PROGRESSIVES DECLINE GOVERNMENT INVITATION – HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF OPPOSITION

The main opposition People’s Progressive Movement (PPM/Progressives) has declined an invitation from the ruling NCFC(National Coalition For Caymanians) government to participate in a policy summit focused on resolving ongoing issues between the CPA(Central Planning Authority) and the NCC(National Conservation Council)..

In a press release signed by Progressives leader Joey Hew, the party says it chose not to accept the request: “Not because we oppose reform - we agree that the current situation requires attention and that greater clarity and certainty are needed. However, we believe it is the Government’s responsibility to develop policy and bring proposals before Parliament.”

According to the PPM/Progressives, “The Opposition’s role is to review, challenge, improve, and hold Government accountable for those proposals.”

However, it says that the process must take place through the proper constitutional and legislative channels, where decisions can be openly debated and scrutinized.

The main opposition party says it is calling on the Premier and Cabinet to provide “clear policy direction, resolve internal disagreements, and bring any proposed reforms before Parliament for full public discussion and accountability.”

In a letter to Hon. Premier Andre Ebanks, Mr Hew outlined: “While we appreciate the effort that has gone into designing the process, we have reservations regarding the role envisaged for the Official Opposition. The materials indicate that the initiative is intended to develop reform options, a shared decision-making framework, and ultimately a reform roadmap addressing legislative, regulatory, policy and procedural matters.”

ROLES AND TRANSPARENCY

The Leader of the Opposition went on to point out that: “In our parliamentary system, the development of Government policy is fundamentally the responsibility of Cabinet and Ministers.”

He stressed: “Our concern is not with the objective of the exercise, but rather with the governance structure through which it is being conducted. Indeed, if the Government has reached the stage where legislative and policy reforms are being contemplated, we believe there is a strong case for those discussions to be advanced through established parliamentary mechanisms, such as a Select Committee or a Committee of the Whole House, where evidence may be received transparently, submissions recorded, and recommendations debated openly in a manner consistent with parliamentary accountability.”

According to the PPM/Progressives, the people of the Cayman Islands deserve transparency, not closed-door discussions. “They deserve to know who is shaping policy, what proposals are being considered, and how decisions affecting their future are being made. The people of the Cayman Islands deserve transparency, not closed-door discussions. They deserve to know who is shaping policy, what proposals are being considered, and how decisions affecting their future are being made.”

It adds that it remains ready to participate “in a genuine, transparent, and bipartisan process” to resolve these longstanding conflicts in the best interests of the Caymanian people. “The Opposition will not participate in a process that removes these important discussions from public view or blurs the lines of accountability. Government must govern. Parliament must scrutinize. Transparency matters.”

The party’s letter to the Premier says, while they remain willing to review any proposals that emerge from the Government’s consideration of these matters and to participate fully in any subsequent parliamentary process, “we do not believe it is appropriate for the Official Opposition to participate in the formulation of Government policy under the structure presently proposed.”