GOVERNMENT
The Cayman
Islands' physical isolation under early British colonial rule
allowed the development of an indigenous set of administrative
and legal traditions which were codified into a Constitution in
1959. Although still a British Crown Colony, the islands today
are self-governed in nearly all respects. The Constitution, or
Cayman Islands Order, that now governs the islands came into effect
in 1972 and was amended in 1984.
The Cayman
Islands' political system is very stable, bolstered by a tradition
of restrained civil governance, sustained economic prosperity,
and its relative isolation from foreign policy concerns by virtue
of its colonial relationship with the United Kingdom. Public discussion
revolves around public sector expenditure and social services,
the pace of additional economic development, and the status of
the large foreign national community on the islands.
Government
Structure
The Cayman Islands form a British Overseas Territory with a large measure of self-government. The present constitution, which came into effect in 1972, provides for a system of government headed by a Governor, a Legislative Assembly, and a Cabinet, which administers the islands. The Governor is recruited from the U.K. Government Service, serves as the British government administrator, and retains responsibility for the civil service, defense, external affairs, and internal security.
The Governor also chairs the Cabinet and appoints to the Cabinet the Chief Secretary, the Attorney General, and the Financial Secretary, while the Legislative Assembly elects the Cabinet's other five members. Unlike other Caribbean Overseas Territories there is no Chief Minister but a Leader of Government Business. The Leader of Government Business is an elected politician, while the Chief Secretary is the most senior civil servant. Currently, the Leader of Government Business is also the Minister for District Administration, Planning, Agriculture and Housing.
Responsibility
for defense and external affairs resides with the United Kingdom;
however, the Chief Secretary has the portfolio for external affairs,
and the Cayman Government may negotiate certain bilateral matters
directly with foreign governments. The elected members of the
Executive Council divide the remaining administrative portfolios.
The 18-seat
unicameral Legislative Assembly is presided over by an independent
speaker. Elections are held at the discretion of the governor
at least every 4 years. Members of the assembly may introduce
bills, which, if passed, are then approved, returned, or disallowed
by the Governor. The U.K. Government also reserves the right to
disallow bills approved by the Governor.
The four-tiered
judicial system is based on English common law and colonial and
local statutes. The Cayman Islands Court of Appeal is the highest
court on the islands, but Her Majesty’s Privy Council sitting
in London may hear a final appeal.
Political
Coalitions
Since 2000, there have been two official political parties: The United Democratic Party (UDP) and the People's Progressive Movement (PPM). While there has been a shift to political parties, many contending for an office still run as independents. In May 2005 elections, the People's Progressive Movement won, receiving nine of the 15 seats. The next elections are due in 2009.
Principal
Government Officials
Head of State--Queen Elizabeth II
Governor--Stuart Jack, since November 2005
Leader of Government Business--The Honorable Kurt Tibbetts, since May 2005
The
Cayman Islands are represented in the United States by the United
Kingdom Embassy at 3100
Massachusetts Avenue, Washington DC 20008; tel: 202-462-1340;
fax: 202-898-4255.
The
Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, with offices in Miami, New
York, Houston, and Chicago, also may provide travel information.
Type: British Overseas Territory.
Constitution: 1972; called the Cayman Islands Order; modified 1994.
Branches: Executive--Governor and Governor-in-Cabinet (representing British monarch), Cabinet. Legislative--unicameral Legislative Assembly (15 elected, three appointed members). Judicial--Summary Court, Grand Court, Cayman Islands Court of Appeal, Her Majesty's Privy Council.
Subdivisions: Eight districts.
Political parties: People's Progressive Movement, United Democratic Party.
Suffrage: Universal at 18.
