Tag: UPM
UPM backs down on attempt to gut conservation law
(CNS): After the parliament met amid significant controversy on Friday, Sustainability Minister Dwayne Seymour withdrew the contentious National Conservation Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024, citing, though not explaining, the cooperation that the UPM had enjoyed from the official opposition. After delivering a short speech in which he suggested (incorrectly, given the wide opposition to the legislation) […]
Activists urge PPM not to allow UPM’s contested bills
(CNS): As Cayman waits to find out if parliament will meet on Friday, local activist group Sustainable Cayman is urging the PPM to stick to their previously stated position and not allow the two controversial bills that the minority government wants to push through the House to pass or even to be debated. At a […]
Premier overrules majority to put contested bills on agenda
(CNS): Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly has overruled the opposition majority of MPs on the parliamentary Business Committee and reneged on a deal the UPM minority government had with the Progressives, who agreed to support the government’s quorum until the election, which is just three months away, if the UPM did not put contentious bills on the […]
Lame-duck Cabinet keeps spending public cash
(CNS): The minority UPM government has shown no signs of letting up on critical decision-making, such as spending and policy, including the drafting of various amendment bills that may not pass, given that the administration lost its mandate to govern back in October. The lame-duck Cabinet, comprising just five ministers, had two meetings in January, […]
Mac begs opposition to support the UPM’s bills
(CNS): McKeeva Bush MP has made an unabashed appeal to PPM Leader Joey Hew and other opposition members to attend the parliamentary Business Committee meetings ahead of the scheduled session this month and help get the referendum bill and changes to the conservation law on the order paper for debate.
Scientists not consulted over conservation law changes
(CNS): The minority UPM government did not consult scientists or technical experts at the Department of Environment when it drafted the controversial amendments to the National Conservation Act. Since publishing the amendment bill, there has been no comment from the sustainability minister, senior ministry officials or the premier on the proposed changes, the justification for […]
Panton warns of political risk posed by NCA changes
(CNS): Former premier and sustainability minister Wayne Panton has raised significant concerns about the minority UPM government’s attempts to gut the National Conservation Act, specifically the damage the proposed changes could cause to the environment as well as the political and governance risks they present. Panton said the draft bill not only undermines the intent […]
UPM posts draft bill to gut conservation act
(CNS): In a shocking, but not surprising move the minority UPM administration posted a draft amendment bill minutes before noon on New Years Eve that would, if passed, make dramatic changes to one of the country’s most important pieces of legislation when it comes to the future of the Cayman Islands and the type of […]
Minority CIG publishes contentious referendum bill
(CNS): The UPM were looking for a Christmas miracle on Monday evening when the government published the referendum bill in the Gazette. The legislation sets out three questions that would, if the legislation passes, be put to voters on General Election Day, which is set for 30 April. However, the chance of the bill passing […]
UPM in mystery talks to swap Barkers land with Dart
(CNS) UPDATED: The government has issued a brief statement about the approval of a mystery Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the islands’ largest land owner Dart Enterprises Limited. The deputy governor has now confirmed to CNS that talks, with a view to swapping land in the area to create a national park, are at the […]
Premier confirms parliament will meet in New Year
(CNS): The beleaguered minority UPM government will be calling at least one more meeting of parliament in January, the premier has confirmed. When the House met on Monday, Juliana O’Connor-Connolly told MPs that they would meet again in the New Year before the election, even though she doesn’t have a quorum on the government bench, […]
