Mac claims cruise vote will be on Election Day
(CNS) According to McKeeva Bush MP (WBW), the government may move the proposed referendum asking the public if they want cruise berthing facilities in the Cayman Islands to the day of the 2025 General Election, expected to take place in April, rather than holding a separate vote later this year. Posting in a social media group chat of supporters of a cruise berthing facility, Bush said there would be “no vote” on the issue until the election.
However, the former premier and speaker is no longer in Cabinet. Therefore, in his posts, he went on to state that people should “wait to hear from” Tourism and Ports Minister Kenneth Bryan, who was “having challenges with it”. He said he supported the change of timing, even though he didn’t believe a vote was necessary.
Bush implied that Cabinet has not yet agreed to move the proposed referendum, and Bryan needed “time to get his ducks in a row” because he “has to go to Cabinet where the gov sits”. He stressed his support for cruise berthing facilities, apparently at any cost, adding that his views are well known and he does “not care” what those who oppose the idea say.
The veteran politician, who appears to have leaked the government’s unconfirmed change of plan, said his post had been sent to the tourism minister, and he had “no apologies to make” as he had done his duty “by making my stand known to the loyal people.”
CNS has contacted Bryan about Bush’s claims that the referendum will be held at the same time as the general elections, and we are awaiting a response. However, sources close to the minister have indicated that he remains open to discussions about the referendum and the proposal for piers.
It is understood that Bryan has signalled that his focus is on how to plug the gap of declining cruise visitors and whether or not it would be possible to do that any other way.
According to a government motion that will be debated in the parliament next month, the proposed referendum will ask the people: “Should the Cayman Islands Develop Cruise Berthing infrastructure?”
However, there is widespread public concern that the vote will take place without an actual project, and people will be voting on an abstract idea with no information about the environmental, economic or social consequences of such development or even where it would be.
Also, the cost of holding the referendum separately from the general election in November has been questioned. Election officials have noted that holding the ballot at the same time as the general election would be around half the cost of a stand-alone vote, estimated to cost around CI$1.2 million.
In a straw poll on CNS last week, 63% of those who took part said there should be no referendum until a specific project is on the table. Among the remaining 37% who support the idea of a vote, 31% said it should take place at the same time as the general election next year. Just 6% supported a stand-alone vote, which, up until now, had been the government’s plan.
- Fascinated
- Happy
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- Afraid
You all wanted SMCs and OMOV
Tek what u get now!!
Is there any good reason for CI Prime to be 200bps above US Prime, seeing as our currencies are pegged? Let’s vote to scrap consumer abusive credit spreads.
Banks need the 200 bps buffer to pay CIMA fees and other expenses. Frankly no bank in Cayman is really profitable in the big scheme of things. Canadian banks in particular don’t really want to be in Cayman and looking for a reason to pull out like HSBC, Barclays, etc. Cayman subsidiaries are really a headache for the Parent bank.
NO ONE ISSTOPPING ANYONE FROM LEAVING THIS JURISDICTION, NO LAWS, NO GOVERNMENT OR INVESTOR PRESSURE. WHOSOEVER WANTS TO LEAVE IS UNFETTERED. SO SUSH YOW
So Julie setting up for the new election. Mac still in charge and will be the new Premier and Alden will remain speaker. It’s going to be a tough one for Julie to give up he Premier post…She is absolutely loving the new trappings and perks.
Mckeeva BUSH have you ever thought that you would be doing a great service to this country by going home, locking up and not coming back out again until! If you haven’t please do so now as these islands dont need you, tired a feeding you and your tired worn out ways.
Please sah if there is any semblance of dignity left in you go home and stay home. Thank you for whatever good you did perform, which has been badly ouweighed in the end. Shalom Missa Bush.
No Chinese will be used by anyone in Cayman. Cruise lines haven’t used a chinese company anywhere else. If you don’t agree show us the proof???
Falmouth, Jamaica? The Chinese basically own them.
‘However, the former premier and speaker is no longer in Cabinet.’
Exactly!
“by making my stand known to the loyal people.”
Dictator speaks! plenty of the other ‘non loyal people’ not interested in your mouth! Sit down with your goonies!
Hate to say it but it certainly would be a better choice. However you are not the the one to decide. Why don’t he just go away, far, far away.
Sail on and take Bushy with you
There has been no Referendum Bill proposed since the 2020 judicial decision found this framework of Constitutional necessity missing.
If they want a vote on anything other than their own dismissal, they will need to table a draft Bill in the next couple months.
What was according to you “missing” was a general referendum bill which the courts decided was not necessary. Thus for each referendum a separate Act can be enacted. What is so hard to understand about this? A motion must first be passed then a Bill tabled. The motion has not yet been heard.
VoteNo !
Choose for yourself whether to vote yes or no!
How about: nobody knows what a YES vote (to the FCCA) will greenlight. Not even Kenny. That missing data and his apparent willingness to go ahead an commence works without procurement and consultation, are reasons enough to vote NO. There exists a procurement process, and a US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Cayman’s public officers have a duty to report offences, or they themselves could also be found liable under the Anti-Corruption Act (2024 Revision).
https://legislation.gov.ky/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/2008/2008-0011/Anti-CorruptionAct_2024%20Revision.pdf
Dang it, now we’re going to have cruise piers dragged into the election. How do they expect us to choose reps if they talk about national issues on the campaign trail? All you really need to know is crowd size in order to know who to vote for. 😉
Always good to know who is really in charge.
Yep , it seems Bushy tail still wagging the flea bitten dog.
Is Kenny G ok with Mac speaking on his behalf? So many of these politicians who made their beds with Mac will sulk over him but they are too coward to tell him to butt the hell out. I guess he is still controlling them. What a way to live. Grandpa always said “sleep with dogs you catch fleas”
How does Bush expect to profit from the project? Are the Chinese back as bidders?
Nail on head 12.18, especially if current suspects remain in power.
In fact, the Chinese could be the ONLY “bidder”.
Yep, and they’ll most likely be adding the dump to their list of projects for reward.
Exactly right.
I treasure the day in the hopefully near future when we hear no more from the mouth of Bush.
Dont worry about what he makes from the project. Why does that even matter. Every single politician, past and present, benefits in some capacity besides the pay that they get as your representative.
And you do not have to look hard at their friends, family, associates and lackeys to see how it is distributed.
Elect an honest politician and see how long they last without doing what all the others do.
3.27, it matters because what anyone “allegedly makes” from the project, will be an additional cost to the government. Simply put, it will cost you more than it should.
There were years of lavish international casino cage credits, private jet flights, limousine, hotel, and honorary degree payments. It feels like there are debts and obligations coming due on many of our most vocal PEP proponents. Any and all public officers have a duty to report any suspicions of offences to ACC for their investigation. There is no statute of limitations on criminality.
I would bet my left nut if Bush gets back then chinese is back at the table.
I would bet my left nut if Bush gets back then chinese is back at the table.
And my right that regardless of any referendum or will of the majority in these islands; these f**ktards will push ahead with this project on the sole basis “the cruise ships said so”.
You’re right 1.20, but it will be based on “what’s in this for me.?”…
And the Chinese are so generous that there will be plenty to go around.