Code of conduct for lawmakers delayed until next month

The parliamentary code of conduct, which was promised ‘immediately’ as part of the PACT government’s deal with House Speaker McKeeva Bush last year, has been pushed back to next month.

Chairman of the Council, House Speaker McKeeva Bush, in a comment to the Cayman Compass on Wednesday, said the code is in the draft stage.

“As soon as possible it will be completed and made public once it has been approved by the council,” Bush said.

The code of conduct for local legislators was originally set to go before last Wednesday’s meeting of the council.

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

The code was then said to be on the agenda for the council’s January meeting.

That did not materialise, but last week Parliament Clerk and Chief Officer Zena Merren-Chin confirmed it was up for discussion before the council.

Red Bay MP and council member Alden McLaughlin expressed dissatisfaction with the delay in getting the code of conduct off the ground.

“I am disappointed that consideration of the long-promised Parliamentary Code by the Parliament Management Council has been delayed yet again. The adoption of a code to regulate the conduct of parliamentarians is an important matter and indeed was an undertaking given to the country by PACT members at the time they were forming Government,” he said in a brief statement to the Compass.

Implementation of that code was part of PACT’s deal with Bush to help form the government after the elections.

McLaughlin added as the first year of the government’s term draws to a close, “I pray the Premier and his government will give this issue the priority it warrants.”