Premier McKeeva Bush announced Friday that his government would hold a referendum on the ‘one man, one vote’ issue in May 2013, to coincide with the country’s general elections.
According to a statement released by the premier’s office Friday evening, the announcement was “a previously stated position of the United Democratic Party government”.
Premier Bush said holding the referendum as part of the general election would help avoid additional costs to the government and would allow for the orderly implementation of single-member voting districts.
“To have such a referendum this year obviously does not have the support of the Leader of the Opposition, given his comments as published in the Caymanian Compass,” Mr. Bush said.
Opposition Leader Alden McLaughlin said previously that he supports the ‘one man, one vote’ principle. However, he noted there may not be enough time to hold a November referendum and then have an election based on single-member voting districts some six months later.
Petitioners seeking a referendum on ‘one man, one vote’ have said their target is to have Cabinet approve a referendum on the issue to be held no later than 30 November.
MLAs Arden.McLean and Ezzard Miller said Saturday in a joint statement that they would continue petition efforts for ‘one man, one vote’, despite the Premier’s announcement.
“[Messrs. Miller and McLean] view this announcement [by the Premier] as nothing by a naked attempt to stymie the current petition process, which is getting the support of the electorate,” the statement read. “Do not trust any of the politicians to implement this system after you vote them into office.”
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The answer is simple: if Mr Bush genuinely believes that we should have a meaningful and implementable referendum on one man, one vote, he should propose a deferment of the General Election. That way, he gets to stay in power legitimately for a little longer, as opposed to getting a longer stay in power by deferring the democratic principle of one man, one vote.
Sad, sad times for Cayman.
A shame and a disgrace that they would set it up on the same day of General Elections! What a blow to those who elected them!