Cruise campaigners need miracle, says premier
(CNS): Premier Alden McLaughlin has said that those campaigning for a ‘no’ vote in the cruise port referendum will need a miracle to stop the project, as he made it very clear he is expecting a low turnout for the national poll. But the premier said he would consider his position as the country’s leader if the campaigners did succeed in stopping the project. However, confident that he will not have to resign, he predicted that no more than 60% of registered voters will vote in the historic national people’s poll.
In his first interview with the media for a long time, the premier spoke to the Cayman Compass, just days after his office announced that the newspaper was collaborating with government on TV news content. In the edited piece, McLaughlin implied that he was hoping for a low turnout because that would ensure that government prevailed.
The premier did not admit that the date set for the poll was likely to help in securing the low turnout he wanted. Instead, McLaughlin justified holding the referendum just six days before Christmas, saying it was the earliest possible date to hold it, that the issue had “dragged on” for more than a year and because the country needed closure.
He said those who are going to be overseas can take advantage of early mobile or postal voting and students would be home for the holidays.
While it is clear that having the poll in the second week of January — less than three weeks later — would have had little bearing on the timeline for a project that has been talked about for more than two decades, it would allow many more new voters to take part. Their disenfranchisement clouds the claim that the referendum should be held as soon as possible.
The premier said government had already spent some $4 million on preparing and planning this project over the last few years and it would be spending another $1.5 million on the referendum. While he accepted that the vote was a constitutional right, he was also clear that he expected the referendum to favour the project, as he does not believe more than 50% of the electorate will turn out to vote ‘no’ to the port.
However, the country’s leader said that if there was a strong turnout and a definitive ‘no’ vote, it would be a significant political blow to him and his Unity Government.
“I would certainly have to consider my position as premier and decide whether or not I should continue, but it is early days,” he told the news organisation, but said he believed that was a very remote possibility. “It would be a small miracle, I think, if they were able to get 50% plus one.”
The premier also warned that the project will go ahead even if the vote falls only marginally short of the 50% plus one target, or the 10,609 votes needed to stop the proposed port development. In other words, the premier is willing to put his and his government’s future political position on the line even if 10,608 people voted against it.
He reminded voters that those who stay home will be counted in the ‘yes’ column, even if those voters are against it but for whatever reason don’t make it to the polling booth — a strong reminder of the need for a good turnout to ensure that voters’ democratic rights are not misused.
“We would proceed with the project because, essentially, people not turning out to vote is a clear indication they are not opposed to the project,” he stated.
McLaughlin also noted that voters are unlikely to get much more information about the proposed port project before Referendum Day, as he said much of the detail would not be able to be shared until a contract is signed and that will not happen until after the referendum.
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Category: development, Local News, Politics
Said it before but people bots are so obviously paid to thumb down all disquiet. Right up until 9am (the time I guess they start work), 95% of comments are negative, with lots of thumbs up. 9am… ding, ding… thumbs down overwhelm. Are we supposed to be THAT stupid to believe the thumbs down are genuine? China would be proud!
CNS there must be an investigative story in this? Surely you can track the IP addresses?
CNS: I cannot track the IP addresses of the thumb votes.
Another day of traffic yet una think that a port won’t make it worse think again. The real issues are the DUMP, MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, POOR EDUCATION SYSTEM, USELESS GT HOSPITAL, ROADS not to mention the AIRPORT still in the 70’s even after an upgrade. We are currently situated in the center of the Caribbean why not legalize ganja and export it which is a billion dollar industry yet we looking mash up our corals for wa? Two man jump off ship buy some wings from kfc n hop back on. LOL una really lost the plot for sure.
I Vote NO!!!
8:06 pm comment deserves a very special attention.
The project going through no mater with or without you and you
The port going through no matter what you really say or what you do
The port going through cause it is very good for you
You know at the end of the day you’ll be prouder than when ya first child was born.
Ya know at the end of the day McKiki and Alden and all the big money dem will be drinking champagne swallowing caviar and flying off to Monaco and Switzerland.
So the Port going through
So the Port going through ( yeah from we pocket)
Yes the Port going through ( and they say we na spend a cent)
The Poooort Gwaaaain through.
As Andy M would say Ona Take Dat.
It is scary, indeed.
Don’t miss 10:21 pm comment.
The reality of postal voting.
Just Wow. This country deserves to go under. And it will happen sooner than one thinks.
Look at the amount of down votes! The lackeys are out in force!!
Where are they getting the $1.5 mil for the campaign for yes? Why are the Caymanian public paying for this crap? That money would cover 30+ families a year on welfare.. What planet are these people on? What a bunch of self righteous, selfish morons!
The position of some the posters on here is remarkably stupid!
If you are not for the cruise berthing just go vote “NO” ! Yes, its that simple!
The “sideshow”about what Alden says, wears, smiles, scoffs is frigging irrelevant…Go vote!
We are sounding like the idiots in the USA 2016 elections who said “we just don’t like HC personally that is why we didn’t vote her”, so they voted against all the policies and positions that defined their lives, and receive the A-hole of the century. DT. Isn’t that stupidity?!
Alden isn’t stopping you from voting, nor is he building the cruise berthing.You are stopping you from voting, and consequentially building the cruise berthing that You Don’t Support.
Now, please try to avoid the fixation with his hairstyle, and go vote on Dec 19th!
If somehow this referendum does stop the dock, those trying to get in to the next elections off the back of the CPR group will have a rude awakening when unemployment starts to sky rocket and they have to explain to their constituents why they can’t feed their kids.
Seriously, i mean very seriously, how much proof one needs, after reading this comment, to see that CIG has dismally failed to educate Cayman children.
8:00 pm, with all due respect, you are barking up the wrong tree. I recommend you focus on the “lost” billion. Or wasted millions. It would’ve fed many Caymanians for quite some time.
Can’t feed your kids on minimum wage cruise tourist jobs anyway. Just helps create more economic slaves. Cayman deserves better
Tender-bots out in full force this morning.
Another prime example of a failed Cayman education system. All this person could contribute is a line about “Tender-bots”. I pray your offspring, if you have any, grow up to have a fraction more of intellect that you.
Looks like the premier and his ppm government just sealed their fate in the 2021 elections
YES! More jobs for Caymanians with a new port, another 4 years!!!
Jobs for Caymanians? I don’t know anyone that jumps up in the morning to battle 2 hrs of traffic to make $1600 a month so you my friend need to stop talking F**k!!
This port project is just another ploy to increase the population. More work permits will be issued to the so called jobs they say this will provide Caymanians.
Part of the problem here is that Alden views this as a win/loss issue so he manipulates the question to include the cargo port enhancement and schedules the referendum at a time when lower voter turn out is expected.
The down side of the port dredging could really be catastrophic for Seven Mile Beach and God forbid the worst case scenario came to pass Alden and Moses will have effectively destroyed Cayman’s crown jewel in its tourism product.
Save the money fix the dump.
SMB condos owners should be very concerned.
I don’t think you’ll need to “consider your position” if this s**t show goes ahead. You will be voted out. FIX THE ******* DUMP.
Signed, A voter who voted for you, but won’t be again x
How many of you posters waxing lyrical on here have watched the actual interview for yourselves?
Botox face. We the fools. Lets thro these idiots out. To hell with the port. Between him and Dwayne jon jon I dont know who is worse.
Isn’t this the same man that stated “God couldn’t stop him” when he was starting the schools?????
Well Mr. Alden, I was leaning towards a no vote for the past few months. Seeing the skullduggery you and your cronies are up to with this important issue, I AM DEFINITELY voting NO!!!
even after the humiliation of the petition succeeding…..how is this man so much out of touch with public sentitment???
We have the government setting the stage to lose this vote because they know as well as we do that there is little support for this project, I would be honestly be surprised if more than 30% of the vote is supportive
The Premier is not concerned with the political implications of ignoring what is almost certain to be a definitive no vote, he is constitutionally barred from returning as Premier for at least one parliamentary term, in all likelihood he will be standing down as an MLA in the next election as most leaders tend to stand down after being term limited out of office.
The real question to me is how many of the other 11 MLAs on the government benches are foolhardy enough to think they will survive blatantly ignoring the will of the people? Do they seriously think there will be no consequences for backing this policy regardless of the December vote? The government
This government has never never been shy about pushing polices and writing legislation for the business interest that we all know exist but are rarely mentioned. We all know who stands to benefit most from this project and why certain Ministers are pushing this come what may.
The media may not mention it but anyone paying attention knows what member of cabinet has a vested interest in seeing this project signed off on. Only a few people will even dare mention the reality of the situation in public.
Can we get the RESIGNATION promise in writing and witnessed by three JP’s and two Judges. Also in triplicate please.
I only ask because you Sir sound like a spoilt little brat, whose Mom and Dad never paid any attention to.
“I gonna quit if I can’t get the Port”.
Sounds a lot like “I gonna kill myself if I don’t get the new Jordan shoes”.
Maybe you need to be put in time out, AGAIN.
“Premier McLaughlin has crossed the line, and his actions should concern individuals well beyond those who reside in the Cayman Islands for what they signal to the world’s wealth creators. Since the only closed economy is the world economy, what’s happening in the Cayman Islands has the potential to ripple in negative fashion around the world. One can only hope that McLaughlin stands down quickly”
https://www.forbes.com/sites/johntamny/2015/06/24/the-global-implications-of-corruption-in-the-caymans/#73e0fc79e5f8
Hey you 10:50 that’s old and no longer a news item, ask the OECD if we are still considered in their tax haven status lists. All ona check ona self.
It didn’t lose its actuality.
I hope John Tamny from Forbes picks this up (Premier’s attitude). What is happening in this country is quite amusing for international exposure.
What a pompous a-hole! This is stifling democracy at its best! If he was trying to be fair he wouldn’t be holding people in contempt..
If he is so sure he will win this battle, why has he mounted a campaign for the yes vote by spending the people’s money.
Alden, never before am I so sure of my vote.. NO..
Oh and by the way…Red Bay voter here so look out for that other NO coming soon….I didn’t drink the Kool Aid like Austin..Bring as many hams and turkeys as you can this Christmas, it still not going to work..
I had been weighing the options in terms of my vote, however, I am so disgusted by the Premier’s statement, that I now will certainly be voting NO.
I do not understand why it is necessary for him to be so arrogant on the port issue.
Can’t understand the backlash, he is merely stating the facts relating to numbers of votes needed and the probabilities of a No vote majority being achieved.
He calls people of the Cayman Islands “They”. He should be using “We”. He is not a Tzar.
Austin Harris is what you get when you elect blowhard radio talk show hosts who beat women. No one should be surprised that he’s drinking PPM Kool Aid and kissing Alden’s butt.
love it!
McLaughlin will need a miracle to be forgiven the damage he has done. Greater eyes than his have watched his every move. You could not pay me to be him.
Sorry, but there is absolutely no good god giving miracle than can sort out the disaster caused by this “unity bs”. After we hit the required 50% for no to the port, a vote of a no confidence is next for this pathetic leaders we have.
The Lord will provide the Miracle.
A miracle to remove the DUMP too, will be appreciated.
This is great news. Not only can we stop this unneeded dock but we get rid of him too!
Amazing….would like to share a bit of advice….research the history of Nauru island…not just about a port but the overall management of a country….millions just being thrown away…15 million for a mental facility….millions on a port….millions given away by ministries…
And look at all the money the CIG have flushed down the toilet recently. Just in the past month, 3,000+ cars not having to take ownership or pay back the years of unlicensed cars(a 6 month license costs $100); the wonderful electronic customs system which was a wash out.
Alden, you are seriously now a douche bag. Act like a leader… Do something responsible.
tha wa you think…lodge wont win this time!!! 😃😄
Alden will win…..he has a lot of politricks up his sleeves. Remember he lost the elections and he is now the Premier. Go figure that one out😂😂😂
Wow. So that by his own admission is how he feels justified in moving forward. Not that the majority of the country wants it but that it will be impossible for it to be defeated based on the undemocratic process put in the constitution by who other than the politicians! These guys make Trump look like a rookie.
No confidence at all.
I am disgusted at this man I supported to lead Cayman for the future generations. Instead he has over inflated his massive ego and extended his middle finger to Cayman – yes, all of Cayman, whether for or against the port.
Essentially what has stated is that when he has an idea, project or goal, he will show complete disregard and contempt to any and all who even think of getting in the way, even goading them about their slim chances.
A non” vote is now a vote for the dignity and respect of all Caymanian. Today it is the port, tomorrow it will be something else. But whatever it is, no one has the right to oppose the premiere, in his mind.
For a few moments there I felt a disturbing feeling that I could be penning the same thoughts for the current leader of our neighbourhood to the north.
Anyone who thinks that Alden and Trump are more than 2 degrees apart in ego and sense of self worth and entitlement is completely off base. The arrogance of both is prevalent in every word and thought and the disregard for the will of the people is beyond belief.
Unfortunately, in Cayman, the barrier to overcome is unreasonable and possibly unreachable. But even Trump would acquiesce that when 25% of the population rally to even start to be heard, he is in trouble.
Cayman, this is about the port, yes, but more importantly it is also about any and all future projects this leader is able to start. I don’t need to remind people that his ego-schools went way over budget and aren’t even finished yet, and they were started 3 administrations ago…. To make matters worse, now that work is restarting, there is clear evidence that the plans railroaded through the first time as being for the good of cayman and its future, the open class teaching etc, were wrong and now having to be corrected. But at the time, no one could dispute it with the leader as he knew everything, he knew best, and he would get it done. Whoops. In most games I know, three strikes would be out.
So what makes anyone think the port will be different? How many opinions put forward by experts and advice offered by professionals resulted in changes to plans once they were being presented as ‘for consultation’??
All the road shows and meetings for the public were really just for show. Opportunities to try and convince the public they were right. No one outside their inner circle had a hope in hell of making a change and they made it clear with continuous justifications.
Now, like an animal backed in a corner, now that the people have gotten together and really started to speak up, now we are really seeing the arrogance and disregard for the voters. And that is all voters. Now it is the the voice against the port, next who knows. The only thing we do know is that with Alden it is ‘my way or the highway’.
So now, Cayman, step up and show the power of the people. This is not the time to vote for it because the party wants it. This is not a party issue. This is a vote for the future of Cayman and your leader, whom I voted for, is not looking at it that way, he is only looking at it that he has to win at all costs, ego and all.
This is a disgustingly arrogant approach with a complete disregard for the people of the Cayman Islands – all of us, yes and no voters. Those of you who still think yes is right, remember your great leader has no problem saying f#@& you when he disagrees or wants to push his own agenda against anyone else. He has developed a disturbingly Trump like arrogance that will be wielded at anyone not willing to ki$$ his a$$ about anything he supports. “No” is the only vote right now as his public displays and demeanor are only highlighting his dictatorial egotistic leaning and it has to be stopped.
It’s a basic principle of democracy that if you don’t vote, you don’t count.
Only in Cayman are abstentions counted for the Government. I can’t think of another country in the world which professes to be a democracy and applies such a brazen, shameless piece of gerrymandering.
Vote NO guys too much risk involved and staying home means you’ve voted YES for the port lets give them their miracle!!
Too many connected people got too much to lose if this gets voted down
The arrogance of the man is beyond belief.
Always knew this man was an obnoxious FN a$$hole. There you have it folks. He has zero regard for about 60% of the citizens of Cayman who didnt even vote for him!!!
Don’t think I have ever heard anything so full of contempt for the people he is supposed to serve. You serve at OUR pleasure Premier McLaughlin. You have certainly made a no voter out of me.
***Voting is my superpower***. And I get to take a friend!
Fingers crossed that people will take this seriously and come out to vote.
It means more than anyone can imagine.
There we have it folks. This is what contempt looks like.
He is a pompous ASS.
Ironically, it will be a miracle if Alden or half of the current MLAs are relected in the next election.
What comes around goes around… Dont let the door hit you on the way out!
Ohh come on, who else are you gonna vote for come next election? Kirky?! Every four years is the same said talk and look who gets back in? The same bunch. Trust me it won’t be no miracle.
In reality, this old bunch has at most one more term in office. After that they’ll all be too old / or in the grave.
The youth will emerge and the next generation will take power, and then my friend, it is any mans game.
McKeeva’s coming back.
Nothing will change. Different people same actions.
That’s what people said 2.5 years ago and the PPM is in power. Just face it folks the PPM fields outstanding candidates of high integrity and achievement.
If they continue that tradition they will win again in 2021.
The lucky winners like Kenneth has now been exposed and will lose in 2021 by a land slide.
Bernie will also lose spectacularly.
In March 2020 or before please join me in attending the ground breaking ceremony for our Piers.
Do not underestimate the youth.
They might not be able to vote today, but they will remember the time comes.
Integrity??
Unfortunately the Premier is probably correct; 50%+1 of the electorate is an almost impossible target. However the Premier may want to consider the referendum in terms of “Would you vote for Alden and his gang in the next (or any other) election if they go ahead with the cruise ship terminal? If they consider it in these terms then maybe they will understand that with only 70% of the electorate likely to vote it will only take a 35%+1 “No” votes to ensure their demise.
Here’s how I see it…
On December 19, I’m planning to board a flight out of here for the Holidays. I honestly feel like my vote won’t matter either way because this Port will be built regardless. I rather get an extra day vacation away than to go and waste my time. It’s the same idea I had for the last election and I wasted my vote and my time on Austin who turned out to be an a$$ licker like the rest. Nope not again.
Go on your extra day vacation and dont votr then you spineless, complacent, whining waste of time
I see somebody forgot to take their meds. lmao
I implore you to do a postal ballot then please.
Okay…..for you, I will.
There is early mobile and postal voting. Please vote ‘ No’ if you are against the port development. This thinking is exactly what the Premiere and others are counting on.
All thanks to a less than mediocre public education system.
Then submit a postal ballot.
Not so easy. You can’t call. Can’t download and print forms at home. Can’t pop into elections office. As I understand it from the Compass, 1) “you write in and request a postal ballot and give the reason why you require a postal ballot” 2) “go through a formal issuing process” 3) “It is sent to the address for the person to vote” 4) “then they assemble their documents” 5) “and then send those back.” Supposedly “the postal ballot system will be efficient since the Elections Office will be using express mail” because we all know how undependable the local mail system is. However, since the voter must make two submissions by mail to have their vote counted, should they also be obligated to use express mail at considerable expense? Unbelievable. Shameful.
True, so if you know you are going to be away from now, start the process.
You are doing exactly what Alden wants, sadly…Hope you change your mind as we really need everyone to come out and vote NO and prove to this a-hole that the people put him there and he must listen to them…
I totally understand your frustrations but that is playing into their hands. If you are travelling please vote by postal ballot and encourage any fast and friends you are travelling with, who are eligible to vote, to do the same
What an unpleasant, self serving, SOB. This is hardly a man who is interested in democracy.
How dare he!?
I think the people who have the right to vote in Cayman should be rising up against this ruling government immediately. You have more than enough against him and the CIG to put a stop to this tyrant.
He is confident because he has planned it for a day when many will be heading off on Christmas vacations. Learning the Boris Johnson tricks is not good for Cayman. He also has no qualms in spending a pile of money that is not his advertising for the port, but $1.5m for the people to decide is a waste?? That’s what he thinks of Caymanians, “a waste of time”. He needs to exit stage left pdq…
Voting NOOOOOOOOO!!! Can’t wait for this scrub to resign. What a failure they all are.
We will be laughing at all you wannabees after you loose your challenge. Money & power rule and you fools have none of it. We will finish all of you off. Go Unity Team – build our port!
Gov’t might win the referendum, but at what cost for its members?
Are they prepared to risk their entire political careers for this? Surely they must realize that these actions will not be forgotten by the people…
Cayman is not like the US / UK / EU.
There are only 21,000 registered voters. Piss enough of them off and that MLA ass will be out of that seat faster than you can say turtle stew.
If we have 60% come out to vote and they all vote no, then we gone clear. What a pompous man! He may need a miracle
I find it frustrating as a Caymanian that the Premier complains that this will cost $1.5 out of the public purse, but has no qualms whatsoever about racking up a similar bill on legal fees fighting the same sex marriage case where the Government have flat out acknowledged they are in breach.
We need new leadership. This is a joke.
How much has he (Govt.) wasted fighting this referendum to date? Shall we mention the schools? His jaunts to go cycling in Monaco? Let’s look aty Govt wastage over the last 30yrs since the majority of those currently sitting have been a ;art of it.
How many reports have they commissioned in this sitting that tell them whats been told for decades?
They are so full of f**kry yet the f**ktards continue drinking the koolaid.
4:30 new leadership, there is a small problem here who?
How much money has he put in for his new Ministry led by Eric? For what? To Benefit who?
thank you alden,,,,now i’m 100% voting no.
Da wa I saying lol. Fk it, used to want this port but how about we give them their “miracle”.
GO VOTE, if you can’t there’s mobile and postal
I’m with you. Was definitely leaning towards no but this demented it. Please stop wasting government money on this campaign. We know as much about it as we ever will.
Did you watch the interview or are you relying on others to form your opinion?