Premier reminds British MPs of Cayman’s ties to UK
Premier Alden McLaughlin with Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Cayman Islands, Graham Brady MP
(CNS): Premier Alden McLaughlin was once again working hard this week to remind the UK of Cayman’s close relationship with Britain in the face of an uncertain future over Brexit. During a meeting with MPs at the House of Commons he tried hard to convince British officials that the offshore sector in Cayman operates its financial services industry to the highest ethical standards.
McLaughlin is currently in London for a special Brexit meeting of the Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council to remind the British that its exit from the European Union could also have a profound impact on its territories.
During a dinner hosted by the premier for the UK politicians, he spoke about Cayman and reminded those present that its ties to the United Kingdom go back centuries, with Cayman’s earliest settlers being British. He also pointed out that Caymanians had chosen to remain British in the 1960’s when Jamaica became independent. He also told them that Cayman was “always transparent in the way we perform an all-important role for business, not only in London but around the globe”.
While in London, McLaughlin and his Cayman delegation, which includes Ministers Tara Rivers and Roy McTaggart, met with the Friends of Cayman group at a special lunch where he spoke about the recent election and the new coalition government.
He also discussed Cayman’s “good economic position” and the need during this administration to focus on social and other issues facing Cayman. “We have a government of unity that will aim to address the interests of the Cayman Islands and our people for the next four years,” he added, according to a release from his office.
Rivers and McTaggart, along with Chief Officer Dax Basdeo, have also met with a delegation from the Isle of Man led by Chief Minister Howard Quayle. “Matters of mutual interest, including financial services, were discussed,” officials said.
Cabinet Secretary Samuel Rose, Senior Political Advisor to the Premier Roy Tatum and Jason Webster, Policy Analyst in the Cabinet Office, are also part of the Cayman delegation. The group will return to Cayman on Sunday.
Category: Politics
…and sitting at the table with the premier is Eric Bush who was the lead on CCTV purchase that was, in no short terms, questionable. But these are the people we count on to have the best interest of the Cayman Islands and its people at heart. What a mess.
To help our “social issues” PLEASE really consider the provision of free condoms. The results will be imediate. The future results even more positive. Less desease. Less unwanted children. More persons being responsble for themselves.
The UK voted itself into geopolitical irrelevance, destitution and high taxation when the angry English decided Brexit was a good idea.
Yawn…zzzzz..
It was.
And you can rest assured that the UK reminded the Premier of the Motherland’s position in which the UK has allowed the Cayman Islands to remain “tied” to it. We have more to gain remaining “tied” to the UK then they do remaining tied to us.
Thank you for providing a comment that makes sense! The rest of these comments are ignorant and have no appreciation for the value added to Cayman by the UK connection. I’m an 8+ generation Caymanian who knows the value of this relationship.
As a Brit who has lived here for 9 years and whose children were born here it warms my heart to read of the special tie between Cayman and the U.K …….one week before having to uproot my family because of rollover.
You chose not to apply for PR. You rolled yourself over.
Yep , because PR is working out so well for everyone else .
It is now, Bobo.
Did you come here expecting to stay forever? I am a Brit married to foreigner with and we had two children. My kids are entitled to British citizenship, my wife was refused an entry visa to the UK. Is there anything I can do about it? Answer is no. Each country has rules, we might not agree with them, but we have to respect them. My point being, I have ties to the UK but it isn’t reciprocated.
Sorry but not everyone can stay.
Actually , I could have stayed . No caymanian trained for what I do . However don’t want to jump through the hoops just to be put into limbo for five years . My point was as a British citizen in a so called British overseas territory why should I have to ? Should my job be given to a caymanian if there was one qualified ? Absolutely , but there isn’t one . if I could have stayed under the same conditions as I have been for 9 years I would have stayed . Its an old argument but as a born caymanian you have the right to a U.K passport and all that entails . As a Britt I have no more rights here than an american , phillipino or Canadian ..and apparently less than a Jamaican. Bit one sided ,no ?
Our people? Or the people of the Cayman Islands? Hmmmmm
Selling out again bobo
I can’t wait to hear what Mr Steve McField and Mr Orrett Connor have to say on their radio show about the whole closeness to Britain thing which they seem to hate. Now, if it was closeness to the Bahamas, a country they were drooling over a couple of weeks back, Alden would get their wholehearted support.
Jesus, why are you stressing over them? They are pathetic statesmen wannabes without any credibility except with the morons who call in and agree with them. Then after the show, they climb into their fancy cars and go on with their well paid/pensioned lives which are totally different from the lives of the people they pretend to be speaking for. Obnoxious hypocrites in the extreme.
Worse part is that some of those talk show hosts are so hypocritical. They carry on day in and day out against Donald Trump who is trying to do for America what these hosts are talking about. Protect the country’s citizens. But because it’s in America, they criticize! While the Democrat Party was allowing every illegal into America for votes. Now that is lame!
More rhetoric and spin by the Premier who sounds more like the UK’s full trained house slave trying to convince master that he is worthy after years of mental abuse and slavery.
Think of Stephen from Django Unchained.
4.04pm Without your “years of mental abuse and slavery” these islands would still be mosquito ridden undeveloped swamp with all the menfolk away at sea.
Think of the stae of so many Africans after billions of dollars of aid have been paid to their leaders.
Sadly the “social and other issues facing Cayman.” probably means a continuation of destroying opportunities for Caymanians for record breaking work permit revenues and the exclusive and often imagined rights of the non-Caymanian part of society.
Poor lil’ Alden … bless his heart – does he not get it?
The UK is busy putting in place its own game-plan to become the biggest and best “off-shore financial centre” in the world, post-Brexit.
Yep, after all these decades of talking crap and dropping white paper after grey paper and even black lists on us … alas, they have given up the fight and decided to do a complete 180.
They are less interested in working alongside Cayman in the future and more interested in replacing Cayman.
After all, seeing they made the mistake and placed the destiny of their country into the racist and xenophobic hands of its people, drastic measures are their only way out of the fine mess before them.
Every day we learn of another potential pitfall in their path.
In fact, I believe ol Vince may be on to something when he says Brexit will never happen.
Whatever the case, the UK has turned itself into the laughing stock of the world.
So, please do us a favour Mr. Premier and quit chumming up to those people. Focus on your own jurisdiction and prepare to expect the unexpected going forward.
Something fishy this way comes – a smart leader would be focusing on beating them to the punch.
You obviously know nothing of the OECD , member states and why Cayman was ever gray listed.
“Something fishy this way comes – a smart leader would be focusing on beating them to the punch.”
You people really do not get it !? The UK is the only reason we have success in the financial universe. Trust me on this -the Premier knows this, and it is why he is defending our place.
And please stop with the weak ass racist and xenophobic chat . It only makes you sound ignorant and short of points to make.
Tell that to the attacked and murdered immigrants living in the UK in the immediate wake of the Brexit vote.
As for the financial industry – you can have. Take it – shove it up wherever it will fit…seriously.
Cayman survived between the era of British enslavement of non-White people in the region and the onset of the financial industry – you know, that period when we became known as “the islands that time forgot”.
More like “the islands the British racists forgot”…until the elite thereof realised a new avenue of exploitation.
Zzzzz…snore….yawn….
Cry for me boy !
And please stop dumbing down the conversation by challenging the humanity of people.
Instances of crazy shit has always been the case -it does not justify the label you are trying to place on the British and Uk. Btw can you please remind us of the instances you speak of because i have a few dates for you to check out too including the beheading of a British officer in Britan by immigrants.
But i guess you will say he deserved it
And the whole you can have the financial industry point !? I can only laugh and worry at the same time. You really think thatch hat and mangoes going to keep this economy running. Delusion will be the end of these islands if the wrong people take charge.
Well, according to you and I respectively, both countries will be adrift in the current without an oar.
Britain because of Brexit, and Cayman because of a reduced financial industry.
However, may I remind you, with the “loss” of the financial industry comes the flight of thousands of people – perhaps 50% of the population. Required GDP will adjust accordingly.
With our stellar infrastructure, limitless natural resources (yes, natural resources), and booming tourism industry – which by the way is under greatest threat by presence and related influences of said financial industry – I’m willing to bet Cayman comes out just fine on the other end.
Nothing lasts forever and the previous model was good while it lasted.
Change is inevitable. Don’t cry, be a big boy.
Enjoy the grey skies and brickwork.
Cry????? Lol I live here my man. And I live good. I get the best of both worlds. 4TH Generation Caymanian BTW .
You see I am not making excuses or blaming anyone . I get up and work everyday. I started from the bottom and now can afford myself freedoms including knowledge . I understand the economy I am apart of – I understand the effort of the citizens and govt that keep us affording them $700 smartphones. I do not delude myself into thinking we are a singular effort. Instead I have realized that working together is the only way ahead.
You say 50% of people will fly – do you think this includes many business owners ? Maybe a few global investors? You will certainly lose many good Caymanian workers as they leave in search of stability. They are already leaving ,many to the same UK that you all shun so much. I know of a few friends who have earned valuable experience and exposure by appreciating the real world..
Back to my point -imagine what will happen to the CPI? Imagine what will happen to your pension? You think the new generation interested in going backwards?
Now tell me how this stellar infrastructure will remain in place ? How will you sustain? Prices will rise as new tax laws meet our shores. If you position to compete and generate primarily from the tourism industry you will find Jamaica , Cuba and Puerto Rico real threats.
I am up for a laugh so why dont you share with us the list of natural resources we have ?
Brexit was great for the UK . Imagine not having to pay billions to an organization that limits your trade potential , compromises the workforce with cheap labor and who manages your border like a public bathroom. The opportunity for inward investment will improve their economy as soon as new legislation is clarified. As you have said change is inevitable and in this case the best thing for citizens of the UK including these islands. The change you do not want is the separation of these Islands from the UK.
Ok bub.
You hold your corner, and I’ll hold mine. Deal?
To engage in any further exchanges would be pointless.
Re: “Btw can you please remind us of the instances you speak of because i have a few dates for you to check out too including the beheading of a British officer in Britan by immigrants.”
Excuse you? Immigrants??
Both of those “be-headers” were born Brits, my friend.
However, your regard of them as “immigrants” is testament to the ingrain culture of most Brits and no doubt has greatly contributed to the divisions and frictions in British society today.
yes, it has contributed because they may have been born there but their heart and culture was overseas in sharialand.
So 2.34pm you of course would never consider yourself “racist and xenophobic”.