Parliament green lights cruise berthing referendum

Parliament has unanimously voted to go ahead with the cruise berthing referendum, which will be held at the same time as the general election next year.

In Parliament’s first sitting of the 2024-2025 session, 16 MPs voted in favour of government’s proposal to hold a referendum on whether the Cayman Islands should develop cruise berthing infrastructure, with two members absent. No votes were cast against.

Politicians on all sides of the political spectrum approved the motion, which had been proposed by Minister of Tourism and Ports Kenneth Bryan. Introducing the motion, Bryan called it “a matter of national importance that we do not take lightly” and warned that “the ripple effects of a decline in cruise tourism would be felt right across our economy”.

Citing the failure of once-successful ventures such as Nokia cell phones, BlackBerry and Blockbuster, Bryan told the chamber that the Cayman Islands had to “respond to the evolving needs of the cruise industry; [otherwise], we too will be left behind”.

Cruise traffic to the Cayman Islands has been declining for years with a knock-on effect to government revenue from the industry, which is projected to decline by an average of 4.3% annually after 2025.

“We cannot afford to ignore this reality any longer without consequences,” Bryan said.

A ‘Damascus experience’

Bryan acknowledged that he had previously spoken out against plans to develop a cruise pier, but that the people had a right to have their say on the issue.

Speaker of the House Alden McLaughlin characterised the change in stance as “a road to Damascus experience”.

Joey Hew, the newly-elected leader of the opposition, voiced his concern about the lack of information about what was planned in the event the referendum was approved by the public vote.

“Referendums are only effective when the people are presented with clearly developed alternatives to choose from,” Hew said.

“The referendum question proposed by the government fails in this regard. Instead of providing a well-developed plan which outlines the specifics of cruise berthing infrastructure  – where it would be located, how it would impact the environment, the cost involved and the long-term benefits – we are being asked to support a question that is at best vague and at worst incomplete.”

He accused government of “turning a deaf ear” to the unfolding crisis in the cruise tourism industry, which has seen visitor numbers fall to the lowest this century.

“This referendum proposal is intended to signal to voters that the government is at least doing something worthwhile about cruise tourism [but] they should never have gotten us into this position,” Hew said.

While questions remained about the cost to taxpayers and who would foot the bill, he said the PPM opposition would not vote against the motion.

“A ‘yes’ vote will not settle the issue,” he added.

MP McKeeva Bush also voted in favour of the referendum, but he made it clear that he had “concerns” about the referendum, saying not all issues, even those of national importance, warrant a public vote.

“Suppose the people say, ‘no’?” he asked. “Then what will the government do?”

Minister Bryan was greeted outside Parliament by a crowd of pro-cruise demonstrators as he arrived at the building on Monday morning. Cruise supporters held up banners and placards reading, “Wasting time – build a pier now!” and “Yes to jobs – yes to piers”.

While a new berthing facility has seen support from businesses that rely on the cruise industry, there is also strong opposition to the idea. Many people have voiced concerns about the impact on the environment, adding to traffic congestion in George Town and overloading medical and emergency infrastructure.

Campaign group CPR Cayman said in a statement: “CPR Cayman looks forward to the upcoming referendum and the opportunity for the public to have their say on this very important issue and urges eligible person to get registered to vote to be able to participate in this historic referendum.”

It added: “We remain concerned about the lack of regulations, particularly around campaign financing, the vague question and lack of public disclosures, and hope to see the Government develop referendum legislation that will ensure the public’s right to fair and effective public votes on matters of national importance.”