The Editor Speaks: I agree NOT to actually agree
Signing an agreement doesn’t mean I agree with everything in it and doesn’t mean I will do it.
This is when the Cayman Islands Premier, Hon. McKeeva Bush, signs it.
This is the message our premier has told the world and, in particular, the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).
In a statement from the Premier’s Office issued on Tue (26), he said Cayman Islands Governor, Duncan Taylor, had misled the public. Governor Taylor had said the premier had assured Mark Simmonds, the UK Overseas Territories Minister, during a 20th September courtesy call that the Framework for Fiscal Responsibility (FFR) will be transposed into law ‘no later than 9 November 2012’.
Where the governor had misled the public, according to Mr. Bush, is that he (the governor) had “omitted important information” namely, “At no point did I indicate that the entire FFR as was signed in 2011 would be enacted in law.” He also said he had not committed to a specific date for passing the FFR.
As I asked in my Editorial on Sept. 30th under the heading “The Power Disease” who is misleading whom?
I have attached a copy of the FFR in its entirety for you to judge for yourselves whether the document is clear in its meaning and its binding commitments. I also show below the page the premier actually signed within the agreement.
The premier also said in his statement, “It was necessary, and important, for the government to consult with the private sector on the FFR prior to the bill going to the House.”
If it is that important and he stressed the word, may I ask him why it has taken all this time? He signed the FFR on 23rd November 2011. After eleven months it’s the first intimation we have had from him how important it is for the private sector to be consulted and for their input. With respect, he hasn’t consulted the private sector regarding many laws that have been passed. I have to say I am skeptical at that statement from him.
When I sign an agreement it means I agree everything in it unless there are clauses to the contrary. I haven’t read one in the FFR that says anything about the Cayman Islands Government being able to nitpick what parts of the agreement be passed and what needn’t. It is all or nothing and the premier agreed to EVERYTHING! His signature says so.
When I sign an agreement that says I will pay back the money I owe on a certain date including all the terms, I have to comply with everything contained therein. Hon. Premier, if you don’t agree with me, go and ask your friendly banker if you have ever taken out a loan. And if you haven’t, ask your lawyer, Steve McField.
As most of the private sector seems to agree with the terms of the FFR (I haven’t seen or heard anything to the contrary) as they point the way to prudent spending, I have to wonder who in the private sector the premier is going to consult?
I have to agree with North Side MLA, Ezzard Miller, who told CNS, “Clearly Bush sees this agreement as a threat to the ForCayman Investment Alliance with the Dart Group and his plans to develop the cruise berthing in George Town with CHEC. Having read the agreement, I cannot see how either proposal would comply with it.”
So are these the private sector entities he is going to consult? That would certainly explain the importance for the sudden and late consult!
Of course, this is all probably delaying tactics. Premier Bush knows full well you cannot get through life agreeing not to actually agree by signing away your life on a piece of paper. Even if you are the premier.
Oh, wouldn’t it be so different if this country were Independent and Mr. Bush was the Dictator – whoops, I apologise. I meant president. It probably means the same thing, anyway.
What will history say what the Cayman Islands’ premier’s signature actually means?
To Read the Framework for Fiscal Responsibility go to this link:
The Signature page is attached below:
