A house divided is bound tofall
The stage is set and theplayers are ready to assume their roles.
But will the actors be able to pull offan outstanding performance because they did not properly rehearsetogether. There is no doubt that the Cayman Islands is now playingon the world stage.
For almost a generation, over 30 years, Cayman has done as itpleases and has grown up without the disciplines preferred bybig brother to the North and Mother England. The Cayman Islandsat times exhibited such pompous behaviour, that in some ways wecome off arrogant, and insensitive.
There have been braggadocio remarks such as once made by a resident"not even (Hurricane) Gilbert could touch we." In thatcase, but for the Grace of God ... and never before in the annalsof history was the eye of a hurricane ever split in two.
Now, it is amongst our own people we are being split apart. Althoughthere are no designated political parties running in this election,it is certainly shaping up along very visible lines accordingto each group's philosophies and beliefs. The accusations areflying that certain of the politicians are playing politics withthe white paper, the OECD, the G-7/G-8, and FATF issues.
Whether there is justification or merit in the such allegations,all of the controversy has certainly helped to bring all of theseissues into public light ... and to the forefront of the mindsof the Caymanian people. The fact is - that up until last weeka vast majority of the Caymanian public remained in the dark concerningmost of these issues.
It has been said, "bad attention is better than no attentionat all". Then again, in this case, all of this negative attentionmight very well prove to be a positive step forward to createmore transparency and public awareness of important politicalissues.
There is even discussion that the Government is divided becausethere is the division between the Official Members and the ElectedMembers of ExCo - who were the chosen players on the negotiatingteam. These official members sit with Executive Council membersand have casting votes on Finance Committee matters.
Questions are being asked: Why are these Official members portfoliosnot designated to elected members who have been chosen by thepeople? These portfolios deal with matters such as Finance, Immigrationand Legal. These are three very important pillars of the government,which control the infrastructure, sociological and philosophicalgrowth of a country.
This is in no way to detract from the efforts of these top CivilServants who maintain these post and have tried in their own wayto maintain good order and good government. For the people ofthe Cayman Islands, however, they cannot have what they need toforge ahead politically and administratively without ConstitutionalAdvancement.
It must be emphasized and re-emphasized that Constitutional Advancementdoes not mean full Independence. It is a semi-autonomous statein which a country like Bermuda have taken charge of most of theirinternal affairs, including the hiring and firing of most civilservants.
Caymanians, however, must understand that they cannot continueto have their cake and eat it too. They should also expect thatif - and when - Constitutional Advancement arrives, as with anythingthat is first introduced, there will not be perfection at theoutset, because where there is 'no pain there is no gain.'
There are far more important critical issues impacting us andthe question must be asked continually, "what now Cayman?"and it must now be asked again.... and again. Therefore, it ishoped that Baroness Scotland's visit becomes the catalyst to createbetter understanding among the people and what we are facing interms of international sanctions.
The people of the Cayman Islands at this time are very uneasy,very confused and in some instances, especially among the youngpeople - disheartened about their future. Consequently, BaronessScotland may very well have to make a decision and instruct theGovernor, Mr. Peter Smith who reports to her - to use his executivepowers to put forward an order for the people of the Cayman Islandsto proceed to Constitutional Advancement ... Internal Self Government- Not Independence.