Ezzard to lead opposition benches
Ezzard Miller is sworn in as leader of the opposition, 31 May 2017
(CNS): As MLAs were sworn into the Legislative Assembly this morning, the only surprise in the proceedings so far was when Ezzard Miller, the independent member for North Side, was appointed as the opposition leader and not Arden McLean, as many expected. With the government benches full, at least for right now, Miller will be leading a group of six to challenge Alden McLaughlin’s Government of National Unity.
Miller, McLean, Alva Suckoo, Anthony Eden, Chris Saunders and Kenneth Bryan took their seats across from the packed government benches during the pomp of the Swearing In Ceremony.
Check back to CNS later for more of the day’s proceedings.
Category: 2017 General Elections, Elections, Politics
Maybe the first objection should be to the appointment of Juju as ethics supervisor!
Ezzard will do an excellent job, he is one of the few MLAs who will discuss L.A. agenda items with his constituency and has been doing so for the last 8 years. In addition, he does make the effort to contribute to debate be if necessary presenting another point of view which is what Westminster style democracy is all about… We should be thankful to have a functioning opposition which is the core of democratic activities .. Congrats Ezzard and thank you for taking on the thankless task of the opposition
Where have you been for the last 8 years!!!! Ezzard only says he meets with his people. I know i live in north side all you outside people keep wishing for ezzard when north side doesn’t want him. Take him in your area.
In North Side, maybe you miss all the invites to come to district council meetings that have occurred or those meetings which are called to discussed important national issues … Ezzard and North Side has been the only district with a functioning district council but again I suppose you were too busy to even notice that ….
Strange that someone who is elected is not wanted.
I’ve never seen such a large group of overfed politicians talking about how the poor and downtrodden can’t put food on the table.
I’ve voted in the last 3 elections. What I have noticed is its the same rhetoric from the voters and general public in Cayman regardless of who the candidates are/were and who was elected. I remember when the UDP got voted out and people were rejoicing in the streets and had brooms showing a clean sweep. Then those same people complained the PPM did nothing during their last term. Now those same people are bashing the Independents for this latest election. We are habitual complainers regardless of who is in power or who is elected or who isn’t. Its so frustrating. Someone please tell me who ever made up a Government that the majority of people in Cayman were happy with and who they feel actually made Cayman better. I’m pretty sure no one can respond which means we aren’t actually taking a look at the situation, we are just complaining and no matter what happens we are going to complain about it rather than get involved and take some action ourselves.
I am still shocked at the loss of Archer and Panton the only 2 PPM MLAs who actually accomplished anything.
Voters need to get beyond the rhetoric to looking at who has the skills and experience to actually get something done.
Ezzard has finally made it to leader.
My friend, your shock is clearly explained by your exhortation of the voters to “(look) at who has the skills and experience to actually get something done”. It is the voter’s opinion about what has been “done” that is of critical importance, and the sooner those elected “get it” the sooner we will begin to make real progress. Public perception is the key, and if what you say is true about what has been accomplished, then there has been a failure somewhere, and blaming the electorate is never a good idea.
Unfortunately the electorate is many times wrong! Check out the bumbling, dangerous president of the United States.
He is quite an object lessons to Americans who are now rating him lower than any previous president in terms of job performance.
And why could the electorate not judge him for what he was during the election campaign? Comes back to how wrong the judgement of people can be. Trump certainly has not changed.
And while I am on the topic of Trump, some of the supporters said he would assemble a team of really sharp people around him to compensate for his (many deficiencies). Again, poor call. The president has to represent the US personally on the world stage with other world leaders and at press conferences. He can do an enormous amount of far/reaching damage.
Moral of the story : the electoral democratic process is the best tool we have, but in the hands of people who are unwilling to or incapable of making sound judgements, it can produce disasterous results.
The true outcome of failing to elect two capable Cabinet Ministers is yet to be seen.
For my part, Marco Archer was one of the best ever to serve these Islands or anywhere for that matter.
But he will be back.
If you’re truly shocked at this then it demonstrates how out of touch you are with the average person.
I would hardly say that the Independents got nothing. They will continue to be a force for good and will come back in four years time.
They, as well as Dr. Tomlinson have highlighted the cause of the poor and downtrodden, a focus of our country which was sadly ignored by the PPM in favour of work permit fees and selling the country out to the vulture capitalist.
I say, well done, Independents, we are proud of you.
1.42 a.m, the problem with writing comments at stupid o’clock is that your brain is not at its best. Let me help you. You, personally, can be as proud of the independents as you like. It is your right. It is not your right to say “we” to the collective readership, because I for one do not agree and did not give you permission to speak for me. So your personal opinion is fine, your collective assumption you can shove where the sun don’t shine.
9.24 am, the problem you have got is that your brain appears stuck in EST and appears incapable of imagining anybody writing whilst in a different timezone. My goodness, such high drama, such rabid indignation. Sounds like you lost a pound and found a penny! Calm down, and most importantly understand that in Caymanian society we do not appreciate the type of crudity contained in your last sentence. (Oh, beg pardon, maybe “you” do!)
Chris knows that means he can bag this four years. Next time we voting Maxine in.
Why didn’t you do it the last time?
Straight
Anonymous 5:41pm why don’t you identify yourself and stop making silly threat of voting someone out before they were ever given a chance to prove their self.
Blimey, sounds like you’d like to challenge someone to a duel! But I agree with you 100%. Let’s see how things unfold before rushing to any premature judgement.Isn’t this the Caymanian way?
Maxine has no track record of helping people. She barely has the personality to talk to voters. Please let her stay behind her lawyer’s desk at Maples with her 1/4 million dollar salary.
She will be alright!
Yes, as a result of her hard work and determination she will be. Bodden Town West on the other hand has an Ezzard wannabe to put up with for the next four years.
As to the other comments…I’m guessing you have never actually met her or bothered to listen to her.
Critique them well Ezzard!
We need a watch dog always in the House!
Arden too harden to even take that.
The bunch of them should be kicked out of office for the mess they made of a great opportunity they had.
Don’t agree with Ezzard on much, but I must admit that he was the true leader of the opposition in the last Government! Mac didn’t do squat. Ezzard put up a fight and asked tough questions which is what the LOO is supposed to do. Like I said: I didn’t agree with the implications of his questions, but a strong democracy must have a strong opposition. Good luck to him.
Ezzard was one of the few that showed up having actually done some work, read the Bills, and prepared questions. They weren’t always smart questions, but at least he wasn’t asleep for four years. Many of the Opposition were.
backward independents have got what they deserve….nothing!
Nothing? Are you serious? Collectively they have broken the stranglehold the two parties had on the electorate and heralded hope for a renewed inclusiveness into the LA. Only a cynic would maintain they accomplished nothing.
Ezzard as the leader of anything should cause concern.
Congratulations Mr Miller, you will do a fantastic job.
Ezzard has had my respect as a hard working and dedicated representative, his approach to Alden adds ‘gentleman’ to his image.
Wasted vote in Bodden Town West, once bitten twice shy, Chris you should know what that means.
Did you vote for Chris and what were your expectations of him as an independent candidate?
I am not 1:09 above but I DID vote for him and my view is that he surprised me by acting like a egomaniac with way way too much attitude. I heard about the way he stormed out of the meeting with Mac and he acted very immaturely. He has good energy but jesus the boy just got way ahead of himself after he got elected. Chris could have negotiated a position where right now he would have been a credible Minister of Finance with Roy as Minister of Financial services and he screwed that up by being guided by Arden and Ezzard. he really needs to let those 2 go as mentors, he may have a future after but sadly by hanging out with that motley crew it will be over for him. all that bombastic foolishness and the way he carried on got the best of him. sad story. good example of a great mind and potential young leader going to waste if he continues to be led by Arden and Ezzard. Chris wake up. you don’t need to act like a young Mac to get the people’s respect. SMH
LOL button
Yes I did, I expected that he would have placed himself in a position to effect positive change for our district and the wider Cayman Islands.
He is not yet ready to be a Minister (none of those who ran in BTW was), 4 years would have been a good grooming period for him to better understand how Government works.
A good position would have been as a Councilor in the Ministry of Finance where he could assist Roy in managing the Country’s finances.
I did not vote for him to sit on the opposition benches and be a critic.
Someone has to do it! So who then is good enough for the opposition bench?
We already have twedly Dee and twedly Dumb warming it for 8+ years, we don’t need another group to snuggle up with them on a six figure salary
How can you fail someone without first giving them a chance to do the job?