If the size of the audience and the number of questions and comments are any indication, the debate on the constitution review is gathering steam.
Some 300 people from across political party lines showed up at the Family Life Centre last week, and many more people either watched on television or listened on radio. By comparison, only about 50 people – mostly PPM faithful – came to the first constitution review meeting in late January.
It is very good more of Cayman’s voters are finally engaging in the process of educating themselves on such an important matter as the new constitution. Unlike many issues of the day, Cayman’s constitution will continue to affect the lives of residents here long after the current set of politicians are gone.
Last week’s meeting focused on the Bill of Rights specifically. Previously the Constitutional Review Secretariat took a more macro approach to the meetings, giving people a general overview of all of the proposed changes to the constitution. We hope the Secretariat takes a more micro view at the possible sticking points of the PPM’s proposals – like the Bill of Rights, single-member constituencies and the formation of a National Security Council – in its future meetings.
During last week’s meeting, it was interesting to note that one of Cayman’s leading citizens – in fact, a former Executive Council member – admitted he had not yet fully read the PPM’s summary of proposals for the new constitution. If even former Executive Council members are not yet up to speed on the constitution modernisation process, it would suggest the country needs more time for education and debate on the constitution issue before a referendum is held.
Indeed, there are increasing calls for a delay in the referendum, even outside of the Opposition party.
At the end of last week’s meeting, Leader of Government Business Kurt Tibbetts said the evening was winding down, but not the process. ‘Perhaps in a sense, we are just getting heated up,’ he concluded.
The PPM has said the referendum will be held on an unspecified day next month. We don’t think it would be wise to hold the referendum when even the Leader of Government Business recognises meaningful debate is just getting started.
If even former Executive Council members are not yet up to speed on the constitution modernisation process, it would suggest the country needs more time for education and debate on the constitution issue before a referendum is held.
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