Topic: Politics
Kine: Justice by assassination
“If I make it to the presidential palace,” [Duterte] said, “I will do just what I did as mayor. You drug pushers, holdup men, and do-nothings, you better get out because I’ll kill you.”
EDITORIAL – Section 12: Lawmakers’ work has just begun
Cayman Islands lawmakers hit a home run with their repeal of the blanket immunity provision in the Health Services Authority Law – meaning they’re now batting about 1 for 8.
Bryan launches election campaign
Former radio talk-show host and one-time assistant to the premier, Kenneth Bryan, fired the starter’s pistol on election campaign season Monday, becoming the first person to declare his candidacy.
What’s going on in Bodden Town?
Will someone please tell me what I have missed that has been accomplished in Bodden Town in three years that is worth bragging about?
EDITORIAL – The Progressives’ unfinished business
The clock is ticking on the Progressives administration. In the coming months, our elected government will be subject to intensified scrutiny as to what it has done — and what it hasn’t.
Law removes public officers from corruption board
Changes to the Anti-Corruption Commission Law, approved by the Legislative Assembly on Monday, remove public officers from the commission’s board and give the commission its own police force.
Call for Caymanian involvement in coastguard review
Government and opposition legislators reached a rare consensus Monday on a recommendation for Caymanian involvement and oversight in the investigation of the police search and rescue operation for five boaters lost at sea since March.
Cayman law still prohibits insult to ‘foreign princes’
A situation involving a German television comic who faces potential prosecution for “insulting” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a recent satirical presentation has led to revelations of a little-known Cayman law prohibiting the defamation of foreign leaders.
EDITORIAL – Democracy working as intended
The Speaker and the Premier are under no obligation to facilitate political grandstanding by minority MLAs eager to wrap themselves in the mantle of "parliamentary privilege."
Legislative meeting rules may be changed
Former West Bay lawmaker Benson Ebanks is often credited with describing parliamentary democracy in the Cayman Islands by stating: “the minority must have its say, but the majority will have its way.”
‘No show’ may be a legislative first
Although Cayman political insiders said they were little surprised by government members skipping out on a meeting of their own parliament this week, it’s possible the “no show” for Wednesday’s meeting may be a first for the Cayman Islands.
Emergency legislative meeting fizzles, police motions not heard
Two attempts to hold a special emergency meeting of the Cayman Islands Legislative Assembly failed Wednesday after lawmakers were unable to obtain the requisite number of attendees either in the morning or the afternoon.
UPDATE: No shows thwart emergency LA meeting
All eight elected members of the Progressives political party did not attend an emergency meeting of the Legislative Assembly Wednesday morning, leading House Speaker Juliana O’Connor-Connolly to adjourn the meeting and summons the missing members to appear later in the day.
EDITORIAL – Police and crime: ‘Lack of confidence’ – in lawmakers
“Lack of confidence” motions are serious parliamentary business. However, the particular motion being brought by independent and opposition lawmakers against Police Commissioner David Baines is not.
EDITORIAL – Manderson on a worthy mission
Deputy Governor Franz Manderson, it appears, has thrown down the other gauntlet.
Governor says minister ‘recused himself’ from DVDL lease vote
A behind-the-scenes political squabble has erupted over the construction of a new government-leased vehicle licensing facility in Breakers.
Bush: Government has to operate
The formation of a coalition among Cayman’s disparate political opposition groups seems a remote possibility at this stage, Opposition Leader McKeeva Bush said this week.
Bare-bones government weighs options
With just nine members on the ruling government bench, the Progressives-led coalition was left to consider this week whether it would seek to muddle through the next 14 months via the slimmest of majorities or call for elections ahead of the usual May 2017 date.
Government caught off guard by MLA’s departure
The ruling Progressives government coalition has been left with a bare majority of nine MLAs on its side of the Legislative Assembly, not counting...
MLA Connolly leaves Progressives caucus, says he’s ‘not a politician’
George Town MLA Winston Connolly announced late Monday that he will no longer be a member of the Progressives political party caucus and is...
CarePay to solve all our problems, Watson tells court
Details of private discussions regarding the CarePay hospital patient swipe-card contract that took place between Aug. 11-12, 2010 – four months before the US$13 million contract was agreed by government – were reviewed in Canover Watson’s criminal trial Thursday.
‘Hillary-Speak’ on the campaign trail
"There's no such thing as bad publicity" — but when U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton named the Cayman Islands (in the context of tax abuses, of course) it certainly wasn't good publicity for our country.
CarePay trial: Webb hid CarePay profits from ex-wife, says Defense
Caymanian businessman Jeffrey Webb tried to cover his involvement in the company that won the Health Services Authority’s patient swipe-card contract because he was trying to hide his profits from his former wife during divorce proceedings, defense attorneys in the CarePay trial alleged.
From the National Conservation Council
National Conservation Council responds to Compass editorial.
CarePay trial: Defense: Witnesses brought to police interview by gov't minister
What was described as a surprise police interview conducted with three civil servants during the CarePay contract investigation last year was arranged by a Cayman Islands government minister, defense attorneys suggested during testimony Friday.
Cayman Economic Outlook conference date, speakers set
Inequality will be the theme of the 14th annual business conference presented by Fidelity Bank (Cayman) Ltd. on Jan. 19.
New fire chief plans focus on response times, risk management
David Hails underwent what he described as a “baptism by fire” this week during an unannounced visit to the Cayman Islands, where he was introduced as the new chief fire officer.
McKeeva Bush: Rest in peace, dear 'Aunt Julia'
McKeeva Bush says farewell to his cousin, "Aunt Julia" Hydes.
Handouts to voters: Charity or vote buying?
When it comes to standing up in the Legislative Assembly against the practice of “vote buying,” George Town MLA Winston Connolly stands alone.
At the Compass, we don't practice 'gotcha' journalism
It is never our intent to misrepresent the statements or positions of the people we cover. We don't engage in, and won't stand for, "gotcha" journalism.
Connolly cannot get backing for ban on handouts
Independent legislator Winston Connolly has voiced his disappointment at the failure of his colleagues to support his calls for an end to the practice of politicians giving handouts to constituents.
Changes coming for government spending
The Cayman Islands government spent more than $95 million last year buying various goods and services from vendors.
Port politics: 'The Council' comes to life
Flexing its muscles against its creator, the National Conservation Council is attempting to impede the Progressives government’s pursuit of the cruise berthing project downtown.
UCCI awards highest honor to three citizens
While UCCI’s 2015 commencement celebrated the hard work of dozens of its graduates, the highest form of recognition bestowed at the October ceremony was reserved for three of Cayman’s most notable contributors.
Prep goes to Princeton
A group of 20 Cayman Prep and High School students were on their way to New Jersey Monday to take part in this year’s Princeton Model United Nations Conference.
Brac focuses on Remembrance Day rather than pirates
This year, the Cayman Brac Pirates Weekend and Heritage Week Committee is choosing to focus on remembering those who died in war and in celebrating the island’s culture and history rather than on pirates.
New stem cell treatment helps tendon, bone injuries
In the run-up to the 2012 London Olympic Games, Cayman Olympic runner Cydonia Mothersill was trying to overcome an injury to her Achilles tendon in her ankle.
'Fundamental change' for Cayman politics
Not all lawmakers support 'one man, one vote,' but all agree it will profoundly change Cayman Islands politics.
Local Canadians support Trudeau election
Canadians in the Cayman Islands generally welcomed recent election results there, sweeping away nine years of conservative politics and policies under outgoing Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Premier questions election 'checks and balances' proposal
A legislative motion that advocates the enactment of term limits and seeks to outlaw “vote buying” in the Cayman Islands may not see the light of day following government’s approval of sweeping voting changes ahead of the May 2017 general election.
Dock protest draws 250-300
About 250 to 300 people, many of them holding placards expressing their objections, braved blistering-hot late-afternoon sun to attend the protest held at the waterfront across from Cardinall Avenue.
Premier’s former aide takes radio role
The premier’s former political assistant, Kenneth Bryan, is back in the public eye and on the airwaves as the co-host of morning radio show “Cayman Crosstalk.”
Sterling raises City's hopes
Manchester City may have forked out $76 million in signing Raheem Sterling from Liverpool, but of the estimated $700 million they have spent on transfers since Arab billionaire Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan took over the club – much of it wasted – this could be his best buy yet.
Voting districts: And then there were 19
The new voting maps do not meet the "eye test" for rationality, nor do they achieve the principle of "equal representation." People of the Cayman Islands: Welcome to the world of redistricting!
Outside Cuba; the world's leading cigars
Leading cigar brands don't always necessarily come from Cuba.
Cruise berthing: Where is its proper place?
How, and where, does cruise berthing fit in with plans for downtown, Grand Cayman’s tourism strategy, and the Cayman Islands’ lengthy list of major capital projects and other priorities?
Labor bill raises retirement age to 65
A new labor bill, out for public consultation, could raise the retirement age to 65. It also increases maternity leave and creates new protections for whistleblowers.
One man, one vote: Grand Cayman, on the chopping block
A picture says a thousand words. In the case of single-member district voting in the Cayman Islands, we expect the new boundary maps will spark thousands upon thousands of words of discussion.
Cruise pier report funded by Environmental Protection Fund
A report detailing the damage to coral reefs that will be caused by new cruise piers in George Town harbor will be funded, in part, through the Environmental Protection Fund.
Forum focuses on inequality
Cayman Economic Outlook will explore the impact of deepening global inequality.
Ramdin should not blast hero Samuels
West Indies players evidently don’t take Test cricket as seriously as other nations, and that showed in Dominica last week when they were defeated by Australia in only three days.
Woody Da Costa replaces Austin Harris on 'Crosstalk'
Rooster Radio has “parted ways” with longtime morning talk show host Austin Harris a little over a week after he admitted a drunken assault on a woman.
Residency application tests under way
Prospective permanent residents in the Cayman Islands are now being tested on their grasp of local history and culture.
A snapshot of unacceptable behavior on the House floor
The fact that someone from the government bench took a photograph of Leader of the Opposition McKeeva Bush supposedly sleeping and then distributed it to the public is an example of bad behaviour in the Legislative Assembly.
Premier says he will back 'one man, one vote'
Cayman's premier vows to press on with changes in the territory's general election voting system.
'Pay as you vote': Begging Cayman's leaders for change
For at least as long as there has been a ready supply of easy money in the Cayman Islands, elected representatives have been doling it out to their constituents. We like freshman lawmaker Winston Connolly's description of the practice: "It's shut-up money."
Opposition party to petition against voting change
Cayman's opposition leader says his political party will start a petition against single-member voting districts and wants to sign up the premier in the effort.
MLA Connolly: Stop political handouts
George Town MLA Winston Connolly says the current practice of elected members giving cash handouts to supporters must be stopped.
Tories keep UK territories minister
There will be no change in U.K. overseas territory's minister following the Conservatives' election victory.
Powers of MLAs questioned
Premier Alden McLaughlin insists his backbench MLAs have far more influence on government policy than outside observers may realize.
PR seekers can enroll in 'test class'
Potential new Caymanians can learn more about local culture and history at UCCI in preparation for their upcoming permanent residence tests.
Rivers election challenge: Hewitt ordered to pay costs
Chief Justice Anthony Smellie has ordered West Bay’s Gordon Hewitt to reimburse MLA Tara Rivers for her costs incurred during his losing June 2013 challenge to her election.
'Meow, meow, meow' means 'I love you'
How many times have you longed to have a conversation with your cat? Well, the Human-to-Cat Translator app could be the answer.
Work permits and unemployment: Exposing the myth
The assertion that foreign workers take jobs from Caymanians belongs in the realm of myth.
Premier names new political aide
The premier wastes no time in hiring a new political assistant. Several high-profile jobs in the rest of the Home Affairs ministry, however, are still looking for full time staffers.
