Governor says referendum results are clear
(CNS): Governor Jane Owen told parliament that the results of last week’s referendum were clear, and while they were not binding, “government will have discretion in how it proceeds to develop policies in regard to the three issues under deliberation in ways that best support the will and the interests of our people”. Addressing all the newly elected members, she said she looked forward to working with them “to deliver for our people”.
With many who support the development of cruise berthing facilities pledging to continue pushing Cayman towards this, local activists who campaigned against it remain concerned that the issue is by no means resolved. At a celebratory meeting last weekend, CPR members told CNS that they wanted to find some way of ensuring that the emphatic ‘no’ vote is not ignored. They said they have very real concerns that the lobbying from a minority and the pressure from the cruise lines are unlikely to stop.
Following the 2021 election and in the wake of the pandemic, it appeared that the previous administration was also unlikely to pursue a dock, but it was not long before former tourism minister Kenneth Bryan was promoting the need for at least one pier, which eventually led to the referendum.
However, the new administration appears to believe there are ways to protect the cruise tourism sector for local workers and Caymanian business owners without having to erect costly berthing facilities, and Owen’s comments indicate that the referendum result has meaning. Although her office has no power to prevent the government from pursuing a potential project again, it will at least be reminding the elected arm of the democratic result.
In her brief address after she swore in the 19 MPs, Owen said that with the election over, she looked forward to receiving the detailed reports from both the domestic and international election observers. She urged the new government to address the recommendations for reform that have been outlined in their early reports, such as more transparent campaign financing, a constituency boundary review and developing regulations around social media.
Owen pledged to work with the new premier and his government “in partnership and trust, respecting the government’s autonomy in domestic affairs, ensuring together that we uphold good governance and the rule of law, the separation of powers, and integrity in all we do”.
The governor committed to working with the government to fulfil her responsibilities for internal security. She also noted that the UK had reinforced its commitment to the Cayman Islands as a British Overseas Territory and its “enduring partnership”, as she encouraged MPs to retain that link.
“I hope that honourable members will join me today in recognising that this relationship brings significant benefits through the United Kingdom’s position within the UN and in many international decision-making bodies in the fields of trade, finance, health, defence, climate and development, to name but a few. I believe there is much scope to develop our partnership further as we plan for the future. At a time of global dissonance and friction, it is a good moment to treasure close friends and shared values.”
Owen also said that by “finding a middle way”, the government could build a successful future, though she did not specify what that meant.
See the governor’s full statement below:
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Category: Politics
And what’s also crystal clear, but not in your capacity to make it so Madam Gov. is the need to make these referendum results binding.
nothing will be done about any of it. cig will kick these issues down the road for the next government…mark my words.
Simple math
Around 3000 Caymanian work directly with cruise ship tourism
If they all lost their job and half go on NAS
That would be around 30 million a year that will have to be paid out.
Each year
Now if we continue on the same downward trend we have seen due to not having a port that will be a loss of 12 million a year
That is a loss to the cig of a minimum of 42 million a year .
This on top of the 25 million we are in a dedicate of is ( low end 65 million )
A year
Every year..
trending down
This estimate does not include the loss of cruise shipper spend per head which could be in the hundreds of millions for the country that it has now lost in upcoming revenue
Facts are facts
Each decision have a outcome
This is the one we have chosen
so why don’t people in the industry pivot.. instead of thinking they will just go on NAU.. if your business no longer serves you find another one.
3000 caymanians??? ironic you led with “simple math”.
3000 Caymanians and unna couldn’t find not a one to come to your first lil pro-port gathering. Had every Baxani in India flown out to be there but couldn’t find one Bodden.
You nah foolin’ no one, good buddeh.
I’m late but hoh god this comment gave me a good laugh. Tenks buddeh lmao you said it correct.
There are MANY industries and fields that are becoming redundant or replaced by AI (throughout the world). Is the government expected to ensure all of them too? NO – people will pivot and evolve accordingly not simply give up and assume to go on welfare/unemployment.
There is a shortage of electricians, plumbers, a/c technicians, all kind of repair technicians and renovation specialists. Not just in Cayman but everywhere else. Ficus must be on trade schools.
My thatch-rope business is no longer viable. I’m hoping the government will stop importing all other textiles and support me instead. With the right support from the public purse, we can remove a bunch of mangroves and plant silver thatch instead so that my business can really boom. Who cares about the consequences for the other 95% of the island?
Low paid low skilled service jobs mostly whose families will live in a low standard while being looked down upon by the rich in their homes and condos blocking the view and the fresh breezes of our sea
She actually had to do something? Must have been stressful for her.
Referendum results are clear because, it’s clear that it will do more harm than good for Caymanians.
OH, wait, the Governor is awake??
If you believe the laws that govern the civil service should be overhauled, then e-mail the Governor and lobby for it. governorsoffice.cayman@fcdo.gov.uk Only she can do it. (She is Franz’ and the Attorney General’s boss)
And hired that idiot of ellio another waste of money , real ole 2 faced 🐵 just like the one who brought him in
Now Madam Governor, let’s have a national referendum on Franz and Bulgin!
We will have a fair referendum.
And if we don’t like the results we’ll have another referendum.
This Governor was always kissing up to JOCC, what will she do now?
Get a kiss on the cheek from Jay Ebanks.
HA!!
Still not word on the brutal murder of the AML head. Life goes as usual. Smiles all the way
It’s a shame, so many families without any sort of closure, it’s like nobody cares. God forbid it hits closer to home for those that run this Country then maybe things will change. Our police detectives are the worst in the Caribbean if not the world! Such a small island with such are large number of unsolved homicides! Hire detectives from USA or Canada that have proven track records of solving cases
As responsibility for law and order lies with her and not the elected government, no doubt she will be telling RCIPS to investigate the reports of treating filed by the election observers 😝
They were quite clear. I invite the pro-pier people to research the boutique cruise industry instead. Hire Caymanians (save on work permit fees), get locally-made souvenirs and embrace a new day from the old cruise tourism business model.
Grand Cayman is going to get a Cruise berthing facility even if the majority of the Caymanian people don’t want it. Cayman has people in government that do not care about the will of the people and will spend government money on what they see fit.
All you have to do is look at the past governments to see that the same people are still there.
Well, stand at the dock and tell them they are not welcome.
While you can never have absolute certainty, the prospects of a cruise berthing facility is effectively dead for the short and medium term. The referendum was a good vehicle to gauge general sentiment on this issue.
The cruise port was never happening in the next decade regardless of whichever government came in. TCCP/CINP used it as a campaign dig against the PPM but everybody involved knew it was never happening anytime soon.
We don’t have the money.
We don’t need more imported workers.
We don’t have room on our roads.
We don’t have room on our beaches.
What we do need is for ACT to behave like responsible grown ups and care more for Cayman than they do for their selfish commercial needs.
Yes, we are at over capacity as it is. The mega-ships are self-contained cruise destinations as they were designed to do. People do not need to come off of them everything is already there see:
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/07/travel/mega-cruise-ships-coming-soon
SAY IT LOUD! NO to the cruise berthing! Hear that Kenny and the PPM and anyone else who thinks they can slip this in.