UK lord may be moved aside for local boss
(CNS): Although the current Cabinet appears to be relatively pleased with the lobbying work being undertaken by Lord Blencathra, the UK Conservative peer maybe facing a change in his role. Sources indicate that the interim government wants to see a Caymanian back at the helm of the London Office. While the Tory lord may still be able to assist the Cayman government when it comes to the financial sector, it is understood that the ambassadorial role traditionally held by the head of the Cayman office in the UK should be held by a native of the islands. Blencathra is paid some CI$19,000 per month to represent Cayman but his title as director of the office may soon be removed.
It is not clear yet whether Charles Parchment, the most senior Caymanian in London, will take up the top job or whether another Caymanian will be sent to London but it is becoming increasingly clear that the government wishes for Blencathra to confine his work to the lobbying on behalf of the financial services sector.
The appointment of the Tory peer by former premier McKeeva Bush stirred up controversy both here and in London when even the UK's Foreign Office questioned whether it was appropriate to have a government member of the UK’s House of Lords as an ambassador for an overseas territory. Bush claimed on a number of occasions that Cayman Islands Governor Duncan Taylor had also tried to block the appointment.
Although the peer was cleared by the UK’s own parliamentary committees of any potential conflict of interest, his status as a non-Caymanian continues to generate controversy back in Cayman.
Speaking at a government press briefing last week, both Premier Juliana O'Connor-Connolly and Deputy Premier Rolston Anglin indicated that, while Belncathra’s lobbying was still welcome, the government was reconsidering the structure of the London Office and pointed for the need to make savings there.
Related article:
Lord Blencathra threatens legal action (CNS 30 November 2012)
Category: Politics
What an outfit did his mother dress him??
Good Lord!
Not talking about you Lord Blencathra…
Lord. My my, what a hefty title! It's no wonder he needs all the fancy dress to keep up the facade.
Can someone PLEASE tell me what this man has done for our country. I have not heard a single radio address, heard no reports in the media as to what he has accomplished except the fact that he seems to be a magician who makes 19 smackeroonis appear in his bank account every month. I think I'll hire him for my daughter's birthday party.
Can he not make a simple YouTube and just tell us what he's doing for us and how we can help?
I can see it now,
"This is Lord Blencathra, but you guys can call me Blenky. First of all, thanks for the generous coin. If you want to know how I came across it, I suggest you talk to the Honourable McKeeva Bush. I like the money. It sits in my account really well and when I invite the big boys from Moscow over, I put little Caymanian flags at each spot on the dinner table and we always have a good laugh at your expense. Nice Brandy by the way. The bottle was from the Napoleonic era. But then again, you good folk wouldn't want me drinking the cheap stuff. It gives a bad impression. Until next month, chappies. Tally-ho. And if you want me to visit your hole – oops I mean blessed, verdant land, would you please clean up that dump? It is a violation of my Human Rights. Cheerio."
What kind of idiot would pay this absurd amount! What? Bush you say? Ahhhh it all makes sense now…XXXX
And what kind of idiot would pay an idiot like Bush an even larger amount with an even larger amount than that in benefits for an even longer time? What? Hopefully you have learned a VERY expensive lesson. I'm sure you will understand any scepticism toward you in the near future.
What an outrageous waste on money. With JuJu flying there all the time what does the person in this job do? The money could be better spent on marketing Cayman; improving the turd-tle farm, employing more cops!
Also, don't let this spot be filled be a local; they'll waste the money, live the high life, be open to corruption/collussion, & achieve nothing; whereas someone else will just take the money, live the high life, & still achieve nothing.
Hopefully this new Govt. have sense (I believe they may do), so perhaps sense will prevail.
I will do the job for half that salary, and I am a qualified Caymainan.
Qualifed or just "suitably qualified"?
we should be able to get at least two for that price ! i don’t care what they have attached to their name, lord , Jesus or what ever else.
Both Blencartha and Parchment are a complete waste of money! Why can’t we use a former Governor like Owens or Smith to act as a Representative at a much lower salary than what is paid at present?
Which Parchment u say this is? Richard's cousin? Oh dear!!!
Owen is already on the freebie wagon train, somebody wasting a whole heap on yet another has been civil servant.
Why is this post necessary in these austere times?
There are multiple government departments and agencies already, including Financial Services Secretariat, DOT, Ministry of Finance and CIG has Sidley & Austin LLP already as US lobbyists
Cayman Finance and various industry bodies also cover this!
CIG needs to start cutting expenditure – not adding, like the 3 new melas we now have to pay for!
Yes, there’s also a Department of Commercial & Investment
Might I offer my services, at least for the winter?
19 large a month is a lot.
Not in London ….that is about the equivalent of getting around $6,000 here. Even McDonalds is twice the cost there. Crazy place.
$6000 is a lot of money. I'll take that job.
Mac was up to something when this arrangement was made. Total waste of money on someone that has done nothing,… then there's Blencathra too.
Cancel it Now.
I will gladly move to London and take up this role for half that salary and i will even pay my own rent. Advertize on http://www.gov.ky and ill be the first to apply. I know i may be a banker, but come on. If Ellio can be a politician i think anything is possible.
Be prepared for some competition as I plan to apply as well. I don't have any experience in banking, but I am a gardener and that is a profession thatprepares you to deal with highfalutin people. Also, the words darling and sweetheart roll easily off my lips.
You obviously have not checked out rents in London!!!
I'm from England and know how expensive it is. Nothing wrong with an 90 min commute from outside the city every morning, especially for $10,000 a month!
That would be a good job for McKeeva. He could just about survive on $19,000 per month plus expenses.
The expenses would kill us.
I think he already has a job. The sign in front of his West Bay home says "Premiers Residence".
Me, me! Pick me! Oh please!
We cannot afford both Blencathra AND a London Representative. Nor can we afford the rent the current London Office real estate costs. Downgrade the salary of the London Rep (ridiculously high Chief Officer salary) and move the office to cheaper accommodation. If someone like Blencathra is needed for the "financial sector" (and I do not believe that to be the case -no one pays any attention to his or anyone else's efforts on our behalf) renegotiate a much more reasonable salary.
And this, my friends, is just one reason why Cayman cannot go independent. We CANNOT afford to. Imagine highly paid Ambassadors and High Commissioners in several countries. Not only would we have to foot the bill for their salaries but their travel, living, entertainment, family expenses as well. How would that be paid for?
Please, this is another ploy by the FAB 5 crew to try and make you all believe they putting Cayman first. What value does this truley add to your lives?! None!!! Don't let them fool you with this crap.
They can't deal with the real issues that are crippling us all, local and expat alike, so they turn to this foolish ploy.