Cayman must be ready for uncertain world
Premier Alden McLaughlin at the Professional Development Week conference, Nov 2016
(CNS): The premier has spoken of the “increasingly, bewildering and unpredictable seismic geopolitical changes” going on in the world creating uncertainty that Cayman must be prepared to navigate. Alden McLaughlin said the combination of ‘Brexit’ in the UK, the election of Donald Trump in the US, plus the rise of right-wing fear politics in Europe is heralding a period of change and global upheaval that will have an impact locally. He said that no one could yet say how the country would “be effected by these major events”, but it must be ready to seize the opportunities that emerge.
Addressing public servants at the Professional Development Week conference on Thursday, McLaughlin warned that, like children in a messy divorce, overseas territories could suffer badly as the UK tries to negotiate its way out of the European Union, and they face massive uncertainty to the north with the new US administration.
But with Cayman’s own election now just six months away, he said he hoped local voters were happy with the change the PPM had already brought and “would do the right thing” when they go to the polls next year. Pointing to the turnaround in the domestic economy and the improvement in public finances, he said Cayman was in a strong position to face the uncertainty ahead.
McLaughlin said that the first priority for PPM government had been restoring the economy, and it had delivered growth, cut unemployment and kept a lid on inflation, as well as starting the process of reform in the public sector under the Project Future banner. All of this, he said, had laid the “foundations for the prosperity to come”.
He added that it is impossible to know what the outcome of the recent political upheaval in the UK and the US but Cayman must be ready, and he believes it is.
“We don’t know the outcome of Brexit,” he said, “nor do we know what the results of the US presidential election will mean to the new world order.” We do know, he added, that it meant “significant change in a sea of uncertainty”.
Cayman is “well poised” to grasp whatever opportunities all the change may bring, the premier stated stressing the need for the jurisdiction to be an even more attractive place for investment.
With a growing economy and solid public finances, the country can and must leverage the opportunities that present themselves and emerge from the uncertainty to ensure the people here enjoy not just prosperity but peace and stability, he said.
Category: 2017 General Elections, Elections, Politics
The hungry ones don’t have computers.
Caymanians, this next election provides an opportunity. In reality, no matter who gets elected you’ll be diving into the unknown. But, take notice in my Country (USA), those of us tired of the monopoly have stood-up and a loud voice was heard. You want a change? This upcoming election may be your starting point.
Take advantage of your right to vote!
Can I assume you’re talking about the billionaire that got a minority of the votes? Is that the “loud voice” you’re talking about?
Why yes I am. But it’s called “he won and she lost”. The news, the majority of our politicians, the big money ceo’s, all of them were trying to destroy him…but he won. In states that haven’t voted Reoublican for decades. Lots of decades. Long time democrats changed their affiliation to join him. Yes, the people have spoken. Your question should have been “the billionaire that got the minority of votes, but still beat the white collar crime family called the Clintons.”
That would’ve made more sense.
One thing Alden McLaughlin has to accept is that both Brexit and the US Elections experienced the same phenomena. Millions of people pissed off with inept, corrupt politicians who seem to better their own lives at the expense of the electorate, decided to speak in unison.
Many people who voted in these cases were first time voters (not including the illegal immigrants) and they had just about had enough. They downed tools and bloody well went out to vote and guess what, Mr McLaughlin, their opinions not only differed from yours, they were in the majority.
I think it takes a lot of gall to think that people voting in other jurisdictions is somehow upsetting your globalist agenda, especially when they are the majority.
We know that you are a freemason. You did not announce it before you stood, but it is common knowledge now and every single policy that you implement and opinion that you espouse smacks of your Lodge handlers.
I am hoping for a similar electoral reaction as in the UK and US in Cayman and I hope that thousands of us vote for the first time and you will have to get a real job that better suits your qualities, because leading the best democracy in the Caribbean is not one of them.
BEST democracy in the Caribe? What are you smoking? Can I get some??
As someone who works in the financial industry (the economic heart beat of the Island) I experience and suffer first hand the consequences of ever increasing regulations pushed upon the Cayman financial industry by numerous countries. It is something that we have no choice but find a way to comply.
As such, I truly appreciate to have a minister like Wayne Panthon who has the actual experience in the financial sector and the applicable laws, who can help Cayman to steer through this onslaught of regulations. I also appreciate that someone like Marco Acher and Roy McTaggart have the right knowledge and experience to help with the finances, budgets etc. and they do a lot of work behind the scenes which is beneficial to the Island but unfortunately it is not “seen” by all.
Voting shouldn’t be about who you like or who you know – it should be all about who is the best qualified man/woman for the job. That said, I am afraid that many registered voters are unable to distinguish between the two as I already hear so many saying “can’t wait for them to show up at my house and see what they can do for me”…..
So the spiral downwards continues…………
The problem is our politicians enjoy speaking like they have a clue about what is happening on the political scale globally whilst they are still just grasping the issues within our little 60,000 population, 100 square mile jurisdiction.
The reality is – a government who spent the past 4 years doing questionable things and then decides to cram their campaign promise agenda in during the last 9 months of their tenure cannot be trusted to lead Cayman straight out of local issues much less global political issues (from the dump, to unemployment, to immigration matters, to cost of living, Brexit, Trump, etc etc etc).
What is taking place right now in the world is MUCH larger than what BBC, CNN or any other news monopoly indicates on your flat screen television – the bad news is the “uncertainty” we see revealed on the surface of the media is only the tip of the iceberg.
Any Government of a small country like this that is not out-rightly encouraging ALL the residents of their country to become self-sufficient is not being honest at all. In a world where the concept of peace is becoming murky, a little country like us that imports everything from fruits to drinking water should be the ones with a “hurricane-escape” plan in action all year round.
I would not be depending too much right now on the financial industry because when Brexit is final, the many “royal relationships” our offshore industry have with the billionaires within the EU countries will surely get cut off for a more neutral, EU friendly jurisdiction.
One cannot rely on any stakeholder of the financial industry to present a truthful forecast of the shit that will really hit the fan because it would cause a much faster decay of this vital market.
So, the answer to that dilemma is to continue forking out optimistic points of view to delay the panic.
I am not for any party per say. I am for the country and what is best for all of us.
Let me say this, for all their faults and yes they do have many, they are as Smithy put it the best team we have had in probably decades. Now, it would be nice to get some other people involved like Alva and yes I would like Alden to be more open to allow for some discussions even if they don’t necessarily go down the main street of PPM but to hear simply other ideas.
A good government goes with what is right not just what they can think up but what any politician or citizen can come up with.
I do believe the PPM government for all their faults offer us the best mix of solutions for this uncertain times.
I would ask them to thread lightly on the ground ahead and not get over anxiously to spend in the months and years ahead as we navigate these uncertain waters.
Alden and his proven team of Marco, Moses, Wayne and Roy McTaggert are still the best qualified and experienced team to take us into an uncertain geo-political future. Can you imagine Mac with his bullying and deals in this new world environment? Or a hodge podge of Reynard Moxam, Kenneth Bryan, Elio Solomon, Robert Bodden and Alva Suckoo trying to lead Cayman. Seriously? Chose wisely its not about PPM and UDP.Its about who has the best team.
why put Alva in that mix? He isn’t associated with any of them! Clearly you are suggesting something absurd to deflect from the fact that the PPM have failed and Alva seems to be rising to offer the new young educated fresh leadership the country needs! With Alden Wayne Marco Moses Ossie and Kurt what did we get? Nothing! Only their rich uptown friends benefited from that bunch.
No it is not. It should be about the ones who tell the truth and keep their promises. Now go and pick your list again.
A proven team, I think not. This is a team of super wealthy egotists that do not have the ordinary man at heart, only their own kind.
I is ferewa onerable, bobo.
Yeah Alden, and your leadership only further adds to that uncertainty.
It would be so very nice if all these circus clowns ridiculing Alden’s honest, straightforward uncertainty would give us something to be certain about.
The single thing we can say with any certainty is that our first educated Premier will still be that four years from now.
I’ll be in the bushes till’ it all blows over.
Bushes are bad for you, both in the US and Cayman.
As an American who visits Cayman once or twice every year, I pay a lot of attention to events in both countries. Insinuating that Trump was elected because of “fear politics” is a major mis-read of the election. He was elected because of jobs. Working people have been ignored by the elites of both parties for a long time. He promised to help and that got him elected. One of his biggest promises was to manage immigration so citizens would have a better chance for work.
Sound familiar? Ignore the need for good jobs at your own political peril.
And that comment ignores the realities in both places
We will “do the right thing”, Bobo.
Your days at the trough are finished.
Hardly anyone will vote for you this time around. It is going to be epic!
So says the gambler.
He’s gone too!
Please don’t be ashamed to tell us who’s replacing them.
What “new world order”? We do not want your “new world order.” The NWO is for undemocratic globalist bullies and thugs dressed up in suits.
Let the people alone and get your own house in order.
Well we were all ready for a normal Saturday today, one of the busiest shopping days of the year. And guess what? Harbour Drive and Goring Avenue are closed. What a lovely surprise.
How about we start with planning for uncertain world with not closing any damn roads during high season? I mean really, what idiot thought that was a good idea?
It’s been unsteady since 2008, and we have only just noticed?
Apparently you never noticed the extreme turbulence we had before that?
Drink more gripe water 6.45 am
Try some castor oil, 10.06 am.
No worries. half of the island knows that you were and will always be “not ready”but trying your hardest.
No worries, half of this half and all the other half of the island will still vote for him next year.
“But what is to be done if the direct and sole vocation of every intelligent man is babble, that is, the intentional pouring of water through a sieve?”
Notes from the Underground. Dostoevsky.
New World Order??????
Yes, garbage Lodge double-speak for the Police State.
Yes Cayman be prepared to vote this Dreamer and his minions out of politics for a very long time. dont for get Wayne wonder too
Make Cayman great again!
Cayman is already great if you are a 100% original bred Caymanian. Now if you is Jaycan, Honcan, paper Caymanian or driftwood you better be ready for some severe prejudice from the imported “natives”.
As a “driftwood” I would suggest you change your prejudices. Your bigotry is not getting you anywhere. Do you have ANY manners?
what a shame – when was Cayman ever great?? Please provide time with dates!
McLaughlin might as well save his breath. Nothing he says between now and the 2017 General Election will alter the fact that he is a “dead man walking”.
the only thing certain is the inaction of the ‘do-nothing’ ppm……..
You mean like performing miracles on the financial disgrace the financial expurt left us with?
7:02, If constantly increasing fee’s and our cost of living being the highest on planet earth are miracle’s to you then you might want to get your head checked.
Mr. McLaughlin, you exclude that middle income people still finding hard to purchase a bottle of orange juice or milk at the grocery stores. Small businesses have been taxed to pay for the concessions the wealthy gets, government schools are filled to capacity, students cannot pass basic math tests at ICCI, light and water bills still high, medical insurances are not providing value for premiums charged, values over properties are much less than there were two years ago yet, it costs more to construct, traffic is unforgiving both evenings and mornings, MLA’s salaries are too high, policing and border control are too relaxed, gangs at it again, unemployment still above 2000 and WP in excess 24,000, PR applicants suing and wining their cases, prison to the maximum, still no facility for the insane, envorinment laws bend for certain people. I believe, once you tackle a couple of the above issues that affect our island, then I can feel that you have the right to discuss re-election.
Instead of chatting s…t and using scare tactics to get people to vote for you again take care of our unemployment, take care of ineffective chief officers, take care of the airline schedule on Sundays to the Brac, take care of corruption. Oh damn I’m just on a fracking rant as there is so much that the PPM has not done.
Wasn’t he just congratulating Donald on the election win? And now he is comparing the presidential elect as an upheavel of uncertain possiblities… lol
Last time i checked the democratic and not the republican party was responsible for attacking Cayman’s financial sector. Brexit will make for for more immigration policy. Perhaps moving and living off the queen might become harder for some island leavers.Schooling opportunity will remain available and may see a rise in options as we consider new and larger budgets . As for the UK Brexit has already allowed for fair trade and opportunity. My fiances family business is booming since the announcement.Remember Brexit relieved billions of pounds which otherwise would be spent on EU interest . And if your not familiar with what that means , ask Italy how it feels since the EU blocked inward investment since the recent earthquake.
600 CAYMANIANS forced to beg for a days work and he talking about prosperity, cayman will have its own brexit next election and we will make cayman great for CAYMANIANS again.
On other words a speech that really says nothing.
Your contribution is not that impressive either.
Yet it still contains more words than yours
Please explain.
classic ppm waffle…..
And yet he is the best Cayman has ever had so far. Too bad they can’t think outside the box (Barrel?)
The barometer for leadership is very poor in Cayman.
Look at who gets elected especially the coat tail riders who need a job that are being paid handsomely as MLAs to support Alden/KT and McKeeva at all costs or else they are back struggling as failing businessmen or on the dole; most are a bunch of empty shells the party gives them a platform not their own actions or achievements. Caymanian voters need to demand more from MLAs and vote for the best candidates not fake nice guys to represent all interests not just the party hardcore supporters. This should not be a popularity contest there are too many important issues to resolve we need quality representation. The voters have the power they need to understand how best to use it.
“PPM and UDP are the same dog puppy”
Ivan Udderwun.
Ready
“Cayman must be ready for uncertain world”
This sounds just like David Cameron and Hillary Clinton’s scare tactics which failed.
Alden – I hope you’re ready to fail too Bobo! We ain’t scared we are fed-up!
Agree!! Politicians need to know the difference between scared and fed up, we’re beyond scared now, we’re fed up and will seek real change to send all you comfortable out of touch leaders a bold message.
Good. At least you’re not hungry.