McLean sworn in to lead opposition benches
Governor Martyn Roper presents Arden McLean with the Instrument of Appointment as the new leader of the opposition, 23 May 2019
(CNS): After several weeks of speculation that Arden McLean would become the next leader of the opposition, the MLA for East End was sworn into office by Governor Martyn Roper on Thursday. The veteran politician is a former member of the Progressives but left the party in 2012 and has since run as an independent. He was expected to take over as leader from Ezzard Miller, despite some indications that Alva Suckoo may have had his eye on the job. But after the majority of the independent members confirmed that they supported him, Roper presented McLean with the Instrument of Appointment during a brief ceremony held in the governor’s office today.
“I am pleased to welcome Mr McLean to his new position as leader of the opposition,” he said. “This is obviously an important role which comes with great responsibility and I wish him well and look forward to working with him in the future.”
Although opposition members Alva Suckoo and Christopher Saunders were at the ceremony along with members of McLean’s family, the other three opposition members, Anthony Eden, Kenneth Bryan and former opposition leader Ezzard Miller, were absent.
McLean takes up the job following a split with Miller after the independent members made it clear that they did not agree with his position of formalising and professionalising the opposition to become a government in waiting.
As opposition leader McLean will be joining his former party political colleague, Premier Alden McLaughlin, in the the constitutional talks with the UK. CNS understands that McLean will now chair the Public Accounts Committee, since Miller also stepped down from that critical position after he resigned from the opposition leadership.
McLean will get a chance to step up to the role in a matter of weeks as the government is currently scheduled to hold a meeting of the Legislative Assembly in June.
Category: Politics
who else thinks his signature is probably “X”
Come on people nowEzzard arrogant and Arden verbose so who ona want Suckoo , Saunders Eden the quietone e umm or Bryan the Radio man. Perhaps y’all will begin to understand that you have to encourage the other”Caymanians” outed to represent youse. So stop bitching and a moan it’s up to yoiusrto make the change.
The bunch of them heads already in the sand, all Ardent will do is lead them to further bury themselves. These guys were a wasted vote.
It is sad indeed when 78 souls and their likes, stand forth without fear using the “anonymous” umbrella to criticize the appointment of the new Leader of the Opposition Mr. Arden Mclean. Irrespective of whether you like how he talks, how he walks etc, he is now the duly sworn in Official Leader of the Opposition. Like it or not it is what it is.
May Mr. Mclean be guided by the Almighty in all things and may his health and strength be strong and long to represent the Caymanian populace in this capacity. To the nay sayers we have strived against all odds before as a people and Arden Mclean is one of us and many Caymanians wish him well in the conduct of this role.
So right John , sorry but I wi not put my name ,God Bless the Cayman Islands and our elected members of the LA .
Good grief. Back to the Stone Ages!
So Caymanians don’t respect Caymanians in any position of authority? They prefer someone from across the Atlantic to take up key positions? Why not just support British Expats in power?
They would be more fluent in London to get you back to pre 1834. Let’s repect the human in our locals leaders. They need to be humble and concerned about the people as well. If we don’t, we will not like the oppressors who will take over.
The higher mo let claim the more he exposed: well played, Mr Miller, well played.
11:05 the higher monkey climb the more he expose
11:05 meant “The higher monkey climb the more he expose”
11:05 meant: “The higher monkey climb the more he expose.”
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha So Alva screamed and wailed and backed a coup because he didn’t get to be leader…. and when its all said and done he still doesn’t get to be leader! 10/10.
Going to be fun watching the opposition fall apart. If they thought Ezzard didn’t take others views well Arden will make them wish they had 100 Ezzard’s.
Who is he going to oppose not those he opposes in public and goes fishing with in private? The double game being played yet again on the Cayman people, please vote for real change in East End!
He opposes ever acting as a MLA in EE.
Will he oppose Sandwich Boards on Restaurant sidewalks in EE, the ones he freebies at?
WOA I , hear the three, Arden, Alva and Chris already had a three hour meeting with the Dart people, OH Boy to have been a fly on the wall in that room. Three hours they must have had a lot to talk about.
Arden, Alva and Chris — Succession plan – served five months longer than he agreed.
Why start your term as Opposition Leader off on such lies
Ezzard has published the letter you all signed addressed to the Governor appointing him Leader of the Opposition for “the period 2017 to 2021.
“Battle ready” where is the inspiration for our young people no wonder they are fighting all the time.
At least Ezzard was offering Caymanians hope and represented with class, humility and reasonableness and not found at a bar every night.
Arden, is always too angry to lead anyone, this is a sad day for Cayman
He looks like he’s angry at being appointed in that photo.
I guess his buddy John Mclean Jr will now get a job.
Honourble Ezzard, congratulations on your endgame!
You played the “long game” and set the others up for failure.
In the past I was never a fan of yours but finally you’ve grown a pair of balls to play with the big boys.
Just don’t get arrogant/stupid/greedy like the others.
Wish you the best!!!
Long Time Observer.
Honourable title for life to boot!!!
9 :04 pm, honourable my foot, that’s a disgrace to put forward on some people for life, a fowl s… medall is more correct
You spelled “ornery” wrong.
9;04 pm: no, the leader of the opposition post does not retain the “Hon” title once the post is relinquished.
Oh the irony, receiving his IoA with HRH QE in the background. I wonder if the Gov. knows how much he detests our monarch?
I see in another media report the reference to the supposed agreement to “succession” planning. The usual implication is that you really had to have done something to succeed. I know it wasn’t for the lack of trying on the part of Ezzard.
I wonder how long it will take for Arden and Alva to become fed-up with each’s respective cantankerousness and inertia.
I don’t care who was chosen for leader of opposition ,people just seems to live on PUT ME DOWN STREET, not that I would have chosen Arden ,But for Gods sake cayman ,,,let’s hope for the best ,,I just heard Theresa May resign ,huh ,,Arden might come in handy.
“Battle-ready” Arden — so what else is new?
So where is End. Many decide whose side he is on? I thought he would be there to congratulate the new leader he helped appoint.
On 8:02 am. Typos! Sorry!
That should have been: “Where is Eden? Can’t decide which side he is on?
I thought he would be there to congratulate the new leader he helped to appoint.”
Just curious how can the Governor appoint Mr. McLean today I taught Ezzard’s resignation was effective May 31, is that what CNS reported. So wen currently have two Opposition Leaders.
Does the Governor not know that he cannot revoke Ezzard’s appointment.
What is at play Arden so power hungry he can’t wait until Ezzard’s resignation is effective and Alva and Chris don’t know any better
7:29: my thoughts exactly. I am actually surprised at Roper’s ineptness and lack of respect for the Constitution and good order.
Constitution Order. Meaningless.
Oh you silly clowns if the House reopens on June 2nd and Ezzard resins as of May 31 shouldn’t the new position be allowed sufficient time to get ready to fulfill the duties. Yeah you may quip he’s been there long enough to know what to do, but you will again show your own ignorance of legislature protocol. @ 4:55 and 7:26 engage brain before putting ya hand on the device you write on. Commenting for commenting sake. Go find something else to do you and your likers. Cha.
Ceremony was 23-May-19 Check the instrument to see effective 1-June-19
9:19 am: ridiculous. How can the governor swear him in on 23 May and make it effective 1June? When you swear someone in he or she is then empowered to do the job.
So the swearing in is meaningless?
Such Rubbish.
God help us all.
Now open your office in East End regularly and agree to meet your constituents!
Actually, all the other MLAs with government-paid-for offices should do the same👍🏽
Such a waste of public funds having these offices paid for and they are not used.
What a waste of time and public funds to vote in some that we have in L A
Today it sucks to be a Caymanian when we have a very irate, angry and anti everything leader of the opposition. Alden, please do not allow him to accompany you overseas as he is a complete and unequivocal embarassment to this country.
No more meaningful words have ever been said. Hats off to 6:09PM for a short but emphatic post. I am not a fan of Alden, but I dare say that he is very unhappy with this occurrence and does not look forward to having to deal with Arden and his irrational, mean and idiotic ways. Alden, I too join and ask you to leave Arden here when you travel overseas so that you save yourself and the country embarrassment.
Unless you’re Dart…Alden aint listening.
While I agree, we have elected many embarrassments to our Hounourable House. The premier himself appointed one of the most embarrassing as speaker of the house. Therefore I doubt he would have a problem with Arden. It also confirms, in my opinion, his lack of respect for the House and the Caymanian people.
I say give the man a chance. I am more concerned with how effective he will be as Chair of PAC, because that is the only committee shedding light on the incompetence of the civic service and the indifference of Ministers in charge.
I don’t care if he looks like Mickey Mouse, speak like Daffy Duck and sounds like Tiger. I just want him and the other independent members to stay independent and hold Alden and his Cabinet in check!
5:55 pm: are you serious? This man will be traveling with the Premier soon to the U.K. for talks.
While you may not care if he is Daffy Duck, he will be representing us Caymanians.
And by the way, I don’t think we will have a lot of surprises about his performance as chair of the PAC. Old habits die hard.
Vincent Arden McLean is Big Mac’s new toy and favorite lap dancer.
Treachery and double crossing one another then making up to guarantee their political survival is how the old guard like Arden Alden McKeeva survive politically.
Arden is a loud mouth ignorant donkey!
He failed to put the government together in May 2017 with nine independents so we know he will fail to become Premier with only four supporters in the official Opposition. SMH
Remember that one time when Arden was the Minister responsible and he fixed the dump?
http://www.journal.ky/2009/06/03/the-demise-of-the-dump/
Oh wait, never mind….
Fix the damn dump Arden!
Kiss mi rass a wa this!!!
Has anyone explained to Roper that the official opposition is barred from shadowing this redactive regime, excluded from the closed-door Cabinet meetings where laws are amended in favor of cronies, passed without debate, and governance laws deferred for years…Roper failed to show up the entire week gay marriage was being chuckled up in the LA.
4.55pm Has anyone told you that according to our Constitution the Opposition is not a part of Cabinet? Or has anyone told you that laws are amended in the Legislative Assembly and not the Cabinet? Come on man.
This Cabinet has routinely signed laws when LA wasn’t even in session. The LA mentions were just rubber stamps of already binding laws. Where have you been?
Dam…popcorn time.
Oh my word…
What next
Ezzard as a Minister?
In his dreams 😂😂😂😂
WTF!!!!!?????
OMG. That confrontational buffoon will represent us in overseas forums?! He who feels that each debate is a theater stage for his melodramatic monologues? I am embarrassed already.
is that his ‘team leader’ certificate being awarded to him????
mickey mouse wears a cayman islands wrist-watch…..
But did Mickey buy it with a government issued credit card?
What about the clothes?
they should audit his road projects when he was in government…..
We going to need a lot more helicopters if Arden is in charge.
Watches for everyone!
I want one that cost at least US$3,000
You work Mango Tree? Hang tight, it soon come.
As if things could not get any worst. Blind leading the blind and the high
“Worse”!!! Smh
Wussa.
Congrats Arden! Dialogue and communication works. You catch more flies with honey. Try it!! Ezzard finally realised that!
5:59 pm: Ever heard the expression, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?”
OMG, this ignorant man is now the leader of the opposition really? the man is a puppet filed with hot air. Cant talk/speak proper English!!!!!! and he is going to represent this Island in constitutional talks Lord help us all. I wish him well all the same . Good luck and God speed
House of Commons – Common people with passion and heart for the people. When you fill it with Lawyer (liars), etc what do you expect?
Despite his fauls, , it’s “people like” Arden that’s needed to maintain a “common people” balance. Don’t be so proud talking about can’t represent Caymanians overseas. Don’t you see the others are selling you out?
I want to live like common people
Lift the ban on Sugar Gliders Arden!
Are you referring to Arden’s son caught smuggling a type of flying rodent that eats parrot eggs? And then got off Scott free?
Arden-a career politian that has achieved very little for the district of East End.Known throughout these Islands as a loud mouth.Stepping out into the spotlight now to secure another term and make one last attempt at becoming the premier which is what he always wanted.He resigned from the PPM because he was not supported as leader.No wonder the expats just sit back and laugh at us.We are so stupid.
E E are the stupid ones for voting for him, shame, shame.
5:15 I bet you na going East End and call them stupid ,,’,,,call me when ye going so I can follow behind ,.
From one big idiot to the next.
At least if they keep giving these guys a chance to show their incompetence maybe people won’t vote for him or Ezzard next time.
Ezzard is a very smart,knowlegable individual.I don’t care for him personaly but I’m proud of him as a Caymanian.
His post-Hawaiian shirt years have been more productive, and unlike most, he generally arrived to work having completed the assigned reading. Can’t say the same for many!
Wanna buy a bridge?
Well it certainly sucks to be us.
LMAO.
What a mess.