Archive for June 8th, 2010

Describing the meeting with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as “excellent”, the premier said the OT minister had welcomed the “positive action” so far and had commended the Cayman Islands Government on the measures proposed in the three year plan, which did not contain proposals for direct taxation and was sent to the UK earlier this year as a proposal on how the CIG would restore public finances to a sustainable footing.

“We had an excellent meeting today which we believe will be the start of a new and positive partnership between the UK and the Cayman Islands,” the minister and the premier said. “We have agreed in principle that the Cayman Islands Government can undertake additional borrowing next year. This agreement will help the Cayman Islands deliver its three year plan to deal with the impact of the global slowdown."

Estimates suggest that the Cayman government will need to borrow over $200 million in the next fiscal year in order to continue existing capital works, initiate a number of new projects including roads and a juvenile detention centre, as well as balance the 2009/10 budget deficit, which is expected to be over $50 million.

Following today’s meeting with the new UK foreign office minister, Bush is scheduled to head for Brussels tomorrow to meet with EU representatives over the Alternative Investment Fund Manager Directive (AIFMD), which could have a detrimental impact on the local fund industry.

The new EU initiative only allows non EU based funds to be marketed in the Union if the country of domicile meets strict new criteria relating to regulatory oversight, anti-money laundering and countering terrorist financing, compliance standards and TIEAs. Bush said last month he believes Cayman will meet the criteria but he intended to find out for sure. "We believe that Cayman, on an objective assessment, meets these criteria. However, we are still seeking clarification on the specifics of the process that they will put in place to assess whether the criteria are met,” Bush had said.

The premier is expected back in the Cayman Islands at the weekend in time for the Queen’s birthday celebrations. The state opening of parliament takes place on Tuesday, 15 June, when the government will deliver the annual Throne Speech and the Budget Address.  

“I understand some of the concerns people may have about younger persons getting involved in politics,” Christian told CNS when we asked him recently about the YUPD and how young Caymanians fit into the politics of the future. “People are concerned that the younger generation will take on the same attitudes and inherit the old way of doing things. However, in my opinion, it’s the next generation that is going to bring this country closer together. We have a new generation of leaders or leaders to be that want positive change and have new concepts of achieving that.”

Christian revealed that there are a number of misconceptions that deter people from becoming involved with local politics and these are the issues that will need to be addressed before young Caymanians will step up and begin influencing the political landscape.

“It’s very difficult to get people in general involved in politics, not just young people. I feel the main barriers that hinder many people from getting involved is the misconception that politics is full of dishonesty,” Christian added.  “People also shy away from politics because they are afraid of being stigmatized by society on which party or candidates they support, fearful of possibly losing their jobs.”

The YUDP leader said he believes that it’s not politics or the even party system that needs to change. “It’s the people behind them that must change,” he said. “People are naturally drawn towards great leaders; we saw this during President Obama’s presidential campaign and Nelson Mandela’s eventual election as President of South Africa. We also saw the thousands of people Martin Luther King Jr. attracted to his peaceful marches. People want to be associated with leaders they can trust, that give them hope and leaders that inspire them.”

Politics, Christian said, is a rare occupation where only ahandful of natural born leaders are called to serve. “It takes a much focused, strong minded, bold and determined individual to be a politician,” he added, explaining that it calls for making tough decisions which will often come under heavy criticism. Already becoming wise to the trials and tribulations, Christian told CNS that he has learned not to believe everything he hears.

When it comes to the work of the YUDP, Christian said it has an important part to play in the community akin to a service club, not just because there are things that need to be done in the community but because service is part of the role a politician should play. The YUPD will serve as a platform for tomorrow’s leaders, he noted, but those leaders need to learn they are also servants.

“In my opinion a politician is a servant to his country,” Christian added.

Since taking the helm of the YUDP, Christian says it has been involved in a number of issues and demonstrated that it can make a meaningful contribution. He said the mainstream party is taking the YUDP membership seriously as they have been successful in pushing the concerns of young people with the mainstream UDP, from job security to crime as well as having a direct influence on policy.

“Recently we were able to influence the government not to proceed with enclosing the Francis Bodden Girls Home property with barbed wire fencing,” he said, adding that the membership is looking into a number of other policy proposals and how they can influence those with an eye on the needs of the country’s youth. “I see the YUDP being one of the groups the party turns to for advice and direction on youth related issues.”

Asked what legislation he would, personally, most like to influence if he could, Christian said he would like to get his hands on the charity’s law. He said it has been on the table for sometime but could make a real difference for some of the country’s less popular, but no less important, charities.

“I love to help those in need and I truly feel that is part of what God has called us to do – share. There are a number of committees and groups in Cayman that are doing a lot of good within the community volunteering their time, but they don’t get the support from the private or the public sector. I think the charity’s law needs to be passed to make it easier for committees and groups to get funding instead of donations going to the same non-profit organizations over and over,” he explained.

With the next election still three years away, Christian revealed that he is not yet sure if he will be stepping into the political fray himself. “My wife and kids are already complaining at the number of meetings and activities that I am involved in,” he laughed when CNS asked if we will see his name on the ballot sheet in 2010. “If it is God’s will for me to run as a candidate, I will. In the meantime, I am just determined to spread the love of God and to be a positive role model. When we look around the world, there are so many inspirational figures that we admire and look up to, I would like to see Cayman start producing leaders that inspire the whole country.” 

The incident is the fifth armed robbery in Grand Cayman in the last five days which has included hits on two gas stations -the Seven Mile Beach and Red Bay ESSOs, Dominos Pizza and the Tortuga Liquor Store in Passadora Place.

Police have said recently that they do not believe any of the robbery’s are connected but are stepping up patrols and warning people who are victims of robberies to remain calm, make a mental note of what is going on and not to put up a fight.  

Detective Francis of George Town CID, is appealing for anyone who may have been in the area at the time, and witnessed anything out of the ordinary to come forward and share the information. Or call 949-4222 or crime stoppers at 800-8477.