Cayman’s parliamentary code ready for approval

Cayman’s code of conduct for local legislators is set to go before the Parliament Management Council on Wednesday, Parliament Clerk and Chief Officer Zena Merren-Chin has confirmed.

The code, which was promised “immediately” as part of the deal brokered between the PACT team and West Bay West MP McKeeva Bush to form the government last year, is nearing its final hurdle.

“There is a Council meeting set for Wednesday this week when the Code should be discussed and approved,” Merren-Chin said in an emailed response to queries from the Cayman Compass.

Last November, the Compass was told the code should be finalised and approved by year’s end or in January.

The code was said to be on the agenda for the meeting of the Parliamentary Management Council in January, but that did not materialise.

It is unclear what exactly the code states. The Compass has requested a copy and was told the council will be asked for permission to have it released.

The lack of a code of conduct for elected office holders has been an issue for some time. The absence of a code was noted during the controversy surrounding the arrest and subsequent conviction of Bush on assault charges in 2020.

In November, the need for a formal code was raised again after claims of impropriety by a politician circulated on social media.

The Compass was unable to substantiate those claims.

Back in July, on the eve of the government’s first 100 days in office, Premier Wayne Panton announced the enactment of a code of conduct for government ministers.

At that time, the government indicated it was “working on the finalisation of the code of conduct for parliamentarians”. However, that code has remained in limbo.

Implementation of the code for parliamentarians was part of PACT’s deal with Bush after the elections.

In a 19 April statement released by the West Bay West MP, accompanying the announcement of the deal, Bush wrote:

“I have also agreed the following with the PACT Independents:

• Immediate implementation of a Code of Conduct for all Parliamentarians where any infractions would lead to immediate dismissal from their position.
• 10% of my monthly salary will be donated to the Women’s Crisis Center
• Continue supporting women issues.”

In April, the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre rejected the proposed 10% contribution.

Governor Martyn Roper welcomed the planned creation of a code as he spoke at the swearing-in ceremony for the new government in April.

He said then, “I believe one of the messages the public clearly sent in these elections is about the great importance attached to the integrity and behaviour of elected parliamentarians, ministers and senior officials. I therefore welcome the incoming government’s announcement it will agree a code of conduct for parliamentarians.”