More than 60 per cent respondents to last week’s caycompass.com online think the Cayman Islands will never become independent of the United Kingdom.
Of the 733 respondents, 446 of them – 60.9 per cent – don’t think Cayman will ever become independent.
“If the Cayman Islands becomes independent we will risk too much,” said one person. “Most foreign investment will leave and the loss of the Union Jack will also mean the loss of big bucks from the American tourists. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you.”
“Cayman shouldn’t become independent,” said someone else. “The value of our currency can’t stand alone. We need the UK and should be proud that we have such a power ball as the motherland.”
“How can Cayman become independent?” asked another person. “They don’t even have their own armed forces. How would they protect themselves from a foreign enemy when they can’t even control a small group of thugs?”
“Never, as long as Caymanians continue to recognise the buttered side of their piece of daily bread and don’t listen too carefully to politicians,” said someone else.
Many respondents expressed a sense of dread if Cayman ever became independent.
“Hopefully never,” wrote one person. “The day it ever happens is the day we’re truly screwed.”
“Never, I hope,” said someone else. “The world is becoming an unfriendly place for small countries.”
“Goodbye Cayman is if ever becomes independent,” said another respondent. “We’ll be doomed.”
“If Cayman becomes independent it will be the beginning of the end,’ said someone else.
“Please, never!” commented one person. “We cannot govern ourselves and I never want a banana republic.”
The second largest segment of respondents – 117 people or 15.9 per cent – thought the Cayman Islands would become independent between 10 and 25 years.
“If and when the younger generation obtain the necessary qualifications to be statesmen and the strength to be leaders in the modern world,” said one person.
“The time will come,” said someone else. “I just hope we will have the right people leading us.”
“I think it’s unfortunately inevitable, as will be the unfortunate inevitable exodus of financial business that follows,” said another respondent. “At least Caymanians will get their wish of being rid of expats.”
“Sadly, it will get very ugly when the local guys are in complete control,” commented someone else.
Fifty-three people – 7.2 per cent – said they think Cayman will become independent in 25 to 50 years.
“Inevitable, but not a good thing,” said one person.
“Big mistake if they do,” said someone else. “Ask any travel agent in the USA.”
Another 51 people – 7 per cent – said they thought Cayman would become independent in more than 50 years.
“There are other options of self-determination, too, like becoming a protectorate by another country and becoming integrated with the UK in that we have the same rights and privileges,” said one person.
“Cayman has no viable resources, therefore, I hope this never happens,” said someone else. “If it’s not broke, please don’t fix it,” said another person.
Forty-one people thought Cayman would become independent in 5 to 10 years.
“As long as the Cayman dollar stays strong, the Islands will be strong,” said one person.
Only 25 people – 3.4 per cent – thought Cayman would become independent in less than five years. “I can only hope,” said one person. “The sooner the better,” said someone else.
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Very interesting. Would there have been any difference in the outcome if the question had been Do you wish the Cayman Islands to become independent and if so, within 5/10/25/50 etc years? (rather than do you think) ?
Independents? Oh No !
Look at what’s running the country now and what was running the country last term. Our politicians should never be left alone in the sand box without mother watching them. When this country goes independent I hope I’m buried six feet under in that sand box. Our politicians need to realize everything is changing; People are taking comedians seriously and the politicians as a joke.
It has always eluded me as to what the UK gains from us compared to what we gain from them. We would be idiots to break free and cast aside the lifejacket we hold on to. We go the UK when we want and carry with us all the rights of a UK citizen. The UK has basically nothing when they come to us. They need a work permit the same as any other country. Break free, I dont think so and anybody who does think its the way to go, well those people have not really used their head and let pride take over.
The uk can’t govern the Overseas Territories the right way. Annex us to Canada. I think they would do a better job at ruling – not with an iron fist like in TCI, but with allowing people more freedom of laissez-fare self-governance and democracy.
If and when Cayman become independent,I will not be around for long. I am keeping my British Citizenship and I’m heading for the UK or some other country. See what happening in the Island already? Our dollar would go into a free fall worse than the Jamaican currency or the Guyanese currency or some South American countrys’ currency. Crimes would increase out of all proportions, Tourism would be turn on its head. We would be back to the old days as some of us are advocating. We would see business fleeing in droves even before independence day when we lower the union Jack and raise the Cayman national flag of independence. INdependence would be the beginning of the end if not the end of Cayman as we knew it.We would get rid of the miserable foreigners exploiting and taking away our jobs and we could buy their condos for pennies, but we would not have anyone to rent them to or even sell them to. Many of us who hold US and other countries passport would gladly flee our blessed Isle Cayman.
Union Jack say it all.. In this push and tumble world countries solicit for inclusion in world unions like the UN, so Why in the wildest dream would we wish to uncoupled from our union with the UK. After all they have the bomb. And why would the UK want to disown one of its most loyal group of citizens.. We are part of the union, Jack!.
I am intrigued by the agree/disagree posts on my contribution of the 4th November. I was asking for view on the wording of the question….
These polls r jokes any one in the world can vote on them so you really never know what the people of Cayman really think. Thats a fact. 15 Caymanians and 300 EX-pats pollers what a joke.