I have “preached” many a sermon recently about Premier Hon. McKeeva Bush’s continual attacks at the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and his intention to argue that because he signed an agreement “under duress” it doesn’t mean anything. Plus, promising the UK he will pass legislation they require by a certain date and then not doing it with speeches saying more or less “soon come”.

The point of my sermons was to warn the premier that because the FCO were keeping silent on the matter did not mean they would not eventually hit back. I even gave the premier examples and when the UK hit back it is not very nice. If you treat your superiors, even if you don’t think they are superior, with respect you achieve far more than the bullying and rudeness that unfortunately he has continually shown.

Mr. Bush you are supposed to be a role model and when you are the most important man in our country who speaks for the entire Cayman Islands you MUST learn diplomacy.

There are a number of definitions of diplomacy, and as you appear not to understand the meaning of the word at all I will help you:

Diplomacy – the conduct of the relations of one state with another by peaceful means; skill in the management of international relations; tact, skill, or cunning in dealing with people.

I hope you have noticed the words ‘peaceful’, ‘tact’ and ‘skill’.

When you promise to do something you must keep it, because next time (and there will ALWAYS be a next time) you won’t be believed and the other party will tie a rope around your neck to see you obey.

When you sign a document and, even more so, when it is witnessed, you HAVE to abide by it. No amount of posturing, complaining, and saying you were forced into it makes a ha’pence of difference. You can’t add or subtract anything to the document. If you do it is null and void and you have to pay the consequences.

Here we have a situation that is the very worst of any situation. YOU ARE REPRESENTING YOUR COUNTRY!! It is not YOU who pays the price for your recklessness it is YOUR COUNTRY! US!!!!

And now your master’s voice has spoken.  Have you ever seen the logo that was used by the sound recording company EMI that had a music brand called HMV – His Master’s Voice? It used as it’s trademark a small dog with cocked head posed in front of an old gramophone – one that had an enormous horn fixed to a box where a record was placed. I’m sure you have seen it as the trademark is still used today from the year 1900.

To the FCO you represent the dog and they are the Gramophone. In other words you listen like the dog and you behave.

In your letter to Hon. Mark Simmonds, Minister for OT, dated 30^th October, 2012, you say you are an “honourable man, and I speak for an honourable Government, that represents hoourable people”. Prove it by your actions and not by your words.

Honour the Agreement you signed NOW. I beg you. No matter how unpalatable it is. You had the opportunity not to sign it BUT YOU DID!!

Simmonds has made public a letter he wrote to you on 2^nd of November. I hope you take note of what he said, especially:

“(I) now understand that you plan to proceed to the Legislative Assembly on 5 November to transpose a version of the FFR which does not accord with that which you have signed. That is not acceptable.

“Should you go through with this course of action I will have no choice but to conclude that you are disregarding good governance and continue to be in breach of a series of commitments you have made. This is disappointing for the Cayman people. The Government of the Cayman Islands has given an undertaking to the UK Government to transpose the FFR as agreed into law. We expect the Government of the Cayman Islands to meet its commitments. I urge you to take action to remedy the situation in full immediately.

“As set out in my letter of 1 October the continued breach of your commitments has left me with no alternative but to give detailed consideration to alternatives. Not only is the failure to meet a key part of the terms of the budget agreement a serious matter but ensuring the good governance of the public finances and procurement are too. We have a shared responsibility to the people of the Cayman Islands, including as we have set out in the White Paper, to ensure that the public finances are well governed and can be sustainable. I ask you and the Cabinet to urgently revisit your position.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to reiterate that I cannot allow you to proceed with the procurement of a new cruise ship terminal unless the proper processes have been followed including by complying with international best practice on procurement.”

I can assure you, Mr. Bush, that under that ‘veiled’ politeness is anger and determination.

We will all suffer the consequences if you continue down this path to the abyss.