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Challenging year 2012: A year in review in the Caribbean Community
The year 2012 has been a challenging year for the Caribbean Community. Immediate past Premier if the Cayman Islands, McKeeva Bush would have been very familiar with the phrase “annus horribilis” – Latin for horrible year.
Mr. Bush, the 57-year old leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP) became the first head of government in modern Caribbean history to be detained by police on suspicion of theft in connection with financial irregularities relating to the alleged misuse of a government credit card, breach of trust, abuse of office and allegedly importing explosive substances without valid permits on or before February 2012.
Following his detention, the embattled Bush saw his first five-year term as premier come crashing down in mid-December after legislators, including members of his own government, voted in favor of a “no confidence” motion against his administration.
No charges have yet been laid against Bush, who remains out on police bail until February 2013. Bush continues to regard his arrest as nothing short of a “very vindictive political witch-hunt,” insisting on his innocence.
In The Bahamas former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham formally retired from politics after leading his Free National Movement (FNM) into defeat in the general elections in March.
“I shall return to private life from whence I came,” he said, soon after the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), headed by Perry Christie, won what it termed the “most important general elections since 1967”.
Mr. Christie, who previously served as prime minister from 2002 to 2007, would later say the voters “clearly felt that the policies of the FNM were not in their best interest and relegated them to second class citizens.”
In Bermuda, the Progress Labor Party (“other PLP”) was not so fortunate. An 18-month-old One Bermuda Alliance (OBA) led by businessman Craig Cannonier won a decisive victory in the general elections, and in the process sent premier Paula Cox packing. Ms. Cox has since resigned as the leader of the PLP – and by extension politics.
