UK MPs tour Cayman
MP Henry Smith releases a sea turtle
(CNS Local Life): Four UK Members of Parliament have just completed a four-day visit designed to provide broad knowledge of the people, culture and economy of the Cayman Islands. The MPs – Andrew Rosindell, Henry Smith, Col. Bob Stewart and Martin Vickers, all members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Cayman Islands – arrived in Grand Cayman Thursday, 2 August, and their visit also took in Cayman Brac.
The tour of Grand Cayman included a briefing on the Cayman Turtle Centre, where the MPs participated in a release of green sea turtles; and a visit to the Legislative Assembly led by Premier Alden McLauglin. In addition, the group was taken to the Island Air hangar, where the RCIPS Air Support Unit gave a presentation on the assistance offered to fellow British Overseas Territories in the aftermath of hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.
The MPs also met Acting Governor Franz Manderson, Cabinet members and MLAs, and had lunch with key players in the financial-services industry, stated a press release from the premier’s office.
Friday’s visit ended with a reception at Government House which included community leaders, a selection of Youth Parliamentarians and Proud of Them recipients.
The following day, the MPs visited Cayman Brac, touring Long Beach, Heritage House, North Side, the Bluff Farm, Lighthouse, Scott’s Dock, the Port Authority and Faith Hospital.
MPs watch Luciano Lazzari (left) and Cameron Brown clean fish on Cayman Brac
Minister for District Administration and Sister Islands MLA Moses Kirkconnell said in the press release, “We are happy that they had the opportunity to come over to Cayman Brac. It was a good day. We made sure we let them see our infrastructure; the hospital, the schools, our landing ramp. We were able to show them the good quality of life we have on the Brac.”
Back on Grand Cayman, the group visited the Eastern Districts, including the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park and Blue Iguana Recovery Project; with the final stop a tour of Health City.
MP Rosindell said of the medical facility, “It has been so interesting to see this very impressive and successful initiative that provides very clearly high quality – yet I understand affordable and compassionate – healthcare services in the Caribbean and beyond.
“It was fascinating to learn about the health tourism benefits to Cayman and, as we understand now, there is plenty more to come from this development with additional phases that are planned.”
He added, “The entire trip has been extraordinary. I have been here before and thought I had seen it all but seeing these new developments and learning more about the upcoming plans for the Cayman Islands has been a real eye opener.”
Eric Bush, Cayman Islands Representative in the UK who arranged and coordinated the visit, called the trip a success, adding the hosts “have been able to show so much to the visiting MPs and I know that they each have their preferred highlights, but overall we feel we have been able to give them a good, all around understanding of the Islands in the limited time frame.
“This is a great progress in our political engagement campaign in the UK, which will continue on into next year and beyond.”
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