William McKeeva Bush is a Caymanian politician and current Speaker of the Legialtive Assembly of the Cayman Islands. Mr. Bush is serving his ninth term in the Legislative Assembly, and represents the district of West Bay in the Legislative Assembly of the Cayman Islands continuously since 1984.

Early life and education

Bush was educated at the Government Primary and Secondary Schools. He was also awarded a honorary Master’s Degree in Humanities from the International College of the Cayman Islands, and has always been involved with community development.

Career

He was elected Premier during the Cayman Islands’ general election in 2009, and currently serves as the Minister with responsibility for Financial Services, Tourism & Development for the current United Democratic Party administration. Following the Cayman Islands’ general election in 2005, he served as Leader of the Opposition from May 2005 to May 2009.

The Premiere has served on previous Executive Councils (renamed Cabinet in 2003). In winning his fifth term in 2000, he led the Better Balance Team to take all four of West Bay’s seats. He served as the Leader of Government Business and as Minister for Tourism, Environment, Development and Commerce from November 2001 to May 2005, during the United Democratic Party administration. He was Minister for Tourism, Environment and Transport from November 2000 to November 2001; Minister for Community Development, Sports, Women’s and Youth Affairs and Culture from 1994 to 1997; and Minister for Health and Human Services from 1992 to 1994. And, he also serves as a Justice of the peace.

In November 2001 he was a founding member of the United Democratic Party. A self-employed businessman, Mr. Bush is a director and shareholder of the Cambridge Real Estate Company.

On 18 December 2012, Bush was ousted as Premier in an 11-3 vote of no confidence by the Legislative Assembly. All members of the opposition People's Progressive Movement as well as five members of Bush's own UDP cast votes in favour of his ouster, while Eugene Ebanks, Ellio Solomon, and Mike Adam cast the negative votes and Bush himself abstained. Governor Duncan Taylor appointed Bush's Deputy Premier, Juliana O'Connor-Connolly, to succeed him on 19 December 2012.

On 31 May 2017, Busg was elected Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the Cayman Islands.

Honours and awards

Queen Elizabeth II named him an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1997 for his work in the community and successes in government.

Personal life

He is married to Mrs. Kerry Bush; the couple have two children, daughter Tonya and son Barry.