing at its highest …
If only Cayman was a COUNTRY … and Caymanian a NATIONALITY.
Generational BOTC … yes that is what the passport says!!
Chris has always been Jamaican in our eyes. McKeeva too. And anyone of the UDP mindset. It’s all about your politics.
Nah, dis brudda always been from yaad.
Whatever it is The world is banging the doors to get in.
We need a candidate for Bodden Town West quick O’ Clock!
The quality of the candidate is only as good as that demanded by the electorate.
Sadly the uneducated electorate in this case are just as ignorant as their candidate.
Sometimes, Democracy sucks.
Many of us in BTW on the main road didn’t vote for him and never will.
You say “Sometime Democracy sucks”. True.Just look at the UK and USA.
UK.. Breit, Boris, Liz Truss.
US.. Trump n Trump buddies.
3.23, the difference is that UK and USA can and will survive these political aberrations.
For Cayman, this will be a life changing disaster.
Bodden Town, where 40% of students reported experiencing violence at home in a recent school survey. Good luck getting them to vote for a decent candidate.
Now how can we twist this into blaming expats and DART?
No need to.
Blame is on the Jamaican culture of baby daddy crime violence and drugs.
Need candidate for WBW as well, kill 2 birds with 1 stone. Neither one is fit to represent us. We have MPs consulting with the doc, trying to overthrow current administration. and they all try to make us believe they are there for love of country. The most frustrating part of all, is they insult our intelligence, as tho we are all stupid .
Return of the Cow Cod?
Sorry to tell you but BT West is made up of a majority of his nationality and a few others calling themselves Caymanian. Why do you think that he did not do anything to change the immigration law to protect Caymanians? A great actor claiming to have Caymanian interests at heart all while carefully growing his voter base. Not all of us are fools. Oh and by the way I am not a Wayne fan either. Both of these clowns need to go.
There was an amazing lady candidate a couple of elections ago. Try to convince her to stand again and then BTW voters to not fall for handouts.
12:46 Saunders put her on the work permit and his other opponent Mclean on UCCI Board. 4k a month salary.
all the board members sauders selected should resign, including CINICO board
Saunders has the undertone of the foolish/dangerous late 50’s and early 60’s rhetoric that led to Jamaica’s independence, and their economic disaster.
(Kinda wonder why there’s an annual celebration kept about it. Oh well, to each their own)
We (Caymanians) took our chances in staying with the UK then, and it has served as very well. Had we not, we would most likely be as #$@&-up as Jamaica.
I have been hearing the UK “is” going to impose direct-taxation, for the past 2 decades.
Hmm, I don’t think so.
Saunders, please try your “Pied Piper” stunt elsewhere.
Chris being coached by former speaker and jamaican doctor.
Stop including Jamaica in your country’s affair and make reference to another island. Everything is Jamaica when it’s going bad but never for good Jamaica did.
What good did Jamaica do that you are referring to?
The Jamaican that this article pertains to involved that country by even making sure that country’s news media had coverage of his actions here.
Now that Saunders has made it clear that he wants Jamaicanisation and Independence, it will be very interesting to see who will join his camp to pursue the ruination of Cayman.
Now Saunders can sit in the back of the LA with that other Jamaican-loving moron (not for much longer though).
The number of people upvoting this is unsettling. Thousands of Jamaicans are good workers and good people. A few bad apples do not ruin the entire cart.
eventually one bad apple does in fact ruin the entire cart…
They kinda do.
What a load is codswallop. No BOT pays income tax to the U.K., or makes any kind of contribution for that matter! Like they’re going to start now.
Fella starting to strum an all too familiar tune; That populist one where everything has US against THEM, racial color undertones and the dangers of the ‘motherland’ oversight..
Yea… right about every decade comes the drumbeat for independence and the need to ‘take back control’ … Hey, Chris, we’ve watched the other small Caribbean islands try this and we’ve seen just how quickly the secret sauce dries up, the money leaves and the country within a generation is plunged into dire straits. I’m a Caymanian and I say: Take your rhetoric and shove it.
The discount wholesalers are going to have to import full containers of jury trial walkers when the workplace safety and gender abuse laws come into force. Saunders should be hiding in the tall grass right now.
If you think only Saunders will be hiding in the tall grass you got another thing coming! You feel me Star? He is going to need a whole pile of chairs because he is going to have ALOT of company in that swamp.
I will support anyone that can get us out of this ppm and pact Tyranny!
We would be lucky to have the PPM back as government. Lucky.
He’s really not doing himself any favours and appears to be showing his true colors.
Instead of sending whining whatsapp messages he should focus on his legal defence to allegations of sexual harrassment, which presumably are under investigation by the police, right?
if he’s innocent then sure, focus on the legal defence, but if he’s not innocent then he should be focusing on accountability and apology. his abrasive reaction to the claims against him (quoting from the Compass: “Saunders asked to be informed of the accusations so he could have his lawyers write to the complainants directly”) is just defensive legal bullying and antagonistic to anyone who rightly wants to complain about someone’s behaviour.
The persons who felt abused and disrespected are going through very different emotions than the abuser would. At this juncture across the wide world any one who endulges in bullying and abusive behavior whether sexual or otherwise better start understanding that what they say and do can get their backsides locked away for years. Women are standing up for themselves, whether you are their boss, their friend or even their husband or boyfriend. Women and men are no longer chattels and no matter what should be respected.
His lawyers may not be all that keen to threaten the alleged victims. And what does he have lawyers for anyway?
Duppy know who to frighten.
First, a high school civics student might have relayed that crown dependencies would always have the right to self determination on our own domestic affairs, including legal opportunities to seek a vote on formal independence, if that idea enjoyed popularity to merit serious consideration. Second, 20-45% Direct taxation would go against decades of stated UK intentions, and be a bad trade for the motherland, and much better deal for us. Third, the UK would have to fully assume our debt load and service burdens, rectify catalogues of missing social programs and rights (which would need to grow substantially), provide a competent government with actual oversight, legislation (including consumer rights, religious freedom), subsidized coast guard, hospitals, roads, power, waste management, assisted living etc. Those improvements in quality of life might be a bargain for just another 20% to be honest, while erasing 22% consumption duty revenue that is already baked-in and supposed to pay for our show. The UK voters would probably object! CI currency would peg to GBP. On paper those with a good sense of numbers would sooner brush their hands of Cayman and cut the umbilical. It’s unsettling that Saunders was our Finance Minister for 2 years yet can’t sum this equation in his head, to dismiss the notion before it left his lips.
“while erasing 22% consumption duty revenue” – lololol… you know that isn’t happening
I hope if UK ever put direct taxes on Cayman it Will be ONLY for the fools Caymanians that went and got UK passports. Cayman passport is the only one i want and will get.
uuuggghhh he’s going to be insufferable for the next two years.
I thought Roy was annoying with his old man yells at clouds routine, now I have to hear this moron.
Dangerous guy. We should all be relieved he was stripped of power.
He is very willing to divulge confidential information for his own purposes.
As the saying goes, “throw a rock in a pig pen, the one thst squeal the loudest is the that got hit”
Honestly, this is just the tip of the iceberg in relation to what is going on behind the scenes now the governor has left. If you know, you know. Scary times for these wonderful islands.
Stripped of power, has only made us see his true Jamaican colors. What a tyrant dressed in mittens and boots. The sooner he is eliminated and removed from BTW the better it would be for all of us. The voters must be wondering how they were deceived by this roving lion, who confused them with his rhetoric to win the election.
Only now, do they know the true Saunders.
Proverbs 17:28
Proverbs 17:38
WD 40.
Please stop giving this man the platform he craves to promote his own divide and conquer views. suspect the UK couldn’t care less about direct taxation on the citizens of the Cayman Islands. Anyone with even a basic understanding of how offshore banking and tax havens work would know that it is not in the UKs interest to make any sweeping changes here – maintaining the current status quo works just fine for serving the purposes of the City of London and financial services industry.
As many have pointed out far more eloquently than me, Saunders has personal motivations to cause disharmony and instigate garrison politics. Wayne went up markedly in my estimations by getting rid him.
“Wayne went up markedly in my estimations by getting rid him.”
To quote Snoop Dogg as Huggy Bear: You just moved up a notch in my book. That puts you at notch 1.
Wayne still has a long way to go.
Do books have notches? Where?
I guess mixing metaphors makes some people confused.
Malaphors
Let him speak. His own words will comdem him.
Is there actually a possibility of direct taxation? I’m afraid that would hurt everyone the economy here as lots of wealthy individuals will leave…
No. Crown dependencies are self-governing and self-funding, with option to severe from mother any time they want via vote. Saunders would not only fail those applying for PR by stonewalling their legal rights to permanence, but he would also fail the social studies PR tests that those applicants had passed to earn points to qualify. The irony.
why would the UK tax us? We are a Crown Colony, so far we are able to pay our way, The Uk do not have to bail us out of anything. I am not sure but I believe that we even pay the expenses of the governors who come here as Representative of Her majesty . I think that we should be thinking about the next election to try to identify someone who can run and win the election in BTW in two years time.
none at all. this guy is a clown.
like Dart you mean?
Crass Trumpian populism of the lowest order.
We would need to double the size of the civil service to implement direct taxation. It is not as easy as withholding from salary and remitting to govt. Think of all of the business owners…you have to implement tax on dividends as well. Not to mention even getting businesses to maintain books and records. Something that has never had to be done here. People would quickly switch to a cash system and keep it all “under the table” which then means you need audit and enforcement divisions to track that down. Ugh. Exhausting just to think of what direct taxation would mean.
They can’t even enforce pension contributions and healthcare coverage. What a shitshow tax would be.
No, but they sure like messing with people’s private pensions. I’m almost 60. The retrospective effect of the 2016 changes ruined my retirement plans. Instead of buying a home here, I am now doomed to renting on a pension of just over $1,000 pm.
You missed the point entirely. Once we get into digital IDs (wallets) and CBDC, nobody will miss any payment; they will just be automatically deducted…as with taxes…any type they deem necessary whether its in the name of carbon footprint or otherwise.
Grab the tin foil, everyone. Time to make new hats.
Not entirely true, our laws currently require all entities to maintain proper books of account
And that is enforced when and by whom?
By the government of course. Oh wait, they have no proper books of account for themselves.
Or put the civil service to use (this would also require a cell phone ban).
Red herring
Another classic deflection. First the former gov, now the UK. What am asshole.
Every couple years we get some lunatic who couldn’t cut it talking rubbish about U.K. Taxing us and ” Cayman going independent “. Give me one good reason why we should follow in the footsteps of other Caribbean islands with more natural resources than we have who right now are worse off after independence. We have tourism and our financial sector- that is about it. The tourism would surely struggle and the financial sector would disappear in a flash. Then we would need to set up embassies all over the world, how would we afford to without the financial sector, we still cannot feed ourselves, we cannot protect ourselves so we would probably have to set up an army and Air Force. We need to raise the level of educating our children and young adults, we need to demand more from our politicians and civil service. The private sector needs to spend some of the money they earn on our university bound students so that they can come back and fill some of the many positions being filled by non nationals. Our schools need to liaise with businesses to hold career seminars and workshops for our students to assist they in choosing careers instead of allowing them to go through life with no direction, drifting from job to job. We need a lot of changes to take place but independence is not one of them, not now, not ever. We need to fix the traffic situation, fix the landfill, insists that we all keep our properties and roadside clean and attractive, We have three little islands, all of us who live here , whether Caymanians or not should be doing our part to improve our homeland together.
Manufacturing industries, please.
Blame expats, blame the UK – the tired page of the political playbook relied upon by incompetent local politicians for the last 4 decades. Look at the state of our public education system, the lack of control over development, the lack of public transport – it’s high time for loud mouthed, race baiting, incompetent politicians like Chris Saunders to accept responsibility. But that would require integrity, a quality not found in many sitting in the LA.
So true. And throw in a proverb for good measure.
Big Up Chris Saunders!!! This morning I woke up in curfew I was a prisoner too!! Down with colonialism.
D Brown was a wise man and you a damn fool. Stop shame he name.
Quite strange that persons can only critique MP Saunders about his Jamaican accent and style. Jamaica built Cayman and at one our Governor was from Jamaica. MP Saunders parents poor in nature sent him to Jamaica when he was young like many other Caymanians e.g Fosters . Whilst the accent is of Jamaica nature, he is born Caymanian to Caymanian parents. Schooled in Jamaica like so many other Caymanians. Our Courts/ Juficiiary have Jamica roots . Do we hate everyone ! No
Mp saunders his country more than the money unlike certain other ministers.
In the early days Cayman was governed by British governors who were also governors of Jamaica. The Jamaicans who came to Cayman from the 50s to present time have impacted our economy, our education, medical police system, judicial, construction, etc. Some good and some not so good but they didn’t “build.” Cayman. The Cayman people were toiling on land and the high seas until we were able and ready to take up more prestigious occupations and careers. They benefitted as much and in some instances a whole lot more than we did. We were never under “Jamaica jurisdiction” thanks to Dr. Roy McTaggart and others of his mindset and vision who valiantly fought to prevent that from happening. Right now the “Johnny come lately” and their Caymanian counterparts are doing their utmost to destroy everything that we achieved. Mr. Saunders should speak out on that as well.
Mp saunders his country more than the money unlike certain other ministers.
Me thinks you have coined a new verb. We just have to be vigilant to see who is going to help him to saunder the country.
2:12, his father was Jamaican. A very nice man I always found him to be. Don’t know what nationality his mother was.
CAYMANIAN …
Got proof?
BOTC perhaps.
His mother is also Jamaican but has Cayman Status.
Correction. Saunders parents are Jamaicans whose family left Jamaica and came to the Cayman Islands to make a better life. Caymanians, in our usual way, were kind to them, allowed them to work and live here and eventually they acquired Caymanian Status, but they were always Jamaican. A distinct difference from the Fosters to whom you referred, who were born and bred here (mostly from Cayman Brac) and some of whose children went to Jamaica for schooling. So don’t try to mix things up here to suit your purposes. The Saunders and the Fosters are not the same and there is no comparison to be drawn. Chris and his parents are Jamaicans who came here. The Foster family are Caymanians who went to Jamaica, and other countries, to obtain university degrees that were not readily available here. The Fosters returned home to build successful businesses that benefit us all today. So please drop the attempt to draw up this false narrative for this Chris Saunders character. Unfortunately, for us he was elevated to a position of power that he should never have been allowed to reach in these islands, due to the greed for power that drives Wayne and his PACT. Now look at this disgraceful mess that is playing out for the world to observe and covered loudly in Jamaican media, In my opinion neither Chris nor Wayne are worthy of the positions they gained and both continue to expose, their unworthiness. PPM is not the answer either. God help us all that new men of integrity and intellect will emerge next election to take control, weed out the corruption and help us to regain the respect and decency that our beloved Cayman Islands and government were once known for.
“men of integrity”: You sound like a dinosaur.
You bring in taxes, we all will leave. Those who can anyway. The UK knows this. Honestly they should be worried about direct rule, which I am excited for and not taxation. Just a scare tactic from a sad man in a poor position.
give me one shred of evidence of the uk wanting to impose direct taxation here???….whats in it for them???
the guy is trying hard to deflect from the real serious questions he will soon have to answer….
He is pulling a McKeeva. When things get hot you say “look over there!”.
idiot…plain and simple…grasping at imaginary straws at this stage.
i’m actually gaining respect for wayne for getting rid of him….
‘And they definitely know how to utilize and exploit the shortcomings of local leadership’
😄😄😄….like that takes a lot of brainpower
1) The cost of implementing direct taxation on a working population of Cayman’s size would be exorbitant.
2) The entity charged with overseeing such a system would be as incompetent and corrupt as most other government departments.
3) Many employers would deduct the tax from employees and fail to pay it to the government. If this were enforced and prosecuted by competent investigators and prosecutors, they would have to make Northward Cayman’s first true skyscraper with all the additional floors they’d have to build.
4) The exodus of expats and the loss of work permit fees, professional licensing fees and spending would lead to such a contradiction of Cayman’s GDP that it would put Cayman in a much worse position than ever. And not only would the dump not get fixed because the Government couldn’t afford ir, nothing would get fixed.
They won’t understand what you’re saying even if they tried
I see lots of comments about Chris bringing Jamaican style Garrison politics to Cayman but why didnt we speak up when Mackeeva did it? and Why arent we speaking up against Wayne? He is using the same tactics but I guess because he is a White Caymanian with a Jamaican grand father its ok? Everybody know how Wayne became Premier. Lets just say, if he wasnt super rich he would be out fishing or pushing paper behind some desk. Not defending Chris though, I know the real story and he is just ewwww
Which part of McKeeva white? Must be his foot bottom.
i am wondering how !d. Saunders ended up in the Pack since it appears that he differs from Panton on each and every issue. What was the draw?
$$$$$$ and lots of it
The draw for almost all of them is $$$$$, elevated status and perks. They certainly do nothing to earn it, or our respect.
Lol. This guy is a clown. Does he think throwing his toys out the pram will make everyone forget why he was fired?
Well, Cayman is The Circus.
Don’t like it. leave.. Seems that some people love the “circus” until something/someone in the “circus” no longer works to their benefit.
Chris trying to divide the house (or “mash up the dolly house”) as he likes to say. He wants Cayman to follow his homeland Jamaica – how’s that worked out there? Voters in his constituency would do well to not vote him in again! News-flash – we have long had taxes here. They’re simply hidden as fees and import duties. What we also have that needs weeding out (but that too many in power don’t want to investigate or debate) is corruption!
This jackass was the Finance Minister for two years with responsibility for the failed delivery of transparent accounting reports from all government departments Let that sink in as he rants about how important it is to stay in compliance with the Framework for Fiscal Responsibility.
Keeping up with regulatory requirements doesn’t seem like his strong point. Cainvest Bank being a case in point….
Whatever happened to that. When did he resign as MD?
Large fine from CIMA. CS ‘exited’ stage left when starting to run for office – not sure of the exact timeline for that part. He seemed to escape any censure.
Also I can’t find him listed as a CPA anywhere in the US – does anyone know what State his licensure was supposedly in?
Plenty people here claim to have professional qualifications, because no one checks to see if, for example , you really do have a Harvard MBA, as opposed to spent two weeks in their “Summer school”.
What does Saunders claim to have, except entitlement
‘Saunders said the allegations against him were a distraction’
Saunders with his what’s app also just slaughtered irony
Well, now he proves what I have always thought. He wants to destroy Cayman and turn us into Jamaica.
Please don’t listen to this foolish man. I can’t believe that Sandra actually had him pegged and I’m no fan of hers but she was right. He is determined to destroy us.
Caymanians unite against him and others like him. Do not be swayed by his vindictiveness’ and vitriol. We don’t need this in Cayman. We are a peaceful and loving people. Do not let him turn us otherwise.
@9:12 Spot on, couldn’t have said it better myself.
Sandra turned on him when he was no longer of use to her. The same Saunders who went to one of her many court cases and spoke on her behalf. Bet he regrets that shit now. Chris, I stand with you bro.
And the judge said he didn’t understand why he came because he talked about himself more than about the person (Sandra) that he was there to give a reference for.
feel sorry for you bro
9:12 You spoke for a lot of Caymanians. THANK YOU!!!
#this
Your serve Wayne! Make it count
Vast majority of us, and the elected gov also, do not have the capability to understand the potential ramifications (positive and negative) of the impending introduction of digital id; cbdc; ratification of the efforts by W.H.O. to take control should another global pandemic occur.
Asleep at the wheel as the few affiliates of the W.E.F. keep prodding us along
wake up.
UK people? You mean like the BOT citizens in Cayman that automatically qualifies to be UK citizens?
What a stupid Jamaican bigot. The UK is the only thing holding us together. Be careful of the people with green, yellow and black as their national colour.
They will drag Caymanians under water like an overloaded lifeboat. You can already see it with this absolute clown.
The UK is infinitely better managed than Cayman. Even down to a local council level. And they are amateurs.
Beware when some Trojan horse Jamaican tells you otherwise.
what a crock of s####. I don’t believe anything Chis says.
I trust the Premier!
That is probably not a good idea either!
8.07, you have expressed the Best printable description of Chris Saunders ….. the first line of your second paragraph is perfect.
I hear they ration eggs, chicken and veggies in the UK.
Why can’t people comment without resorting to name calling and insults? What is it? Mentally? Intellect? Education? Lack of all 3?
Lack of human decency!! Along with education and poor command of the English language. The only way some can express their miniscule thoughts is by name calling.
It’s not an insult, the above description of Saunders is accrurate and apt. A deeply unpleasant, arrogant opportunist who only cares about himself would be another one.
So where was all this transparency two weeks ago?
Feeble attenpt to gin up hate against the U.K. for feeble minds.
Suggest Saunders and his kind return to Jamaica where they are already enjoying the enviable life, without the British….which Chris hopes that he can achieve for Cayman.
God forbid.
9:24 Let’s hope he goes and takes thousands with him! The sooner the better!
I am willing to support the crowdsourcing of the charter flight!
Plural
I’ll charter the Windrush myself.
Remember McKeeva Bush spewed the same kind of anti-UK vitriol in the early 2000s? He also has the same attitude towards women. Seems we have another McWannabe in the making. Hope West BT people remember this come next election. This fool needs ousting from politics now before it gets any worse.
Where do you think he got tutelage! Remember the fruit don’t fall far from the tree.
I don’t trust Saunders but there is some merit to what he alleges and Cayman needs to tread carefully. UK needs every dollar it can get to maintain itself long term. The place is a disaster right now with no relief in sight
And how would imposing direct taxation into Cayman generate $1 for the UK? Even if the UK required it, it doesn’t go to the UK but to the Cayman government. And may make Cayman voters a little more interested in what their elected representatives spend money on once they see the direct correlation with their payslip rather than the current indiri taxes, which fuel the cost of living and through work permits generate an incentive for government to issue permits. .
Income tax would kill our financial services. I am not sure I trust what Saunders is saying. It seems like he woul dhave been fine to sit in Cabinet and support Panton if Panton had not moved to remove him regardless of the income tax issue.
I am not supporting income tax, but, please explain how income tax will kill the financial services?
Income tax is assessed on an individual’s salary/income. The financial services is an offshore regime which services onshore clients. They arent doing much business in Cayman, and those onshore clients that do have business here would be subject to corporation tax – not income tax. Which is an entirely different assessment.
I am really not sure what to make of this comment other than perhaps you are insinuating that the only reason cayman has a financial services industry is because it is only possible as expats, who escape their tax liabilities at home to earn the free buck here, are only capable of providing such a service? Which if so, I can’t quite agree with you there.
I am curious on a specific CS point though… how is he still an elected official? I haven’t heard of someone being fired from their job and especially for what essentially amounts to gross misconduct …. while … keeping their job? I guess what I am asking is how is an elected minister removed from serving? I’m not suggesting he be removed, I’m curious as to the procedure.
What the XXXX are you talking about? It’s infinitely better managed than this island in every single way.
You’re Jamaican with a vested interest aren’t you?
Funny how every Jamaican here first connives to get Cayman status, then goes for a BOTC/British passport.
Bet Chris and his extended family are no exception.
Then they use the BOT passport to get into the States. Been going on long time, mainly via sham marriages.
Better managed?
The UK is the second largest military donor to Ukraine. The UK has committed £2.3 billion in death and destruction. 300k+ already dead, wounded and lost in the battle fields. They stopped 2022 peace agreement.
Divide and conquer it is.
I love how we can go from Bodden town politics to Russian global geopolitics in a heartbeat. I am sure it happens in other towns as well (the local MP voted for/against Ukraine aid) but it is a beautiful thing nonetheless. And a reminder of why people have to be educated (regardless of your side in the Russian geopolitics), in order to parse through the implications of local politics.
Found the Russian spy
Wow. Moron.
Oh goodie we’ve got our very own useful idiot. God forbid the UK support Ukraine defend themselves against a genocidal invasion by a psychotic nihilist dictatorship. Please crawl back into your cave.
Say wha! You moving to Russia?
Russia, Russia, Russia! Says the great orange hope to the north!
There’s no merit at all to this he is just spewing speculative horseshit.
Britain have been playing this game for over one hundred years. It is what they do just look at its history and how all the colonies have been dealt with. They take what they want then cut the former colonies adrift.
UK is a mess and in financial ruin relying on foreign investment from dodgy individuals and has been for sale for the last twenty years.
And what exactly is it that they have “taken what they want” from Cayman..?
Idiot.
Did you sign your comment with your name?
did you?
The colonies wanted to be cut adrift and opted to self govern saying they were fed up of interference. They still say it now whenever UK steps in.
just be thankful Cayman was not a colony of either the France or Spain ….
before you rundown the UK, enjoy turning on the tap and having clean water, enjoy the relatively low crime rate, enjoy having a decent shelter over your head …
Yes! And free covid vaccines earlier than most countries .. and help after Hurricanes..
Minister John Seymour may be a close acquaintance of MP Chris Saunders, and his loyalty (to their friendship) may certainly be challenged. However, Cabinet matters are often confidential & highly sensitive, at times, and should Minister Seymour lead his Ministries at the advice of MP Saunders he may likely suffer the same fate; that is, ousted to “the other side of the aisle” with no real support or cohesive coalition to rely on. PPM will not likely be so welcoming while conducting the work of the People.
MP Saunders may be outspoken about the Cabinet & Budgetary issues as he know them, but should not be permitted to play the role of Influenzer, to pressure the newly elected Minister of Border Control & Labor to carry-out MP Saunders will, work or war on Cabinet (and Ministry Portfolio) matters that has recently rendered him a Lame Duck.
Minister Seymour is due to have a public meeting in his constituency of Bodden Town East and his awareness and messaging will be crucial to the latest events and his propose efforts to the Country and it’s People, going forward – and not as a conduit for MP Chris Saunders.
MP Saunders may have a voice in the Country’s matters but no longer as a Cabinet Member or Minister.
Pleasant farewell to Governor Roper & his service to the Cayman Islands in his capacity. Best wishes.
7:27 you talk of Mr Seymour as if he was a real politician with policies, visioning powers and a brain. He is not.
He’s a fool if he thinks his mother didn’t raise a fool.
She’s raised more than a fool. He may not want to hear it, but it seems like she raised a bigoted, disloyal, Jamaican.
A fool and his deputy premiership are soon parted, as the old saying goes.
I think he admitted he was a fool by using the double negative.
Thank you!! lol Just give him the rope and he’ll do the rest. What a moron.
said an Anonymous
ditto
How can he be sure thst the premier does not have written complaints from individuals lm his misconduct? . Unless he is sure perhaps he should be careful what he says on the subject. Or maybe he could go ahead and bring a law suit against the Premier. That should clear up everything.
Scare tactics by a delusional, manipulative person. yes. Jamaican garrison politics as someone previously wrote in about Saunders! Just shut up and go away!!!
Saunders wanted and still wants independence, like his motherland. How’s that working out for them?
Yep Chris’ homeland got independence alright.
Independence from Prosperity.
Why are you and all your family suffering here Chris , when you could return to the paradise you f’d up.?
Hell hath no fury as a Deputy Premier scorned!
Chrissy boy trying to bring down da house!
Somebody put a muzzle on the man. He’s lost it
Completely unhinge🤯
It is quite possible he does not want a National ID scheme as that scheme would uncover potentially significant numbers of people, including among his constituents, who are not Caymanian and have no lawful right to be here.
So true! Lots of ‘born Caymanians’ who think they are Caymanian as they have a Cayman passport.
I wonder if the Government will still now go ahead with the Registered Land Law amendment. This is one of his favourite projects, because he wants to teach Banks a lesson. Let’s see how many Banks will give the lower earners a mortgage after that and at what cost.