PPM and CDP cut deal for government
McKeeva Bush (left) and Alden McLaughlin
(CNS): Alden McLaughlin will be keeping his job as premier, while McKeeva Bush will be swapping his seat on the opposition benches in the Legislative Assembly for the speaker’s chair. In a brief statement from the two men Friday about their decision to work together, there was very little detail about the shape of the new government, but given the result of the elections, it became apparent over the last 40 hours or so that the rival parties were the most likely two groups to form the next political administration.
In a brief statement signed by both McLaughlin, the leader of the PPM, and McKeeva Bush, the leader of the CDP, the men said they had chosen to work together in the “interests of national unity”.
Bernie Bush and Captain Eugene Ebanks, the two CDP members who were re-elected, are expected to sit on the government benches, with Bush taking the posts of deputy speaker and ministry councillor. Cabinet positions have not been confirmed and the statement indicated that the full details of the shape of the new government would be revealed Monday.
However, CNS understands that Tara Rivers will retain the education and employment ministry and Moses Kirkconnell will stay at tourism, while Roy McTaggart will take the finance portfolio. Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, who has given up her speaker’s chair for McKeeva Bush, is also expected to take up a Cabinet seat in the new PPM-led coalition.
Sources close to the talks Friday indicated that Alva Suckoo may have also been invited to join the coalition, possibly as health minister, but CNS was unable to confirm that he had accepted the offer.
While the public statement from McLaughlin and Bush was very short, correspondence sent by Bush to CDP members indicated that he had engaged in talks with the various independent alliances and groups but was unable to come to an agreement with them after some of the independent candidates refused to sit in Cabinet with him.
He said that he would remain neutral as the speaker and explained the political realities faced by the group of MLAs who were returned to office.
While some people may find the decision on the part of both McLaughlin and Bush hard to believe, given their personal animosity over the years, from a policy perspective it is not surprising.
While there are now very clear political differences in the positions held by the elder independents and both the CDP and the PPM, the two parties’ manifestos were very similar, with form rather than substance being the divide between them.
See the short statement below and check back to CNS later for more on the shape of the new government.
Category: 2017 General Elections, Elections, Politics
So Bush made a deal and stuck to it for what? 1 hour?
Wowwwwwww!!! This is beyond words so let me process all of this at a later time and just focus on the portfolios now:
Financial services. – Roy would they reach out to him? Mac CANNOT have this portfolio
Finance Minister – Chris
Education – Alva
Health – ??
Sports. – Bernie
Tourism –
Planning –
I’m sorry but these positions are too big for the newcomers. What a bloody MESS!!
If you’d set aside emotions – you’d have seen this coming
Not a surprise
Strategy is always key
I’m glad the parties united.
On a world stage, none of the independents would have made a good Premiere. Even before the elections, I knew in my heart that Alden would be the Premiere again, wasn’t sure how he would pull it off, but i knew he would continue as Premiere, i just knew it was the most logical thing and logic would prevail. ‘
Cayman has a role to play on a world stage, not just Cayman, and right now he is the strong one for that position in this island and on the world stage as Premiere of the Cayman Islands.
I’m also glad that there is new blood in the LA and that they are controversial and outspoken with each other and the party members. A good debate brings good governance, and it is good when ALL the people have a voice in the LA. So this is the best election results i have seen in my opinion. Unity of parties, some new “blood” on PPM also, and various unique independent ones for various voices of the People.
In my opinion this is a WIN-WIN!
It is the most i have ever been interested or look forward to the debates in the LA.
This is exactly how it should be.
In my humble opinion.
Congrats to all who won, and congrats to Premiere Alden.
On a world stage I would expect a shirt & tie….!!
Yes, and on every pig, I expect perfume.
Now sort out the dump! No more passing the buck or wasting money on reports that sit gathering dust as the dump continues to pollute our air and leach toxins into our ground water.
No need to fear, ‘We Need Another Report McLaughlin’ has been removed!!!
Considering what scenarios we had to work with; this turned out a to be as hopeful as possible. Regardless of the motives (egos) it is a lesson to us all that humility is possible and when we humble ourselves and put the love of country first we all win! So thank you ppm & cop for reaching across to one another embracing such leadeship, integrity & willingness to get on with forming a government and running the country.
The past is in the past, you will have the ‘negatives’ put their spin on things, the haters – well they just hate but those that truly have the betterment of Cayman at heart will offer support, keep you in prayer and encourage unity!
We were warned before we went to the polls that the Indpendanrs were not a stable group united behind policy matters.
Thanks God they are eel here they belong. In opposition. I wonder if they can even agree on who the Opposition Leader will be?
Is it true govt change hands already that independents now gone with Mac and Alden bites the dust? Wa happen to the signed agreement?
Deja vu
2013 general election julianna was the premier and deputy udp leader and took up speaker of house to form the government.
2017 general election cdp party leader takes speaker of the house to form the government.
For the love of power this had to play out this way for both parties as they would never give the independents that chance to call the shots.
Was that political suicide for both parties?
I wish to make a couple points. 1 – McKeeva really did not have much bargaining power with only three elected from his party. Unless he could have been assured that the Independents would join him, he had not got much to bargain with. 2. The Independents thankfully showed their true colours before they formed the government. Now we know how things would have turned out had they been sworn in as the new Government. However, with the official scenario as it is, the Independents can truly represent the people by being an active, loud voice for we the people and keep the government on its toes. Not criticising for the sake of it but by holding them to their promises and by making sure they do the people’s work. This is a good solution as it gives the Independents time to learn the ropes, parliamentary procedures and gives them an opportunity to speak in public on actual matters and not campaign rhetoric, an opportunity to act like leaders, learn about the various ministries and be prepared and ready for the next elections. Hopefully by then they will have matured politically and personally.
This is by far the best scenario for Cayman,UNITY. we now have the Progressive Democratic Movement. Self aggrandizement which those two from the east craved for would have wrecked Cayman.
Hmmmm. Win-Win-Lose scenario.
Mac and Alden get what they crave. Power.
Independents get to do what they are good at, absolutely nothing. And get paid!
Country loses with same old same old.
And we’re now short the two best Ministers of the last 20 years. Thank you Marco and Wayne.
Why do we even bother voting
ha ha ha!?
Alden said repeatedly that independents would not be able to work together. I just never thought that he would be proven correct so quickly.
What other outcome were you nitwits expecting? You voted for a bunch of inexperienced, greener than a grasshopper’s ass independents coupled along with the two power crazy, egotistical maniacs from East End and Northside, who would cut off their noses just to spite their faces. And not only did you expect them to be able to come together and formulate a plan to put together a Government. But you expected them to be able to outsmart two of the biggest con artist when it comes to self preservation and survival those two would throw their Mothers under an eighteen wheeler. Just look at what Alden did to Marco! And Bush did literally the same thing in westbay with John Jefferson jr. Because he was afraid to challenge Tara. So why would you expect to have any other result? Surprise! You all have just been played once again by the two masters of manipulation! Enjoy the next four years of more pain and suffering.
Looks like one master manipulator now! “What did YOU expect”
2 moves check and mate!
I hope a couple more of the independents join this group and leave Arden and Ezzard over there by themselves. They had an opportunity to allow us to have an independent lead government but couldn’t sallow their pride or do what needed to be done for love of country…Next time they need to go! They just destroyed everything we as independent voters vote for..Shame on you Arden and Ezzard!!!!
Congratulations gentlemen. An act of statesmanship by you both.
My bad. I should never have allowed myself to call Mac a gentleman. It seems he showed his true colors last night. Anyone who cannot keep their word disgusts me. Anyone who cannot keep their word who is in a position of influence and is looked to as an example, makes me sick. I just threw up.
Ho boy!!! It is always good when one can change their minds, especially when the change is towards a positive move. Sorry you were not able to get your party leading again….. this is what your dissapointment and disgusts are all about.
Thank you Alden and McKeeva for having the heart and bravery to bury your hatchet and come together for the good of the country. This was the only good option that was going to work. I am still absolutely gutted about losing Marco and Wayne and I will be a long time forgiving GTC and Newlands voters for that, but post election and moving on, this is the best possible result. Thank you to both of you and I look forward to continued stability and growth that this country has enjoyed for the past 4 years.
the alternative of having our country governed by that terrible group of misfits, thugs, criminals and the famous wife beater, was making me feel absolutely sick inside.
Thank you again Alden and McKeeva for your diplomacy and your willingness to set aside old hurts and grudges for the good of Cayman. we are all grateful.
Irony is … I guess Dr. Steve got his wish – no more bickering between the parties! I hope the $3 million he spent campaigning for a bunch of useless opponents was worth it. But, if it was, they would have been able to come together themselves.
Wow!!! You have just displayed a fine way of moving on…REALLY!!!!!! Useless opinion.
Well Kudos to Alden! He figured out a way to remain Premier and at the same time silence McKeeva by giving him the speaker position..Maybe he nah as fool fool as we think..maybe he is just a little shy.. 🙂
My biggest disappointment here is Tara..she fooled us once more into believing she was independent and look where she is again, Carrying the PPM flag high and proud…She has been the worst education minister we have had. Not just by me saying but our children’s failures haven proven it..This is woman that choose to spend $8M Plus on a gym rather than getting us better teachers and schools..Come on Cayman, we can do better! We deserve better!
What is unfortunate here is that the bulk of the independents allowed people like Ezzard and Arden to lead them. These two were thirsty for power and rather than working with the CDP and doing some give and take as has happened here the destroyed the independents and relegated them to the backbenchers..Such fools! They did just as Alden said they would and imploded amongst themselves.Now who can they blame? We will continue to have Ezzard and Arden spewing crap from the southeast corner of the LA whilst all of these other good independents are to sit there for four years twidling their thumbs when the could have formed a government.
At least Arden will now get the position of Opposition Leader and more money..ugh! Independents you need to band together and vote by secret ballot fro your Opposition Leader.Do something now for us to have faith in you again!
Hopefully Ezzard will be the leader of the opposition, a very important role. He reads all the bills, knows all the rules and will responsibly raise questions when required.
Hallelujah. Now THAT’s what I call making the best of a very bad situation. All said and done McKeeva does have by far the most political experience of the entire lot, PARTICULARLY the ‘off on the wrong foot’ (hallelujah) independents.Please work together Mac and Alden to continue to move this country forward, and no apologies whatsoever for Dr. Steve’s financial loss, whatever his intentions may have been.
So glad to see both of Mac’s hands on the table. I’d be worried if one was behind his back with fingers crossed.
I guess his toes were crossed.
You didn’t see that he had his toes crossed!
If the independents couldn’t form a government, how did you expect them to lead one?
Boom! Dr T and his band of misfits get bun…
Actually the majority voted for party people. 7+3>9. But I suppose facts and politics don’t mix in many people’s world.
Overll, majority of the people refused both parties and independents got more votes.
Perhaps it is your lack of intelligence that renders you homeless.
What a load of you know what! Ezzard couldn’t just swallow his pride and work with Mac and instead prefers to rule from behind. Not what people who voted for the Independents wanted. I guess Cayman has no one better than Alden and Mac to lead the Nation…
Over the years these two men have been paid for just sitting in the back and quote the laws and regulations and it seems this is what their voters are happy with….therefore what the heck…as long as my supporters happy with this, I will continue to collect my salary doing nothing worthwhile.
I’m happy they have put aside there difference and are willing to work together for the betterment of these islands, after all togther we rise or together we fall! I’m a proud caymanian today!! Bracka in Cayman.
Well I never thought I would be okay with this scenario but after seeing the sh*t show by the independents since the results came in, I for one am happy with the devils I know. At least Mac mouth is shut as speaker and he won’t be in cabinet.
Is it true Ezzard’s hate for McKeeva caused this to happen?
Im hearing that’s why the Parties united :/
If Hazzerd hated Mac so much he could have simply oppted not to be a part of the government which he is not now anyway.
This also means now that each of the district’s that did not get in will have no say in government so only all of west bay and the majority of George Town and CB,LC will have a say.
OMOV da what you get
I see a couple of things that I’d like to comment on. Firstly, I have an issue with Tara being on “jackie boat side” again this time. This is totally unacceptable to the majority of the community. If she’s an IND stay that way and stop only looking out for herself. Which ever party wins she’s just waiting to align herself with them. Does she not know the meaning of Independent, maybe that’s why the schools are in such a mess? Secondly, I hope that she DOES NOT have the responsibility for Education as she has made a big enough mess of that already. Please Alden/Mac find someone else for that Ministry, give her Employment or something else but NOT Education. Thank you.
Ezzard happy taking his pay check with no responsibility.
You heard wrong…….
Well……. no.
Please don’t give Bernie a full ministerial position, not even Sports and Culture (which he wouldn’t recognize if it hit him in the face). He is just not that smart which is why the only steady job he has had….like many of our politicians…..is being an MLA.
Ok Dion
talk about chess. Masters, the independent s knew they needed some other members they could have got mac to be speaker and give his other 2 the same deal ppm gave them, now they will have no power and unable to fulfill, some of their promise
It makes me sick that Tara ran Independent than now is sitting on PPM and will be given the Employment & EDucation?? OMG the Education is awful here, she had it four years. I didn’t vote Independent for them to go over to PPM. This just shouldn’t be allowed and it just isn’t right!!!! She ran Independent and that is that.
Same S…t diferent day
The students run independently away from authority in the schools and form party lines to get their stories straight when questioned about their deviant behavior. It’s scary like any combination that could have come out of a mix including Tara (Education)!
Soooo you didnt know Tara was PPM?
Tara sat with ppm for the last four years. If you voted for her and didn’t consider she would do the same this time your are dumb.
yet the independents was saying the same thing but wanted her with them to make the government.
Where have you been the last four years?!
Education certainly is awful if you are a product of our educational system. On the bright side, if you weren’t educated here then there are systems worse than ours.
Polls showed majority voted for party members sonto say otherwise is just fake news. Congrats to PPM and CDP for making a ‘wise’ choice. Make no mistake, Alden and BigMac could make a formidable duo who can achieve loads if they work in unison.
For the last 16 years the PPM and UDP/CDP have done nothing but bicker back and forth calling each other every derogatory name in the book and touting how the other was so dishonest. Suddenly they can see their way clear to work together, BS, this is not to unify the country its solely for self preservation. What a bunch of Hypocrites. Neither “party leader” wants to work with or beneath the Independents / New blood in the LA. There are plenty of good hard working Independent members that want to do right by the people that will now have their efforts stalled, all in the name of “unifying the country”. What a load of crap!
This is on point! Wow! Couldn’t have said it any better myself. Worst part is we are the ones gicing them the power to play God with our future.
If after 16 years you are willing to work with your mortal enemy rather than align yourself with Independents, that says a lot about the character of the Independents.
No surprise here! The loss of one of the most qualified and recently honored ministers (Marco Archer) along with Mr. Panton speaks volumes about the mentality of those who failed to support them. It also makes sense in that the two parties only differed very slightly in their published manifestos.
This as opposed to some of the radical rhetoric espoused by the “independents,” who seemed determined to carefully cultivate and appeal to the base xenophobic attitudes which has caused much of the divisions in Cayman society.
A country divided against itself cannot prosper. Hopefully with the two predominant parties combining forces, there will be a more tempered representation in the LA for the next 4 years. It will be interesting to see if the “independent” back bench will be cooperative or consistently obstructionist going forward. On that I have already placed my wager!
The disappointing aspect is the loss of Wayne and Marco, educated, talented and experienced candidates. (It makes me wonder about the maturity of democracy in Cayman). This new government would be that much stronger with the benefit of their participation.
The encouraging aspect is the validation of the party system with the functional annihilation of independents as the sharp point of governance and leadership. There must be some gnashing of teeth and thrown lamps somewhere along the south shore tonight.
The reality is the disappearance, in a political sense, of the CDP. I wonder what they are telling their supporters tonight. Sounds like “all about me” to me.
Great job Alva Suckoo!
Losing Marco and Wayne was a loss to the people of this island in my opinion, but that’s how democracy works.
This ” joining of forces” is best for Cayman right now. Some of the Independents will gain experience and be at the helm moving forward.
Awful outcome. God help the Cayman Islands with these two running the show.Tell me it’s only a nightmare, please.
God help us of it had ended up with the independents, they couldn’t even come together to make a government, how would they ever come together on any issues?
I simply don’t get how the people can vote for change, like they did in America and Britain, and we just get the same old same old. We really are dummies!
I am so proud and happy to know these 2 gentlemen have come together and join to form the new government. God bless these Cayman Islands
LOL … Again … look at this picture with McKeeva and Alden side by side. These men call each other fools and the devil, and look at them now ?
The majority voted for INDEPENDENTS (no more CDP and PPM was their message), and now these two parties are united against Independents …
Why???
Because Independents had a golden opportunity to unite against them! But they played Independence when they needed to unite, and lost ☺ smh
Did you fail math? The majority voted party. 10 party 9 independents.
Im thinking the number of people who voted Independent … not number of members in the House ??
It’s “maths” here in Cayman, sportsfan (you from Texas?). And since when does seven or three in of themselves become greater than nine? You living in la la land, sportsfan.Get real. The majority of voters did not vote for either of the two parties. That’s reality. Get a grip. You’re in denial.
The majority voted for parties (10). Independents won 9 seats, and of those, Tara is very closely tied to the Progressives. So yes, there were more “independents” voted in that Progressives or CDP as singular parties, but not more than parties as a whole.
Plus consider that 4 more independents (Ezzard, Anthony, Alva and Arden) acted as a quasi-alliance and they’re still more party-like than they want to admit.
Let’s face it, parties are more effective and stable – and likely best for the country as a whole as a result.
If Tara was so close to Progressive, why did she run Independent? Why not run PPM???
Because independents are popular. Not necessarily more sensible.
Not really, if you look at it solely from party vs independent, more people in total voted for a party rather than independent. The most votes went to a combined PPM and CDP which is now exactly what we got.
More voters voted for parties than independents. Check the elections results again.
The independents had one job: work together and bring two people onboard. They couldn’t.
which do you think would be easier a party enticing 2-3 to join or 9 independents getting someone to join from a party? It worked out the path of least resistance maybe a few of the independents should have taken what was offerred to have some power to do some good rather than a vendetta against parties. the voting numbers dont indicate that cayman is ready to get rid of parties they are still getting too many votes and too many seats.
You have to remember that members of the public voted for both the PPM, independents and the CDP. To ignore that fact you would have to be in denial. Not everyone agrees that the independents are the best choice. OMOV actually only shows you how a particular constituency felt about candidates and the independents won only by small margins in most areas. Their election could just be due to a feeling of lack of better options seeing as you only had 1 option in every area. So they may have voted very different had they had more party options and more votes. Mckeeva, Alden and all the rest of the elected officials have just as much right to do what they are doing as the independents do to try and form a separate government or to not work with the government we see trying to be formed here. However they would all then be guilty of all the same things they say about the last elected officials; guilty of doing nothing for four years except collecting a salary.
In case you don’t know 10 is more than 9. There are 10 party politicians that was voted in and only 9 independents. The majority of the people voted for the party system ?❤️
The “independents” played far too much towards xenophobia (Us vs THEM) and each had far too much EGO to cooperate to form a government. Their divisiveness and inflated ego was their downfall. It bodes well for the stability of the country NOT to have these johnny-come-latelies in a mad scramble for power that they could not handle.
Perhaps if some of them use the exercise as a learning experience and temper their egos and radical thought processes they may become the leaders of tomorrow. Only time will tell. My wager is that they will be obstructionist for obstruction sake for the next 4 years and be ushered out the door as thye deserve – ONE & DONE!
Ok guys, prove me wrong!
plus ca change – la meme chose!
How that return on investment looking now Dr Tomlinson? LMAO ??
Da wha yuh get Steve
Dr T still won in the end. He stopped the party politics bickering and now they must work together.
You might want to take that back.
PARTY UNITY RULES!
I am not surprise a group of Independents thirsting for single power would not come together! This idea of Lone Rangers running the country is not realistic! Folks, which government on earth do you see is not ruled by a political party???
First, at least a party respects unity. It has a united manifesto. It has unified plan for the country! Think UNITY folks UNITY!
Secondly, unlike these Independents, Party members, respect the electorate. They are more transparent. They don’t deceptively leave the voters in the dark as to who will be who, or what portfolios will be filled. Doctor Tomlinson and other persons of interests secretly supported these Independents and they didn’t say anything to the voters about it. That to me was playing secretive to voters. Why should voters be playing the game of Russian Roulette with their democracy???
Thirdly, only a unified House get things down alot faster for the country. We are too small for unnecessary quarrels and debates in the LA. We have a country to run, and Party don’t mean you have blind followers too. You still can have good thinkers, and you need a team to get things done! Party members can always think outside the box, separate and create alliances! Eden and Suckoo did that when they couldn’t agree with PPM on conservative issues! But my point is – a Party does not mean blind followers! That is nonsense and Independent propoganda.
THE INDEPENDENTS ONCE AGAIN LOST A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY!
They had enough time during the Election to come together! Show the voters you are a united force! Good governance requires alot more than single persons. But sad … they allow our two-party system to unite against them! SMH … a golden opportunity to unify with a good manifesto and come transparent before the voters, has been lost! ?
The enemy of my enemy is my best new BFF!
Politricks 101. So endeth the lesson.
I guess McKeeva is truly indicating this is his last term … longest serving MLA. And Alden goes down as one of Cayman’s greatest negotiators.
Ok then, your theory is that JOJO (last speaker)
should have had her last term 2017 ? I’m confused !
Well said.
congrats to all the winners!! We have 19 MLAs who have to look after 50,000 plus people, don’t you think they should not all be united, even if everything is not agreed on? Mr. Mackeva Bush I respect and congratulate you on the greatest decision, Im sure you have Made in a long time!! Time to move on, join hands and lets get on for what is best for the Cayman Islands!!