PPM to launch campaign on Brac

| 18/04/2017

Cayman News Service(CNS Elections): The ruling People’s Progressive Movement has taken the unusual decision of launching their formal election campaign on Cayman Brac, rather than beginning the political roadshow in the capital, where the majority of voters live. While the two seats on Cayman Brac are being contested by two PPM incumbents, both of whom are widely tipped to win the new constituencies of Cayman Brac East (CBE) and Cayman Brac West and Little Cayman (CBWLC), the district has only 1,118 voters, just over 5% of the entire electorate.

The decision to launch the Progressive campaign on the Brac was a significant and historic event, reflecting the party’s ethos of “One Cayman Islands”, according to Premier Alden McLaughlin, the leader of the Progressives.

“Traditionally, we have launched our platform in George Town, but as an innovative political organisation, we have decided for many reasons that the Brac is the best place for our first public meeting of the 2017 campaign,” he said.

With the exception of Savannah candidate Heather Bodden, who will stay behind for a Chamber debate, all of the Progressive candidates will join Moses Kirkconnell and Julianna O’Connor-Connolly for the launch in the car park of Kirkconnell Supermarket at 7.00pm on Thursday night.

“The Brac Team is pleased and proud to welcome our colleagues to the Brac,” said Deputy Leader of the PPM, Moses Kirkconnell. “It gives Brackers an opportunity to speak directly to members of the team and get a first hand insight into The Progressives’ plans for the next term.”

Cayman News ServiceJulianna O’Connor-Connolly, the current speaker of the Legislative Assembly, joined the PPM after the last election after she was the only candidate in the short-lived People’s National Alliance to win a seat. She was a founding member of the UDP but was one of five members who split from the party following the arrest of McKeeva Bush in December 2012 over corruption allegations. Bush was charged just before the 2013 general election and lost, but he was acquitted on all charges in October 2014.

After joining the PPM in May 2013 and helping McLaughlin form a government, she became speaker of the House for the second time. In this post O’Connor-Connolly has avoided the need to discuss government policy or show her allegiance to the party. This will be the first time she will campaign alongside Kirkconnell after campaigning against him in three earlier elections.

“The Progressives have accomplished a lot for the Brac and Little Cayman since 2013,” O’Connor-Connolly said. “I am really excited about our plans for the next four years. I hope all Brackers come out to hear how a strong, cohesive team will continue to improve their prospects for the future.”

Speakers at the event will include the premier, the two Brac candidates and Finance Minister Marco Archer, as well as Kurt Tibbetts, even though he is not contesting a seat in this election. They are all expected to defend their stewardship of the last four years and start to lay out the PPM’s plans for the coming term, according to a release about the campaign launch.

Transportation will be provided for Brackers in Cayman who wish to attend the meeting. Call 945-8292 or 926-4717 for transportation details.

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Category: Campaigns, Candidates, Political parties

Comments (28)

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  1. Bracka1 says:

    What’s being done about the lack of jobs in the Brac? Why do you have to wait for forever for the barge to bring overpriced food? It’s almost $8 for a gallon of milk. Why? What is being done about the cocaine use? The lack of resources and support for children with special needs especially autism? Not everyone wants to move to Grand Cayman you know. I dunno great work una talking about but I na seen any changes! Kmt

  2. Anonymous says:

    Juliana was voted in 4 years ago to serve the Cayman Brac people. Instead, she took speaker of the house for her own selfish gains, leaving Cayman Brac with only 1 voice. People are not stupid. She only cares about herself. Watch if PPM doesn’t get in, she’ll go with whichever team wins including Mr. Bush who she deserted years ago before he had a chance to clear his name.

  3. PPM Distress Signal says:

    Well at least these two can stay awake poor old Lucille the other night had to be awaken and informed of what year it was in the Chamber debate Austin Harris had to help her answer questions. How truly sad for these people trying to hang on to power at the cost of the tax payer

    • Unison says:

      I like Lucille, but I think Prospect need someone who is more energize. I watch the debate as well, and I can tell you I wasn’t too impressed by Lucille’s answers. :/

  4. My heart is pure and my hands are clean says:

    I want my money back from the private driveways she illegally paved!

  5. Anonymous says:

    They all need to go only filling their own pockets

  6. Anonymous says:

    I’d probably be impressed by this move if the PPM leader and current Premier of the Cayman Islands was not running scared from Kenneth Bryan.

    Sorry PPM, I can no longer respect your organization. However, I do support a few of your candidates individually.

    Lastly, the above was in no way intended as an insult to K Bryan.

    – Who

  7. Anonymous says:

    if I was Julie I would put up a big fight to get reelected too. Two salarys. Speaker of the House and still collecting a salary as an MLA. I say that the Speaker of the house should be some Independent person and not an MLA . My Bible tells me that you cant serve two masters at the same time cause you know what will happen. In this case it was poor C. Brac to get neglected.

    • Anonymous says:

      It’s only one salary although Speaker of the house does have the larger salary.

  8. Anonymous says:

    Answer to your question. Quite simple, Julie needs a lot of support so here comes the PPM buddies to give her some support. The last meeting at Spot Bay held by Mr Moses and Julie he spoke and never mud sling nobody. A Gentleman. Julie spoke of where this barefoot boy was coming from etc etc. Can you imagine going in the District where the Incumbent is coming from and making fun of where he is coming from. Mr Moses you was born a Gentleman. That was no respect for the Spot Bay people. Don’t worry Barefoot Boy you will win.

  9. M Wilson says:

    Maxine should just give up now. Not sure why she wastes money every 4 years with this. It’s only her family who vote for her.

  10. GT voter says:

    The PPM has insulted the seven districts of GT by launching their Campaign in the two districts they know that they will win. C. Brac contributes about 1% of the Cayman Islands GDP and gets about 7-10% of the Annual budget.
    Be very careful Progessives you might get a surprise from GT.

  11. Anonymous says:

    I cannot believe how short people’s memories are.
    If Julie had made some youthful indiscretions, fair enough, but her history in government should be raising concerns.
    I guess the folk on the Brac are looking for more handouts from their leaders?

  12. anon says:

    Transportation will be provided for Brackers in which Cayman? Do you mean a free flight from Grand Cayman to Cayman Brac, or buses in the Brac that can collect those wanting to attend the launch?

  13. Anonymous says:

    It is absolutely ridiculous that the sister islands have two elected officials officials still. With a voting district smaller than North Side, it flies in the face of equality.

    All the same best of luck to the candidates, God bless our little Island.

    • Jah Dread is back says:

      Good strategy Premier unite all 3 Islands starting from the smallest to the largest. Befuddle the minds of those who oppose, They are disorganized, now quoting the Bible, they have no plan, no credibility and certainly no experience a great number of them, and even those who have experience and been there before are not sure of where and how cayman needs to be next. Follow your plan follow your plan and .ead this country into success for all; I Repeat for “ALL” the people not just for some. Hearty Salute!

  14. Anonymous says:

    Long list of improvements for the Cayman Islands including Cayman Brac in the last few years. Congrats to Mrs Juliana and Mr Moses for a job well done. There is no reason to change just for the sake of change. We got a good working team why mess with success?

  15. Anonymous says:

    A retiree who abandoned Cayman Brac for all his adult life vs Ms. Julie. Max and a child against Mr. Mose what a mess

  16. Anonymous says:

    Ms Julie already had a public meeting with Ms. Moses at Spot Bay on the 13th April. This is the link to her speech at the meeting. https://www.facebook.com/juliana.connolly.31/videos/1892285467680899/?pnref=story

  17. Anonymous says:

    It is so refreshing to have 2 candidates campaigning together and moving the Brac forward. The last 4 years have been so exciting with the many projects being built and completed in the Brac.

    • Anonymous says:

      Yes and frequently at the expense of other more worthwhile projects. If it is not benefitting the Brac directly then they have no use for it. More intellectual capital needed.

      • Anonymous says:

        If it doesn’t benefit “what’s in it for me”?, then you know it gets wha d duck get.

    • wow says:

      Wow the PPM Blogging Team is hard at work! I hope people relaise that they pay people to sit on the News sites and post propaganda!

      • Anonymous says:

        Truthful comments never have to be paid for. Can’t speak to the untruthful comments, did anyone pay you to write your comment?

    • Anonymous says:

      It is refreshing, after bashing each other for the past 12 years! Tiger doesn’t lose its stripes does it?

  18. Anonymous says:

    PPM all the way!!!

  19. Anonymous says:

    As a Bracker, I am proud to support the PPM! We need Miss Julie and Mr. Mose to continue the good work they are doing for the Brac.