Politicians on global trips
Some of the Cayman delegation in Monaco 
Cayman delegation hands a cheque to Prince Albert of Monaco 
McKeeva Bush with other members of the CPA Small Branches Executive Council in Kampala, Uganda 
(L-R) Chris Wight, David Wight, Tamara Bostock, Andre Ebanks, Adrian Wight, Philippa Knights, Charles Parchment, Rahat Siddiqi (Photo provided by CIG)
(CNS) Almost half of the Cayman Islands Cabinet and several politicians were away last week with two delegations on international trips. The home affairs and education ministers, the speaker, the opposition leader and the George Town Central MLA were in Africa, the MLA for George Town West was in the UK, while the premier and commerce minister were with a large group in Monaco, where Prince Albert II accepted an invitation to come to Cayman next year.
It was not until the eve of the premier’s return this weekend that CNS was able to get confirmation that, given the deputy premier’s recent family loss, Finance Minister Roy McTaggart has been acting as premier.
House Speaker McKeeva Bush, Education Minister Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, Financial Services Minister Tara Rivers, Opposition Leader Arden McLean and MLA Kenneth Bryan (GTC) all represented Cayman at the 64th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Kampala, Uganda. While there, Bush was elected as the deputy chair of the CPA Small Branches Executive Council of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and will represent all small countries in the world body in this forum.
As an executive member, Bush will be engaged in highlighting the issues and challenges facing small countries and boosting the network for the CPA Small Branches to share knowledge and create opportunities for parliamentary strengthening and cooperation.
At the event Rivers stood for election to the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Group, but she was beaten by Shandana Gulzar Khan from the National Assembly of Pakistan, who got 48 votes against Rivers’ 34.
Meanwhile, the Premier led a delegation, which included members of the private sector, to the Monaco Yacht Show to promote the Cayman Islands Shipping Registry. Dozens of Cayman riders and other wealthy cycling fans attending the luxury jolly also took part in a charity bike ride, which raised some $40,000 for Prince Albert II’s charity.
Speaking about the prince’s upcoming visit to Cayman, the premier said he was delighted he had accepted the invitation.
“The visit will give us the opportunity to further cement and build the relations between the Cayman Islands and Monaco,” McLaughlin said in a press release. “It will also raise our profile more broadly in the Monaco community and beyond, as we continue to look for opportunities to attract businesses and investors in key jurisdictions such as Monaco.”
The prince confirmed his intention to visit the Cayman Islands at a reception on Wednesday, where the Cayman delegation was pitching the shipping registry to the yachting community.
Around three quarters of the world’s super yachts fly the red ensign of the Cayman Islands flag, which was dominant at the MYS, officials said.
Chief Officer Eric Bush said the engagement in Monaco was paying off. “The Monaco Yacht Show is an ideal platform for Cayman to showcase who we are: a sophisticated, world-class country, ideal for investment and to visit,” he added.
Commerce Minister Joey Hew added that a robust local economy was an attractive option for overseas investors. “But when we’re able to deliver strong economic growth through increased investment, local businesses and families will feel the benefit across the Cayman Islands,” he said.
The responsibility for the safety of vessels on the register came into focus Saturday for MACI, when a Russian oil tanker flying the Cayman Islands flag exploded while docked at a Korean port. Stolt Tankers said its vessel, Stolt Groenland, had exploded and caused a fire while berthed in Ulsan, South Korea.
All crew were evacuated though several have been injured. Korean emergency services had responded, putting out the blaze and stablizing the vessel. Stolt said it had activated its emergency response team but the cause of the incident is yet unknown.
- Fascinated
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Bored
- Afraid
Category: Politics
How do we compare to Bermuda?
Cabinet ministers [Bermuda] spent almost $140,000 on overseas trips during their second year in power, according to the Government’s online travel calendar.
Cabinet [Bermuda] cuts spending on ministerial travel. http://www.royalgazette.com/politics/article/20191002/cabinet-cuts-spending-on-ministerial-travel
As the comments on that article indicate, the travel bill for Bermuda government is actually close to $1 million. The $140,000 is just for Cabinet ministers.
For those that understand how global marketing works, and how it benefits all of the people of these islands, I want to say, well done CIG for taking our tiny economic miracle to the market and letting them know we are here!
Those who don’t travel think that it’s glamorous. Those of us that do know that it’s tiring, annoying and stressful. There is no glamor in doing the things that need to be done to promote our jurisdiction so that it can continue to do well.
I applaud the efforts of CIG and the private sector, all of the latter of whom pay their own way, to promote these islands tirelessly, for the benefit of all.
Let them know in Uganda we are here.
Why do we have to tell them 3 times in 13 months in Monaco we are here?
Are you enjoying the trip?
We had to tell them 3 times in 13 months to get the prince to visit, because…erm
Anyway, now that he’s coming, his visit will be covered by the international press and watched by the world, and create massive returns for the economy. We will also further develop our ‘strategic relationships’ or something…
Quick! Close the airport before they come back!
Politicians are on a “free for all” entertainment trip while you a struggling to pay your bills.
Joey Hew and Eric Bush are a disgrace to this country. Galivanting in Monaco with Dart’s hotshots on the public purse, while Cayman public school kids are being given a 3rd world education??? You people make me sick. With the state of public education in this country, NO public official should be PROUD to be grinning in a photo with Dart execs in Monaco!! SHAME ON YOU!!!
“ideal country for investment and to visit.”
Note they didn’t say nuttin bout livin’ or breedin’ bobo
But to visit 3 times in 13 months?
I hope they would provide a respirator in case of a fire at the Dump
They need such a big delegation so they have someone to talk to…sounds like everyone else just sort of moves on after the first couple sentences…nothin here but some petty corrupt islanders…hey there’s a celebrity.
Our profile is very high thank you Alden. We are mentioned in a high proportion of films, books, plays etc where money laundering, hedge fund managers and inequality are mentioned.
If even half the stories coming back from the Monaco trip are true I doubt they are getting any work done.
Oh, do tell.
And if we elect a new lot next time around…..they’ll all do the same.
Unfortunately, we need new but young blood, not career politicians or ex radio hosts..
I love how McKeeva is heading up a prestigious committee to help small countries …….. when he does not even come from a Country.
BOTs are NOT countries Mr. Bush. What can you do to help them anyway?
If you had looked at the membership of the CPA Small Branches group you would see that we fit right in and will be able to contribute as much as any of these other places most of which are not countries:
AUSTRALIA
Australian Capital Territory
Northern Territory
Tasmania
AFRICA
Seychelles
BRITISH ISLES AND THE MEDITERRANEAN
Alderney
Falkland Islands
Gibraltar
Guernsey
Isle of Man
Jersey
Malta
St Helena
CANADA
Northwest Territories
Nunavut
Prince Edward Island
Yukon
CARIBBEAN, AMERICAS AND THE ATLANTIC
Anguilla
Antigua & Barbuda
The Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Bermuda
British Virgin Islands
Cayman Islands
Dominica
Grenada
Montserrat
St Christopher & Nevis
Nevis Island
St Lucia
St Vincent & the Grenadines
Turks & Caicos Islands
PACIFIC
Bougainville
Cook Islands
Kiribati
Nauru
Niue
Samoa
Solomon Islands
Tonga
Tuvalu
Vanuatu (s)
SOUTH EAST ASIA
Perlis
There are territories, sub-national divisions, states in free association, and full sovereign UN countries. What they have in common is being small, not being countries.
Thanks for the list. We should run away from these people.
I’m pretty sure you’re in this group if your parliament is below a certain headcount and that’s that
Mac couldn’t spell or pronounce half of those.
10.25pm He will after he’s finished visiting all of them.
We are nothing more than a friggin colony. Lets accept that fact.
I love that Mac is the speaker of the house! He doesn’t even have a portfolio or any policy or decision making role whatsoever. What the hell is he doing there?
It’s an association of parliaments, not countries. The Speaker is the head of ours, and in fact, in the same way that the Chief Justice would be first off to a conference to speak on behalf of Cayman’s judiciary or the Premier would be first off to represent Cayman in any area the Governor is not responsible for, the Speaker is first off to represent the Legislative Assembly and parliamentary democracy in Cayman. It’s the others who are hangers on for this trip, really, but even then, they’re parliamentarians too and the CPA does good work so it’s beneficial for them to attend.
But dey aint got no casinoes in Uganda, do dey?
He’s stopping off in Monaco on the way back.
Actually there are 3 really good casinos in Kampala, Uganda.
I guess the value of the Kampala trip is the opportunity for our delegation to check out their roots, and observe how high level corruption can destroy countries.
Bushman, Our Caribbean roots are from West Africa not East Africa. Huge difference.
Not all West Indians, let alone Caymanians, have roots from Africa, including me, just saying. Respect for all but let’s not generalise.
By far the majority of West Indians and Caribbean people have their roots in West Africa. Of course, if your roots were as a coloniser then you are not in that group.
5.59am So Nigeria is not corrupt??
“It’s good to be king” and apparently Prince and Jester too.
There is a good possibility that these trips are a massive waste of public funds. I only hope that each individual that is traveling on behalf of the government has clearly defined objectives and that mechanisms are in place to measure the value of each individuals contribution.
While I accept that there is possible value to be had from some of these overseas events, I am also skeptical that anything meaningful can be achieved by an administration that doesn’t seem to have the capacity or ability to get the trash collection service operating in a consistently efficient manner.
Is that a Cayman Govt delegation or a Dart delegation? Isn’t that the top execs of Dart?Oh wait, no difference, how we are sold out, its appalling whats happened to our country
Why would a Home Affairs minister have to go abroad? Isn’t his job only about Home Affairs? STAY HOME & DO YOUR JOB!!!!!
Err…his job? Tara is Home Affairs Minister.
For that matter why would the Minister of Education need to go abroad since she international research and instead relys on the bible and gut prejudice to get by.
JuJu has done more for the Brac than anyone else in recent history.
Certainly on the paving side 😉
I read this comment yesterday and started laughing, I’ve just stopped.
Stopped when you realized how much taxpayers money she has spent?
Cayman politicians galavanting all over the world on the taxpayers’ dime — wouldn’t you just know it? And now we hear that Monaco’s Prince Albert will make a trip to Cayman in 2020. Is Monaco paying for it — or will this tab be picked up by Cayman taxpayers as well? I’m guessing the latter.
You know how much of ‘our’ tax revenue comes from foreign companies and individuals right?
Not saying you’re wrong, but why are we obligated to pay for ANY royal visit to the Cayman Islands? What do we get out of it?!
MACI can sometime get some bad press but I am happy to see the support the Premier is giving under the formation of the New Ministry. Strengthening the Registry’s ties with countries like Monaco, will continue to grow this global organization that Cayman should be very proud of. Kudos to Joel Walton and his dedicated team here at home and overseas.
8.14am The Registry does not need a delegation of local politicians to support it in Monaco, I am sure it is well supported by it’s overseas representatives who have all the technical qualifications is ship registration and survey.
Can’t get their snouts out of the trough????????
Riding all that way to raise only $40k.
Was it not a $40K donation.
I wonder how many school kids that would feed
Guess who paid for this shit?
Yep. Us.
Guys, can you bring us back a t-shirt?
Yup, my MLA went Monaco and I didn’t even get a lousy t-shirt!
Fair play – you got the bill for the shirt.
Cayman delegation ain’t nothing Caymanian bout them! Wow Georgetown North voters your MLA is working hard pushing your interest in Monaco and giving away $40,000 dollars to those who’s electricity is always on groceries are in their fridge half across the world. Some of you are sooo stupid it aint real! Even Kenneth get a likle trip to hush he mouth.
Did they check on minimum wage, healthcare, education and the cost of loving in monacp ?
Most expenses are paid by the national casino.
Will excuse the spelling. But still gets a 👍
You will excuse 2 typos? You couldn’t figure out what was being said with 2 typos? Because those don’t look like spelling mistakes to me… Typos. Different thing.
Simple question Joey Hew you working for us or Dart???? Look at all dem Caymanons!!! How truly sad Cayman when we have a government completely own and run by a private entity. Picture speaks volumes! The good news Mckeewa is elected to deputy CPA small business Lord hep them poor people! They soon find out who running tings
Joey need to get his ass back home and fix the damn dump!
Joey doesn’t seem to be able to fix anything!
#JOEYWHO
Who?
Can someone explain why Chris Duggan (Dart) was with the delegation?
Along with MVV and JD – why 3 of them? What has Dart got to do with the CI Shipping Registry?
Four. You missed Jackie Jr. on the far right.
Dart practically owns the Cayman Islands. Dart are just there to make sure the politicians toe the line.
I have zero inside information, but given the stayed purpose is to attract more investment having a representative of the islands largest investor could be able to provide very useful information to other potential investors
Investors in the new Dart 50 storey building to be officially announced next year.
Not only Mr Duggan but all the senior staff members from Dart, Mr Crowley and Mr Hurley (former Digicel employee) ?
Looks like a mates trip to me.
WaYaSay
Well you see, the deal could have hypothetically gone like this.
Alden and his cycling buddies got Dart yo put up CI$32,000.00, which they promptly advertised as US$40,000.00 …… for something to be conjured up.
They said to Alden in passing, that-they had to fake some kind of fundraising event in order for Dart to write the check, and none of his cycling buddies could come up with any ideas besides a bicycle wash, which could never explain $40,000.00.
Then they thought about the perfect opportunity,to kill three birds with one stone.
Gather up all the cycling buddies for an all expense paid vacation in Monaco, on the taxpayers dime. (Caymanians like Dart are actually paying twice, because he pays more taxes than anyone else)
Go for a great morning ride on the Monaco countryside with your cycling buddies and last but not least.
Provide Dart with a legitimate international charity in order to allow his accountants to write it off whatever taxes he still pays in teh US.
I cannot think of any other reason for the two top Dart employees to be on this trip, except for charitable purposes, I hoe he paid their way at least.
WaYaSay
Does it matter? The Dart team paid their own way.
How do you know that, 7:25?
Did they really?
And Jackie Doak. What on earth interest does Dart have in either Monaco or the yacht registry – curious.
or Brian Hurley?
Emmm do you need me to spell it out. Cayman is run by Dart and therefore has a vested interest in this trip.
Simple. Dart has to sell multi million dollar condos for their new 50 storey building. Lots of high end rich people in Monaco who love tax havens.
But didn’t CIG have a major delegation last October and then again in April in Monaco?
Mother in London, please step in and save us from ourselves. Time for the Governor to put his foot down as the CIG children are out of control. At what point are leaders accountable financially?
Haven’t you heard? Monaco is a lot of fun. I mean an important market…
Once more I shall say it. We can’t get out shit here together in GREAT Britain (lol), so sort out your own mess.
These people have no shame. Monaco & Kampala, Uganda? Really looking after our interests there. This is really “SAD” as the greatest leader in the history of the world would say.
To be fair the CPA is a legitimate reason for a trip, just not sure how many needed to go. Mac’s going to educate small countries on how to efficiently use credit cards for financial control.
Can somebody determine the total cost for all these trips? Must be into the many millions while there is no money to deal with the removal of THE DUMP.
And I assume spouses and ancillary support staff are included too.
There is no need for this. In the light of climate change, all unnecessary political travel should be curtailed.
Can we get a statement from our politicians on this?
Do we not have enough IT skills in house to solve this?
You people are taking the piss. Is saving the planet just for the peons so the elite class can crush us under their filthy, money-tainted, iron fist while they gallivant around the planet on their super-necessary jollies.
%$#@ you, politicians and your puppet masters from Chatham House (Google it). We see you.
We see you for what you are.
I am so proud of our Unity Government!
Then you should of gone with him and stand next to Mac in his crucifix for when lightning strike him…
But he’s on the trip.
Are you enjoying the trip 2:22?
Why are all the Dart minions there as part of the govt package?
2:18, You haven’t got it yet? Wake up. Dart owns the CIG and is in their pockets.
Picture worth a thousand words…
Well now we know exactly who is running our islands and Joey is the puppet in the Dartion show. The people will pay another $500K to entertain Prince of Russia Albert and Alden will have him do a bike tour to raise funds for Dart Tower.
How dare you call them minions. They are very important people , or so they keep reminding us.
They own your island almost so they actually are important.
Super yachts and tax havens go so delightful together!
McLaughlin said in a press release. “It will also raise our profile more broadly in the Monaco community and beyond, as we continue to look for opportunities to attract businesses and investors in key jurisdictions such as Monaco.”
3 CIG trips to Monaco in 13 months? Cmon people. Wake up.
Opportunities to attract investors in 50 storey condos.