UK-Cayman Relations Strengthened After Positive Dialogue

By Takiyah Smith

The Cayman Islands delegation, led by Premier Hon. Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, spent the day at the House of Parliament in multiple high-level meetings with senior UK MPs today, Tuesday, 19 November 2024. Discussions were held with representatives from the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties which is demonstrative of the Cayman Islands’ policy of direct engagement across the UK’s political spectrum.

For the day’s meetings, Premier was accompanied by Attorney General, Hon Samuel Bulgin; Cabinet Secretary, Samuel Rose; Chief Officer for Financial Services and Commerce Dr Dax Basdeo; and UK Representative Dr Tasha Ebanks-Garcia.

Premier O’Connor-Connolly first met with Emily Thornberry, MP (Labour) who is the new Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee (“FASC”) and FASC member, Edward Morello, MP (Lib Dem). The FASC is a highly influential body providing parliamentary oversight for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and its work with the UK’s Overseas Territories.

Premier O’Connor-Connolly advocated for students from Overseas Territories to access home fees and student financing mechanisms and explained the Cayman Islands’ position on the appropriateness of legitimate interest access to beneficial ownership information.

Premier then met with Callum Miller, MP who is the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Foreign Affairs. Discussions included sharing background on the Cayman Islands, and outlining the Liberal Democrats’ overall position on key issues impacting the Overseas Territories.

The Premier’s Parliamentary meetings concluded with a bilateral meeting with Dame Priti Patel, MP (Conservative) who is the new Shadow Foreign Secretary. Conservative MP, Wendy Morton also joined the meeting which covered ongoing issues including illegal migration, resilience, building, post disaster funding, education, and beneficial ownership.

In summarizing her day of advocacy for the Cayman Islands, the Premier noted,“Strengthening our relationship with the UK Members of Parliament is one of our key goals for our time spent in London this week. We wish to develop long-standing, meaningful partnerships built on mutual respect and understanding. The Cayman Islands have an excellent story to tell. I’ve taken the opportunity in each of my meetings to reiterate our position on many key issues including beneficial ownership and welcome the opportunity to speak openly and frankly with Parliamentary colleagues and clarify misconceptions which are sometimes unfortunately promulgated in the public domain. We can stand proudly on our record of meeting global standards and standing up for our financial services industry.”

Later in the afternoon, the Premier’s delegation held a meeting with Leading Counsel Sir Jeffrey Jowell KC from Blackstone Chambers.

The Premier ended her day by attending Buckingham Palace at the invitation of His Majesty, King Charles III for an Evening Reception for the Diplomatic Corps accompanied by UK Representative, Dr Tasha Ebanks-Garcia.