As Governor, I send my best wishes to everyone on Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman as we celebrate Cayman’s Constitution. Over the 3-4 years I have been here, I have watched the mutually beneficial partnership between the UK and Cayman go from strength to strength. The UK commitment to the Cayman Islands as part of the Overseas Territories family remains steadfast. This year I have been touched by the extraordinary warmth shown to Her Majesty the Queen by the people of these islands during the Platinum Jubilee year.
Cayman enjoys a large degree of self-government and can be immensely proud of its achievements. As a small territory, I am always struck by how it punches above its weight in so many areas, regionally and internationally. Our world-beating tourism industry is bouncing back strongly from the global pandemic. We are a leading global financial services centre.
Our Constitution is not only resilient but is also a living document and provides the cornerstone of our democracy, freedoms, rights and responsibilities. Indeed, the doctrine of Separation of Powers between the Executive arm (Government), Parliament and Judiciary, and which is enshrined in the Constitution, continues to be a crucial means of safeguarding citizens’ freedoms and rights.
As Governor I would like to thank all those who work in our independent Commissions and Offices, established under our Constitution, that underpin our good governance and stability. These are: the Constitutional Commission, Human Rights Commission, Standards in Public Life Commission, Judicial and Legal Services Commission, Civil Service Appeals Commission and Anti-Corruption Commission. Assisted by the Commissions Secretariat, they do important and often unsung work, supporting our democratic way of life and governance standards.
Our Auditor-General and Ombudsman, and their hard-working and conscientious staff, do excellent work to improve accountability, transparency and support individuals in our community.
Our highly respected and independent judiciary underpins the success and reputation of our jurisdiction, supported by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and our Attorney-General and his staff.
On Constitution Day, we should reflect on the institutions that support our democracy, freedoms and rights. Events in other parts of the world, particularly Ukraine, underline that we should not take these for granted. In the Cayman Islands, we can all give thanks for the relative peace, tranquillity and stability that we enjoy.
I hope everyone has a wonderful long weekend.
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