Referendum bill to come to parliament in New Year
(CNS): Deputy Premier Kenneth Bryan, who is spearheading the government’s planned referendum next year, has said the legislation has been drafted, and a bill paving the way for the national poll on General Election Day will go before parliament when it meets on 31 January. At a public meeting on Monday organised by the Association of Cruise Tourism (ACT), Bryan said that Cabinet is expected to approve the bill shortly and open the 28-day consultation period.
However, even if all seven government MPs are present and in support when the House votes on the bill, they will need the support of the opposition for it to pass.
The referendum is expected to include three questions, the most controversial being whether or not the country should build cruise berthing facilities. The other two questions will be on the decriminalisation of possessing small amounts of ganja and the introduction of a national lottery.
The official PPM opposition has yet to publicly declare whether or not it will give the government the support it needs for the bills, while several independent opposition MPs are likely to oppose the legislation.
Opposition Leader Joey Hew has said that the Progressives will make a decision when they see the draft legislation. However, he has also said that while the PPM would support the government’s quorum until parliament is prorogued, it would not support any contentious bills.
The controversy over the cruise question relates to the concerns that the question is not about a specific project and so will not reflect the true sentiment of the country. Voting ‘yes’ would give a blank cheque — literally — to the government. If an actual project appeared in the future, this vague referendum question would allow the CIG to dodge having one then, after details such as where, what and how much it would cost are known.
Equally, people could also vote ‘no’, thinking that any cruise berthing project would be as grandiose and costly as the one proposed by the PPM when they were in office and led to a successful campaign for a people-initiated referendum. However, the vote never took place, largely because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bryan, the current tourism minister, has argued that in the first instance, the people need to say if they support the principle. After that, a future administration can begin to look at the type of facility it can afford that would keep ships coming. He has said it doesn’t need to be anything like the scale of the project proposed by the PPM government; it could be just one pier with no upland development.
But with no concrete proposal, a ‘yes’ vote could be interpreted by a future administration or tourism minister as a green light for any cruise berthing project, even if many people voting ‘yes’ only support a very low-key, inexpensive and less environmentally damaging dock that does not involve the cruise line companies or who would support the pier in principle in a different location to George Town.
If the bill succeeds, the referendum campaign will be short, which is another major concern for those opposing the development of any type of facility. The Cruise Port Referendum campaign activists who are leading the ‘no’ vote to piers believe that the government should put a specific project to people and not a vague question.
They also have real concerns about how fair the campaign will be, given that the government has the full power of the state to promote its support for a ‘yes’ vote. In addition, ACT, the non-profit organisation leading the charge for a ‘yes’ vote, is well funded by the private sector.
The CPR group believes that unless the referendum bill includes guardrails relating to campaign spending, the cruise lines could pump a significant amount of money into the pro-campaign, distorting the democratic decision.
The ACT activists appear increasingly confident that the referendum will result in a ‘yes’ vote, and they have been using distorted figures to promote the need for piers because of the decline in cruise tourism.
They have repeatedly claimed that around 3,000 people depend directly on cruise tourism, with many more benefiting indirectly. But this is misleading. No one working in tourism depends entirely on cruise tourism since everyone working in hospitality and tour operations also caters to the overnight market and residents.
In addition, many workers who are more dependent on the cruise industry, such as employees in the downtown souvenir and jewellery shops or restaurants and bars, are work permit holders. While taxi drivers must be Caymanian, many public and tour bus drivers are permit holders, even if the buses and tour companies are Caymanian-owned.
Many people are also deeply concerned about the environmental impact of building a cruise port, as dredging for a project like the one proposed by the last PPM-led government would devastate the marine habitat in the George Town Harbour at a time when local coral reefs are in rapid decline due to pressure from climate change and disease.
It will also increase the harm to some of the Cayman Islands’ most popular tourist attractions, while the cruise lines, who are pushing to bring their mega ships to Grand Cayman, continue to complain that there aren’t enough attractions or things for their passengers to do.
The harbour, a nursery for millions of reef fish, is the most sheltered coastal area on Grand Cayman, with the calmest water and the best shallow reef for glass bottom boat tours, snorkelling and scuba diving. But the mature reefs and wreck sites will be dredged or killed by the silt during construction.
ACT Executive Programme Manager Ellio Solomon has argued that the reefs have already been damaged by cruise ship anchors.
“In 2014 alone, one cruise ship tore up 16,000 square feet of reef,” he said at Monday’s meeting and implied that building piers would allow the water to flow, the sand to flow and the fish to thrive, and that a pier would have less impact than anchors. But even a small dock would require dredging, and, given the limited locations for a pier in the harbour, the damage could be far worse than the 2014 incident.
ACT has said it will campaign nationally in all districts and plans to host at least eight more meetings. It also recently hosted a rally in George Town while the parliament was meeting to lobby MPs, most of whom already support the idea of a pier.
Meanwhile, CPR continues its campaign on social media for a ‘no’ vote. They are concerned that a ‘yes’ vote would lead to another massively expensive and environmentally damaging project proposal for a tourism sector that is increasingly unpopular for residents at ports of call. Destinations all over the world are beginning to see fewer economic advantages of catering to large cruise ships and more social and economic disadvantages.
The CPR recently stated that in 2019, when many Caymanians united to sign the petition for a people-initiated referendum (PIR), making the question of cruise berthing a matter of national importance, they proved the power of the people.
“Today, Caymanians deserve clarity, not rushed decisions or hidden agendas,” the activists said. “In a time of noise and distraction, we stand for accurate data over fear, unity over division, and transparency over manipulation. As of now, no facts or proposals have been presented. Caymanians should not be asked to make decisions in the dark.”
However, if the vote goes ahead, the CPR urges everyone eligible to register before the 15 January deadline and go to the polls on election day and vote ‘no’.
- Fascinated
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Bored
- Afraid
Airlift is still a problem. If the Hon. Minister can compel Cayman Airways to adopt a useless destination like Barbados, he can get to work on facilitating decent flight times to Miami.
If you need to go for a day, you can only do that on Friday as it is the only early flight in the week with a later return. Also Friday is the only day you can connect with many destinations without requiring an overnight in Miami going and coming.
He needs to do whatever needs to be done to get the early seven day a week AA route GCM/MIA back. Free over night parking? Sure. Duty free gas? fine. Discounted hotel rooms and free transport? Get it done!
ABB. anyone but Bernie in 2025
Whilst the Lesser Islands have a huge say in the government as do the outer districts, their influence is null and void on the referendum
Ah, indeed! Chain swords roaring, banners flying, and the Adeptus Ridiculous stepping into full combat mode. Let’s bring the righteous fury of the Emperor’s Most Satirical Champion to bear on ACT and their meddling. The rhetorical strikes shall be swift, devastating, and dripping with Maximum Ridicule.
**“The ACT has revealed its true colors at last—a drab, pusillanimous shade of corporate greed masquerading as benevolence. They dare to whisper against the sacred referendum, their lobbying engines churning like the blackened turbines of a Chaos fleet. But let them know this: in the name of the Emperor of Mankind, such heresy will not stand!
Do they think the people of Cayman are servitors, blindly following their scripts? No! We are no mindless drones! This island’s fate is ours to decide, and no lobbying leviathan shall strip us of our sovereign voice. The ACT and their soulless overlords can take their hollow arguments and feed them to a Carnifex.
Their true intentions are as transparent as a C’tan shard—they seek only to defile our pristine waters for their profit. Reefs turned to rubble, ecosystems scoured like a battlefield ravaged by Exterminatus.
Their so-called ‘tourism’ is nothing more than a planetary invasion in slow motion. But unlike the doomed worlds of the Imperium, Cayman has a weapon they have not reckoned with: the Environmental Damage Bond.
Yes, I speak of a fiscal chain sword, a $5 million blade of retribution poised to strike at the heart of their arrogance!
A refundable deposit, you say? Oh, indeed—provided they tread lightly and leave no scars upon our beloved reefs.
But should they fail, should their megaships so much as graze the sanctity of our waters, the bond will be forfeit, its funds redirected to restoration and preservation. A fitting punishment for their blasphemy.
And yet, we know their nature. The ACT will shriek and grovel, their captains fleeing like cowardly Eldar at the first sign of true resistance. Let them!
Cayman has no need for parasites who quake at the prospect of accountability. This is an island worth saving, and if they cannot abide by our terms, they are free to scuttle their vessels elsewhere.
To ACT and their ilk, I say this: The Adeptus Ridiculous stands as a sentinel over these islands. We wield not just the chain sword of satire but the unyielding will of a people who refuse to be silenced. You may bring your lobbying fleets, your gilded lies, and your hollow promises, but you will not prevail.
I very much enjoyed your missive; it just occasionally enough to know there are kindred minds among us. For today, that is enough. Thank you.
The Emperor protects
The following is ALL we need to know:
Minister Bryan, will the referendum outcome be legally binding, or are you just blowing smoke? A yes or no answer would be enlightening.
Vote.. NO Weed or Gambling
KENNY = SELLOUT: a person who compromises their personal values, integrity, talent, etc., for money or personal advancement
This should be on a billboard, FIRE !!!
2021
Kenneth Bryan, the new minister of tourism and transport, has committed to making the necessary legislative changes to transform public transport in the Cayman Islands.
June 2022
Tourism and Transport Minister Kenneth Bryan is teaming up with his Barbados counterpart for the creation of a national public bus system in a bid to alleviate Cayman’s traffic congestion woes.
Though in the preliminary discussion stage, Bryan has set his sights on a January 2024 start date and is working with Santia Bradshaw, Barbados’ Minister for Transport, Works and Water Resources to look at making a bus network happen.
Bryan wants to “go green” for public transport by January 2024
Some so called leaders appear to suffer from a mixture of stupidity, arrogance and a phenomenal lack of self-awareness – the most unattractive combination.
He has an extraordinary capacity for misunderstanding his own capabilities.
…January 2024 start date and is working with Santia Bradshaw…
the 2024 is almost over…is he still working with Santia Bradshaw? were legislative changes ever made?
“The Chessmaster 40000 has entered the board!”
It’s time. The Chessmaster 40000, the disruptor of complacency, the awakener of the silent, has emerged—not with a thirst for power but with a mission to expose the game, break the rules of manipulation, and return the chessboard to the people of Cayman. The shadows that have long hidden the KingMaker’s schemes are no longer safe, for the Chessmaster is here to shine a light on every crooked move and every compromised piece.
The Message of the Chessmaster 40000
“I am not here to lead or to rule. I am here to remind you of your power. The KingMaker’s game depends on your silence, your inaction, your belief that the game is beyond your control. But it isn’t. Every move matters. Every voice counts. The chessboard belongs to you—not to the KingMaker, not to the pawns he manipulates, but to the people of Cayman.”
The Chessmaster 40000’s First Move
The Chessmaster 40000’s emergence is not a declaration of war but a call to action. It begins with exposing the rules of the KingMaker’s game:
1. Unmask the KingMaker: Reveal the tactics of manipulation—compromising leaders, silencing dissent, and creating chaos to maintain control.
2. Awaken the silent: Show the people of Cayman that they are not just spectators but the real players, capable of reshaping the board.
3. Demand accountability: Challenge every minister, every decision, and every policy, insisting on transparency and competence.
4. Reject the status quo: Refuse to play by the KingMaker’s rules, and insist on a new game—one that serves the people, not the shadows.
The Awakening Begins
The Chessmaster’s emergence is a catalyst for change:
• The Premier is called to account: No longer can she hide behind divine guidance while the board crumbles under her leadership.
• The Minister of Tourism is questioned: The people demand answers—why is a pawn with such a compromised past controlling a vital industry?
• The silent majority finds its voice: The true players awaken, realizing that they hold the power to reset the board and reclaim their future.
A Vision for Cayman’s Chessboard
The Chessmaster 40000’s ultimate goal is not to dominate but to rebuild:
• A board where education thrives: Where resources are spent wisely, teachers are empowered, and students are prepared for the future.
• A board where the environment is protected: Where the reefs are preserved, and sustainability is prioritized over short-term gains.
• A board where leaders are accountable: Where ministers are chosen for their competence, not their vulnerability, and every decision is made transparently.
The Call to Action
“Cayman, the time has come to reclaim your chessboard. Speak out. Demand better. Refuse to let the KingMaker dictate your future. Together, we can reset the game, clean the board, and build a system where every move is made for the good of the people.”
For Cayman. For Justice. For a Chessboard Awakened.
The Chessmaster 40000 has made its first move. The rest is up to you.
are you ok?
I stopped reading when I saw how long the post was…I love chess, but this isn’t chess…
OK, I went back and read it…it’s good. Thank you, Chestmaster 40000.
This man typifies everything that is wrong with Cayman politics.
Relax it won’t happen. They need my land and they are not having it.
Oh good, dont’t do billboards! LOL Support you all the way.
Oh Chris, dear boy, if CIG want something it will happen. They’ll have you debanked; power cuts; street lights broken; potholes unrepaired; etc
But sure, you keep your land to stop it.
That won’t stop him trying. They will steal it from you at $4 per sq ft.
I wish you would run Chris
That would require a frontal lobotomy.
Arrogancy does not suit you or your cause CHRIS Johnson, beware of those who claim to support you in wine whiskey and song.
Arrogancy…?
Never been accused as been arrogant. I do state what I believe in. I put my name to my blogs. Why do you not do the same.
You will not be in for another term if the George Towners in your constituency have half a brain! You spent 4 million dollars on a park that wont create a single job, you must think this is still the Mckeeva bush era where people vote for appliances.
Vote this man out GT. He has now become a horse trading politician in his truest form.
Park costing more than $8Million actually…. Over $5M for the land alone.
Kenny purchased Smatts land near Lobster Pot four years ago for $6m. He has done nothing with it except fence it off so it cannot be used. So more brain cells he would be a tree.
Leave this to the next administration.
You all had 3.5 years do effect change and dropped the ball on every important issue.
The best thing the gov. can do for Cayman is nothing, Lord knows they should be use to it.
Thanks CPR for your sterling efforts and consistency. CPR are having to in address this issue again and the misinformation from the Minister of Tourism , AcT and the charlatans in charge of their expensive misinformation campaign that will prove to be an expensive disaster for the country.
Kenny proves again that he’s a proper clown
Just Another Day in Absurdistan
Min Bryant has been the most flamboyant and utterly useless Minister of Tourism ever. Everything is about him. He has proven that he is delusional when addressing national issues. Clearly a puppet for select special interest groups.
‘…a puppet for select special interest groups.’
Yes, their own pockets!
“Flamboyant” Implies some sort of style or attractive demeanor.
Can’t say Bryan qualifies.
In other countries, MLAs would be pelted with rotten tomatoes for the lack of performance. Here, we sell our votes for a turkey .. while they rake in 15000-30000 or even more PER MONTH, for useless negotiations, selling our beaches, throwing our money about, forcing us into this referendum and not doing a damn about pressing issues like cost of living, health insurance, the dump, beach erosion, traffic, etc etc etc. Our children are already moving away permanently, and we cannot afford to retire.
Wake up, Cayman!!
Stop them then. Petition the Governor to dissolve this government and prevent them from running amok. She can dissolve Parliament if asked to do so.
she will never do that because she needs Ju Ju permission first
We’re awake. Just no recourse. Nobody running for office that is on our side, or even on the side of the environment. There is nothing we can do, but we have all day to do it.
Defeatist talk, get up and find someone, anybody better than these thieves. Run yourself!
Defeatist, or pragmatic reality? What do you see out there in our future? A bright collective of hopefuls who might just pave the way toward a brave new world?
Or the same old shit? I am not allowed to run without renouncing my U.S. citizenship. What is your excuse?
perfection in words! Not a single lie told! so so true! Caymanians are all medicated and fast asleep.
Anything to get Votes then sit back and play big man.
FFS Kenneth, go down to the public beach and be the Tourism minister that clears out the Jamaican scum bringing disgrace to our beaches.
NO vendors on beaches was one of the attractions tourists loved about Cayman, but I guess Saunders, Seymour , Mac’s and your woters won’t like that.
Let’s see if you care more about Cayman than your fat pay packet.
It is amazing, given the negative reports from visitors to the public beach, that our Minister of Tourism won’t even go down there to see for himself.
Drugs, illegal vendors and lawless Jamaicans have infested the area, and our minister of tourism is scared of upsetting his Jamaican voters.
What are you doing about it you narcissist fool.?
and yet, we shall vote back in the same old same old….until term limits, and expanding eligibility to Status Holders, we’re getting the usual suspects back in April..on all sides
This should be on a billboard, FIRE !!!
Where are these assholes going to get all this money from? Dart? What backroom deals have they made now with Dart? How can the people be satisfied with these crap head politicians, Seymour, Bryant, Bush and spend the money O’Connor-Connolly? They will get this country so far intro the hole we will never dig out. Those signs and people all look very phony, Bryant probably paid them to be there.
not sure how much Dart wants the cruise shippers
Dart owns most of GT and is in the duty free business so it needs cruise passengers to feed ICL and other businesses in GT
Bonny Moon is filled with many busloads of confused low-brow tourists that can’t afford fries.
His arm Decco will want the construction contract so they get lots of money and screw over the local contractors. Watch what happens, this government will sign a backroom deal just before election so Dart/Decco gets locked into the project.
Bingo.
That’s after..
$175Million for new prison.
$55M for Brac school.
$8.5M for Kenny crack park.
$8.5M for Kenny beach bar.
$5M for civil servant vote buying bonus payments.
$??? More hidden yet to be revealed.
Just go away Kenny you are a sellout
$100mill. for Barkers National Park
You nailed it all correctly
$X,xxx,xxx.00 for the Kenny private jet aviation terminal.
Add well Over $8Million for consultants pushing the new prison now .
$8million???? You just made that up didn’t you, go on Pinocchio, you did didn’t you …… you cheeky rascal 🤣
It’s just over $8Million for prison consultant fees actually..and it will increase as time goes by…Fact check if you want the truth, ask Public works .
Absolutely beyond me how one can have a referendum on a massive multi million dollar capital project while having no idea the cost or how it will be financed.
This is beyond stupidity.
Remind me who is behind all of this …
How much is Kenneth being paid by the cruise ship companies? No one wants this port as its not needed. There were 4 ships in yesterday perfectly fine using the tenders. The ships need Cayman more than Cayman needs them. We should rightly tell them to kick rocks if they don’t like the tenders.
It’s not the Cruise companies, it’s the anticipated gratitude which will flow from CHEC. Mac surely will have coached Kenny on how generous they can be.
Sure, this may have been the case back in the limitless dark pool days, but not recently. China is only interested in the most gullible regimes still willing sign on for a debt trap.
Allegedly, even a Prince!
“Gullible regimes” will apply to us as soon as the Chinese dangle those carrots before our greedy unprincipled ministers.
Just hope the FCO would step in again like they did before.
They got him diplomacy so he could travel through the US again. Believe me, you can see why he changed sides so quickly. Or was it more about being against anything Alden was for?
Says the tender owning lackey mouthpiece.
No voter with a lick of sense would give approval to a project with no details, no specifics and no limitations.
Especially one that solely serves to prop up a dying anachronistic business model so that a tiny fraction of well-off business owners can keep raking in profits while they themselves face none of the costs.
It is not only well-off business owners that are raking in profits – unless you count bought and paid for politicians as ‘business owners’.
The merchant class are well off. They have the handful of poor taxi drivers doing their protests.
Don’t many if them have family with businesses that will profit?