Premier ‘bags’ his new Cabinet job

| 01/03/2021 | 85 Comments
Alden McLaughlin (file photo)

(CNS): Premier Alden McLaughlin has his eye on being the next financial services minister and combine that with his current portfolio of international affairs after the elections next month, as he expects the new government to be the third consecutive PPM-led administration. McLaughlin laid claim to the Cabinet job as he spoke to the press following his nomination in Red Bay on Monday, appearing ready to give up his leadership role in exchange for the new one.

If the PPM-led team is able to secure enough seats to form the government and McLaughlin retains his Red Bay seat, in his new position he will immediately be faced with a major challenge. Cayman was the only overseas territory and reputable financial centre to find itself on the FATF grey list last week.

The outgoing financial services minister, Tara Rivers, has said that Cayman has been ahead of the curve in complying with anti-money laundering regulations, a claim echoed by the premier and Cayman’s offshore private sector bodies.

However, last week Dr Marcus Pleyer, the current president of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), said there were strategic deficiencies in Cayman’s AML regime. He said Cayman was failing to sanctions financial institutions registered here that breach anti-money laundering rules. He also criticised the country’s collection of beneficial ownership information.

With the jurisdiction under even closer scrutiny than our competitors and the real possibility that the European Union will put the Cayman Islands back on its black-list, whoever takes the Cabinet job with responsibility for the jurisdiction’s most important arm of the economy will have much work to do.

Who that falls to, however, is in the hands of voters.

Nevertheless, McLaughlin was extremely confident that the Progressives will once again have the largest group and be able to form the next government. And for the first time during the campaign McLaughlin said in response to questions from the media that the PPM-led coalition campaign did not involve McKeeva Bush.

“I am very optimistic about the chances of the Progressive-led administration… continuing into a third term,” he said.

The premier pointed to his George Town team of seven Progressives, which includes only one non-incumbent, Frank Cornwall, who is challenging Kenneth Bryan for his seat in George Town Central, as well as the two incumbents on Cayman Brac.

He said that Austin Harris (PRO) and Dwayne Seymour (BTE), both running as independents, will be part of the coalition. However, McLaughlin said that before the campaign is over there will be more people allied with his coalition.

“Over the course of this election campaign you will see greater alignment of a number of really good candidates with the alliance and we should succeed in winning the government again,” he said, adding that Bush was not involved in that alliance.

McLaughlin is leading the PPM campaign but said that when he steps down as premier, allowing his heir apparent, Roy McTaggart, if he wins his George Town East seat, to take up that job, he will be there to offer support and advice.

Visit the CNS Election Section for more information and stories relating to Nomination Day.


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Category: 2021 General Elections, Elections, Politics

Comments (85)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    PPM is being suspiciously arrogant about this election. Do they know something we don’t?

    • Election Fail safe Switch says:

      They know if things don’t go well or look well by the first week in April election wise, there will 4 local community transmission cases and El Finito Election 14 th April 2021 is cancelled indefinitely bada Bing bada boom! Thats all she wrote folks, i hope i am wrong but i wont be surprised??? I cannot stress Cayman that a lot riding on this one including the future of our children and Cayman! So vote wisely if you get the opportunity.

    • Anonymous says:

      Agree.

      «… This country was bought and sold and paid for a long time ago. The shit they shuffle around every four years doesn’t mean a 🤬 thing… fun. I’m sure as soon as the election is over, your country will “improve” immediately.»

      Окау, George Carlin had said it about America …but the same is happening in Cayman. It is all sold and paid for…that is why he is so arrogant.

      Frankly, there’s nothing voters can do to chsnge change that. McKeeva ‘verdict has demonstrated just that.

    • Anonymous says:

      They can be so arrogant because they know the same people controlling PPM control UDP so depends on how they all behave, just look at their supporters. They all have that one nationality in common

  2. Anonymous says:

    I hope someone sends Mr. Arrogant back to his farm for good.

  3. Anonymous says:

    I’ve booked a seat in “Balcony” watching to see how this movie ends. Hope no one tries to steal the vote!

  4. Anonymous says:

    Folks…Folks…he may know something that we don’t. There could be 47 out of the 50 that declared that could be PPM. Once their in, that’s it.

    just wish that Sammy can take him down.

  5. Anonymous says:

    All Alden is going to bag is that severance package after losing in Red Bay.

    • Anonymous says:

      He just wants the trips and exposure….is he going to bring draft CayBrew and poor for OFAC? This guy has shown himself to be worst thing to ever happen to Cayman’s future…selfish and without morals or integrity.

  6. Anonymous says:

    Major problems (in no particular order) Cayman is facing:

    Education- nothing was done to improve it in the last decade
    Waste Management- nothing was done to modernize it in the last 30-50 years
    The Dump- they allowed it to grow to unmanageable proportions ( physical and financial)
    Infrastructure-nothing was done to modernize it since forever
    Public transportation- nothing was ever done to implement it
    Vocational schools-nothing was done on a national level
    SMB-disappearing
    Violence against women is condoned
    Corruption-it got worse since the famous Mr.Legge article
    Environment-in a dismal state
    Environmental Laws and regulations-antiquated or entirely missing

    And you want to elect the very same people who year after year did absolutely nothing not just address, but to solve the above listed major problems.

    Have you, people of the Cayman Islands, lost your mind?

    • SSM345 says:

      A definition of “insanity”….doing the same thing over and over and over expecting different results.

      Cayman voters in a nutshell.

    • Anonymous says:

      Start with Corruption if you want credibility on anything else. If tackling that’s not vocalized as the central pillar of a so-called “Independent” platform, be very wary of them and run away.

    • Anonymous says:

      That is because 3/4 of our money goes to pay the civil service, who then fail to deliver those things. That is our problem, in one sentence.

      • Hubert says:

        But the civil service needs clear and strong political direction to be effective.

        The lack of that direction is a major part of the problem.

    • Anonymous says:

      We are not the brightest people here on the Cayman Islands. The lack of good education is our problem.

    • Anonymous says:

      I really would like to see your Manifesto

  7. Anonymous says:

    He condones violence against women. Roy condones violence against women. Bush is a convicted criminal. Moses condones violence against women. JuJu condones violence against women.
    WHAT are you doing Cayman? Have you lost your mind?

  8. Anonymous says:

    And the Brac and Little are stuck with the Mo$e$ and the Queen of Watering Place.
    If the Island Rum Shoppe person actually talks about something other than ganja, he may get enough votes to get back his money.
    New government —please give the lady who lives in Little some sort of token reward for running so many times.

    • Anonymous says:

      True, true, true. But don’t underestimate the power of the ganja issue and the fact that there are a lot of people in the district who simply will not vote for the incumbent.
      While I have my doubts that the gentleman will get elected, stranger things have happened.
      Suggestion for the lady from Little – give her the Speaker of House job after she loses this election by a landslide – she can certainly talk and talk and well you know what I saying.

  9. Anonymous says:

    My question is if we vote all independents in who does not have any type of experience of running the government what the hell we are going to do. The blind leading the blind because Ezzard and Arden time is up. We put them in every 4 years to bash the sitting government and nothing is getting done in our districts. Come on we have to get rid of them this time around. Sitting collecting this big cheque each month for lip service. You going to tell me that nothing in the 4 years our government put forward was good for these Islands?

    Come on Cayman, put a STOP to them and get the Eastern districts back on track..

    Love my Cayman Islands since I put my foot on these shores…

    My two cents for today..

  10. Stone Cold voter says:

    if there is anyone that needs a break from politics its Alden Mclaughlin on 14th of April i implore Red Bay voters to make this a reality for him.

  11. Anonymous says:

    He and Tara are the reason we are failing on the financial world stage, yet he’s the next man for the job?

    Who is the more foolish? The fool, or the fool who follows him?

    • Big Bobo In West Bay says:

      After the big Wall Street Journal story today about American billionaire Robert Brockman and the American Justice Department going after him in the largest tax fraud case in American history involving Brockman hiding his billions here, Alden will be spending a lot of time in Washington as the Americans are going to come after us big time.

  12. Anonymous says:

    I actually don’t know why Alden is so cocky about winning this. There are only 7 PPM names being put forward and of those, Barbara made a bad impression defending the Smith Barcardere project. I really don’t think this will be an easy win that Alden seems to think it will be. Some of his major seats are being seriously contested. Many voters already know what this government has done.

    It is interesting the turn that Alden is making with cruise tourism, when he was so staunchly for a new port, without taking pause to consider the whole picture. It is good that he is admitting he was wrong, but what he hasn’t done is thank those that stopped him from proceeding with signing the contract and being stuck with a 25 year project that you can clearly see is unvisable.

    Please Cayman, whichever constituency you are voting in, please think carefully not only about your candidate but also how they will align with the election.

    • Anonymous says:

      8:17 7 PPM YES
      And a bunch of Independents, have you ever seen a chicken in ACTION, after the HEAD is cut off?

  13. Anonymous says:

    Dear Premier why say things like that? We love you but there is no need for that arrogance. Why alienate the naysayers even more?

  14. Anonymous says:

    The country does not need him in any capacity.

    • Anonymous says:

      I really hope that Sammy wins and honestly that all of the PPM seats are left vacant.

    • Anonymous says:

      Who is Sammy Jackson. I don’t know where you come from or what you were doing for these Islands in the last 4 years much less all your life.

      Getting people to write for you will not help you, sir.

      Makes me laugh

      • Anonymous says:

        I know one thing about the man. He’s not Alden. Sounds good to me.

      • Anonymous says:

        He’s done more for this country than you ever have and if he gets elected, he will address the cost of living, he will improve the public education system, he will ensure affordable health care to everyone, he will ensure that qualified Caymanians come first when it comes to employment and he will enhance current legislation so that all development on this island is sustainable and that we don’t become a complete concrete jungle.
        Of course he can’t do all of this on his own, so other viable candidates need to be elected too. But you all don’t want to give the new guys a chance. Alden and his crew have had their time. Don’t you want to see new faces? Also, if you’re living in GTN or GTS please vote for Johann and Alric. Let’s get rid of these PPM clowns, and replace them with intelligent, honest individuals who truly care about this country.

      • Patricia Bryan says:

        Why do get on to the comments to leave comments with no merit…then hide behind “anonymous”?

        May the best man by the people’s X win but there is “quiet workmanship” which is often not in the ‘spotlight’.

      • Anonymous says:

        If u not know Sammy you need to wake up 8:41. Where you been?

  15. anon says:

    PPM – if you give John – John another cabinet position you lose my vote. I don’t mind if he just makes the coffee.

    • Anonymous says:

      Coffee might be a stretch for his skill set, but he sure has shown has aptitude for foreign languages during the pandemic. Put him in charge of translation and nothing will ever get lost!

  16. Anonymous says:

    Scary as it sounds, PPM have already locked in Juju and Moses as Uncontested for the Sister Islands. They can fill in their Form 19 under section 29(7) and twiddle their thumbs for the next few weeks. Surprising since Julianna doesn’t appear to have even bothered to fill in a Register of Interests for SIPL since 2019.

  17. Anonymous says:

    God there is no end to this vile human being’s arrogance!!! The only thing Alden deserves is a kick in the ass! Horrible man, horrible party! I hope cayman votes out EVERY single one of his pathetic puppets!

    • anonymous says:

      Absolute insanity to have alden any where near this government. He has treated the people of this natiin horribly with continued changing of the goalposts in regards to covid reopening, always with the “i am saving the island from absolute death” fear mongering. Despicable man.

    • Anonymous says:

      I would far rather have the arrogant Alden than be led by the convicted McKeeva.
      Alden’s main use is to save us from a McKeeva government.

  18. Anonymous says:

    In my district there are no good choices…(a) PPM shill or (b) CDP/UDP henchman. I’d honestly vote for a rooster if I could.

  19. VET Baby! says:

    Cancel Alden 2021!

    Never liked you as a man,
    Couldn’t say I was your fan.
    You’re as arrogant as one can be,
    Must be blind if one can’t see.

    Bully, bully those that are weak,
    Little Miaow those you can’t defeat.
    Time to go you sorry-@ss man,
    Cancel Alden 2021!

    • Anonymous says:

      What’s up with disclosing who you are??

      Calling out Alden and refused to put your name out there.

      LOL
      Pauline B

      • VET Baby says:

        Lol, you know how it goes. Terrible poem now that I read it, especially the last 2 lines, but I only had 5 minutes.

  20. ANONYMOUS says:

    mclaughlin said recently that Cayman needs an EU office to counter the outflow of negative perception and international statements regarding the Island’s Anti- Money Laundering policies and procedures. – Is he lining himself up to control that office.
    Be nice to be able to pop over to Europe on regular “ jollies “ at government’s expense.

  21. Anonymous says:

    He is a complete a-hole. His conduct around the referendum demonstrated a complete contempt for democracy.

  22. Anonymous says:

    PPM is a member of the Alliance!

    Can someone tell me who or what is the Alliance.

  23. It EndsToday says:

    The usual ARROGANCE… He will get a SHOCK!!!

  24. Anonymous says:

    Alden needs to retire from politics

    • Anonymous says:

      That was his promise as I recall…to go grow tomatoes on his farm? No such luck for us it seems.

  25. Anonymous says:

    Counting chickens … – never a good thing.

  26. Saltcreek Rocky Lizard says:

    Cayman Please Cancelled Alden’s little International Trip! Vote him out 14th April 2021

  27. Political Slut says:

    Wow this man’s arrogance knows no bounds Cayman dictating and blatantly telling you Cayman that your VOTE simply doesn’t count or has no effect on the outcome.

  28. Anonymous says:

    I expect the PPM coalition to secure at least 10 seats. Why would the Cayman people choose change at this historic time

    • Dexter Layman Ebanks says:

      Do you know when a politician is lying – is when their LIPS are are moving
      Do you know when a Politician is telling the truth – is when they are calling each other a LIAR
      Dexter Ebanks

    • Change for the better is overdue says:

      Change? Yes the people and these islands can’t take another term with these Pirates Perpetrating Madness. Are you blind or wrapped up in this mess? XXXX

      The only things the Progressives have progressed are the destruction of our environment, acceptance of violence against women, undermining of public trust in CIG and its entities and authorities.

      The PPM want only to reduce the people’s representation to Parts Per Million. They and their greedy private accomplices are pocketing the millions with these islands and their good people having nothing to show for it. Progress is change for the better which is well overdue!

  29. Anonymous says:

    You shouldn’t count your chickens before they hatch!

  30. Red Bay Sanction says:

    Its time Cayman to free us of Alden’s Tyranny all those talking about his remarkable job done by him to preserve our lives have to understand this was a self preservation exercise dictated not by Alden and his cohort Roper but by World pandemic conditions. But Cayman voters look at the advantage and privileges now afforded to certain special interest look at how marginalized Caymanians have become and feel in this island. Now we have them praising and elevating themselves and acting even above the law of theses islands. If this power and financial escapade continues unchecked Cayman. I am afraid we will suffer devastating consequences worst and this pandemic. No one should ever use a crisis to usurp laws and taking advantage of others and this is what we are now experiencing. On 14th April 2021 vote carefully Cayman your lives depend on it! Put a stop to this arrogant political menace!

  31. He who is able to predict the future should sell umbrellas!

  32. Hubert says:

    Monaco, London & Miami here I come.

    What an amazing gravy train to be on. It never ends.

  33. Anonymous says:

    Welcome black lists….thanks Aldart.

  34. Anonymous says:

    who is taking on Makeevea? Can we help fund this candidate ?

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