UDP Leader says he followed protocol

Tuesday, August 3, 2004

The Leader of Government Business and leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP) Hon McKeeva Bush responded to criticisms of fellow Cabinet members and party members, Hon Roy Bodden and Hon Gilbert McLean, by saying that they had both had a chance to examine the Draft Policy Paper.

“The Policy Paper was taken to Party Executive meetings and fully discussed and agreed to, but they (Mr Bodden and Mr McLean) were not there. They didn’t show up.”

Mr Bush said that in drafting the Policy Paper, he had taken advice from one of the leading constitutional lawyers in London. He also said that the UDP Executive had examined and revised the document, giving it “its full support.”

Saying that the document was only a draft paper, Mr Bush indicated that by tabling it in the House when he did, people would have a chance to review it and offer feedback on it sooner rather than later. “When we ended the constitutional in London, I told the people of Cayman that the details of new constitution would become part of the campaign. If we want to be up front with the people, we need to start now. This is nothing that is bad for the country. It protects the country.”

Mr Bush expressed his disappointment with the actions of Mr Bodden and Mr McLean. “You can’t say you belong to a party and because you don’t agree with something, you step away from the party.”

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