There is some sabre rattling, undisclosed sources and “it is understood (or understands)” media hype that the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office  (FCO) is demanding even more cuts in the Budget Premier Hon. McKeeva Bush sent to London for approval. A figure of $20m is blazed across one headline that the UK is seeking.

The “sources” have confirmed a UK verbal response.

More media understanding that our local government has said it has gone as far as they can and hopes the UK will “ease up”.

One has to take all that with “a pinch of salt” as none of the above contains one actual fact that can be checked.

On Radio Cayman last Tuesday (14) Mr. Bush said,  “I am hopeful the UK will give its approval so that I will be able to present the full year’s budget on Friday (17).” This was supported by a memo also released on Tuesday stating the Legislative Assembly will be reconvened this Friday.

There was also doubt raised that no approval could come from London to the Budget because Henry Bellingham, MP, the Minister for the Overseas Territories (and Africa, the United Nations, and Conflict Issues!) is on vacation. Whoever came up with that conclusion has obviously never heard of “delegation” and/or “communication”.  Even if Bellingham had decided to spend 4 weeks down a mine shaft somewhere on a remote part of the world provision would have been made for some contact with London.

Apparently the decision whether it is ‘to be or not to be’ now rests with the unnamed economic advisor that was sent here by London to actually recommend or not to Mr. Bellingham. That’s if, of course, he can locate him. The advisor was asking for a surplus of $76M but Bush’s budget shows $70M.

However, that is, if my sums are correct, only $6M short of the advised figure. So where does this $20M number come from? Whether it is on the spending side of the balance sheet or not!

Nowhere did the premier on the radio mention anything about continued negotiations or requests for further cuts of any kind. Neither did he tirade against “the insolence of officious authority”.

“Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer 
the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
or to take arms against a sea of troubles ….”

Hamlet. Wm Shakespeare