Ministers selected but portfolios not set
(CNS): The new Cabinet ministers have now been selected but details of the ministries and their portfolio of subjects has yet to be confirmed. At Wednesday’s Swearing In Ceremony, Progressives Leader Alden McLaughlin will once again be sworn as premier, while CDP Leader McKeeva Bush will be taking up the neutral role as speaker of the House. Other PPM members in the new government will be Moses Kirkconnell returning as deputy premier and former speaker Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, as well as Roy McTaggart and Joey Hew, who will both be joining the front bench for the first time.
There will also be two Independent ministers; Tara Rivers retains her seat in Cabinet along with newcomer Dwayne Seymour. Bernie Bush from the CDP will become deputy speaker.
Barbara Connolly and David Wight from the Progressives will be joined on the backbench by Austin Harris, the third Independent candidate in the new government, and Capt Eugene Ebanks from the CDP. All four are expected to serve as councillors in support of Cabinet ministers.
It is understood that there will be some realignment of Cabinet ministries in the new line-up, and McLaughlin said those details would be revealed after the Swearing In Ceremony.
As he revealed his Cabinet in the new Government of National Unity on Tuesday following the six days of twists and turns and double-crossing, McLaughlin said he was exhausted. Speaking on Cayman 27 news, he said this government had as good a chance as any other of staying the course and achieve what is in the best interests of the country over the next four years.
Meanwhile, CNS has received no news from the Independent opposition candidates as to who will be their frontbench leader, but we can confirm that Kenneth Bryan will be sitting on the opposition benches after his offer to the PPM-led administration was reportedly rejected.
It is understood that Chris Saunders will also be sitting in opposition, along with Arden McLean, who is likely to be opposition leader, Ezzard Miller, Tony Eden and Alva Suckoo.
Category: Politics
Lawd Tara again a minister. She made a mess in 4 years now she got another 4 to make a bigger mess!! Praying for civil servants everywhere especially the ones that gotta tolarate her.
4.27pm Sorry, she did not make a mess…. She inherited a mess and dug deep to find the cause ,and then started working on solutions.This term we will start to see results. Bear in mind though that students with many years in a flawed system, can’t be set straight by simply flipping a switch.In other words if they are already in high school ,and have a poor foundation in Maths and English it is going to be pretty hard to correct this.
Chris is not at fault for being on the opposition side! He ran as an independent and he kept true to his promise! Yes BTW wanted Chris to be a part of the government because he has much potential, he is well educated (CPA) and has a backbone to truly fight for BTW and also for the Cayman Islands best interest on a whole.
Yes, Roy is a good choice for Finance but I strongly feel that both Roy and Chris would have made huge strides in the right direction for our country’s finances. The PPM made a mistake by not including Chris as part of the government. Chris is a young Caymanian and although classed as a rookie to the political arena, Chris has a genuine passion to help our people. That should not be withheld from him in any way!
Chris – just know that “With God ALL things are possible!”
had the independents played their cards properly to ensure they secured the government they would be the government. But instead of country first there was a power struggle and here we are. Greed and power made this current government and not what the people voted for. Well done independents!!!
Cayman, you made a fool of yourself in the eyes of the world – rejecting Marco. Financial Minister of the year
The new Minister of Finance better get the job done!
Tara Rivers for four more years! Now that is a tragedy for education on our beautiful island. The woman has her own agenda and has done nothing to tackle the systemic issues within our system namely nepotism, poorly qualified teachers and JGHS.
You assume she will get the same portfolio. If I had been stuck with that nightmare for four years I would want something else, and let someone else cut their teeth on it. Given her background I would not be surprised if she gets something like Financial Services, with Roy getting Finance.
This whole election has taught me one thing – I am not living in paradise. We are ashamed and disgusted at the outcome of the election.
UK should appoint a Council of Elders, wordly, intelligent, respected Caymanians and Foreigners to govern this place, people who know how to get Cayman sorted, education sorted and be done with this farce. The bright Caymanians all have great job paying lots more than CIG ever will and why would you ever leave that?
Intelligent people from the UK? The smart ones have left. Just look at the state of the UK and Europe in general.
Government sticking it to the everyday folk.
No Sireee Bob!!!!
However I think what you mean is that we need to have an upper house like a Senate, comprised of respected Caymanians to vet what the elected Government proposes.
We used to have such a bicameral system with the Vestry(lower house) and Justices( Upper House) prior to the 1959 Constitution.
Time for it again!
Respected by who? You say who you respect and ten people will say they dislike that person.
Utter rubbish and how do you propose to pay these “grandees”? Income tax?
Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.
Proverbs 10:9
Translation . A man who walks with integrity walks securely, but he that takes the crooked path will surely slip and fall. Alden and Bush remember this
Same drivel as per the last election and the one before that. People have the same complaints, they just cut and paste the names. They don’t like Tara, well they didn’t like Rolston either. People just complain habitually. What are YOU actually doing to make your life better in Cayman as opposed to whinging every. single. election. #overit
Bravo! Amen! Hear Hear!!!
Moses would be a more acceptable choice for Premier. Why do these newcomers believe joining the govt backbench is more favourable than remaining an effective opposition? As opposition you are free to agree or disagree as you see fit. As a member of the govt bench, it is expected that you shall agree with the govt position even if it does not mesh with the position you campaigned on.
And this is why our “democracy” is flawed. Democracy as the western cultures know it is nothing more than a flawed construct designed to give the illusion of choice.
The election is over and nothing will change.
My change begins at home with me and my family. We talk, laugh and cry together.
True change comes from within. Just ignore these political types. They hate that. Then we can ignore the press that like to stick it to us about these so-called important issues that we can do nothing about.
Oh, but you have to care! It’s the law.
No it’s not. I am sure it will be one day, but until then, no. I don’t subscribe to your bullshit. You can tell me anything and I have to believe it. I only believe truth.
I have NO FAITH in our systems of governance and their related media mouthpieces.
So many of the things that are complained about in these pages every day are exactly the things each of us as individuals can do something about. And here’s the magic – if we do it ourselves voluntarily there is no need for government to legislate.
Agreed. You are not alone, we the true people who reside on the outside are with you. We are nearer than you think….Babylon will fall in due time.
What is the sense in elections? Same government just a few new puppets
….. or muppets, depending upon your point of view.
it seems we only elect to have people live better than us
Nailed it!
God knows our children can’t afford 4 more years of Tara in Education. The voters have been duped. The honest and genuine representatives have been sold out by the power and money hungry. And we have a “government” that is not likely to last given the personalities and egos involved. Ask yourself what would have motivated Mac to bow to Alden. And then ask yourself what is going to happen to his lawsuit against Alden and the government. Can we say pay off? And no small change either. Alden is willing to pay big bucks to keep his top spot. And once again Caymanians get shafted. Under PPM Cayman is a great place to live for sure – for expats. #notmygovernment
Cayman is a great place to live for Expats, and it is an especially great place to live for Caymanians. What exactly is it that you expect the Government to do for you? This is not a communist or a socialist country. It is up to you to make it in life and maybe that’s where you have a problem. I am glad election season is over and we don’t have to listen to the BS about unemployment every day. 5% unemployment = 95% employment. I don’t know the stories behind all of the 5%, but I do know that there is a significant group there that really doesn’t want a full time job where you have to show up everyday and do what is required. Of course there are exceptions, there always are, but you don’t manage a business or a country by exceptions. If you are one of the exceptions within the 5%, and you truly want a job, don’t give up. There are many many opportunities out there and the Laws of Cayman heavily favor Caymanians over Expats. Elections are over…stop whining, look in the mirror, and go do something positive for yourself.
7:43. By far the best comment I have ever read on CNS. We live in paradise…wake up get a job and get a life.
Common sense like this, 7:43, will be met by a torrent of abuse.
The definition of unemployment is having the ability and willingness to work. I wonder how many people in that 5% satisfy that definition.
-Caymanian
Unless the census categories have changed, that 5% included many persons NOT looking for employment. If you were a stay-at-home-parent but under retirement age…..they put you in this category. There was no category for “voluntarily left the workforce”.
If you were a bum on the street and definitely not looking to work……still put in that number.
True unemployment numbers are significantly lower than 5%.
Although I would love to see this country take a turn more towards socialism or at least more like Canada (I’m not Canadian BTW)with approaches to youth, the elderly and health care, the simple truth is that Cayman is not Socialist so you are absolutely correct. I have never met a Caymanian with a qualification like a legal or financial degree say they cant get a job.
Socialism means much higher taxes. Can you afford to pay more? I surely cant!
Much higher taxes should ultimately mean a lower cost of living, subsidized or free schooling, subsidized or free health care but again this country would have to change its very core and its not going to do that.
Definitely do NOT need Tara in Education for another 4 years. Those of us with kids in public school know what we are talking about. If your kid is in private school you have no idea, so please keep ya mouth shut!
Remember its not the expats that are shafting the Caymanian people, its Caymanians.
This is so true, it happens in private sector and it is definitely happening in public sector….Caymanians rule out of envy and jealousy and do not want to see another Caymanian succeed. Very, Very sad.
What a load of horse shit. Cayman is in a huge heap of debt and changing a few seat warmers ain’t gonna change jack.
Thumbs down today will be tomorrow’s truth.
Gotta laugh at the press fawning over this shit like it actually means something.
Does it bollocks. Can we have a little truth once in a while to dilute the bullshit? Cayman is buried under a suffocating load of debt and it will take a massive investment, a bail out or austerity to fix it, but don’t let truth stand in the way of a good yarn, eh?
Yes, we will be culling the iguanas next week, followed by a chilli cookout. Get your front seats everyone.
What are you even talking about? During the last 4 years, Cayman has successfully serviced its debt.
Its been servicing its borrowing, but not its contingent liabilities on pension and health, which get bigger every year and are a multiple of the governments annual revenue. There is no plan to manage the increase by reducing cover or putting money aside in income earning assets to offset those costs when they arise. Instead everyone just hopes that sometime before the bill comes due some magic will happen that will make the problem go away.
Hopefully no iguana in that chilli?
Kenneth I applaud u for being the bigger person and putting your differences between u and Alden aside, to offer your services. That’s putting the people of GTC first,not everyone is man enough to do that?. Regardless of the negativity towards you God allowed u to win for a reason, continue to work for the people of GTC and the people Cayman Islands, be the voice for the forgotten voices of this Country and never feed in to all the negativity. You are a true inspiration to a lot the young people of this Country because no matter what hand you where dealt in this life it is up to you to make a change and you are a proving fact that all things are possible through Jesus. Just remember to put Jesus first in everything u do and always step out with the whole armour of GOD and u will never fail. So step out and prove all the nay sayers wrong. ??
God allowed him to win so we could see his true colors along with his puppet master, Dr Tomlinson. That way we all know to stay far from both of them next election.
God allowed you to win. REALLY! I thought it had something to do with people exercising their democratic right to vote.
I will go to my grave wondering how the people of GTC think Kenneth is better than Marco. I still love them and trust they will come to their senses. But their decision this time around leaves me baffled (and saddened) beyond belief.
Just another snout attempting to push its way into the trough,
Good God come see!
Alden please don’t put Joke Joke as a minister! I know you need the numbers but don’t sell out to this joker! He has nothing to offer the ppm or the people of Cayman. Just watch the video of him on Kenneth Bryans Facebook page on election night when the GTC votes were announced. his allegiance is to Kenneth & Dr T. He is not to be trusted! PPM please make a better choice, one you won’t regret, it’s not too late.
What was Kenneth thinking to even suggest he would take Marco Archer’s place?
That’s like saying McKeeva could be Attorney General! Talk about a calamity.
Mr. Bryan has one of the biggest egos amongst all the elected members.As a GTC voter I tried my best to find some positive reason to vote for Mr.Bryan and I just could not. He campaigned on a hype putting that the previous admin did absolutley nothing right for this country. He was able to convince a lot of uninforment voters the Mr. Archer was the worst thing to happen to GTC. However as I young Caymanian I will pray that he works on his ego and that he be able to fullfill all the promises he made to get those votes. The elections are over and Mr.Bryan you now have a job….FINALLY !
Kenneth Bryan has no qualifications. He barely got through UCCI with a 1.92 GPA. Not who we need running the country is any capacity. XXXXX
If you remember correctly, Kenneth announced his intention to run in GTC waaaaaay before anyone else announced. Alden ran and Marco put himself forward against Kenneth, or Alden forced him into it…who knows. That was a terrible strategy on the part of the PPM who underestimated Kenneth. Kenneth is a fine man who is young now but give him a few years and you will see what everyone else sees. You can’t blame Kenneth for bad choices on the part of the PPM, that is short sighted and ridiculous. We need new young persons representing with a mix of older experienced ones, without them there is no future for the country and our children. The election is now over the government has been decided against the majority of voters and PPM trolls are still spending their time on this site with their negativity…part of the reason they didn’t get a majority. We need positivity and togetherness, not divisiveness Alden.
In the same vain, was Alva running to be elected as Financial services and environmental minister? and were Dr Frank and Mr Tibbets running in RedBay to be Premier? NO THEY WERE NOT so please, if you can’t make sense of the simplest things maybe voting is too complicated for you.
Good choices, Alden.
Po’ ol’ dinosaurs.