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1,000 To Get Residency
The newlyformed and governing United Democratic Party punctuated its launchWednesday, 3 December, by announcing an intention to open thedoors to many applicants not recently recognised as Caymaniansby inviting them to apply for Permanent Residence.
United DemocraticParty Members
From left back row: Mr Ezzard Miller; Mr Amando Ebanks; Hon. GilbertMcLean; MLA Cline Glidden Jr; MLA Rolston Anglin; MLA Lyndon Martin;MLA Capt Eugene Ebanks; Mr Bruce Blake.
From left front row: Mr Donnie Smith; Hon McKeeva Bush, Leaderof UDP and Leader of Government Business; Hon. Linford Pierson,Deputy Leader of UDP and Deputy Leader of Government Business;Mr William Reid, Chairman of UDP; Hon. Roy Bodden; Hon. Dr. FrankMcField; Mr Steve McField.
Over 900 persons had appliedto be Caymanians but owing to quota restrictions just 219 wereapproved, and Leader of Government Business, Hon McKeeva Bush,said that many of those who did not get the official recognitionalong with others now have an opportunity to enjoy a more stablefuture by applying to become Permanent Residents.
"The United Democratic Party standsdetermined to resolving the issue of security of tenure to longstanding residents of these islands," Mr Bush said at theGeorge Town Town Hall during a press conference called by theparty of which he is also the Leader.
The holder of Permanent Residence usuallystill requires a permit to work here. However, in what can beseen as a determination of the party to make this a true alternativefor those who were not chosen to become Caymanian to be put onequal footing in practical matters with other indigenous Caymanians,Mr Bush said his government will be taking to the Legislaturea bill for amendment of this stipulation.
He said that as many as 1,000 persons canbe accommodated in this move and length of residence along withthe level of contribution to development in the Cayman Islandswill be among considerations for eligibility.
The Leader of Government Business made thisannouncement flanked by founding members of the UDP seated atthe head table after he had earlier outlined reasons for creationof the party whose constitution is now in the process of beingregistered.
At this press conference a plaque with thenames of the founder members, both MLAs and non-MLAs, was unveiled.
The party Leader emphasised unity as one of the fundamental elementfor members.
"We the members of the United DemocraticParty wish for our people to know that the central or guidingimpetus for the formation of the party therefore was a desireto ensure unity and discipline, which did not exist, and a clear-cutpolitical agenda for which each, and every one of us, would beaccountable and to which each and every one of us would now bebound," he said.
He pointed to a call in the United Kingdom'sWhite Paper on Overseas Territories to modernize and said thatintroduction of the political party system was a move in thatdirection.
He referred to the party's constitutionas a guide to actions of its members and direction of policy positions.
" the United Democratic Party has developeda refined and highly democratic constitution which will governthe operation of the United Democratic party, both on a nationaland district level."
The UDP leader added: "Over the comingmonths we will seek to publicise in more detail, information regardingthe constitution and internal workings of the constitution ofthe United Democratic Party as well as the party's plans for theshort, medium and long term managed growth of the Cayman Islands".
Mr. Bush referred to the recently presented2002 budget as the first major achievement of this party.
"Already, ladies and gentlemen, theUnited Democratic Party has faced one of our greatest short termchallenges and that was to present a balanced budget. In the wordsof the Financial Secretary, 'A truly balanced budget'. We pledgeto continue this trend."
Deputy Leader of the party and Deputy Leaderof Government, Hon. Linford Pierson, also hailed the budget asa major party achievement.
"This is but the beginning of the ambitiousyet realistic plans for the Cayman Islands," said Mr Piersonwho was earlier commended by Mr Bush for the work he had donewith Financial Secretary Hon. George McCarthy in preparing thebudget.
Consistent with what appears to be a partystrategy of relying on tenets of its constitution to influencenational policy and actions by its members, Mr Pierson read outthat political organisation's 10 aims and objectives which hesaid members commonly referred to as the 10 Commandments.
He asked that all Caymanians look at thoseaims and objectives and urged, "See what we stand for andjudge us by the end of the day by our performance".