British MP Declines Cayman Islands Hospitality

Hon Roy Bodden

Monday, September 6, 2004

The Minister of Education, the Hon Roy Bodden has slammed the behaviour of British Member of Parliament Michael Fabricant, who criticised Cayman Island’s culture and then declined an offer to attend a Cayman Islands Cultural Evening in the UK on 13 September.

In July, Mr Fabricant made an unflattering reference to the Cayman Islands as part of an ongoing debate in the United Kingdom over the relevancy of the honours system. He said scrapping the system would, “result in Britain having all the individuality and heritage of the Cayman Islands."

Mr Bodden wrote to Mr Fabricant on 15 July and sent him several books, including the Quincentennial Celebrations coffee table book and The History of the Cayman Islands In his letter Mr Bodden said that although Cayman was a younger country its culture was “nevertheless unique and vibrant as evidenced by the Quincentennial held last year and the many other cultural activities which take place annually.”

In his reply to Mr Bodden, Mr Fabricant did not apologise but said: “I will take the time to read them (the books). I feel sure they will portray the uniqueness and vibrancy of your country.”

He went on to decline Mr Bodden’s invitation to attend the Cayman Islands Cultural Evening event.

Mr Bodden later said that he was not surprised that Mr Fabricant declined the invitation to attend the cultural evening: “I think he would look rather ludicrous after his earlier comments,” Mr Bodden said, “I did not expect to hear an apology from him really.

“What concerned me is that someone in such an influential position, a Member of the House of Commons no less, could be so uninformed. There is this perception in some parts of the world that Cayman is a lawless frontier, and yet he has not even visited here officially or as a tourist.

“I found his letter somewhat sarcastic and I just hope that at the next election his constituents wake up and do what is proper and vote him out office. I have his address and so I will be able to send him a sympathy card.”

Mr Fabricant’s earlier comment contrasts with the experience of his colleagues in the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) who visited the Cayman Islands in July.

His colleagues left the Cayman Islands with a more positive impression. “Coming here, we’re now able to give more robust responses to doubters and detractors than otherwise would have been the case,” said Graham Brady, MP for Altrincham and Sale West commenting on the Cayman Islands financial regulation system.

Visiting members of the APPG also commented on the ability of the Cayman Islands’ multicultural society to get along so harmoniously.

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