Opposition Calls
for Premier to apologize to the Caymanian People

The statement by the
Premier on the resignation of the Leader of the Opposition suggests
that the Caymanian electorate was wrong for choosing Independent
members to represent them. While it is clear from the statement
issued by the Premier shows that he is unhappy and displeased with
the democratic choices that many Caymanians have made by choosing
Independent members to represent them – one of the primary
principles of Democracy is that the will and the wishes of the people
be respected. It is not the Premier’s place to question the choices
of the voters that we were all elected to serve. This is an insult to
the Caymanian people and the Premier owes them an apology.

The statement by the
Premier further attempts to portray that politics within the
Opposition revolves around personal egos, rather than on certain
principles.

As the author, Jack
McDevitt said: “Sometimes the cost of integrity, is the loss of a
friend.".

However, when one has
clearly compromised on their own principles to remain in power, it is
easy to assume everyone else will do the same. 

Today, the Premier
continues to lead a government whose overall approach is
predominately dictated by narrow vested interest and no regard for
democratic value. History has shown us that membership of a political
party is not the most effective way to bring about positive change.
The people of the Cayman Islands have joined many other democracies
around the world in rejecting a 2-party system that is only concerned
with holding on to power.

Virtually every area
of our domestic agenda under this PPM led government is failing
current and future generations. From basic and essential services
such as garbage collection and traffic management to fundamental
services such as health, education and immigration - this Government,
his PPM led government continues to fail. Caymanians continue to live
pay check to pay check while being marginalized and unable to realize
their full potential. This government, his government believes that
temporary projects such as roadside clean-ups and the culling of
iguanas are permanent solutions to improving the quality of lives for
some Caymanians. The Caymanian people are far more capable and
deserving of better.

Almost 10 years ago,
back in 2009, the Caymanian people approved a new Constitution.
Contained in our Constitution under the section "Institutions
Supporting Democracy" was the introduction of Standards in
Public Life. The Standards in Public Life adopted the seven Nolan's
Principles on public life: Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity,
Accountability, Openness, Honesty and Leadership.

Yet the Premier has
been steadfast in his refusal to adopt these principles. 
Principles which would challenge his actions and the actions of his
government on:

• 
  The cruise berthing
  facility;
  
• 
  The unfinished
  school project started 12 years ago, the legacy of which is included
  in a US$312 million bond due for repayment this year; while
  virtually all government primary and secondary schools remain below
  acceptable standards;
  
• 
  The CarePay fiasco
  which resulted in one of the largest cases of fraud on the
  government purse, with only one person being held to account; 
  
• 
  The proposed changes
  to the Constitution being made behind closed doors; 
  
• 
  Known conflicts of
  interest on many Government Boards;
  
• 
  Senior civil
  servants being put on required leave and then receiving massive
  pay-outs from the public purse.
  

The Premier correctly
stated that it takes "a committed team to govern."  But
that must, and should never mean, blind consensus. Democracy itself
was built on accepting that there will be disagreements and
differences that may be overcome from discussions and debates to
arrive at consensus. The Premier is contented to lead a government of
"yes people" where his rule can never be challenged. The
failure of this approach has resulted in many policies and projects
being announced with no follow through and many laws being amended
over and over and over without any enforcement or implementation.

The role of this
Opposition or any Opposition is to hold the government to account and
to provide a credible alternative.  This duty and responsibility
requires strong personalities, the willingness to speak with honesty,
think with sincerity and act with integrity. Simply put, "yes
people" need not apply.

The Premier and 10
members of his PPM led government all started out as Independent
Members, no doubt full of ideals and principles.  Ideals and
principles, which he now finds offensive even though 3 independent
members sit in his PPM-led administration.

The election of
Independents shows that there is clearly an appetite for an
alternative to our broken two-party system.  A system driven by
leaders committed to holding onto power even if it means being a
hypocrite. How many times did the Premier criticize then Premier
McKeeva Bush for the appointment of Councillors, excessive travels,
negotiating with China Harbor Engineering Company, just to name a few
– only to make an about face and do exactly the same thing? In a
sad twist of fate, the Premier had to turn to his political nemesis
of 16 years and enter into an “agreement” just to hold on to
power after failing in two successive elections to receive a full and
decisive mandate. Ironically, two years on, despite promising to do
so, the Premier has yet to reveal the agreement made to ensure he
remained in power. It is hypocritical actions such as these that
undermine our democracy and the confidence in elected
representatives.

In almost 20 years,
the current two-party system produced 2 leadership groups either led
by the Premier and his political mentor and the current Speaker. The
problems and challenges in this country, since 2001, rest squarely at
the feet of the 2 political parties and not the independent members.
The Premier needs to understand and remember that the rise of
Independent members is a result of the failings of the political
parties to improve the quality of lives.

For almost 20 years,
the political parties’ actions or inactions have;   

1. 
   Failed our children
   and our education system; 
   
2. 
   Failed our
   healthcare system;
   
3. 
   Failed our
   immigration system;
   
4. 
   Failed Caymanians in
   the workplace
   
5. 
   Failed to help many
   Caymanians from losing their homes
   
6. 
   Failed to improve
   the quality of life of many Caymanians
   

Additionally, the
Caymanian people have yet to receive an explanation as to why
textbooks were taken out of public school or why their children no
longer receive free healthcare that now costs many parents thousands
of dollars per year in insurance premiums.

Those failures over
almost two decades were caused by the Premier and other members of
his PPM led Government. 

The growth in the
fiscal surplus that the Premier likes to brag about also coincides
with the growth in Independent members who have slowed the
mismanagement, exposed corruption and incompetence, and held the
government to account while proposing alternative ideas.  

In his zeal to
capitalize on the resignation of the Leader of the Opposition, the
Premier shows his lack of respect for democratic principles and
clearly has not learned why his political party continues to lose
seats at the polls.   

As Martin Luther King
famously said, "Every man must decide whether to walk in the
light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive
selfishness.".