Independent MLA for North Side, Ezzard Miller, sent out the following press release just before Monday’s (20) Throne Speech and Budget Address

“It is rather curious that the Premier, having cancelled several previously announced dates and times for convening the LA to present the budget, today makes the choice to present the budget without final FCO approval.

“At 4:10 p.m. I became aware of the “Press Release on the Cayman Islands Budget Statement by the Acting Governor” issued by Acting Governor Hon. Franz Manderson, which clearly states that: “The Honourable Premier intends to present the 2012/13 Budget to the Legislative Assembly today. If so, he will be doing so in the knowledge that the Minister for the Overseas Territories has not given, and may not give, his approval to these budgetary plans. In any event the FCO will wish to continue to work closely with the Cayman Islands Government to develop budgetary which are in the best interests of the Cayman Islands for the future.”

“This press statement further reminds us that: “In his statement on 26 July, the Governor said that discussions between the Cayman Islands Government and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to agree the Cayman Islands budget were ongoing. The Governor explained that the Minister for the Overseas Territories, Henry Bellingham, had asked the Cayman Islands Government to ensure that its budget proposals were credible, sustainable, and consistent with the Framework for Fiscal Responsibility signed by the Premier in November 2011.”

“I decided not to take part in the process because this is yet another example of the Premier’s continued circumvention of due process by ignoring the provisions of the PMFL and the FFR, which he signed with the FCO.

“The UDP has the majority votes in Parliament and it would be futile to object to the proceedings this afternoon, when all eight UDP members would simply follow in lockstep to anything the Premier proposed.

“I will however return to Parliament on Thursday to debate and make my contribution on behalf of the people of North Side and this country. Hopefully, the Premier, will by then have made the necessary adjustments to get FCO approval on the budget.”

D. Ezzard Miller,
North Side MLA
August 20, 2012