McKeeva Bush
Encyclopedia
William McKeeva Bush, OBE
(born 20 January 1955), is a Caymanian
politician and the current Premier of the Cayman Islands. He also serves as leader of the United Democratic Party
and the first elected member for West Bay
. He is currently serving his seventh term in the Legislative Assembly of the Cayman Islands
and has represented West Bay in the Legislative Assembly of the Cayman Islands continuously since 1984.
.
in 2009, and in addition to assuming the post of Premier, he also currently' serves as Minister of Finance, Tourism & Development for the current United Democratic Party
administration. Following the Cayman Islands general election 2005
, Bush served as the Leader of the Opposition
from May 2005 to May 2009.
Bush is currently the longest serving member of the Legislative Assembly of the Cayman Islands
and is referred to as the "Father of the House". Bush has served on previous Executive Councils (renamed Cabinet in 2003) and served as the Leader of Government Business
and Minister of Tourism, Environment, Development and Commerce from November 2001 – May 2005 during the United Democratic Party administration. He has also served as Minister for Tourism, Environment and Transport from November 2000 – November 2001, Minister of Community Development, Sports, Women's and Youth Affairs and Culture from 1994 – 1997 and Minister for Health and Human Services from 1992 – 1994.
Bush is also a Justice of the peace
and was a founding member of the United Democratic Party
.
Bush is a director and shareholder of the Cambridge Real Estate Company.
Queen Elizabeth II
named him an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1997 for his work in the Cayman Islands community and success in the Cayman Islands Government.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(born 20 January 1955), is a Caymanian
Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands is a British Overseas Territory and overseas territory of the European Union located in the western Caribbean Sea. The territory comprises the three islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman, located south of Cuba and northwest of Jamaica...
politician and the current Premier of the Cayman Islands. He also serves as leader of the United Democratic Party
United Democratic Party (Cayman Islands)
The United Democratic Party is a political party in the Cayman Islands.In the elections, 8 November 2000, with a turnout of 80% only non-partisans were elected...
and the first elected member for West Bay
West Bay, Cayman Islands
West Bay is a district located on Grand Cayman Island in the British West Indies.-Politics:West Bay is one of the two largest electoral districts on Grand Cayman, along with George Town...
. He is currently serving his seventh term in the Legislative Assembly of the Cayman Islands
Legislative Assembly of the Cayman Islands
The Legislative Assembly of the Cayman Islands has 18 members, 15 elected members for a four year term in two-seat constituencies and 3 members ex-officio.In the elections of 8 November 2000, with a turnout of 80% only non-partisans were elected...
and has represented West Bay in the Legislative Assembly of the Cayman Islands continuously since 1984.
Education
Bush was educated in the Cayman Islands Government primary and secondary school system and was awarded an honourary master’s degree in humanities from the International College of the Cayman IslandsInternational College of the Cayman Islands
The International College of the Cayman Islands is a U.S. accredited non-profit, private, four-year independent institution of higher education which opened in the fall of 1970...
.
Political career
Bush was elected Premier during the Cayman Islands general electionCaymanian general election, 2009
General elections were held in the Cayman Islands on 20 May 2009. A referendum on a draft constitution was held at the same time.The opposition United Democratic Party defeated the incumbent People's Progressive Movement...
in 2009, and in addition to assuming the post of Premier, he also currently' serves as Minister of Finance, Tourism & Development for the current United Democratic Party
United Democratic Party (Cayman Islands)
The United Democratic Party is a political party in the Cayman Islands.In the elections, 8 November 2000, with a turnout of 80% only non-partisans were elected...
administration. Following the Cayman Islands general election 2005
Caymanian general election, 2005
General elections were held in the Cayman Islands on 11 May 2005.They were won by the People's Progressive Movement, which took 10 of the 15 seats in the Legislative Assembly....
, Bush served as the Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the Opposition
The Leader of the Opposition is a title traditionally held by the leader of the largest party not in government in a Westminster System of parliamentary government...
from May 2005 to May 2009.
Bush is currently the longest serving member of the Legislative Assembly of the Cayman Islands
Legislative Assembly of the Cayman Islands
The Legislative Assembly of the Cayman Islands has 18 members, 15 elected members for a four year term in two-seat constituencies and 3 members ex-officio.In the elections of 8 November 2000, with a turnout of 80% only non-partisans were elected...
and is referred to as the "Father of the House". Bush has served on previous Executive Councils (renamed Cabinet in 2003) and served as the Leader of Government Business
Leader of Government Business
The Premier of the Cayman Islands is the political leader and head of government. The post of Premier in the Cayman Islands is the equivalent to Chief Minister or Prime Minister in other British Overseas Territories. It is the highest political level that can be attained within the British colonial...
and Minister of Tourism, Environment, Development and Commerce from November 2001 – May 2005 during the United Democratic Party administration. He has also served as Minister for Tourism, Environment and Transport from November 2000 – November 2001, Minister of Community Development, Sports, Women's and Youth Affairs and Culture from 1994 – 1997 and Minister for Health and Human Services from 1992 – 1994.
Bush is also a Justice of the peace
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
and was a founding member of the United Democratic Party
United Democratic Party
There are several political parties called the United Democratic Party.* United Democratic Party * United Democratic Party * United Democratic Party, Cyprus* United Democratic Party...
.
Investigation
In late 2010 the Cayman Islands police opened an investigation into Bush relating to certain alleged financial irregularities dating back to October 2004, and that investigation remains ongoing. The Governor of the Cayman Islands, Duncan Taylor, has declined to appoint a commission of enquiry whilst the police investigation is ongoing.Personal life
He is married to Kerry Bush and they have two children; son Barry and daughter Tonya, who died from diabetes complications on 25 January 2011.Bush is a director and shareholder of the Cambridge Real Estate Company.
Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
named him an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1997 for his work in the Cayman Islands community and success in the Cayman Islands Government.