Scott remains CINP boss after losing CBE race
(CNS): Despite losing in his bid for the CBE seat on Wednesday, Dan Scott is staying on as chair of the Cayman Islands National Party. In a release on Friday, he described the new government, comprising the four elected CINP candidates, four TCCP MPs and three independents, as a “powerful alliance”.
Gary Rutty will be the CINP’s leading figure inside parliament as the coalition’s deputy premier, working alongside Premier-elect André Ebanks, the leader of the TCCP.
Speaking about the newly formed team, Rutty said the people of the Cayman Islands voted decisively for hope. “The results show a clear mandate for a new direction in our governance, with voters supporting candidates who pledged to put Caymanian interest first and tackle our pressing challenges head-on,” he added.
The release from the CINP said the party had championed the strength found in unity, and the coalition was testament to that belief, bringing together dedicated leaders with a shared vision to build a Cayman Islands that truly works for everyone.
The four CINP candidates have been left in an unusual situation where their leader failed to win a seat, but four of the party candidates were elected, most notably Julie Hunter, who unseated McKeeva Bush after 40 years as a West Bay MP.
Scott had entered the fray expecting the incumbent, Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, not to run, as she had repeatedly said she was retiring from politics. But after she changed her mind at the eleventh hour and decided to battle to retain her seat, Scott was unable to shake her strong hold over the smallest constituency in the Cayman Islands.
However, despite losing, it is clear that Scott intends to remain active in the party that he formed over the last year to shake up the political landscape. The CINP was made up of twelve candidates, none of whom had ever run for office before, and on the campaign trail, they used their lack of political legacy as a selling point.
They sought to persuade voters that the experienced politicians had caused the problems Cayman now faces, and so they could not be trusted to fix them. The message clearly resonated as the party won four seats in its first run and came very close in several other constituencies as well.
“I am deeply grateful for the victories achieved by my fellow Cayman Islands National Party candidates,” Scott said. “The overall election results present a diverse landscape, and our focus remains steadfast on delivering on our promises and contributing constructively to the future of our nation. We are excited to build a government that prioritises the needs of all Caymanians.”
The coalition will be focused on ensuring sustainable development that benefits every member of the community, safeguarding the Cayman Islands for generations to come and finally delivering the prosperity the people of the Cayman Islands deserve, the party leaders said in the release.
“This was more than just a change in government,” Rutty said. “It is the dawn of a new era for Caymanian democracy, built on the foundations of unity, prosperity, and hope. Together, as one Cayman, we will build a stronger nation that works for each and every one of us,” he added.
All of the 19 candidates returned to office this week will be sworn in at the parliament on Tuesday, which will be streamed live by CIGTV.
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Category: 2025 General Elections, Elections, Politics
Alliance vs Coalition
Alliance is before election, and coalition is afterwards.
So what is the spin here??
Thanks for your part in rescuing us from a metaphorically abusive relationship.
Most of us were crying out for help, for years, while some of us had become too brainwashed to realize that we deserve better. We are worthy of proper treatment and that time has come.
So where is DAN now, during the campaigns it was being touted that he always have been doing SO much for Cayman Brac East. XXXXX were buying/scaring/tricking people for votes left, right and center. Now they all dissapeared.
Just like what was said even if DAN had got in…. it was gonna be Cayman Brac East WHO??????
JuJu wont let the road crews in the Brac be paid. So where is all this “Community Engagement” that was alleged to be occuring before elections…. by both JUJU and DAN????? Nothing, Silence, CBE forgotten just like that….
CBE had a caring, ambitious candidate, Ruth Bodden…. But people chose money, favours, lies and promises over common sense…. As they say, you make you bed, you lay in it…. No complaints now….
But Ruth is still there, helping, doing, no matter what… the other two are dust in the wind,,,, GONE
Juliana is your elected representative – the majority of you all voted her in – remember? You were warned and are now stuck with her for another 4 years. Good luck! 👍
Dan has always been there, quietly donating to many causes. Ruth may be good as well. But I did think we has seen enough of JuJu
If you are a Bracker, you got who you voted for even though we repeatedly told you all to vote for change, so what exactly are you whining for now?
One area where I want to see integrity on display is the appointment process for the SAGC boards. Will it be cronies or people with proper qualifications and experience? This will be one of the first criteria I use to determine whether we actually got a change in this election.
Starting with Mac and Saunders UDP port authority.
Joey Woods as Chairman would mean an honest hard working experienced man is there to control spending and bring efficiency to the Port’s management.
Very little honest about Joey Woods, as can be seen by his incessant misinformation-spreading during ACTs propaganda campaigns. That man is a sell-out. He’s also responsible for a significant amount of the unpaid overtime etc leading to the port authority being sued by its own workers https://caymannewsservice.com/2025/04/dozens-of-workers-sue-port-for-ci2-9m-missing-pay/
I agree with this 💯. A good look needs to be given to ALL the boards and have properly qualified people on them. Please don’t turn the boards political instead people with education and knowledge need to be accountable and appointed. Long overdue.
Standing ovation to Mr. Ebanks and Mr. Scott for listening to the people and giving us a team of MPs who are willing to put Cayman first. Welcome, NCFC — National Coalition for Caymanians.
Congrats to the new government! Congrats to Dan Scott for standing for positive change, and for CINP. Same for TCCP!
Congrats to the Caymanian voters especially west Bay for voting out Mac. Rollie is a real upgrade to Bernie. But then again anyone but Bernie.
Andre will have his hands full keeping unbossed Jay in check. Remember he was trained by the disaster PACT Government. Hope Jay will learn under Andre.
I agree about Jay but it’s obviously not only him because by Michael’s recent actions on FB, he has demonstrated that he is not a team player and will be difficult to bridle. Lord, even before he is sworn in he is off running his mouth, giving fodder for mischief makers. He seems to think that he is in charge and is telling the others this and that. He needs to shut up.
I watched the FB live and there was NOTHING untoward about it. Not a thing. He constantly said “we, us, together” etc., so I do not know what you are going on about. I understand the gossip channel stirring up trouble because that is what their (ghetto) fans like, but Myles clarified his position yesterday.
Praise God from whom all blessing flow. It is so refreshing to wake up to a government with no PPM members. The PPM were determined to destroy our country with the reckless spending of Ju Ju.
… and Kenny and all those people who wanted to push for a cruise port which we guaranteed to destroy our economy, worsen our traffic, and obligate our children to pay off their largess.
For what? The coalition government may not be perfect, but at least they have the people and the environment as their priorities.
Congratulations to Julie Hunter and West Bay for dethroning the Clown King of West bay. Stay retired McKeeva.
The fact that Dan Scott remains as chair of the party after getting soundly ass-kicked by Julie is ample evidence manifesting what a disingenuous fluffer he is.
After getting sent packing by Julie, he wants to remain the head of the party, pulling the strings from behind the curtain and yet will try to spew the tripe that he and his party are oh-sooo dedicated to responsive and transparent governance that represents the will of the people.
Dan needs to get over himself and concede party leadership to a member that actually got elected. Good governance is not exemplified by having a shadow figure being the puppeteer.
Alden is no longer an MP. Did he resign as chairman of the PPM? In that context, how is he different than Dan?
As we say same dog and puppy.
@9:34:
No different. Dan and Alden are two chips off the same self-serving block.
Thank you for helping me make my point.
Buckle up. We’re punching the heavy bag.
Excuse me. Dan and Lisa Scott are respected members of the new Cayman Brac. You people over in GC need to know that Brackers are educated and we would like more opportunities over on the Brac also. We thank everyone that steps forward to run for office and with all due respect it is not ass kicking or own any other disrespectful comments from others. It is appalling that people on GC have such disregard for Brackers when many Brackers are in jobs on GC and own businesses over there.
We people in GC encouraged CBE to vote for Dan, @2:57pm. They chose not to listen. What is appalling, is that Juju was voted back in, Brackers being educated and all…
Brackers from the other end of the island are the educated ones. Been that way for a long, long time.
…it’s like a 20 minute drive end-to-end. 😂
Yeah, 2:57, so “well respected” that voters gave him a solid butt-whuppin, voted Julie back in and sent him packing. And that is in light of the fact that Dan’s boy Nicholas got elected by a wide margin in the CBW&LC race.
Dan founds a party with the opportunistic goal of becoming Premiere the easy way. But in a twist of irony, Dan’s young protege ends up with a ministry and the party founder ends up a beaten man rejected by CBE. Ouch!
Brackers know the difference between a good choice and a poor one. Nickolas was a great choice. Dan Scott, obviously, not so much. The kicker is that Moses and Julie were strongly promoting Lonny Lee over Dacosta. But not even their combined influence could push him past Nickolas.
Dan Scott’s rejection was sharp and sound;
In the same boat as Lonny Lee: run aground.
(Gee! I’m a poet and didn’t knowit.)
@4:50pm, CBE insisted on pushing Juju back on the country, but this time the ship left her at the pier (pun intended) 🤭
let us see how long this unity theme will last.
I am praying that it will and this coalition will break the pattern of uncontrollable spending.
Juju not yet ready to give up her $15,000 a month “expenses” which she pays herself.
She and Kenneth will get rid of Joey, buy Isaac and Jay, then take back control of the Public purse.
RoyMcT please don’t allow this and go to Andre who is keeping the finance ministry seat warm for you, and Roy Tatum you’re too decent to stay with that band of leeches.
C’mon guys, do the right thing and save Cayman .
I met this man more than once. Great guy with solid ideas. He is a true Cayman Gentleman.
I hope he read the markets betta dan julie
Why?
Is Alden not Chairman of PPM? Why Dan cannot be Chairman of CINP? Goose/gander…
It will fill a large segment of the electorate with joy to watch parliament sessions on YouTube with no PPM or MacBeater to the left, and Julianna to the right for the last four years of her underwhelming career; and we probably would not have done it without you, so — Thank You, Mr. Scott.
Not just her, but Kenneth and Dwayne! woo hoo! Fun for the whole family. No Mac, pure joy!!!
McKeeva’s political career should now be documented and taught/studied as how not to become.
Do they even teach political science at UCCI or UCCI?
“Political science”! Ha ha ha ha!
Yes, they do teach political science at UCCI.
Roy Bodden’s version of it!
The only man on planet earth that bizarrely claims slavery is responsible for all of ills of an island people that are some of the wealthiest and privileged on planet earth. Couldn’t make it up.
If only we were more like the disadvantaged people of Haiti and Jamaica, our people…. which no Caymanian ever wants to be anywhere near to at ALL.
Even Jamaicans don’t want to live in Jamaica, but they want to turn Cayman into the country they can’t live in…and we’re putting up with that .
In one of his books he shares the different experiences of slaves in Cayman versus Jamaica and of course nothing about slavery is ‘good’ so the the difference might have been more humane in Cayman but he did write that the local experience, generational experience was different.
It will not be long before this government formed by people with fundamentally very different positions on important topics, will split. For example, the possible changes to the cconservation law. Also, while Peanut has been elected by GTS, living in EE, he is more likely to support agree with Jay.
You don’t know him if you think that.
Caribbeanisation..
No, properly taught by Dr. Smith.
What “political career”.?.
He was elected to office and self-served for 40 years of abuse of power and office,
Allegations of his many wrongdoings, in and out of office, could fill a book.
THAT is what should be taught.
Dan, congratulations to you and CINP. While you may not have been personally successful this time, you succeeded. So, yes please stay engaged. CINP did well and there’s no embarrassment.
I think Dan should have stood where lives and not where he thought would he an easy win
I have no idea of what you are trying to say.
You forget Dan is a Bracca…
the people of the Cayman Islands voted decisively for hope.
The results show a clear mandate for a new direction
It is the dawn of a new era for Caymanian democracy
The election is over. can we stop the BS. All but 2 incumbents that ran were re-elected.
Your last point is an interesting one that I missed in all the election hoopla.
As to your first broken sentence/question: I agree if we ascribe the normal cautious and skeptical attitude we use towards typical Cayman politicians. I think the idea that the CINP is trying to change is that politicians actually can be interested in helping the country, without enriching or empowering themselves.
Having said that, I do NOT believe in altruism which reflects a 100% desire to help others. No one truly does that…ever. It simply is not possible as human beings that must take themselves into account, in some way, when making decisions.
The CINP, though, seems to truly want to help this country without the usual motives of most of our politicians:
1. The average remuneration of around CI$300,000 per year (https://www.auditorgeneral.gov.ky/reports/key-management-personnel-remuneration, Page 13 of 28) being much more than they could make otherwise.
2. The ability to further enrich themselves and their family/friends by allocating funding or influencing internal government decisions.
3. A grandstand on which to speak for as long as they want (read the Hansard reports, if you dare!) to boost their self-esteem when most people would politely find an excuse to avoid such a monologue.
4. Popularity, whether good or bad.
Dan, and certainly not Peanut, desire any of these things. Prior to this election, I assume most people had not heard of or seen these two voluntarily speak publicly. Let’s give them (well, only Gary right now) some slack and cautious believe that we COULD be experiencing a radical change in what we will come to expect from our politicians in the future.
If Peanut starts to give government funds to support his kids, family, or financial interests then we can crucify him. However, if we see pragmatic and transparent decisions that are made in good faith without self-interest (my strong contention), this election will prove to be a turning point in Cayman’s history at a time when it is needed most.
Peanut is now sitting pretty in cabinet to get his canal dredging work done at Rum Point. Its funny he didn’t mention how many land developers he is in business with, yet he talked about the need to slow development. Maybe that was just to slow it for his competitors?
I pray that all nineteen candidates recognize that their most powerful ally are us, the people.
We aren’t allies, we are their boss.
To 6:56am: Granted; however, before they spend money on overseas’ consultants looking for answers to national questions, just ask us, the people.
Like $8Million for the new Northward prison resort…. Stop it..!
The “we are their boss” works only in regard to the initial hiring decision. One we hire them by putting them in office, the idea that we are their boss is just a silly delusion. Bloody hell, “we” do not even control who will become ministers or what their jobs will be. Some boss, eh? After they are elected, they choose whether or not to listen to the people. We become no more than rubber squeaking toys that they can choose to (sometimes) listen to or shut out at will.
Have a great weekend and may all you delusions be happy ones.
Please let us rid our country of the Jamaican influenced PPM. Will JOCC finally retire now? First move should be to review the Brac school and scale it back before it is to late.
Juju the self proclaimed Christian , will do the Devil’s work at every opportunity to disrupt our time in the Sunshine.
New Govt: will the Kenny park and the Brac school now be pared back to Reasonable spec, from Extravogant spec? Or is Extravogant spec carefully tied up in the contracts?
The school project in particular is vulnerable to big cost overruns if it wasnt planned properly.
And who said we need an NBA-standard school gymn on the Brac? We already have one on Grand, used at NCAA College level just once a year. The cost of an NBA sprung floor is eye watering ($ 100s of 1,000s), but one person decided we need it. Will the Brac one be used (ever) for play at the NBA/NCAA standard it’s designed for?
District Admin – you must keep the AC full-on 24/7 to stop the NBA floor warping. One big outage and its gone. Massive gym will be empty 99% of the time. A few school kids 1% of the time. Absolute money pit of a vanity project.
The primary problem with capital projects is — and has always been — that there is never money in the initial outlay budget for maintenance of the project.
This is why the Brac ‘Sports Complex’ degraded, because the maintenance can was kicked down the road. I am somewhat surprised that when the can hit the UPM government, that Miss Julie didn’t bump the funding up to maintain/upgrade the complex of which she was so instrumental in financing.
Whenever we begin a capital project, there should ALWAYS be funding within the bid to maintain the structure. Traditionally, we build things and then watch them slowly degrade. Interactive entropy. If those same projects had maintenance funding, they would continue far beyond their “use by” date.
Lack of students, ie “the needs case”, is the primary problem.
This is so true. The world class 25m pool, opened ceremoniously by King Charles, has not been in use for two years, save for 2 swim meets where it miraculously was declared useable. But even then it wasn’t. Couldn’t see the bottom.
This high school will suffer the same demise.
A Statesman in the making.
Class Act. Joey could learn a thing or two from Dan. The Cayman Islands lost big time by not having him elected. Happy to hear he will still be behind the scenes.
Joey shouldn’t be in politics. All the uneducable developer shills need to be disqualified and/or cast out of politics via the mechanism of the Nolan Principles. Some of them may have to stand trial.
Agree 💯!
Blah blah blah.
If you didn’t win your race, by definition you are a loser.
I don’t want you having undue influence on the government because you haven’t earned it.
so then PPM need to getout too lmaooo they LOST
Actually they didn’t – had over 50 % of the vote and more seats that either party. Jay, Isaac and Rolle are no dummies. They have not secured the top jobs yet, but they will. Give it a bit of time and you will see Jay making his move with the other 2 in tow.
@10:23am: You wish, sore PPM loser.
PPM had 27.2% of total votes cast.
72.8 % therefore voted AGAINST a PPM government.
This election has taught me that PPM voters don’t know basic mathematics, and that revelation truly explains a lot.
Figures don’t lie. Liars figure. You are disingenuous.
@5:36:
As for all parties that were in the running: a greater number of voters voted for other than them. However, the PPM won the plurality of votes. In that regard, beating all the other parties in the election.
The CINP is Dan Scott’s party and because of him we now have CINP members who have helped form our government (with zero PPM members). Without him this would have never happened. He earned it.
Q: So why didn’t they make him Speaker? A: because Jay want Ezzard. Fact!
To 10:24am: Actually, Ezzard will make a better Speaker than Bush, to the country’s benefit. YouTube, May 2nd, 2pm
There is likely not a single person in Cayman that is more *qualified and capable* of being speaker than Ezzard.
Well, yeah. He needs to get his money’s worth. Shadow Premier.
Says another PPM sore loser ⤴️
Better to have a “Shadow Premier” who is a generational Caymanian than having one who is a multi-billionaire foreigner.
Spot on!