MANAGEMENT IN CONFIDENCE
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of the Board established by this Law are to the Governor in Executive Council to declare any immigrant to be an undesirable visitor to the Islands. Licences to establish Banks and Trust Companies are also granted by the Governor in Executive Council.
Special Qualities Required
19. Caymanian politicians are in the main a tough bunch of very successful businessmen in the old style of laissez-faire capitalism. Following closely the American pattern of cut and thrust business, they are no respecters of conventional government. While administering their portfolios with verve and in most cases with efficiency, they harass officials, including official members of the Executive Council, with criticisms of the Civil Service, the police, procedures and the limitations imposed upon them by the Constitution and reserved subjects. They positively enjoy constitutionally sailing as close to the wind as they can, and are often ruthless and careless of convention in the pursuit of their objectives. Their style suits the entrepreneurial spirit of the Islands, is certainly preferable to the general lethargy and inefficiency that pervades political life in most other Caribbean territories and is by and large very effective. In this political milieu traditional 'diplomatic' skills would be largely wasted; instead the Governor needs more the attributes of a canny Chairman of the Board of Directors of a lively, go-ahead company.
20.
In order to hold his own and thereby gain the respect, confidence and co-operation of his Executive Council - not easy to achieve the Governor needs to have the following qualities in large measure:-
a)
a working knowledge of business, banking, finance and development
management - without which he will be lost;
b)
tact with resolution;
c)
flexibility and informality;
d)
e)
political acumen and canniness with a high degree of persuasiveness;
administrative skill in handling big business type problems to
match the high efficiency of his Civil Service.
If he enjoys the trust and confidence of his elected members and civil servants, the Governor can exert a strong influence on the private off-shore sector to prevent the facilities falling victim to the ever present risk of organised crime. Finally, but by no means least, a respected and trusted Governor may be able to persuade these stubborn Islanders to accept some measure of much needed constitutional advance.
21. The Cayman Islands is a very testing post for a Governor and
MANAGEMENT IN CONFIDENCE
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