Independence a hot topic

By Brent Fuller, brent@cfp.ky

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Commonwealth Parliamentary Association begins

A hotly contested debate about independence and democracy among British Overseas Territories in the Caribbean brought the opening day of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association regional conference in Cayman to a close.

MLA Cline Glidden and Speaker of the House Edna Moyle share a word with Commonwealth Parliamentary Headquarters Secretariat Secretary–General William F. Shija at the opening ceremony for the CPAs regional conference being held this week in Grand Cayman. Some 40 delegates from across the region are on Island to discuss this years conference theme of Embracing change in the way we do business: Efficient Government. Photo: Basia Pioro

Bermuda’s Progressive Labour Party Whip Ottiwell Simmons took centre stage Monday describing his party’s steady push to separate from the United Kingdom.

“Since 1968 (the year Bermuda legislated its first written constitution) we are no longer what we used to be, nor are we…exactly what we need to be,” Mr. Simmons said. “In the case of (Bermuda’s) political development…it is lagging and to some extent stuck in a quagmire.”

Bermuda’s Deputy Speaker Dame Jennifer Smith told the Caymanian Compass after the conference that the country’s Premiere Ewart Brown has “made it clear” a proclamation of independence would not be an issue in the next general election which must be held by June 2008.

Bermuda and the Cayman Islands are often compared with each other in relation to many issues. Both countries have a similar population, though Bermuda’s is a bit larger, made up of a fairly even mixture of native residents and expatriate workers.

Both Cayman and Bermuda have strong economies, a high standard of living, and low levels of crime.

But on the question of independence, the ruling parties of both territories have a very different stance.

“We have the necessary tools to govern ourselves on our own,” said Premiere Brown’s chief of staff, Senator Wayne Caines. “Not being an independent nation goes against everything that is normal.”

Cayman Islands Leader of Government Business Kurt Tibbetts was asked at a 20 April press briefing whether he would support complete and total independence here if the people of Cayman indicated that they wanted it.

“We would have no choice, if that were the indication,” Mr. Tibbetts said. “And I’m not a betting man, but I’d place a bet with you now that it wouldn’t be.”

Cayman has recently established a Constitutional Review Secretariat to lead efforts to reform the laws that determine how the country is governed. But both Mr. Tibbetts and Constitutional Review Director Suzanne Bothwell have been extremely cautious in discussing the independence issue.

“It is absolutely important to us to allow the people to come from an informed position,” Mr. Tibbetts said on 20 April. “In many instances…we see where things of this nature simply just run through, complete, there’s a big announcement, everybody’s happy. And nine out of every ten people in that jurisdiction that you speak to have no idea what just went on.”

“We are determined that that not be the case here in the Cayman Islands.”

Public hearings on the constitutional review are expected to begin later this year. Mrs. Bothwell has said a referendum on constitutional changes could happen late next year.

Independence Issues  

Many delegates at the CPA conference raised issues concerning the Progressive Labour Party’s quest for independence in Bermuda.

“People in Bermuda are enjoying a high quality of life, and a high standard of education as well,” said Turks and Caicos Opposition Party Member Arthur Robinson. “Why would Bermuda want to move toward independence?”

“My philosophy is ‘if it’s not broken, why fix it?’”

Mr. Caines said similar “scare tactics” have been used in many British Overseas Territories to argue against separation from the UK.

“The assumption is that the country would go in a less than stellar direction,” Mr. Caines said. “Would you believe in 2007, we have re–insurance companies and offshore companies clamouring to come to Bermuda?”

“It has very little to do with Bermuda the place, but with effective and prudent governance.”

A representative from Trinidad questioned the motives of certain political parties who promise independence to get elected, and then adopt harsh measures to prevent people from becoming involved in government.

CPA Secretary–General Dr. William Shija noted during his address on communication with the public that countries such as Fiji and Bangladesh have not managed to sustain parliamentary democracy.

“In truth it’s typical of a lot of governments,” Mr. Simmons said. “Even I could say our government back home (in Bermuda) may have been guilty of that. Now, don’t go back to Bermuda and tell them Ottie said they’re guilty.”

“But the sooner that governments recognise that the power is in the hands of the people and not in the individual who is holding a powerful position,” he said, “and they can only be powerful as long as they’ve got the people behind them.”

Mr. Simmons also said that gaining independence and adopting a representative democracy doesn’t mean everyone gets everything they want.

“Sometimes people want one thing, and government gives them another,” he said. “We cannot always yield to every situation.”

A CPA delegate from Anguilla also wondered whether people electing their representatives based on popularity as opposed to issues and competence was desirable.

During his speech to the assembly, Mr. Simmons outlined the basic principles of a democratic society, the first of which was majority rule. They also included the protection of minority rights, the free exchange of opinions, and all citizens being equal before the law.

“A democratic government is one where the political power is in the hands and the hearts of the people,” Mr. Simmons said. “The citizen must be involved in every aspect of governance.”