McLaughlin confident he will ‘be back’

| 17/02/2017 | 95 Comments
Cayman News Service

Premier Alden McLaughlin addresses the Cayman Alternative Investment Summit

(CNS): The premier appeared confident he would be back in the job after the general election when he spoke at the Cayman Alternative Investment Summit Thursday. Alden McLaughlin took the opportunity to plug his government’s achievements over the last few years, from economic growth to a fall in unemployment. And with Arnold Schwarzenegger, actor and former California governor, set to appear in the evening as the guest speaker, McLaughlin told the audience he had wanted to be a body builder when he was young and Schwarzenegger was one of his heroes, before borrowing his catch phrase from the Terminator movie: “I’ll be back.”

“I welcome Arnold to the Cayman Islands,” he told the audience. “As a youngster I once aspired to be a body building star myself, and I confess Arnold and Lou Ferrigno were my heroes. And despite what some of you may think, I believe Arnold is doing a very job on the Apprentice TV show,” he added in reference to the US President Donald Trump’s seeming obsession with the ratings. “I have never hosted a television show myself but Arnold and I do have at least one thing in common. As a former California governor he, like me, understands what it takes to win an election and to govern.

“And so recognizing our elections in May this year, I cannot resist borrowing a line from Arnold: I’ll be back,” he said.

McLaughlin believes he will again be premier because of the government’s record on the economy, despite whatever other issues may be undermining the fiscal success. Pointing to the position Cayman is in today compared to where it was when his PPM administration took office, he referenced the theme of this year’s conference, “Defying Gravity: The Future of Alternative Investments in Exceptional Times”, and said the government had defied “the economic gravity of the time” to arrive at an economy “that is by far the best in the region”.

He said Cayman’s economic success was because government spending had been in support of it. He said unemployment was down 5.6% among locals and less than 4% overall, the lowest in the Caribbean.

McLaughlin told the wealthy attendees at the event taking place at the new Dart hotel, that the economic growth in Cayman was not by chance but because of the work done by his administration and business. In a surprising comment from the PPM leader, given past concerns, he said, “The Dart organisation is a leader in this regard.”

Claiming to have defied gravity while in office, he said the government had reduced taxes, fees and debt. He said it was also on track to repay the US$312 million bullet bond in its entirety when it falls due in 2019.

“Our policy of reducing taxes and fees as we increased surpluses through better money management has meant that we have put more than $22 million a year back into the pockets of businesses and families. And we have squirrelled away sufficient reserves to finance over six months of government expenses in the event we see another global recession with a falloff in revenues, as we did in 2009.”

McLaughlin lauded his government’s efforts, saying, “There has been no other administration in the history of these islands that has come close to this achievement. My administration subscribes to the principle that the only true independence is financial independence.”

He said he was ambitious for the future of Cayman, Caymanians and all who live, work and invest here, adding, “And we have only just begun.”

Looking ahead to the elections, he said, “I have confidence that the voting public will see the definitive progress we have made.”

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Category: 2017 General Elections, Economy, Government Finance, Politics

Comments (95)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Whilst not a big fan of any politico here, and with only a passing interest as I am not allowed to vote, I would have to observe that at least the premier got some things moving and managed to avoid international scandals, or court cases which is more than can be said for his predecessor. Would I liked to have seen more happening? Of course, in all our hearts we want a prosperous Cayman-however in order to do that the next lot will have to get amongst the weeds and nettles, and probably get stung rather than keep kicking certain cans down the road. Some radical changes need in education, immigration, health and only then might Cayman be on the right path to prosperity for nearly all.

    • Anonymous says:

      A rare sensible comment on the subject.Thank you. I am certain our current Government has indeed been amongst the weeds and nettles of a garden left completely untended by a couldn’t possibly care less previous gowerment, and that they have indeed been stung by the wasps left alone to multiply there for the last thirty or so years. What our voting public MUST consider in all seriousness is just exactly WHO is going to replace the most professional, educated, and dedicated Government we have had in decades, and just exactly what they may or may not achieve as new comers to the table. Or perhaps we are hell bent on replacing our present Government for yet another epic of rampant corruption, greed, and ignorance of the very highest order?

  2. Anonymous says:

    I certainly hope that he is wrong!!

  3. Anonymous says:

    I’ve never been able to figure out (in over 37 years of living here) why Caymanians are so reluctant to help each other but so eager to fall over themselves to do the bidding and act in the best interests of everyone else. Don’t they like each other? Or is it just selfishness? Maybe both? Alden isn’t alone in this kind of irresponsible behaviour, but he and other elected leaders consistently fall far short of their responsibility to promote the well being of their own people in so many regards, including housing. It makes no sense – why do they do their utmost to do their own people in? I’m hopeful that as we clear out the old cronies and bring in a younger generation of leaders who can see what’s been happening (and certainly the new system will help in this regard, which is why the old lot were so vehemently opposed to it) we can at long last begin responsible governance.

  4. JTB says:

    McKeeva or Alden?

    Which is Trump and which is Hillary?

    Either way, surely there must be a better option for Cayman

  5. Anonymous says:

    Those who exalt themselves will be humbled.

  6. Alldone MacLaughin says:

    I’ll be back… Back to the unemployment line.

  7. Anonymous says:

    Wishful thinking Mr. Premier especially when you have introduced single member constituencies for a country this size. The introduction of single member constituencies will be your demise amongst other things.

    Your track record of enabling the progress of Caymanians is despicable, despite what the statistics say. We know the saying about…..” there are statistics then statistics more statistics and damn lies.” The foreclosure of Caymanian homes is the only statistic that matters and this is a record high during your administration. Do you really think that people whose homes are foreclosed care about government surpluses, because since when is government in the business of having a profit at our expense?

    The surplus profit comes from Work Permit fees.

  8. Anonymous says:

    Once the final bill is tallied for the last 4 years of negligence…I’m afraid Alden’s legacy will be one remembered for short-sightedness, ego, and failure.

  9. Anonymous says:

    I thought I could not think the man was more spineless until I read about him dodging questions from the police. A man with class and true sense of public service would never been act like that.

    • Jotnar says:

      Perhaps it goes with the job – seem to recall last Premier wasn’t too keen on answering police questions either.

  10. MM says:

    Wow… delusional

  11. Sharkey says:

    You watch when Arnold Schwarzenegger speak in this campaign fund raising , if he is not reading from what he was told to say . Unless he memorize the little bit he has to say .

  12. Sharkey says:

    This is just a campaign stunt / fundraising , to show I can hang out with bigger people than you can to get re-elected. But just let your common sense guide you .

  13. Anonymous says:

    Our Dear Leader has managed to achieve a Trump-like level of buffoonery with this latest self-aggrandizement.

    • Anonymous says:

      Mr. Premier you did nothing for the old seamen that worked so hard and dangerous to help this Country in yesterday years, who do you think we going to VOTE FOR.,

    • Anonymous says:

      Why don’t you leave President Trump alone your spineless blow bag. Deal with your own politics and leave us in the USA alone. Please do not come to our shores either as we do not want ones like you anyway. America is being made great again!

      • Really ????? says:

        Make America great again allright. A real jocker this president of yours. We must All be watching fake news. But wait a minute so is he…..! When other countries taking bets on this tri-polar president of yours I have to ask also is this reality ? Your right we will go to Canada instead.

        • Anonymous says:

          Can you do this again in English please? Thanks.

        • Anonymous says:

          Good stay in your banana republics as like I said we in the USA do not need your support. Look at your own messy house!

        • Anonymous says:

          That sound like a winner! Maple leafs all around!

        • Anonymous says:

          you would not know as most likely you are one of those illegal immigrants our President is getting rid of. Your glory days of socialized welfare under Obama are now gone and I for one could not be happier. God Bless the USA and our President!

    • Anonymous says:

      Alden, where are you living? be back, only part you got right is back pack….. get packing

  14. Uncle Bob says:

    He is about as progressive as my PR application.

  15. Lorna says:

    Send the primer to mental hospital he talking nonsense lol ?

  16. Anonymous says:

    I am sure that the Cayman Human Rights folk will have a field day over this if they are not too busy evicting people out of their homes.

  17. Anonymous says:

    Maybe in four years time?

  18. wow says:

    what a deluded twit OMG SMH

  19. Anonymous says:

    Why not show the voters the Ritch Report?

  20. Anonymous says:

    I read the article several times to make sure that I understand exactly what Alden McLaughlin is saying.

    “McLaughlin lauded his government’s efforts, saying, “There has been no other administration in the history of these islands that has come close to this achievement. My administration subscribes to the principle that the only true independence is financial independence.”

    He is correct, but what he neglected to add is that this “financial independence” does not apply to the Caymanian people, just the select few that circulate in his stratosphere.

    Well Bobo, storm soon come and ‘spheres gonna get shaken up.

  21. Allar says:

    I can’t believe Aden has the audacity to make such a reckless statement to credit his government for the Kempton hotel. Cayman di you remember that when the UDP was in power that they gave Dart all the concessions it was same Aden lead back bench that was fit to be tied about it. Yes they may have done some small negotiations but it surely didn’t accumulate to the hotel. As the saying goes “a drowning man will grab at straws”. Cayman pepole please wake up and elect capable independent candidates.

  22. Anonymous says:

    Schwarzenegger and Trump have something in common.
    They have both treated women with disdain.
    Where the hell are the liberal press, human rights and outrage when this predator comes to Cayman?

    This is disgusting. Can we not do anything about this?
    Let me quote LA Times.

    /*************************************************************************************************/
    Women Say Schwarzenegger Groped, Humiliated Them

    The acts allegedly took place over three decades. A campaign aide denies the accusations.
    October 02, 2003|Gary Cohn, Carla Hall and Robert W. Welkos | Times Staff Writers

    Six women who came into contact with Arnold Schwarzenegger on movie sets, in studio offices and in other settings over the last three decades say he touched them in a sexual manner without their consent.

    In interviews with The Times, three of the women described their surprise and discomfort when Schwarzenegger grabbed their breasts. A fourth said he reached under her skirt and gripped her buttocks.

    A fifth woman said Schwarzenegger groped her and tried to remove her bathing suit in a hotel elevator. A sixth said Schwarzenegger pulled her onto his lap and asked whether a certain sexual act had ever been performed on her.

    According to the women’s accounts, one of the incidents occurred in the 1970s, two in the 1980s, two in the 1990s and one in 2000.

    Ref: http://articles.latimes.com/2003/oct/02/local/me-women2

    /*************************************************************************************************/
    Another: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/8504550/Arnold-Schwarzneggers-chequered-history-with-women.html

    I sincerely hope that the local press can be very objective in this matter and make it quite clear the type of people that get star treatment in Cayman.

    We are not a country that supports hypocrisy and abuse.

  23. Anonymous says:

    The days of a Freemason Premier are OVER!
    The people of the Cayman Islands have seen the damage that his allegiance to this secretive group has done.

    Laws that should be enforced are ignored and petty laws that hurt punishing people are enforced.

    Caymanians can hardly survive in their own country. They struggle to pay bills, houses are being mercilessly foreclosed, fees to keep the government operating are killing those entrepreneurs who are trying to make it on their own. Dart seems to be the only answer for these people and that would be from the frying pan into the fire.

    It is time for the good folk of Cayman to show up at the ballot box and take down these marauders masquerading as righteous people.

    If you think, this statement is anti-Alden, let me just say that McKeeva Bush is equally distasteful with his divisive rhetoric and dubious behaviour. Ezzard and Alden have proven that they have nothing to offer either. Let them ride into the sunset where they can enjoy the fruits of “serving” their nation so selflessly.

    We have an odious political system, controlled by an odious “mother” country that lets the odious few rule over the quiet, law-abiding many.

    Let good, honest forthright change come to the Cayman Islands. Let it come swiftly and decisively so we the people can rejoice once more.

    • Anonymous says:

      Thank you for so clearly stating what many of us are feeling. Really well done…hope you are planning to run in WBC

    • Anonymous says:

      “An odius “mother” country that lets the odious few rule”. Great soundbite 12.40, however going to have to do a fact check. Now let me see, who voted in this and the previous premier? Oh yes, Cayman’s fine voting public- not any “furreners”. You did that all yourselves. Amazing how you love to try and pass the buck every time your own mistakes come home to roost.

      • Anonymous says:

        Caymanians like the genius talking about the “odious mother country” will be up doodoo creek without a paddle when Ezzard, Arden, Bernie, Mcfield and all these other stumblebum no-hopers finally get their wish for independence. There will be no one to blame their own ignorant stupidity on. But I will be really sorry for the very large numbers of sensible Caymanians who don’t post vitriolic “fake facts” comments on CNS and who don’t want these hidjuts to prevail. Fortunately, the odious mother country has provided all Caymanians with the right to a U.K. Passport so they can flee Ezzardistan. Bet he has one too.

        • Anonymous says:

          Stop making shit up. It is plainly untrue that Caymanians have a right to a British Passport. Only persons who are and wee BOTC citizens on 1 January have that right. A great many Caymanians are not BOTC’s.

          • Anonymous says:

            I’m not the poster you are commenting on 10:03 but I am a Caymanian….a born one. Every single one of my Caymanian friends and family have done what it takes and have British passport and what’s more have used them. I think you are the one dealing in sh*t quite frankly.

      • Anonymous says:

        Hello “odious furriner”. You know as well as I that the average Caymanian has virtually no say in his /her own country.
        Now you back off to deal with your Brexit and leave our country to us.
        If your place is so damned fine, then why are you here?

    • Anonymous says:

      Too bad all the Independents are hanging on to others who can’t even make it as politician, we have no hope at all with them, worse type of puppetts

  24. Kartel what a way says:

    Never!

  25. Anonymous says:

    In a normal country, a politician who ignored questions from the police in relation to a criminal investigation would be compelled to resign by his party.

    Just another day……

  26. Anonymous says:

    Quit with the deluded gibberish…at least recognize the un/under employment of Caymanians needs to be addressed…the head in the sand is not going to get you re-elected

    • Anonymous says:

      As an under-employed Caymanian I would like to express my anger for actually making Big Mac look “kind a ok”…I mean that was a low bar to beat Alden

  27. Kenisha Bryan says:

    No yo, Don’t let it happen 345! Crickey and blimey

  28. Anonymous says:

    Don’t be too overly-confident, Mr Premier.

    Marco Archer could easily challenge your party position to take over as leader, and hopefully he will.

    • Anonymous says:

      Marco as short-sighted and disingenuous as inane as Alden…neither can see the damage being caused by their surplus built on liberal work permit policy..

  29. Anonymous says:

    Alden, the police want to talk to you about Syed. Try so return their calls nah!

  30. Anonymous says:

    Yes, because the electorate-ignorance is bliss.

  31. Sharkey says:

    Mr. Premier don’t self praise and compare yourself to another man from a different demigraffic of the world. Because California and Cayman Islands are two different people and different places.

    Have you watched the Apprentice show today , it’s nothing like the original, and the ratings are way down , and so bad I had to stop watching it .

  32. East End Resident says:

    What utter nonsense. The finances of the Cayman Islands are in a horrible position. What about the massive deficit in the government funded pension schemes, and the promises of medical care in the future that the government has no money for. The future does not look bright and rosy at all when these unfunded promises and future debts being built up are taken into account.
    Every day we read of corruption, scandal, waste, dishonesty and mismanagement in the civil service. I regret to say that I think most of the people who run for election are in it for their own benefit, the huge pensions, the free medical care, the very generous pay and the backhanders they get from business, as well as being in a position of power to make decisions that benefit their own agendas. And meanwhile our healthcare system is a mess, education is failing to provide properly qualified and motivated individuals ready for work, crime is sweeping the island and general dissatisfaction from the people living here must be at an all time high. So yes, let’s re-elect these same jokers to carry on taking all they can from the islands and giving precious little back.
    Where are the fresh new and honest candidates? The people of Cayman need to vote for change, not more of the same old same old.

    • Anonymous says:

      Is that you Arden or is it Ezzard

    • Anonymous says:

      I am a status holder of several decades and I would love to stand 11:39 but everyone laughs and says it would be a total waste of time. Besides, I don’t hate gays and I believe the church has WAY too much influence of an angry vengeful Old Testament sort here, even or especially on voters whose lives are anything like decent and Christian. So bring on the usual suspects of failed civil servants and private sector individuals, disgruntled people unable to hold down any real job and the tired old figures of the past many of whom are around 70 and are looking for one last chance at a very very highly paid job in the public eye massaging their egos.

      • Anonymous says:

        someone needs to be the first status grantee to run – go for it.

      • Anonymous says:

        Brilliant “analysis” of a pathetic dysfunctional village based electoral system @6:50. One that breaks the old rule about no taxation without representation since so very few residents actually get to vote let alone stand for election.

    • Anonymous says:

      So well said!

  33. Anonymous says:

    Alden did you drop a bar on your head working out? Don’t you realize that once you stated you support issuing management level permits as they create lower level jobs for locals you have forever limited the opportunities for Caymanians. I’ve been looking and employers are very aware of your policy and don’t even try to give Caymanians opportunities for new positions or promotions. We are not as stupid as you seem to think and you may “be back” but it will likely be part-time lawn maintenance position or perhaps personal trainer to some expatriate managers.

    • Anonymous says:

      Caymanian politics, Caymanian problems, voted for by the Caymanian population. Whoever wins will make no difference to the poor of Cayman.

    • Anonymous says:

      Well that’s the direction by PPM and Franz Manderson, fill mid-management with status holders or contract workers, retire the top Caymanians then promote to replace with their relatives and friends, the Caymanian way. Don’t forget if we allowed them to get in that way there is no way to stop them from using same unfair system

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