Bush’s tirade condemned
(CNS): The opposition leader described the premier’s attack on the governor as a “wicked attempt at distraction” from the three police investigations surrounding him, which he has failed to explain to the people of the Cayman Islands. Members of the opposition and the independent member were quick to condemn the attack by Premier McKeeva Bush on GovernorDuncan Taylor and called on the country’s leader to explain the infamous Stan Thomas letter as well as his involvement in the dynamite shipment. Alden McLaughlin said that raising the issue of independence and the relationship with the UK was merely a “red herring” raised in an effort to change the public discussion about the premier and the police probes.
Following a statement released by the premier on Friday evening, in which he launched an attack on Duncan Taylor and took his conspiracy theories to a new level, the opposition warned that Bush was setting the Cayman Islands up for a repeat of what happened in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
“Mr Bush as Premier should not risk the long-established and mutually beneficially relationship that Cayman and the UK have enjoyed by his unwarranted accusations and attack on the UK's representative,” Ezzard Miller and Arden Mclean warned in a joint statement. “We are extremely concerned that Mr Bush's approach draws eerie similarities to what happened in the Turks & Caicos Islands, which led to the suspension of their constitution, the removal of their elected government and multiple persons being charged with corruption and other abuses of power.”
McLaughlin said Bush must explain the Stan Thomas letter and detail the service provided to Thomas whilst he was leader of government business and what his involvement was in the recent shipment of unlicensed explosives. Condemning the outrageous comments Bush made about the governor, the opposition leader said the premier had to step aside and cooperate with the investigations until they were concluded one way or another.
“I deplore the disgraceful and vindictive attack on the governor,” he said. “It is a truly wicked attempt at distraction and to create a red herring by raising the issue of independence by questioning if the UK is serving us well. He is seeking to distract the focus of public discussion rather than doing what he ought to do, which is to explain the Stan Thomas letter.”
McLaughlin repeated his position that it was untenable for the premier to remain in office given the circumstances as he was attracting further negative international media attention with his comments, risking the reputation of the Cayman Islands.
Miller and McLean agreed and said Bush’s statement was a misguided attempt to deflect attention from the position he was in as the subject of three police investigations.
“It is not Mr Taylor's signature that is on a demand letter to Stan Thomas. It is Mr Bush's. It is not Mr Taylor who is allegedly caught up in an illegal attempt to import explosives into the Cayman Islands. It is Mr Bush,” they said.
“The difficulties that Mr Bush finds himself in cannot be overcome by attempting to pit the Caymanian people against the UK's representative. The solution can only be achieved if Mr Bush would proffer explanations and evidence that are satisfactory to the police so that the investigations can be concluded.”
Despite the pressure on Bush to step aside until the investigations concluded, he has refused to do so and described the investigations as baseless and a conspiracy between the governor, the police commissioner and FCO bureaucrats. In his extraordinary statement on Friday, Bush accused the governor of doing nothing to help the Cayman Islands and “stealthily and insidiously” undermining his attempts to improve the local economy.
Once again Bush failed to illuminate the people about the letter he sent to Thomas demanding $350,000 for a service which remains unexplained and denied importing dynamite.
“I have not done anything illegal to cause a probe into what is termed financial irregularities and I have not imported or caused to be imported any explosive material,” the premier stated Friday.
As Bush’s political colleagues in theUDP continue to stand behind their leader and support his continuation in office, the proposed lack of confidence motion filed by the opposition is doomed to failure even if it reaches the floor of the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, when legislators meet for the first time since Police Commissioner David Baines revealed that the premier was the subject of three different police investigations.
The opposition is holding a public meeting this evening in Savannah in an effort to encourage people on to the streets outside the parliament on Wednesday to increase the pressure on Bush to step aside.
See related story:
Category: Politics
Never have i been so embarrassed as in recent times, as each week the premier spouts out the most arrant nonsence.
The premier needs to take responsibility for the mess he finds himself (and Cayman's reputation) in. Or we all need to bring the pressure to bear to ensure "Accountabilty and Good Governance" as he (and his Party) are clearly unwilling to do.
Please all responsible people (all of us) sign One Person One Vote "Yes"!
Let's stand and be counted as caring for our (and future generations) future!
Caymanians don't really want independent candidates. There were many independent candidates with potential running in George Town, West Bay and Bodden Town, but they did not recieve the votes. The votes went to the candidates of the UDP and PPM.
The days of Independents are over. That is the reality we must face. Voting for independents will only serve to split the anti-UDP vote and ensure that the UDP is returned to power. The PPM is lacklustre but is by far the lesser of two evils.
This is not an issue of "party politics". In fact it has proved to all that the UDP is not a functioning political party at all. If it was functiioning then some of their members would have the guts to say "Mac, you need to explain this fax and this $350,000 payment to us, because it looks to be criminal, and if it's not criminal tell us what it was" The fact that the UDP as a whole are not asking their leader to explain himself or step aside is not only damaging to the Cayman Islands they claim to love but has, in effect, ended the UDP as a party. It's hard to imagine that if this situation continues they will ever have any respect again.
Dear 18:38
You are wrong as two left shoes!. Much has taken place since 2008!
It is not the UDP alone that has been under the microscope but the PPM as well!
This is now 2012 the people of the Cayman Islands are through with party politics and party politicians. There is no confidence in this system that has left us divided and hating one another.
People have now matured, learned a hard lesson and is now ready to stand in the center of the aisle as independent candidates. There is far too much stench and stigma attached to the character of political parties.
Sorry but you missed your boat.
Independents is the new way to go!
here's another one http://www.plenglish.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=504022&Itemid=1 well, Bush always seems to want to go abroad, I guess he's figured out a way to get there in more ways than one.
"'My hands are clean and my heart is pure,' said the premier." -> LMAO!!!
And this was aired on radio cayman???? If so, the governor should look into this. Cuz if we the people cant blast off mckeeva when we want to on there. Then how was he able to disrespect the governor on it? Just goes to show, mckeeva runs the show round yah boy.
Take him to court mr governor. Take his big mouth straight to court. Cuz that’s where he tries to take ewry body else.
He always been a lil west bay fop yah see. Need a good flogging and a real pastor!
This is the problem with party politics. We don't vote the premiere in, the party whom gets voted in votes for the premiere.
An independent member will never become premiere.
His heart is pure…
and pass the Purell please!
AND his hands are clean!!
It is very true, The Party system has failed because our Politicias are not mature aand most important…… our island is too DARN small for a Party system its a fact, We did not have this much trouble and diesagreeance when there were no Party or so called Leader of Government bussiness or now the PREMIER. Go back to when all EXCO members had the same power and they report to the Deputy Governor I say.
We dont need a PREMIER or Deputy PREMEIR lets get back to basics.
A M E N!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I SAY IT AGAIN AND AGAIN.
Why is he so angry if he has done nothing wrong? This anger only suggests he has something to hide.
That's what Mother used to say!!!
But his lawyer has advised him !! When you have something to hide or guilt you run go find a lawyer.
and he found steve
Sorry, I live off island. What was the importation of the dynamite for? A quarry to get aggregate for the new bypass into West Bay?
BINGO! Oh what a tangled web …. But all threads converge on a single point.
SShhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Be happy you live off island. Because it is (under investigation here) no one can know that doesn't already know. On island information is not free.
No one is out to get McKeeva! McKeeva alledgedly has done some wrong and is being investigated for that. Why is it that because he may be going down, he wants to take the whole Island down with him? All McKeeva Bush needs to do right now is to STEP ASIDE and let the investigations take place. If his hands are clean and his heart is pure then that is ALL he has to do. It will then be a temporary move. STEP ASIDE MR. BUSH!!
Good morning to all readers. I am not a member of any party and firmly believe that they serve only to pitch us against each other. I support the idea of abolishing this party system and going back to independents that have no choice but to work together for the common good as opposed to working together for the good of their own party. In my opinion, the party system only breeds corruption, favoritism, insider trading and nepotism. Thank you for your time.
The only potential loss of the UDP going are, Rolston and Mike. XXXX. I say this as both men have tremendous attributes, but are clearly unwilling to do the right thing.
DO THE HONORABLE THING
The blame game is a double edge sword that cuts both ways. Embarrassing our country by intentionally accusing Her Majesty’s representatives of outlandish acts is something that can’t be walked back. I believe jet lag is the problem. Too much extensive travel has gotten to our main man. He would never commit such blunders in an election cycle if he wasn’t traveling too much. He would never sink his party’s political ambitions like that. If he only stayed home and worked on the people’s priorities like crime, he would never have gotten into this mess. One investigation is one thing, two is serious but three it’s time to act. I think it’s time for our leader to do the honorable thing and apologize to Her Majesty and her representatives and step down until all investigations are complete. That’s my opinion and I’m sticking to it.
And a similar tirade by Mr McLaughlin's honourable colleague on 22 October 2009 (as reported in Hansard and posted elsewhere) against Stuart Jack's conduct during Operation Tempura was acceptable?
This is just party politics.
There was no similar tirade. Nothing any politician to date has said approaches Mac's latest speech. Going after the Governor's family troubles – really?!. And we had a legitimate grievance with the funds spent on Operation Tempura which brought no real results. Most Caymanians felt the same way. That was not a case of the people under investigation trying to absolve themselves by accusing the investigators.
Whoa, he has finally spun out of control. Blasting the Governor in public is completely unacceptable behavior. Why would he do it? I suspect he will be in a position soon to blame others for his ultimate demise. "I was setup Mon". Yeah right.
Investigations are just that, investigating something peculiar, let those run their courses, do not speculate, they soon come.
There are rules of engagement and for many good reasons. Learn to play by the rules and be good at it. Nobody can criticize you for that. The UK accepts the CI procurement process. Use it. Bully outside the rules and you're done, done, done.
We are an Overseas Territory and look what shameful silliness you have done and how badly that will affect our reputation with the UK and elsewhere.
Please pack up your ball and go bye-bye because now almost nobody wants "Mac the Bully" anywhere on this island. You sir are indeed done, done done.
Just watch, your Buds will jump ship rather rapidly.
Good, bad or indifferent the Governor is the Governor. This should have been kept offline. That's RESPECT. You blew it Mon.
But I am quite sure there is a method to your madness and that will soon come. Turks and Caicos comes to the forefront of my mind.
The problem with Cayman is its full of undereducated self centered voters.
And those who take advantage.
The problem with Cayman is —it's full of undereducated self-centered politicans that take advantage of their positions.
: ) There all fixed. Glad to help.
Undereducated, self-centred voters and politicians, the problem with Cayman? The problem with the world, you mean?
By truth,
let me give you some information, i don't know who you are or what country you come from. But let me educate you, England literacy rate is # 44 in the world, America rates # 45 Canada rates # 25. If you don't like the way we vote, go somewhere else.
By truth,
let me give you some accurate infomation and educate you.
UK's (4 countries England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland) literacy rate is 99% and (along with 24 other countries) ranks 10th in the world…. its just number 44 on the list: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_literacy_rate
What's your literacy rate?
Surely you mean the Legislative Assembly is full of undereducated self centered politicians!!!
Thank you.
None of these two political parties need to be in power.
Independent members must run and be considered for election.
the PPM left this country in financial disaster, and they have a
nerve to ask the Premier to step down?
I beg to differ.
my memory is not shortened.
I remember May 2009 -' COUNTRY IN FINANCIAL STRESS"
THE PPM RESPONSIBLE!
Would you like May 2013 headlines to say "COUNTRY IN FINANCIAL STRESS – NOBODY RESPONSIBLE"?
No I would like the headlines to scream: “COUNTRY NOW HAS STRATEGY TO MOVE FORWARD, WORKING TOGETHER, WITH ONE VOICE, TO BUILD AND STRENGTHEN CAYMAN”. But all of us can dream……
Wasn't it Hon McKeeva who alleged that?? In reality could the financial mess/stress just have been (all or in part) the inevitable consequence of a Global economic downturn….ie less revenue than expected….along with the rest of the world; projects shelved due to recession….more and bigger countries caught out other than here…perhaps the coincidence of the Global meltdown at the same time as the last election just helped to feed the propaganda machine???
In your opinion, the PPM spent too much money, perhaps you are right but it was spent on new schools, a new bypass, new police boats, BT civic centre, a new DVLC etc…….
The UDP have spent just as much money (and probably more) on "gifts" to supporters including paving private parking lots, "settlements", shutters, millions to churches, mistakes which have led to us losing money on projects that never happen. Don't get me started on the first class travel all over the world! They are now reduced to attempting to sell our countries assets in the hope that they can say they made money. They have not completed a single project they have started.
BIG difference, sorry you cannot see it.
Whatever the PPM spent …they spent it on the people….WE ALL NOW ENJOY THE ROADS AND FOR THE NEXT 50 YEARS WE WILL BENEFIT FROM THE SCHOOLS.
The UDP HAVE ALREADY SPENT A FORTUNE WITH NOTHING TO SHOW FOR IT EXCEPT TRAVEL EXPENSES…AND A FEW LAW SUITS.
Anon 09:28, you honestly believe whatever the premier tells you? Haha, that is funny in itself. The premier has said the "Country is in financial stress" but when asked to prove it he could not, he even changed the laws so that the lies would not be exposed. Of course the economy was going through a bad time, the world was in a recession & every country in the world was suffering & Cayman was no different. But as to Cayman being bankrupt, well,you might be stupid or blinded by Mckeeva Bush's talk but if we were bankrupt at the time why didn't he simply PROVE it, why didn't he produce the evidence. The reason why is because the evidence would have shown that things were not as bad as the premier was making out. Take off your green tinted shades & answer this: if the country was so broke do you honestly believe that Mckeeva Bush & his UDP colleagues could have wasted the hundreds of millions that they have wasted from the day they got into power? Yes, he fooled alot of people, including you poor thing, by repeating it over & over, while hurting the Cayman economy (more than the PPM ever did) by scaring off existing & potential investors with his exaggerated claims that Cayman was bankrupt. The man just does not think, all he is concerned about is himself & power & greed! I would suggest you keep those green tinted shades off your preyty little head.
I'm not for one party or the other…as a matter of fact I think the party system has been our downfall in the past decade. Our politicians have learned to divide and conquer (our pockets). Cayman needs a few good leaders that can balance a budget and should run this country like a small profitable county, not a bananna republic.
Please do not mention independence, that is the last thing I want. Our people need more accountability of spending and to rein in the egos of our politicians. If not for the UK, this would be the wild west (ern Caribbean).
It's too late! The country IS being run like a banana republic. The powers that be are doing everything they can to get all they can…. and only give to the people when they want votes!
The heat is on……
Rats when cornered will hiss and spit and bear their fangs….then they get squashed.
The Governor knows this, we know this and wait in hope .