Next election must be OMOV
MLAs Ezzard Miller and Arden McLean campaign for one man, one vote
(CNS): Political jitters over the possibility of an early general election under the old multi-member system appear to have been allayed. In response to a letter that was sent to the governor from the recently swelled ranks of independent MLAs, the deputy governor has confirmed that the next election, whenever it happens, must be under the new system of ‘one man, one vote’ in single member constituencies because the order has already been signed and passed by parliament.
North Side MLA Ezzard Miller has confirmed that he and his colleagues, Arden McLean, Anthony Eden, Alva Suckoo and Winston Connolly, have received a response from the Office of the Deputy Governor stating that the premier has not asked or made any indication that he wants to call an election but if he does, it will be conducted under the new system.
The order, which was passed in the Legislative Assembly and signed by the governor, indicates quite clearly that the next general election in Cayman will be in single member constituencies with all electors having just one vote. The government still needs to amend the elections law before Cayman goes to the polls but the order signed by the governor protects that reform.
Premier Alden McLaughlin said last month that if he called for early elections, it would have to be conducted under the multi-member system because the Elections Office required a full year to prepare for the new system. He said an early election was a very real possibility after three members of the government benches crossed the floor between November and January, cutting the government’s voting majority (since the speaker does not vote) to just one.
McLaughlin told CNS last month that there was a long way to go before May 2017 and the reduced majority would pose problems for the government.
The real danger for the PPM administration is the potential loss of another member. Education Minister Tara Rivers is now the only non-Progressive member on the government benches after Connolly crossed the floor and Roy McTaggart joined the PPM.
There has however been no indication from Rivers that she plans on leaving her Cabinet post. With three major pieces of legislation and the impending implementation of the minimum wage, it’s very unlikely that the second elected member for West Bay will leave the job without steering through the labour and pension law amendments, as well as the new education law.
Surely the question is one for the Governor taking advice from London rather than an issue for a local civil servant.
Does the Premier plan to resume the sitting of the LA or was he waiting to prorogue the house to make way for early elections?. Now that that seems utterly impossible I suppose he could go ahead and get back in the house for the new year. He spends far too much time speculating ,plotting and practicing his oneupmanship and looks like all his plans falls flat
Zzzzzzz when I see it I will believe it!!
That is some of the best news I have heard since the OMOV process started before the last election.
Alden knows he’s toast under OMOV, hence his desperate maneuvering, but it looks like he’ll have to face his fate next year and stand on his own record for a change. It’ll be interesting seeing how he (and others, to be fair), er, fare.
lets see if he still says that there might be an early election after hearing this news.
If OMOV means the honorable West Bay gambler and his gang of parasites do not get elected, I’m all for it.
@ 1:44pm 15/2 You seem to be confused as to who has been making the maneuvers but rather this situation was caused by Tony, Al, and Winston crossing over to join the opposition.
Thank you for confirming Mr. Manderson
Boy Alden can spout garbage
So says the guy waiting for Mac’s return.
Poster @ 12:52pm Perhaps you should get the Compass and read the quote from the Acting Governor’s letter responding to the five Independents before you spout off about garbage. These five had contended that all members of the LA had to be consulted by the Governor before new elections could be called but were advised that is just not the case.Read it in the constitution for yourself here:-http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2009/1379/pdfs/uksi_20091379_en.pdf . Section 84.(2).
You really believe that the Governor can go straight to election prior to talking to all 18 members of the LA and that they all will sit there and blindly agree with her the way Alden and crew do?
PPM and his Lorship Alden are screwed now if next election is under OMOV.
Not even KT can save his coat tail riders so
Alden
Roy
Marco
Joey
Ossie
Wayne
Tara
enjoy the good times and big pensions until 2017
Later on you’re going to see the thumbs down ppm cool aid drinkers out in high numbers…… Sorry for ypu bro.
Not all of the PPM members are bad. The worst one isn’t even on that list.
Those Pensions are for LIFE bobo.
Its time to end that gravy train too.
Yeah you are right they had better enjoy it while it last. The only thing would save Ozzie is if he walked across over to the other side. Failure to do that will bury him. He’s got a choice to make so let him decide his own faith. If he was wise he would move while time is on his side. It will get him re-elected in BT for sure. No doubt about that. I don’t believe that Ozzie has the backbone to do that right now. He probably prefer to hold on to his position as Minister. If it was me I would sacrifice the months left for a sure re-election but the ball is in his court.
Just a matter of time. He has been assuring Bodden Towners he is not “staying with them”
No ideals, no ethics and the backbone of a rubber snake – it will be dead easy. And so commendable too; really makes me want to vote for him, not.