The country now has a discussion paper on the constitution from the United Democratic Party.
Now it is time for each of us to take a good hard look at what the UDP is proposing and what the People’s Progressive Movement is proposing and make some decisions.
We would hope that residents in the Cayman Islands would also take into consideration commentary from the Constitutional Secretariat’s office, the Cayman Islands Ministers’ Association, those made by members of the People for Referendum and others knowledgeable in constitutional matters and issues.
All involved in those parties, office and groups have spent vast amounts of time researching constitutional modernisation and what it would mean for our country.
The UDP discussion paper is written a bit differently in that it gives the party’s stance on some issues and then offers thought provoking questions.
It is another way to ensure that we are all aware of the issues and talking about them.
We can only ask meaningful questions when we are fully educated on any issue.
That is why it is so important for all of us to be fully educated on constitutional modernisation.
If we, as a country, decide that constitutional modernisation is the way to go forward, we need to do so fully knowing what that is going to mean to our future and more importantly, to our children and grandchildren.
Our decision on this issue will be the legacy we leave future Caymanians.
We think it was that thought process that led to the UDP taking a little longer to issue its discussion paper on the matter.
The paper was written after many, many meetings with residents throughout the country.
Opposition Leader McKeeva Bush said the UDP chose this method of writing the paper – to go to the people first – because of failed efforts in 2002/2003.
We can be sure that both parties will continue to take in feedback on the constitution questions from everyone.
And we hope that residents of the Cayman Islands will continue to broaden their knowledge of the issues to be addressed and offer their support, criticisms and own solutions.
We would like to see both parties sit down together and work to find viable solutions to constitution modernisation.
At some point the meetings and debate will have to come to an end and we will have to have something to take to the United Kingdom.
There isn’t a deadline, but there is a mandate.
There is still time for you to have your say.
BREAKOUT
The UDP discussion paper is written a bit differently in that it gives the party’s stance on some issues and then offers thought provoking questions.
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