MLA Kenneth Bryan plans Public-Opinion Survey

By Christopher Tobutt

Representative for George Town Central, Kenneth Bryan, is planning to organise a major registered voter public-opinion survey, on the same day as Cruise port Referendum Day, 19 December.

The plan is to meet with referendum voters after they have cast their vote, and give them the opportunity to voice their opinion on three controversial areas that are often being talked about for several years, in the Cayman Islands, so that they have a chance to express where they stand. The survey will not be asking about how people cast their votes in regard to the port referendum at all. Instead its aim will be to gather data on what registered voters think about legalizing ganga, gay marriage, and legalising gambling in the Cayman Islands. While many policymakers and lawmakers may claim to know what the public think and feel about these topics, Mr. Bryan feels that is that there is no reliable data that indicates the level of feeling about them.

Mr. Bryant made it clear that registered voters casting their vote on referendum day would not be approached before they entered the voting booth, in keeping with established election laws and protocols: “I had to do some research in respect to this topic,” he explained. “After examining the Elections law, I couldn’t find anywhere within the law that prevents me from doing so. I did my due diligence to speak to two different attorneys I had to make sure my interpretation of the law was the same as theirs; and they came back with the same interpretation. But I did a third level of a check, to the Supervisor of Elections and asked them if they would agree with my interpretation; and it was confirmed on Tuesday morning from the Elections Office, that there is nothing in the law that prevents me from doing a survey of this nature,” he said, adding that his survey stations would be set up 300 feet from the polling booth, in keeping with elections law.

The questions that participants will be asked are as follows: “Should the Cayman Islands Legalise a national lottery? (Yes or No answers for all); Should the Cayman Islands Legalise casinos? Should the Cayman Islands Legalise same-sex marriages? Should the Cayman Islands legalise same-sex unions? Should the Cayman Islands decriminalize marijuana better known as ganja? Should the Cayman Islands legalize marijuana better known as ganja?”

Mr. Bryant is appealing for volunteers to help conduct the survey. “I suspect that there are people who are prepared to give their time up, to finally get an answer to these questions…I think we need to have an answer from the people, and not assume that the politicians have all the answers. My office is 71 Crown Square, Unit Number 6. If you have any interest in assisting us we ask you to reach out to us. Our number here is 9364040 as we start to compile a list of persons who may be willing to volunteer,” he said.

“I want to take this opportunity to highlight that this is a very massive exercise. As you can see, the Premier himself said that the Referendum is going to cost about 1.5 Million dollars. I am trying to duplicate that process, with about 30,000 dollars. “I truly believe that this will be beneficial for the country and its results particularly for the legislators particularly as to know what to do on your behalf.”