McLean paints pessimistic picture of Cayman
Arden McLean in the LA
(CNS): Arden McLean, the independent member for East End, painted a pessimistic picture for the country’s future as he joined in the maiden speeches debate in the Legislative Assembly Wednesday. McLean, who is embarking on his fifth term said the country was “at war against a system of violence and hatred” with people at the bottom, weakened by the greed of some and the failure of politicians to make hard choices. He said the new government must now address the widening gap between the haves and have-nots as Caymanains are falling through the cracks.
McLean was also scathing about the election campaign, and made allegations about special interest and the problems relating to campaign financing, which he said must be addressed. He described that situation as “nauseating”. as he called for reform.
Despite being accused of being the main stumbling block in the talks after the election to arrive at a government to reflect the vote, he said he would not at that time talk about his role in that post-election uncertainty but that the story would be told sometime in the future.
Having being tipped to be the opposition leader after the government was settled, McLean has not taken up any formal role in the parliament and will only sit on the Register of Interests Committee and the opposition backbench.
But McLean made it clear that he will be pressing government on what he believes has placed the country in the “midst of a crisis”. He said social service programmes were underfunded and understaffed and people were not getting the help they needed, especially the elderly. He said that Caymanians had lost homes, jobs and business, and that the education system was failing students while the immigration system was in shambles.
He suggested that government policy was benefiting only a few with “outdated and unconstitutional laws” making life even worse for Caymanians. He said the government must demonstrate the necessary compassion and not cater to just fat cats.
His colleague who ran on the eastern alliance platform, Alva Suckoo, confirmed that he would be serving alongside Opposition Leader Ezzard Miller as his deputy on the opposition front benches. He described the uncertainty in the wake of the election result and the ensuing horsetrading as “tense” and said he understood “the anxiety and stress” the public may have felt as they “had no idea what was going on”.
He said it was not the time to talk about what went wrong with the negotiations, which appeared to still be niggling some members of the opposition benches, as he said it was now “all behind us”.
But Suckoo added that the country was still divided, as he pointed to the tough fight he had to win the Newlands seat. The focus now, he suggested, had to be on bringing people back together. He said he would support the good things government brought to the parliament and ensure the opposition puts constructive policies forward as well.
Suckoo outlined the many problems he saw in education and labour but said people voted for hope and the government had to deliver.
See the entire proceedings in the LA Wednesday on CIGTV below:
Category: Politics
Why do Camanian voters choose incompetent, untrustworthy, and socially retarded persons as their representatives?
It should be quite clear to see that there are certain people who unless they are in complete power are willing to cruise by on a hefty salary for 4 years in order to gain for themselves and their family only. There is nothing wrong with having an opposition or persons willing to stand against things they believe in once it is either brought to the table for a vote or after making a proposal to accomplish some good in their districts and for the Cayman islands on a whole, however, to blatantly not want to work with the Government of the day simply because you are a spoilt man-child and without even making an attempt to work with Government of the day for the betterment of the Cayman Islands is simply pathetic and each and every member of the legislative assembly who is settling with an opposition position knowing that they will NOT be able to get anything done for their areas because of fully being opposition should be stripped of the right to be the MLA for that area and a re-election for persons who are willing to at least attempt to work for their areas be re-elected. It is rubbish that we have opposition members who are so comfortable in that position that they are not willing to accept a position even if they are offered, because they can slide by for another 4 years and nothing is done about it. It is also rubbish that newly elected MLA’s have also settled because of the venom they spewed during their campaign instead of working for the betterment our islands. This is what should have been included in the constitution. NO ONE who is willing to sit down for 4 years and only stand up in the LA to oppose EVERYTHING that the government of the day proposes, simply because they are on the opposition, deserves the salary that they will be getting. Each of those areas should be demanding BETTER representation!
When members especially the two seniors on the opposition bench, know that they are now guaranteed full pension after this term…well why would they be anything else except obstructionists.
He probably means well, and is very passionate for Caymanian rights and interests, but can come across as very threatening/intimidating, which can make some persons fearful.
I fear the day our country no longer has Arden as an MLA he is the only decent honest man in the bunch. He is outspoken and direct, I appreciate that!
That is the funniest comment I’ve seen for a longtime. You need to get out more and see what’s going on in EE, it’s a disgrace and it’s all down to Arden and his cronies.
Outspoken can also be interpreted as rude, ignorant and uneducated, it certainly does not mean honesty or integrity.
That comment was very funny indeed. You’ve also hit the nail on the head with the rest of your statement.
You should hear the chupidness he talk at his meeting last night. Trying to justify his egotistical actions and how he as a wannabe premier could not even run a patty shop let alone 9 other persons. He has disgraced us in East End.
I wonder if some people ever read the article before they comment on the article, or do they just comments on the other comment.
Read the first and second paragraphs of the article and understand it, and you would see that what Arden said is the smartest thing he has said in his political career.
Arden is clearly delusional about his own abilities; cant properly string two sentences together. In most cases you quickly lose track of his thought process; totally lacks leader ship abilities to motivate or influence. Premier Arden? “Not over our dead bodies!”
This cant be the same Arden that went around telling everyone in East End that he was going to be the next Premier of Cayman? He visited my yard and told my mother so. Said he was next inline.
Another political hack and bureaucrat. How is it the fault of the Government if there are poor amongst us?
Cayman is not a socialist state yet?
Socialism is only good until you run out of others monies.
These statements were only made to get votes later from the people that he wants to appease and manipulate.
You cannot make the illiterate and crazies out there happy.
Give it up. They choose to be unhappy so dont even start with the guilt tripping.
Alden has done a good job putting together this government. However I heard earlier today that the independents are planning on pretty much doing what they can, of course being led by the usual suspects to unsettle this government
He made sure east enders are failures and he personally ensured that when he oversaw the destruction of the 2 recycling operations in east end The scrap metal and the biodiesel Another of his greatest moves was blocking the new port and making sure the mandrin hotel in e end was stopped
There is no end to this man’s vindictiveness. Yes there is honesty and integrity used with him.
All of this blah blah can be corrected if we have our children trained and ready for the workplace. I sent all my Caymanian children to Canada, Florida and Jamaica to university after they had completed their high school education here. All six of them have prominent jobs and are respected. They were hired on the first interview. Their Caymanian accent were not an hinderance, it was what was in their head, their certificates and their attitudes. Get our children properly trained and jobs will not be an issue and expats will not be their competitors.
Cayman is too wealthy for only expats (not all qualified, with advanced education as they want the locals to believe). From the ‘rich’ investors who need incentives for more, to the imported executives allowed to benefit over the people of these islands.
Look at the public, new arrivals can afford Audi, BMW, Jaguars and the likes to high priced cart of foods, that most local Caymanians could have purchased back in the 70s and 80s, with the same decent salary and opportunities, but not today.
We all should have benefited from decades talk of progress – opportunities handed to Expats/Work Permit holders. Talk about backward government policies.
Looking like a fool with his pants on his head.
Can we simply say, “Welcome to Bodden Town, Enjoy your Stay” to our go-east visitors, rather than startle our guests with horrifyingly realistic gallows and execution nooses on one of the Ivan-derelicted houses just after Manse Rd? When will Halloween be over? Can somebody please take those down now? Those are current and recurring symbols of execution, horror, tyranny in many places we should be grateful we are far away from. It’s not cute or ironic – just insensitive. Clearly something broken in Tourism Ministry and District representation for those to have stayed up for almost 15 years.
Dereliction of duty is a hallmark of government management. Check out the abandoned cars that have been in the airport long term parking lot for years.
……and all over the island, not just the airport.
Perfect place for a dump.
Nothing will happen with them until a rich developer wants to buy the surrounding properties just like Mr. Hurlstone’s house at the top of Walkers Rd.
I do tours through Bodden Town and have told tourists that people were hung during Pirate days in the past. That we have a celebration of Pirates week and please come back to this District for the celebrations. They seem to enjoy the mystery and the excitement of coming back to enjoy the celebrations.
Can we all sleep better knowing that the biggest Hollywood cinema picture is still “Dead men tells no tales”.
That’s the sort of pathetic tourism garbage that makes so many of us cringe.
And the owner of that house is an ex policeman and son of a former politician with a by-pass named after him!
I have so so much respect for Arden. He is one of the only honest, incorruptible politicians left on this earth. He speaks the truth without dressing things up- I think his honesty and direct approach is a breath of fresh air. He would have made an incredible Premier and under his rule Caymanians would have truly come first. I wish him all the very best, he is an honest man and I appreciate his efforts!
I know you are dreaming lol.
I agree- he would have really cleaned up the country and the special interest groups couldn’t have bought him. Such a shame we ended up with the government we have now
We ended up with the government we have know because of his EGO!!! Blinded by his one and only desire of being the Premier.
I for one is not unhappy that he isnt.
I do not believe that for one second- the reason we ended up with the government we have now is because the finance sector funded it. A lot more will come to light and I hope there are investigations pending into the deal that was cut between McKeeva and Alden
How do you think we ended up with this Government?? Arden of course. We can thank him.
Actually you can thank special interest groups who bought their way into being the ones who truly elected your government. As one of the only non-corrupt politicians Arden didn’t stand a chance.
“If you’re not a part of the solution, you’re a part of the problem”.
What solutions has Arden proposed to any of these issues and in what form? Has he put forward any private members motions or white papers? Or has he just sat barking from the opposition back benches? Because literally anyone could have done the latter.
he did indeed put forward private members motions – remember the no confidence motion in the previous cop and the motion on the LPB? his delivery is always a distraction but look past that and his content is meaningful
And how hard is it to convince a few shallow heads that they should help you throw the latest English COP out of office? That is as common and popular as turtle stew! But has it ever had any real result?
The LPB motion? Meaningful? What nonsense. He railed about offences being committed by lawyers practicing Cayman law overseas but in an irony of ironies got a UK lawyer to write an opinion saying that other lawyers doing it were breaking the law but apparently not that guy. It is a farce. No offence is being committed and that is why the LPB was absolutely necessary! As a sole Caymanian practitioner I would have welcomed the nearly 70% reduction in fees it would have meant for me! But no, these jokers were content to continue the political football nonsense! People need to stop buying the bs these jokers are peddling!
He is a very unpleasant man. I have tried to say hello to him several times and he never acknowledges people. Especially if he perceives them as driftwood.
I had a similar experience with Alden shortly after he became Premier after the last election.
That this post garnered (to date) 40 votes is puzzling to me personally. And the “driftwood” reference is telling, as I am not a Caymanian (and contented with this, for I have my nationality and culture and have no wish to impose it on others, least of all my wife’s people).
I engaged Mr.Mclean in a conversation in Paramount not long ago, and he was very convivial. We spoke initially about his years at sea, which my Caymanian relatives have had experience of, but even before he was informed of my familial status, he was very friendly and open to me. So who is this “very unpleasant man” that the poster references? A doppelganger, perhaps?!
Arden as a member of government you are responsible for the current state of the country. Trying to pretend you are not responsible for the demise of the country is dishonest. You have been involved up to your neck and not cannot point fingers.
To listen to Arden he is the hero of every story. If you were to take him at face value he is the bravest and greatest politician in the world. I did this I would of that, that would never of happened if I were there.
However if you have been in the room with him and then listen to his version afterword you know that his words are at best stretched, more likely false.
His words and (limited) actions are truly full of sound and fury but signifying nothing.
You deserve an award for speaking the truth
And the answer is NOT positive discrimination for Caymanians, which promotes an entitlement attitude( “you have to give me the job I’m Caymanian”; gives them so much legislative protection (I’m going to labour board”)employers are scared off employing them, which make them LESS employable that an expatriate (most employers would pay the cheap price of a work permit for the flexibility of letting a poor employee go after 1-year by simply not renewing the permit). It has been shown time-and-time-gain across the globe that positive discrimination does NOT benefit those who are discriminated for. Government must realise that positive discrimination for Caymanians is NOT the answer to decades of failing to provide good primary and tertiary education for young Caymanians.
It is their country the should be entitled…all else being equal they should get any job they are capable of doing.
Firstly, all else is NEVER equal, and this is where the law gets it dreadfully wrong. There’s more to a good employee than just formal education and qualifications, such as work ethic, use of spoken and written English, and an employer should have the right to base their choice of employee not JUST on qualifications. And they will base their selections on these personal attributes despite the law. Secondly, the work permit sector (as it is now established) will always favour the expatriate, because the employer can hire and fire an employee at will, rather than be dragged in front of the Labour Board by an aggrieved Caymanian with an entitlement attitude. Finally, and it is sad to have to say this: Many young Caymanian school leavers lack the basic reading, writing, and arithmetic skills to compete with better educated expatriates in the job market. I have interviewed many young Caymanian job seekers who despite their well-presented CVs (usually drafted by a friend)at interview are unable to write a complete sentence without numerous spelling mistakes, cannot add up two three digit numbers in their heads, and lack a reasonable command of the English language. Positive discrimination does not work. Three things the government should do to help Caymanian school leavers obtain work: Education, education, and education.
I think that this is first time that Arden has said anything that makes sense in his political career.
Arden tries to lead by fear. He respects no one but demands respect. Same as Bernie who showed his disrespect for our Governor that he turned his head while shaking her hand at the swearing in. Phatheic
Arden and Bernie you guys are finished. I agree. Pack up.
Well at least he shook her hand. Arden, Ezzard and Chris did not even shake her hand.
So unprofessional and uncouth. You don’t have to respect the person but respect the office!
Arden – in private sector, years of service does not necessrily make you a good manager. Similarly, there is no credit for years of service when it comes to being Premier. It does not matter how long you have been elected. to be Premier is to lead and to represent. Note I said, lead. To inspire. To motivate. To organize. Your aggressive approach to handling people to demand action might work for some but generally that leadership style is ineffective. The next obligation is to represent us on the word stage. That ignaramous tone you take with every conversation that you have would have killed us abroad. You always look like you need to fix your face. I think politics has taken the best of you now and you are getting more weary by the week. You seem utterly miserable and more discontent than the average Caymanian you claim to be fighting for. Maybe you heard wrong?! Maybe you worse off than us?? You look it!! Perhaps you should come to private sector – we might not have your nice salary but we sure as hell having a better quality of life than you!! Lighten up. You going make yourself stroke.
What a bitter man
And ungrateful! Listening to Austin explain the negotiations that took place right after the elections have made me lose all respect for Arden. He was the spoiled apple of the bunch and he ruined it for the independents. You should be ashamed Arden and I pray you are never given the opportunity to have a choice on being Premier ever again. Your selfish ways got you no where.
This speech explains why he went from Premier elect to back back bench in the opposition.
Sorry Arden start packing along with Bernie,Anthony and Kenneth.
From disgusted East Ender.
We are tired of Arden’s embarrassment to us in East End. All he can do is bark , bark, bark. He is so stupid that he glorifies himself for the mess he caused in the government . He is nothing but a trouble make and wants to lead. First of all you have to be a follower before you can lead. He is nothing short of a disgrace to the People of East End. Yes he has those who drinks his fool fool kool aides. Second Jim jones.
As a district, stop voting for him then. Your elected MLA, your collective fault.
This is surprising because he denied being premier and ruined the negotiations of the independents because his fellow east enders refused to let him work with Mac. Arden buddy incase you didn’t know, you represent the people of Cayman and not just east end. Get a grip.
That is not the only lie he told on EAST ENDERS. Yet the week of election he was privately telling people that when he gets in he was going to work with McKeva. And above all, after he screwed up everything fir the independents, just because he couldn’t get premier he justified himself about it and had the nerve to call a meeting authority us. He really thinks his shit makes patties. He had a few brain washed people to the meeting and that should send him a message to stop getting in people’s give somebody else a chance and stop raising scandal about people being paid off. The majority of the people spoke . He did not win by majority, because had that lunatic of Johnny had not follow him to pull 72 votes he would not and got that amount of people. I hope he got the message. You served and you were paid now give some one else a chance. Stop bullying people , stop scandling the other ones who wants to make a difference. Stay home now and save us all the embarrassment for the next four year.
My respect to you Mr McLean but you had a golden opportunity to make a change and through the baby out with the bath water. I know you must have had some sleepless nights thinking about how it could be different but your stubbornness and selfishness derailed what could have been. Nevertheless,much love.
Egotistical, maniacal, expat hating, do nothing for East End MLA
Poor old Suckoo spending his last four years aligning with the angry men from the East. What a waste.
Of course, Arden and Alva don’t want to talk about what happened…smh
Honesty from McLean once again!
But no integrity. Figures.
Increasing social program funding is NOT the answer. Making people take account of their situation and what THEY can do about it is a much better proposition. Relying on someone else or government will only slightly delay the inevitable failure. Education is the only solution. Be it changing your skills or young persons accepting that without as much education as they can handle, they are bound to fail to be able to look after themselves. Secondly, creating dependents without the means to provide will also lead to failure for you & the dependent(s).
what you don’t understand is that there will always be gardeners, helpers and people picking up your garbage.
Their income limits their health insurance to the 196 a month package.
I can give you names of people that are sick and can’t really work because their insurer refuses to pay for an mri or specific medicine. They will literally die because of the greed of these companies, the lack of interest of politicians and your ignorance.
THESE are the people we are talking about.
There are virtually no Caymanian gardeners, helpers or garbage collectors. It would be a rare politician indeed who is interested in the plight of the Jamaicans, Filipinos and other foreign nationals who perform these roles in Cayman.
I understand very well. However, to increase benefits to those whom REALLY need it, as you state, the funds need to be taken from those who should not be receiving because they are able to work for a living. Simply, they refuse to work at the level of their skills for the pay that commands and to improve their skills so that they can increase their pay.
2;45 pm, we agree with you, healthly young/middle age people should be working and not relaying on others. Also the seamen benefits should be for Caymanians seamen only, not for those that never went to sea or went for a few weeks/months and a lot of expats are getting the benefits that was not Caymanians when or if they ever went to sea, this needs to stop , so the Caymanian seamen that went to work on ships for 10 years or more and sent their money back home here to help build these islaads and is over 70 years old can get a raise.
Hear Hear! If you are over 65 and you need meals-on-wheals, medical care, church home visits, and community support then I agree 100%. If you dropped out of school and have children out of boredom and ignorance: DO NOT ask for me to give you one dime!
Yes, Immigration and Vocational skills are hand-in-hand failing our young people and unemployed, but giving ANY money to able-body teens and adults only fuels the problem! Offer free day care and meals, but go get a job as a hairdresser, a cleaner, a taxi driver, a shop-girl:ALL these jobs should be CI only and give a living wage not a minimum wage (You Fat-Cats!) I’m tired of illiterate slave labor in gas stations and shops….NWDA failed us. Immigration enforcement fails us- Give a man a job and watch the crime rate go down = simple.
So you wish to have a gas pump jockey with an honours degree from Cambridge? Now that would be a headline…. “only Cambridge Graduates need apply”
The truth is that this pessimistic view of Cayman benefits only the likes of Arden, Ezzard etc. Yes, there are issues that need addressing, as there are in every single country in the world. But these fat cat politicians merely provoke and exploit for their own ends, to get elected and to get paid the big salary and to claim the (undeserved) pension.
Arden has a track record of failure, he has delivered the square root of nothing for his constituents, but it suits him to sit on the backbenches, unaccountable yet handsomely paid.