Editorial
The New Constitution:
Give the People what they want
To some, this may sound like political rhetoric.To the contrary, we are not up for a round of elections just yet.Give the people what they want is what democracy is all about.Democracy, as defined by the encyclopaedia Britannica, is literally,rule by the people (from the Greek demos, "people" andkratos, "rule").
The term has three basic senses in contemporaryusage:
(1) a form of Government in which the right to make politicaldecisions is exercised directly by the whole body of citizens,acting under procedures of majority rule, usually known as directdemocracy; - the power of the Internet could make this a realitysomeday.
(2) a form of government in which the citizens exercise the sameright, not in person but, through representatives chosen by andresponsible to them, known as representative democracy; and
(3) a form of Government, usually a representative democracy,in which the powers of the majority are exercised within a frameworkof constitutional restraints designed to guarantee all citizensthe enjoyment of certain individual or collective rights, suchas freedom of speech and religion, known as liberal, or constitutional,democracy this is the type of democracy we have in Caymantoday.
Or, do we? Some will differ, but will notlend their voices to make the difference.
Of the people, for the people and by thepeople. That is the theoretical foundation of what democraticgovernments are all about. The present constitution came intoeffect in 1972 and provides for the government of the Cayman Islandsas a British Dependent Territory. It is the third written constitutionissued for the Islands by the British Crown, though there is ahistory of over 160 years of representative government here.
The Cayman Islands is about to enter anotherperiod in our constitutional history. As many are aware, His Excellencythe Governor recently appointed a Constitutional Commission madeup of three males, two from the District of West Bay. Sadly, itis disappointing that despite the fact that many of the GovernmentDepartments, local businesses and schools are headed up by women,that not one from that gender was chosen as a member of the Commission.
The Commission will make decisions thataffect the lives of all who live here residents, Caymanians,status holders and even those on work permits. It is a mightypower and huge responsibility currently in the hands of three,respected people. Yes, there will undoubtedly be public fora todiscuss issues; yes, the agenda has been set by the white paperalready in hand - but there is another issue to consider. Onethat is being actively discussed.
Caymanians are generally polite people,preferring to grumble amongst themselves, rather than voice theiropinions outright. This is known first hand, as many have quietlytold us about their vexation regarding the make up of the constitutionalcommission and then adding: "but don't quote me on that."
This time around, Caymanians must make theirvoices be heard. It may be another full quarter century, a generationaway, before there will be another opportunity to do so. A newconstitution will reshape the country and every Caymanian mustbe held accountable for its future.
Meanwhile, what is rising to the surfaceis not so much who has been appointment but have all of the peopleof Cayman been selected? It is a question of balance. To followin the footsteps of the true democracy that we are it isbeing said that a fuller representation needed to be selected.Perhaps, the Governor can appoint, say, two more persons to moreaccurately reflect the citizenry of Cayman.
What is the Constitutional Commission'sagenda? How will citizens be able to participate in the process?How will the final decisions be made? These will all be addressedin the months ahead.
The future of Cayman is at stake here. Thisis a national call for your voices to be heard. This is not atime to be quietly polite.