Kilpatrick interviewed for job
(CNS): The apparent departure from the long tradition of selecting governors for the overseas territories from the diplomatic core, as is the case with Cayman’s new governor, may be a sign of what is to come. Although Helen Kilpatrick, following an interview for the post here, is coming to this jurisdiction from the Home Office rather than the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, officials said the new governor for Anguilla has been posted to that territory from the UK Cabinet Office. The top jobs in the overseas territories are open to all senior public servants and future governors will be much more likely to come from diverse backgrounds as attitudes in the UK towards the territories’ needs change.
The postings are no longer just handed to those approaching retirement as a reward for their years of service to the FCO but have become a genuine career choice for senior UK bureaucrats.
Kilpatrick applied and interviewed for her new job, which she will take up in September following the current governor’s departure to Mexico this summer. Although she is the first governor to be posted to Cayman without diplomatic experience, her qualifications as a financial expert and working in local government are probably going to be far more valuable in her new job than an understanding of diverse cultures, language skills or even diplomatic tact.
Officials from the governor’s office denied that Kilpatrick was selected purely on the grounds of her accountancy qualifications and finance experience or as a result of Cayman’s financial management problems, but said her skills contributed to her winning the job.
“It is not unusual for governors to be drawn from departments other than the Foreign and Commonwealth Office,” officials told CNS, adding that aside from the new governor in Anguilla, the current governor ofn Montserrat came from the Department for international Development (DFID).
“The Governor-designate, Helen Kilpatrick, was selected because of her all-round capabilities. She was considered to be the strongest of the candidates that applied for the position,” a spokesperson stated, adding that her experience and background in finance and accounts was not the main reason she was selected but it was taken into account.
“She was selected as she was considered to be the strongest of the candidates that applied for the position,” the official added.
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Guys wake up, don’t drink the koolaid all in one gulp.. This is just a colonizing governor from the UK, with a UK agenda…. It just comes in a dress this time….. that’s all. Different day, same story.
Well, 07.48…since Cayman is a UK "colony" as you refer to it (we prefer overseas territory), then surely that would be the correct agenda? Or had you forgotten that little fact?
Well, the UK said it was no longer a colonial relationship but a modern partnership for progress and prosperity. So a colonizing governor would be inconsistent with that and not the correct agenda.
Nice to see someone with relevant experience. The job is not really a diplomatic post tho' it requires diplomacy.
The stated "selling points" of Kilpatrick appear to be as follows:
Ummm … I / we know of many Caymanians that actually fit that profile.
In this modern year of 2013, why is the UK still so gung-ho on dispatching members / agents from within their mainland population to oversee our affairs?
Is this a plantation?
Are these individuals somehow majestic creatures that are oddly superior to Caymanians?
(I recall many a typical scandal, adulterous sex affair, XXXX. I fail to see the exceptionalism.)
My point is, if mainland Brits are "British", and we Caymanians are "British" (and also humans capable of obtaining education and life skills), if the concept of a "governor" is still deemed relevant and necessary within the "empire" today, why then can he or she not be appointed from within our community?!
Furthermore, the concerns surrounding "understanding of diverse cultures, language skills or even diplomatic tact" becomes moot.
I fail to see how some newly arrived diplomat / appointee from a faraway country and culture can better "govern" over any community than a member thereof, e.g. reitred head of the civil service.
Of course, all of the above ignores the reality that our "governors" are not actually appointed for the stated purposes.
It also drives home the point of the existence of classes of Brits … I trust my fellow Caymanians understand that at times like these we are being clearly told that there are classes above ours.
After 500 years in the business of imperialism and colonialism, why has the UK not established some type of initiative or program to train / educate / promote (assuming the role requires special skills) members of its overseas territories to be readied for the role of governor in their respective countries / communities?
When we examine that question and reach the only available conclusion we will truly understand the nature of this "relationship" and the reality of the role of "governor" as it stands.
– Whodatis
the bottom line is she is more qualified and trustworthy than any caymanian…..
cayman ain't got the stones/backbone/maturity to go independent…..
My reply to you:
British PM "cash for access" scandal.
(Conveniently swept under the rug, of course.)
Or more accurately, found to be libellous hype.
Trust worthy??? Haha. FCO and MI-6. Nothing really changes in the colonies…you guys should know that by now….same old, same old just different outer wrapping to confuse the natives!!! Wake up folks. And if you want to get a real glimpse at UK colonilization read Nial Fergusen’s book “Empire-the rise and fall of the British empire” then take a step back and look around …guarantee a wake up call for you.
ehhh. have you ever watch parliament in the uk? a bunch of monkeys throwing bananas. everywhere has corruption, everywhere has dumb people, is the UK immune to these things? I dare you to walk down the streets of london and then say that to anyone again. Just thing about tempura and how many brits are fighting in that and how much it has cost this country to stroke the egos of some brits who do half ass work
How dare you!? WTH makes her MORE "trustworthy" than any Caymanian? Because she is a Brit? smh. Racism is alive and well in the 21st century.
The concepts of greed, fraud and the inbred corruption culture are much more prevalent here than in the UK,.
I would challenge that assertion. In any event that does not prove a certain individual who happens to be from the UK is automatically more trustworthy than any Caymanian. That was the point, remember.
Poster,
You are responding to the typical mindset of the vast majority of CNS posters today.
Given enough time or backed in a corner while forced to defend their biased views – the naked truth of their character spills out of them like the Niagara Falls.
Some of us 'see them for what they really are' from a long time ago – our task is to expose them to the wider majority … and to themselves, poor, pathetic sods.
Presumably you wish to be led by the likes of Missik and Bush…both fine examples of "locally bred " leadership talent.
When last have you taken stock of the UK's economy and social standing?
Where are the fine examples of "locally bred" leadership talent in that nation of 60m plus people?
Anyway … I am pretty sure you are not Caymanian yet you are spending your precious time addressing the issues of my sweet, sweet Cayman on this website.
I focus my energy on the things I value most – to do otherwise would be a very sad existence.
So yeah … read bewteen the lines, buddy – this goes to all your friends here on CNS as well.
Lastly, you ignored the most pressing issues of my post – silence speaks volumes though.
Eagerly awaiting the gems that are sure to follow this post, lol!
More words…..
Speaks the half-Brit. Seems like he got a full dose of the superiority gene.
Sorry, I don't follow.
How exactly am I a "half-Brit"?
Albeit in your opinion, of course.
Lastly, is that seriously your reply to my initial post?
You should have really done yourself and favor and just clicked over to the next story.
Pathetic.
Your daddy was a Brit. You know the one you have all the issues about.
Oh!
It is you again … my personal CNS stalker, how sweet?!
Anyway, Stalker Dude … you are not very good at your job.
Now, I don't know what is more sad – your blatant misunderstanding of my reality, or the readers that have decided to ride with you on your misdirected bandwagon.
I welcome a breakdown for your conviction in this regard though as you are quite adamant with it.
Your reality is everyone elses nightmare…you got to stop smoking that stuff, pigs really do not fly.
"….why then can he or she not be appointed from within our community?!"
The following countries all have Governor Generals born in those countries:
Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines…… I could go on.
Now for a Government and Politics GCSE question:
In what way are the countries listed above different from the Cayman Islands?
It’s very simple!
As you pointed out these countries have Governor Generals. If we go independent and remain in the commonwealth and recognise the Queen in a new constitution, we too could have a local Governor General. We are not ready for that yet as we do not currently have the maturity in leadership or institutional capacity. For God's sake we can't even man our own statutory boards properly. But the process of cleansing that this country is going through now, and the number of honest, competent and professionally qualified persons stepping forward as future leaders is encouraging to our prospect of getting on the right path towards greater autonomy. Note that I do not want to even mention the 'I" word at this stage but I am a proud Caymanian.
I see someone rang the dinner bell.
An impressive posts which manages to demonstrate both your lack of knowledge of the relationship between the UK and Cayman and your inferiority complex. Congrats!
The Governor is not required to be superior to Caymanians but is required, by virtue of the relationship which exists with the UK purely because Cayman choses to remain a BOT, to be the Queen's representative in this arrangement, not the Caymanian people's.
Thanks for the daily chuckle.
Ivan
You do realize that you are only making my point for me, right?
(I really ought to quit posting on CNS … it's like trying to fly with turkeys most days.)
This would be true if you had a point – unfortunately all you have is a reflex reaction.
Ivan
(Gobble, gobble!!)
At long last we agree on something – you are a turkey!
Ivan
Could you? Quit? Please?
Please do quit, reading and answering your posts is like trying to reason with an insane iguana or a concrete wall…no sense out of either..
Quitting CNS would be doing us all a favour.
Regardless Ivan, your condescending tone is indicative of so much (or, perhaps, so little) of your charachter. No-one is "superior" to Caymanians – or of anyone else for that matter. Please go back to your dinner.. and remember to feed your dog afterwards!
" No-one is "superior" to Caymanians – or of ( sic ) anyone else for that matter."
At least you understood that much of my post. Dinner was lovely thanks.
Ivan
Still sounds like kick ass and take numbers time to me. Hope all you civil servants on the public sector gravy train have alternative job plans.
13;55
It wont phase them anyway, most of them have interest in owning and operating their own private companies.
Has to be good. Best qualified get the job..unlike the old system, or indeed the system in recent years here…
Welcome to the Cayman Islands, Madam Governor! I have no doubt that you will be cleaning house while you are here. Looking forward to it.
I hope she cleans up the conflict of interest….persons, who holds a CS job,and at the same time opperating their own business.
Yes! This behaviour is rampant in CS. It's rampant even on the Brac. Disgraceful, when you consider that many of the managers of CS are working at their own businesses on government time. Time for that BS to stop.
Not to mention double dipping into their pensions, which all of us pay for!
To :Submitted by Another Anon(not verified) on Tue, 06/25/2013 – 13:11 I hope she does, and maybe cook and drive for herself too. Should save Caymanian taxpayers a cent or two.
Interviewed like how they do it here in cayman. Already know who they want to give it to, but for apperance and transperancy a pretend interview is done for the public or imigration.
12.48 Do not apply your own low morals to other people or sectors…you know nothing about it but still see fit to comment…however your comment does show wonderfully your own low standards. That does not mean everyone else operates the same way.
Not my standards but obviously you don't live in the real world cause this is how it is done in cayman most of th time, when they want to give their buddies a job.
Buddies ehh?? are you talking about :
A.caymanians giving other caymanians jobs,
B. caymanians giving their expat buddies jobs
B.Expats giving their caymanian buddies jobs
C. Expats giving their own expat buddies job
Only one is right , choose one…
I presume your choice will include , "there is no one qualified, so…"
Same ole crap, just a different day
Exactly why she was not appointed in Cayman, she was appointed in UK to run Cayman..muppet, don't you just love someone trying to show how smart they are when they hit the wall face first and don't actually realise they have??
Still dont make any difference which country interview took place, still a dog and pony show. Hope you didn't hit your face too hard!!
Hmmm… something is not right that they are trying so hard to give us a sense of security in the selection of our governor. I suspect the FCO is hiding something or has something up their sleeves of what they are going to do with us in the future. Time will tell. But my advice, don't trust a Governor over your own people.
12:35, is that you Mac at the computer again?
Some people must be sh*tting bricks at the idea of the agenda that is coming with our new Governor.
Speaking of macs computer…. what ever happened to Michael Ryan?
How has that worked out for you in the past 4 years?
Correct 12.35. Your own last governement was so trustworthy that the auditor general just blew it to bits (again!!!) and charges are pending. Neither the current Governor nor the future one has or ever will steal your money.
In reply to Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/25/2013 – 16:46. Do you know this for a fact ,or is it just guessing?.I suspect it is the latter.Since you are able to predict future events can you tell me; Will England win the World Cup next year?
Fact..Governor Taylor has stolen nothing from you, he has only added pluses to Cayman. I can see that the new Governor will be taking that work further…Yes I do know who will win the world cup. I also know who is going to the slammer shortly.
No
That answer doesn't require any prophetic ability.
Wrong! What do you call Tempura then. We paid for that fiasco which the Governor was directly involved.
16:46 you don’t know what you are saying. Look in front and around you at the Tempura and Celtic investigations , wasn’t that money in the millions stolen from us . Yes it was for in this day and age of transparency we should know what we paid for shouldn’t we or are you from the Colonial Masters womb, therefore your comment. Jah Rastafari , say say
But Mac, Joey and pals are all ok, right? Perfect examples of a democracry. At least there was an investigation, however flawed it may have been. Caymans (few) but unfortunately top positioned crooks just get away with it…so don't forget, in your haste to blame UK for everything, that your own yard is not so clean, in fact it is a cankerous cesspit covered by the thinnest veneer of respectability, but even the veneer is starting to give way now..