The ‘picking off’ phase

| 28/05/2017 | 90 Comments

Cayman News ServicePolitical Guy writes: As some may have predicted, the so-called alliance recently announced between the CDP and the Independents is falling apart. People may differ on whether this group would be a disaster or the right change for the country but many are likely on the same page on one thing: that this is more about egos and self-interest than truly representing the people.

If the Independents cannot get it together, they will prove what party members have been saying all along: that a group of independents with varying policies and opinions and interests cannot actually get their act together for the sake of the country. The country did not vote a majority of independents into office, but it did cry out very loudly for their involvement in the next government. If this cry is ignored, this will likely amount to political suicide on the part of any Independent that goes against change.

Things have now passed the chaotic/entertaining phase. We are now at the stage when individuals will get tired of six-hour meetings where egos continue to get in the way of the formation of a credible group to take the country forward. And this is the stage where two independents can simply walk over to the PPM and form a government, and very quickly without much of a discussion.

To be clear, ‘any two will do’ in this scenario, and that means that after lunch time today there may be a scenario where it will be a race of ‘couples’ to see who can get to the PPM first.

That would be a shame because not only would it reflect poorly on the Independents, but it would be mean that too many of the people’s voices would go unheard.

Rumours are that Arden lacked the leadership, conciliatory tone and approach to bring the group together at that now infamous first meeting, turning several Independents off. The rumour makes sense. Arden is indeed a very strong leader and strong leaders do tend to get that whole ‘working together with everyone’ thing wrong.

Whether he gets a second chance to correct that later today is left to be seen but let’s not be surprised if Arden is involved in one of those ‘races of twos’ heading over to PPM town during this picking off phase.

If Alden McLaughlin becomes premier again it would be hard to argue that he doesn’t deserve it. He won seven seats and has one Independent with him, so that is pretty close to having a mandate.

But the Independents clearly have a much stronger mandate. To many that is the point. Therefore, getting picked off at this stage would be a serious indictment against them. If they fail to get it together today, the country will very likely punish them in 2021. And any two that get picked off today, while leaving the others to sit on the opposition bench to very little effect, will be all but finished politically.

Don’t get ‘picked off’.

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Category: 2017 General Elections, Elections, Politics

Comments (90)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Now, just enjoy your “democratic” one man one vote…

  2. Bush Master says:

    PPM or CDP no matter which way it goes! We all are in for another four years of suffering and no progress. How many Businesses have already move their head operations to another jurisdiction? Because of all the bullshit signing of agreements such as the beneficial ownership agreement that our leaders have sign to. We don’t need another Alden or Mac premiership. Our financial sector is leaving our investors are leaving, which means that jobs are leaving. So in the interest of this country you bunch of misfits better get it together and form a government without Alden and Mac as leaders. Why not an New Independent to be Premier? Who says that the job has to be filled by a previous MLA? Alden and Mac were previous MLAs yes! But neither of them had any experience about being a Premier, when they were handed the job as Premier.

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    • OJ says:

      PROBLEM SOLVER!!!! PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos (CMC) — Voters in Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) on Thursday elected its first ever woman to head a government in this British Overseas Territory (BOT) and in the process booted Premier Dr Rufus Ewing out of Parliament completely.
      The preliminary results released Friday by the electoral officials here showed that 45-year-old attorney, Sharlene Cartwright Robinson, had led her opposition People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) to victory, winning seven of the 10 constituencies. The party also won four of the five at large candidates
      According to the figures released here, Cartwright Robinson, won the most votes in the at large candidates poll, receiving 3024 votes, while the outgoing premier, who led the ruling Progressive National Party (PNP) into the election, could only must 2, 234 votes, losing out on becoming one of the five successful candidates. He received 2,234 votes.

      The VOTERS elects the premier based on best 5 candidates.

    • Anonymous says:

      It was the first time our constitution called for the post of Premier…So, unless Mac, or Alden was a Premier in a different Country(or,life)…How could any have had experience of being a Premier?? Please keep humoring us with your 2+2 = 3 logic.

    • Anonymous says:

      I think you are a special kind of stupid. You have no clue. The beneficial ownership agreement IS GOOD for this country because it is NOT what the UK wanted or others wanted. Contrary to their demands, it does NOT involve making our BO information public or creating a central register of BO information. That is GOOD NEWS for our FS industry. They are coming and staying not going. Thanks to Wayne and the Progressives.

    • Anonymous says:

      At least Alden could read and write.

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  3. Anonymous says:

    North Side and East End are tiny constituencies to start with, they really should only get a fraction of the say for Premier. I know a win is a win but both Ezzard and Arden came awfuly close to losing their seats. They really shouldn’t be so cocky. Same with Alva where there really wasn’t an overwhelming win for him. Tara should be made Deputy Premier if any Independent get it.

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  4. Anonymous says:

    So Ms. Tara what kind of independent are you? Never get my x again . Try go join the independents.

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  5. Anonymous says:

    We’re going to end up going from saying we don’t want Alden and PPM to putting a statue of he Arden and Moses in hero square if they can save us from that Bush lead Tomlinson squad.

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  6. Rick says:

    Are the Independents a ‘group’ or individual representatives? They have no common philosophical point of view. They are merely individuals with their own ideas.

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  7. Anonymous says:

    Ezzard and Arden have the choice of whether to turn us over to Mac and the lost boys or form a reponsible government with PPM.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Ezzard, Arden, Alva and Anthony should have no bargaining power whatsoever. They should be hanging their head in shame for signing up to a deal for McKeeva to become Premier. If they have no found a conscience to not want McKeeva as Premier, they can’t really be too forceful in their negotiations. If the talks fall thru and McKeeva sticks as Premier, the blood is on their hands.

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  8. Anonymous says:

    Why are we Caymanians so STUPID. You all wanted these INDEPENDENTS who were all backed by the wanna be Caymanian Dart “Tomlinson” and you all gave in to it. Now that you see you voted for individuals who all have a different agenda why are you upset? Did you think they would put there egos aside? Tomlinson has all of you idiots in his pocket. He has two dollars and knows that you are hungry people who live on handouts.

    Where are the true Caymanians who worked hard every day and made due with what they had? Where are they?

    Bush administration cuts salaries for civil servants and sells the little we have to the rich. PPM gave an honararium and salary increase all in one financial period. Where do most Caymanians work? You all should be ashamed. Hope the handouts will continue with your elected independents seeing that they can’t sit in a room together and find common ground for the love of our country that they all said they have.

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    • Jotnar says:

      One the one hand you criticise Caymanians who live on handouts and who you say are looking to the independents and Tomlinson to take care of them. In the next breath you berate the civil servants who failed to be loyal to the PPM who who gave them salary increases and an honorarium. You do see the inconsistency, right?

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      • Anonymous says:

        I often agree with many of your posts. Not this one!
        A “handout” and a “salary increase” (after many years increasing COL) is hardly the same thing!

    • Anonymous says:

      4:42. You are right the PPM gave the Civil Service what Bush took away. They got 7 seats and Mac got 3. Caymanians don’t forget.

      Mac will never get our credit card again.

      The next Government better take care of the Civil Service.

      Look at Dennie Marco and Kent all went after the Civil Service. They are home tonight crying about their mistakes.

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      • Anonymous says:

        7.93 you’re right Politicians who go after civil servants commit political suicide. Sad loss of Marco, it only took a few civil service families to take him out.

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    • Anonymous says:

      You are STUPID if you can’t see the politics that PPM played with civil servants. I predicted 3 years ago that this salary increase would occur in PPM’s final year in office. It is a political strategy to win over civil servants. Ask yourself the question, where did PPM get the money to give civil servants a raise. Let me remind you. It came from the tax package that McKeeva developed and implemented before he was removed from power by the UK and our weak Caymanian’s because he stood up to them. The monies that are available are just being realized within the past few years after being fully implemented. That same tax package was a direct result of the bankruptcy of the country by the same PPM government. They caused the UK to step in and take control of our finances for the very first time in our history. They wanted McKeeva to introduce some form of direct tax – income or property. He refused. I happen to know the facts because I am a civil servant. McKeeva will tell us what he wants to do – Alden is deceptive. He has no backbone and above all – he’s not for the poor average Caymanian.

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      • Anonymous says:

        I am too and that scenario above is far from what actually took place. For one there was no pay raise …….only the 3.2 % cost of living that Mac played badminton with ….. gave it took it gave it back toOK it back etc etc. PPM merely tacked on 0.8 % and gave 4.0. So basically they gave us 0.8 cause the 3.2 was already ours. Mac caused the UK to step in …. bad financial decisions. Stay awake and pay attention.

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      • Anonymous says:

        We have many great civil servants who do a fantastic job and are very capable and intelligent. You are not one of those. You are an example of the few who need to get out of the CS because you don’t have a clue and have no value. Please do the country a favour and find another job because you are a drag on the CS.

    • Anonymous says:

      Don’t worry because if we can escape a Government run by greedy CDP and clueless Independents, the hand-outs paid for by Dr. Tomlinson will dry up and hopefully the majority of voters will remember for the next time (unfortunately I have my doubts).

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    • Island time says:

      4:42. While I may agree with some of what you said however, there is some that I beg to differ. Voting for the independents seems like voting for popularity contest as they all do not have the same agenda and is only looking out for the short term of the country. Regarding who can be the Premier there is only a few that are capable of that post in no particular order or choice Alden, Mac and Moses. Eden would also be option but I don’t think he would interested, as you don’t want the wise man and his neigbour as your Premier.
      Cutting of salaries is something that happens everyday all over the world why should cayman be any different note the increase in salaries is paid buy all of us in new fees that the government needs to operate so that is one thing no canidate or any team will put forward that the CIG needs to be reduced in fear of not been voted back into office.
      As selling to rich question do you see the poor investing it’s only the people that have the money to invest that can invest we should be thankful as that will produce jobs in the economy for the rest of us and other to also get jobs we just need to go out there and take the jobs and stop complaining that we can get work take what ever job we can get and do it to the best.

  9. Anonymous says:

    If macs deal went south he for sure will be trying to get with ppm. Better to have the Independents with ppm than mac

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  10. Anonymous says:

    For love of country Arden, join PPM and keep Mac out the government. If UDP leaders are disgusted with this move, then you should be too.

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  11. Anonymous says:

    What you fail to understand is that if the majority had picked Independents then we wouldn’t be in this situation. It’s equal in that if you look at it, the majority did want a party, they just didn’t all want CDP. The lesson learned from this is that we need to change and the people need to vote for their Premier. Independents is a mistake. They can’t work together, that’s why they are independent.

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  12. Anonymous says:

    Most people I know included me voted for Arden because we have always trusted that he had the experience to do the right thing for EE and the country. If he does not join PPM and make a coalition I’ll know he cares more about himself than us. He will be the reason that Mac and Dr. T take over Cayman. We will never vote for Arden again!

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  13. Anonymous says:

    The Independents betrayed the people when they offered mackeeva premier. The ONE clear message from the last two elections was that no one outside of west bay wants bush as premier.

    The independents showed us that they wanted power at any cost.

    If they wanted to do what the MAJORITY of voters want they will form a goernment with the two largest groups, the independents and the PPM. 16 of the 19 seats are held by those two groups.

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    • Cayman P. I. Not CDP says:

      Let’s look at the facts folks:

      The PPM were only 52 votes shy of have a majority government outright. (16 for Wayne and 36 for Marco).

      The Independents needed 137 more votes (42 for Rodolph in CB East and 93 for Katherine in WB Central).

      The CDP need at least 836 votes over 7 candidates to create a majority government outright.

      In my humbly opinion the CDP should have the least amount of positions and power in whatever government is finally assembled.

      The government consisting of 7 firm PPM members and 3 (or more) Independents seems to me to be the will of the majority of the people.

    • Anonymous says:

      Wasn’t it the PPM that went running to Mac first and offered him Speaker plus one cabinet seat for Bernie?

  14. Anonymous says:

    The independents HAVE to work with one side or the other, so get over it. They have 9 members and to have a majority they need 10, do the maths. Kmt

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    • Shadow says:

      The “Independents” do not have 9 members. They have 9 individuals who each have their own agenda.

  15. Anonymous says:

    What a mess we are in watching all these “Master’s of the Universe” gambling our future and the future of our children away by siding with the devil making him our leader when the electorate clearly sent their message that they did nor support the CDP/UDP. The betrayal of the electorate using their very supporter’s votes to support and elect Mckeeva to be Premier clearly shows us all that Independents cannot be trusted. The Independent Party and Mr. Thomlinson have self destructed before they have commenced governing as they will barely survive a single term because NO-ONE will ever trust an Independent again.

    Just stop for a moment and imagine, what a great country we could be with an Independent / PPM government in power. We could achieve so much except for the giant egoes which will prevent this from happening. “In the best interests of the country” is the overriding factor to be considered, however this is totally ignored by the Independents for their illusions of grandeur of one’s self overrules all else.

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  16. Election observer says:

    Arden ‘strong leader’? You must be kidding, he can’t put three words together and make sense.

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  17. Anonymous says:

    Selfish people will do that. If independents do that they better not come near my house in BTW next time

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  18. Anonymous says:

    I think everyone seems to be missing the point. No one party or group of individuals made a majority enough to form a government. Therefore deals have to be made. The independents have to agree to work with either ppm or cdp. Ppm would have to agree to work with either cdp or independents. Somewhere people are not going to get what they want. It’s the old hats that have issues working with each other, that is what causes the delays and indecision. People voted for a change, change takes hard work and effort. The independents could throw up their hands in defeat and act as opposition, but they were voted in to best represent their district therefore they will fight to have a say as they should or they would be doing their district a disservice. Be patient, there will be a final result one way or another but don’t expect to be happy about it.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Some really smart peckers we have on here. That second sentence of yours flew over all their heads.

  19. Anonymous says:

    Dr. T hope you and your kind like Tru Tru now see why the Party system works in all democratic countries to reduce such uncertainties. Even our mother country has this system.

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  20. Anonymous says:

    moses please please go over there and help them form a government. you can be premier with the independents. ask roy to join you and lead them. that would be good cabinet. don’t let PPM politics get in the way moses. Lets do this.

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  21. Anonymous says:

    If Dwayne does this we will get BT east together and protest against him. I’m sorry to say that but we need to get more political now if this is how things are going

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  22. Anonymous says:

    I think the most important lesson here is that the country can survive (probably better) without MLAs.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Another lesson is we need a national vote for the leader or maybe we should stick to political parties it’s easier

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  23. Anna Mclean says:

    As a voter I feel betrayed. As a country we rejected CDP. HTF do we end up with Mr. Bush as Premier?

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    • Anonymous says:

      Trust me you don’t need to worry about that one. Mac won’t be the leader. I’m praying that independents stay together and Moses leads them.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Because Arden and Ezzard are willing to crown him Premier!

      They have the opportunity to either be heroes or bobos without xxxxs. Time will tell.

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  24. Anonymous says:

    What needs to stop is this idea that the “independents” are a cohesive group. By definition, they’re not. The people didn’t vote for an independent government. They voted for a bunch of individuals. If that group is so disparate that they cannot form a government without creating a coalition with the stability of a plurality party, it speaks to the fact that what BT voted for and what GT votes for and what EE and NS vote for aren’t a coherent body with clarity and purpose enough to govern. End of story.

    Further, the idea that a Progressives government with Tara and two other independents ignores what the people wanted it absurd. Any formed government, unless a minority government (which is looking like a real possibility with each passing day), represents a majority of districts’ voting preferences by requiring a majority of MLAs. Frankly, we need to quit jumping back and forth based on personal power grabs and start putting the country first – this uncertainty and new government every 30 minutes because so and so is mad they can’t all be ministers of la la land is threatening our general credibility and ability to engage in meaningful governance.

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    • Bodden Town Voter says:

      12:55 – Just by reading your post I know who you are. You tried and I must give you credit where credit is due. Let’s sit back niw and as a voter I too will be watching to see who will form our next government.

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  25. Anonymous says:

    Stop spreading rumours the independents are not doing this. They won’t join ppm they are sticking together

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    • Anonymous says:

      It’s not a rumour. Today that already started and kills my confidence in independents. I don’t care what trey say next time I’m not voting for any independents

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    • Anonymous says:

      Not very “independent” then are they

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      • Anonymous says:

        Why the f*ck do we want independents??? What we want is a group of people with brains in their heads to form a government. If that includes people who got elected as independents along with the PPM then so be it. What we DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT want is for mckeewa bush to become premier again very simply because of his horrendous track record that will certainly be repeated. Forget greedy self interests, independents and PPM, and form a government that will move this country forward WITHOUT mckeewas and the CDP’s interference and backward and corrupt track record.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Independents sticking together, isn’t that the definition of a group or party?

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  26. Anonymous says:

    What a bunch of hypocrites these independents. Now just to get more money and cabinet position they talking to ppm. They are a disgrace and cayman should never forgive them if they do that . And I mean any of them but in my case especially Austin as I voted for him in prospect

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  27. Anonymous says:

    I seem to be the least plugged in Caymanian, to the marl road, there is so can you please elaborate? What’s happening now?

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    • Anonymous says:

      As per latest reports, majority of the independents have joined forces with the CDP and have agreed to have McKeeva Bush as premier. However, certain independents may move their support to the Ppm side, leading to ppm having the majority. As of now, it is unclear as to how the new govt will form

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  28. Anonymous says:

    Is it true that Chris is thinking about this ?? God I hope not after everything he was saying at the meeting . I don’t believe he is I’m just saying I heard that

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    • Anonymous says:

      If Chris goes with Moses I don’t mind but if Chris ends up with Alden as leader he lost my vote . Moses and Roy are not true ppm members they always independent but others needs to go . No ppm hardliners please

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  29. Anonymous says:

    Ezzard might do it but trust me Arden had priniciples and he would never do that especially if he committed to the other group already. I think you are speculating too much I don’t see Arden doing that

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    • Anonymous says:

      sorry I don’t agree. Ezzard will never do that.

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    • Anonymous says:

      At this point, Arden and Ezzard disgust me. The things they have said about Mac in the past indicated I could trust them but alas that was a lie – they aligned with Mac to give him the Premier position.

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  30. Anonymous says:

    Political guy you are speaking the truth on this. I swear I will never vote for Arden if he go over there to ppm. He will lose all of East End if he do that

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    • Anonymous says:

      As an East Ender, me and my family will never forgive him if he sticks with Mac. I won’t support that crap.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Arden almost lost all of East End as it is.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Is that you Mac? or is it your political strategist writing all these warnings? You can’t scare us that easily, we not as fool-fool as you think we are. We know when to leave a sinkin ship.

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  31. Anonymous says:

    Boom. That’s my feeling and I heard yesterday that picking off already started . Country should punish these independents if they do that

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  32. Anonymous says:

    Well said! I can tell you that if Chris or Alva do that my family will never vote for them again. We wanted change give us what we voted for.

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    • Anonymous says:

      So let me see…….you won’t forgive your elected independents for going with PPM but it’s OK if they go with CDP? Ask yourself…who had more total votes, the PPM or the CDP? Shouldn’t the majority rule?

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      • Anonymous says:

        No that’s not what I meant. I want them to form a group led by independents. I don’t want a cdp or ppm led government

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    • Anonymous says:

      Exactly. The country voted out cdp except for 3 seats in wb so how come he is all of a sudden premier ? Love of power, money and what’s in it for him !!!!

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    • Anonymous says:

      That is impossible. The independents only have 8 (Tara is PPM), so to form a govt they have to align with either the PPM or UDP/CDP, so change is not a possibility from previous governments, only the hope that sufficient representation within the Executive will lead to a more balanced policy agenda from an Independents POV.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Wouldn’t them being in government be the change you were voting for?

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    • Anonymous says:

      All the Dr T money is going to Mac, Chris has figured out he doesn’t want to be part of a dirty cabinet. He’s the one that will lose his CPA credentials, not to mention his credibility.

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  33. Anonymous says:

    The independents need to stop this shot about not getting picked off. They couldn’t even function to form a government. What makes you think that with all their self-interest baggage and egos that they can effectively run a country??

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    • Anonymous says:

      I hear what you saying but people did not ask for ppm again so that’s that’s the point. They have leaders in the independent group they just need to drop the egos

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      • Anonymous says:

        People did not ask for CDP either so explain why we have them !!!!! Especially as premier !?!?

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      • Anonymous says:

        The country didn’t ask for independents to lead. 7+1+3=11 party affiliated to 8 independents who can’t get their shit together and the 3 independents with experience can’t seem to herd the cats.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Actually about as many people did as asked for one or another of the semi-aligned semi-independents.

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      • Anonymous says:

        What nonsense are you talking about. The PPM and Tara have 8 seats and the independents have 8 seats, however what is more important is that if you count the PPM and Tara’s actual votes they have clearly a majority over the 8 remaining independents.

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    • Anonymous says:

      They can function fine. I heard they are going to get it done soon. just give them time. We ned to beleive in them its all we have if we want to see anything change. I want to see someone like Moses help them but I guess party politics will get in the way of that. Ju Ju not bad either.

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    • Anonymous says:

      If we had elected a party this would not be happening. 8695 electors or 55.31% voted for parties. 7026 or 44.69% voted for 4 different groups of independents. (Including Miss Rivers) The Progressives received 7 seats and 4909 votes overall while CDP received 3 seats and 3786 votes. Since the Independents 9 seats and 7026 votes are split and lack experience the Premier should be from the Progressives not CDP who only gained 3 seats. The Cabinet should be led by the Progressives but include Independents and maybe 1 from the CDP. To be able to get things done we need about 13 to ensure the Government bench is stable. This would not mean that they have to join the Progressives party. They can remain Independent.

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