Editorial
A Commendable Show of Democracyand Transparency
With one exception, nearly all the candidatescontesting this year's General Elections complied with the statuterequiring them to disclose their financial interests and donationsreceived in support of their political campaigns and "anymaterial benefit that could be construed to influence actions,pronouncements or votes in the Legislative Assembly."
It is action mandated by the Register of Interests Law, 1996,the spirit of which appears to be an attempt to ensure that electedofficials and others required by law to register their interestsconduct themselves with integrity, and that their dealings canwithstand public scrutiny.
It may be interpreted, that those who have complied with the legalrequirement have an interest in seeing that the law is carriedout to its letter and spirit and for this they must be commended.
Certainly, the lone delinquent candidate, who may or may not havesufficient reason for his non-compliance has let the 'good order'of the election process down by the sheer show of unanimity amonghis colleagues, who have so soundly demonstrated their agreementwith this statute requirement.
It cannot be argued that here in the Cayman Islands, as in manyother countries, there is a spontaneous distrust of politiciansand a widely held view that many who seek political office aremotivated by the opportunities to enrich themselves that suchpowerful positions may present. For this reason, in a small, closelyknit society such as ours, the need for transparency in the conductof the business of government becomes all the more acute.
Throughout this election campaign, the call for open and accountablegovernment has resounded from many a political platform. Thatcandidates have at least taken the first step to put on recordinformation about their financial holdings, must be regarded asan encouraging sign that they have not just been paying lip serviceto this, in order to get elected.
On the ground, among the people, the call for transparency hasbeen no less a constant refrain. Such a groundswell of publicopinion should not be ignored and the new government would dowell to implement systems and institute policies to ensure thatit is done, as a matter of priority in fulfilling the mandategiven by the people - who now expect them to stand up to publicexamination with a straight face and clean hands.
It is responsibility, in return for power.