CAYMAN: OVER-DEPENDENT ON INDEPENDENTS?

Cayman executed a smooth transition of power this past week that was exemplary in the sphere of global democracy.

Amidst all the back-room manoeuvrings and political machinations, some even in the full glare of local, regional and global public scrutiny, this nation ‘in one fell swoop’ achieved the following without any social turmoil.

It changed the Premier. It somehow engineered a new governing political coalition of independents including former disaffected ex-colleagues. And the new (or repackaged) governing team got (at least) the initial blessing of the Opposition which had tabled a no-confidence motion against the new government’s prior incarnation.

Yet, amidst all that, it was a peaceful transition because that’s the way we do it in Cayman. Admittedly, a few political egos got bruised and there were some ‘sacrificial lambs’, but that’s par for the course.

However, inasmuch as that transition was peaceful; it wasn’t pretty.

The storm of internal turbulence that rocked - and ultimately wrecked - PACT was put on display as evidenced by the speeches made during the debate of the no-confidence motion. In fact, what was said was only equalled in impact and intensity by what was not said and who did not speak. Silence sometimes is golden. At other times it speaks volumes.

But we move on because moving on we must. There’s much to be done, and topping the priority list - despite the detailed listing of all that’s been achieved - is the delayed budget.

Budget notwithstanding, there are other pressing issues that this globally-focused, regional first-world nation will increasingly have to contend with as it balances its local politics with its global status.

Sustainable stability politically and economically is key. We may even have to rethink how we do our politics. In a modern democracy, just how sustainable is a political culture built on loose coalitions of independents?

If the events of last week taught us anything, the takeaway lesson is that it’s time overdue for a serious, soul-searching ‘Cayman conversation’.

Cayman is watching and waiting. So too is the rest of the world.