When there is a public event held that
George Town Central MLA Kenneth Bryan does not attend, especially if
he is invited, you know there is something afoot.

The public event was very well
publicised and attracted delegates from around the world. The Guest
Speaker was even the presiding Commonwealth Chief, Baroness Scotland.
Surely Bryan would want to be photographed with this very important
lady?

However, Bryan was not alone. He was
one of the other eighteen elected MLA's who did not attend the
opening of a regional Commonwealth anti-corruption seminar held last
Monday here.

Leading senior servants, including
Deputy Governor, Franz Manderson, was there and the seminar was
officially opened by our Governor Martyn Roper.

It was not his job to provide a reason
for all the MLA's non-appearances and he did not give it. He is
nothing like US President, Donald Trump, who will make up an answer
if he doesn't know.

Maybe the absenteeism was the subject
matter? Anti-corruption? Had it something to do with the Standards in
Public Life Law that still has not been implemented after being
passed in the LA five years ago?

Governor Roper did mention it in his
opening speech at the seminar. He evn said he was keen to see the law
enforced as soon as possible.

Standards in Public Life Commission
Chairperson Rosie Whittaker-Myles confirmed that all 19 MLA's did
receive invitations. She did not, however, verify how many actually
said they would not be attending.

We published yesterday all the opening
speeches and one from Dirk Harrison, Commonwealth Caribbean
Association of Integrity Commissions and Anti-Corruption Bodies,
caught my attention.

Right from the start he pulled no
punches:

“The abuse of entrusted power for
private gain simply put defines corruption. We are all in this room
today as we are part of the global fight against corruption. However
it must be acknowledged that the perception of acts of corruption or
actual corruption thriving in any society are symptoms of societal
norms which unfortunately the man in the street believes thrives with
impunity.

“We cannot ignore the cries of apathy
by the citizens of our country, that not enough or nothing is being
done to contain or stamp out corruption. Our institutions, are facing
unprecedented scrutiny by law abiding citizens… but the apathy of
our people is of an abominable proportion which seems to be at a
breaking point in some cases. The stark fact is that some members of
the public have in some cases lost hope and in some other, they no
longer care and we, yes We ( the stakeholders ) in this room are
charged with the responsibility to make a difference. A difference,
not tomorrow or next week but Now !!!! The cries we want Justice, We
Want Justice are painfully loud and overbearing and especially now
the Stevie Wonders of the world can see clearly now.”

He repeated the question asked recently
by The World Bank? - “HAS CORRUPTION GOTTEN WORST, IS IT ON THE
DECLINE OR HAS IT REMAINED THE SAME?”

He quoted from 2 Corinthians 6:14: -
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what
fellowship hath righteousness and unrighteousness ? and what
communion hath light with darkness” .

He concluded with: “We must all in closing embrace change for good and we must create, establish, implement and enforce anti corruption rules and regulation on and off the field of play during sporting activities, at the work place and MOST IMPORTANTLY WITH OUR CHILDREN TEACHING THEM THEY MUST ALWAYS DO THE RIGHT THING, EVEN WHEN NO ONE IS LOOKING. IF IT IS NOT TRUE DO NOT SAY IT AND IF IT IS NOT RIGHT DO NOT SAY IT.”

Maybe that speech would have made some
of our MLA's quake in their boots if they had been there?

If Gentleman Ken had been present he would have had something really important to announce and argue about on Rooster Radio's Cayman Crosstalk along with his friend, host Woody DaCosta. Perhaps Woody will ask him why he didn't attend?