The Cayman Islands government has postponed discussions set for next week with the United Kingdom on a new constitution.
A referendum on proposed changes to Cayman’s governing document is expected to take place 20 May. The delay has put more strain on an already tight timeline for getting the agreement hammered out before next year’s general elections, also set for 20 May.
Kurt Tibbetts |
‘Government is gravely concerned that this postponement has implications for our ability to complete the process on time, given the reality that the Legislative Assembly will be dissolved (finished with its business) in March of next year,’ Leader of Government Business Kurt Tibbetts said Thursday.
Following the completion of discussions with the UK, the government had planned to present the final draft of the constitution to the public early next year prior to debating and approving the document in the Legislative Assembly.
A new date for the second round of discussions with UK officials has not been set. Mr. Tibbetts said he hoped to discuss the matter with the head of the UK delegation, Ian Hendry, early next week.
According to documents obtained by the Caymanian Compass, members of the ruling government had intended to go ahead with constitutional talks as late as Tuesday afternoon. After that decision was announced, opposition government member Rolston Anglin blasted the ruling government on local television and radio stations.
Mr. Tibbetts said Mr. Anglin had not expressed any concern to members of his government before taking to the airwaves with his concerns. Mr. Anglin, in turn, said his membership was forced to ‘lead from the opposition bench’ after government decided to press on with talks despite the recent devastation of Hurricane Paloma in Cayman Brac.
‘After Paloma, you’re telling me that the (Cayman) Brac reps would be in a position to do something like (engage in constitutional reform talks)?’ Mr. Anglin asked.
Mr. Anglin said Sister Islands MLA Julianna O’Connor-Connolly had duties as a representative of the Brac following the storm, which took precedence over constitutional negotiations.
Mr. Tibbetts also inferred that Opposition Leader McKeeva Bush might not be able to attend the talks next week because he was still ‘recuperating from major surgery.’
Mr. Bush was back on island Thursday, but was not available for comment. Mr. Anglin said it was not his understanding that Mr. Bush’s recent surgery would have prevented him from attending the talks.
‘The opposition knew well in advance of the timing of the negotiations and could have had the courtesy of contacting the government directly,’ Mr. Tibbetts said.
In the end, Mr. Anglin said the ruling government made the correct decision, and hoped talks with the UK could resume soon.
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