Scott warns, pay attention to Business Sector

Bermudian Premier, Alexander Scott on PPM platform

Friday,  February 24, 2006

Making it clear that he did not wish to comment on how the Cayman Islands should “evolve” its constitution, Bermudian Premier, Alexander Scott cautioned that in constitution discussions, special attention should be paid to the business sector.

Speaking at the People’s Progressive Movement (PPM) Annual Conference on 18 February Mr Scott said that Cayman, like Bermuda, was “dependent on the international business sector and this sector is wary of change.”

Even though he devoted most of his presentation to discussing his country’s constitution he made mention of Independence.

He said that the Bermuda’s Progressive Labour Party (PLP), which he heads, and, which came to power in his country’s 2003 General Elections, “brought the discussion of independence to the table.

“We are wrestling with the question of independence and the mere mention of independence is a problem.”

He strongly urged that Cayman should carry out constitutional development in discussion with the business sector because any change may have an effect on standards of living.

“When a society thinks it necessary to meditate on its constitution, each citizen should stand up, pay attention and participate,” Mr Scott said.

He quoted Abe Lincoln, who, in 1862 said:

“The governors of the quiet past are inadequate for the stormy present. So we must think and act anew.”

He said a country’s constitution addresses “important” questions such as rights and politics. He described it as, “a bible to live and rule by and, as a consequence, you will be judged by it.”

Mr Scott said Bermuda had one of the most advanced constitutions of overseas territories, and therefore had the label “The Bermuda Model” attached to it.

However, alongside that, he said the document only gave the appearance of independence. “You will always have a colonial constitution until you have your own. The Bermuda model is not a panacea,” he said.

Giving further warnings for the road ahead over the development of a constitution he said one of the manifestations of an advanced constitution for an OT is the complex relationship with the Governor it creates.

Speaking about some of the differences the changes in the Bermuda constitution had brought he said the Bermudian cabinet meets without the Governor to deliberate freely. 

“As Premier, I meet with the Governor on a Monday. The Bermuda Government negotiates directly with the UK on behalf of Bermuda,” he added.

When Mr Scott explained that Bermuda, through the PLP was the first OT to have one man, one vote, with each vote of equal value, there was loud applause.

However, he pointed out that the Governor accounts to the UK and he has the final word. The Governor has the power to choose the judiciary and the Governor may even establish officers and stand down officers.

Mr Scott also spoke about the competition between Cayman and Bermuda.

“On some days Bermuda and Cayman are competitors,” he added. “On many other days we are brothers and sisters, regional partners, and almost everyday we are constitutional fellow travellers.”

He said there was more in common between the two territories than differences.

“Our strength lies in our unity, we commiserate with each other when things are tough,” and that is why “there was no hesitation on Bermuda’s part to send police to Cayman when the call came for help,” in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan, he told the party conference.

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