Horse trading begins in wake of divided poll
(CNS): Following a very mixed result in Cayman’s first ever election under the system of ‘one man, one vote’, the people woke up to the fact that while 19 people have been elected to the Legislative Assembly, no party, group or alliance has enough seats to form a government. CNS has attempted to contact several of the MLAs who are likely to be the power brokers in the coming days and possibly even weeks as the deals are struck but we have had no detailed response from any of those leading the closed-door talks now underway. Alden McLaughlin confirmed Thursday morning that it was too early to comment on what happens next.
While the PPM is now the largest group of MLAs, having secured seven seats, even with support from Tara Rivers they are unable to form a government without coaxing two more independents into the fold. Given the wide-ranging policy positions of the Independents elected and in some cases the breakdown of relations with the Progressives, it is unlikely that McLaughlin will be able to tempt any of them into a PPM-led coalition.
But in what could prove to be the most unexpected deal of all, McLaughlin could team up with McKeeva Bush and his two CDP candidates to create a coalition, with a possible compromise of Moses Kirkconnell at the helm. Despite their personal differences, the CDP and PPM are more aligned on their political position than they are with those of the most dominant Independents to be returned.
The next largest group is the alliance of the four eastern MLAs — Ezzard Miller, Arden McLean, Alva Suckoo and Anthony Eden, all Independent incumbents who were re-elected. McLean clearly articulated his ambition for the premier’s job on the campaign trail, and if he and his three colleagues can attract the support of the other five Independents, including Rivers, plus one more person from either the CDP or the PPM, that group could lead the next government with McLean at the helm. The eastern alliance could also partner with a mix of the CDP and other independents, but that could result in some serious clashes over issues relating to work permit freezes, investment, the financial sector and other conflicting policy positions.
The lack of common policy ground between these various groups presents a significant issue. It will also mean that no matter who now forms the government, the promises made on the campaign trail by all the candidates will be hard to deliver. While deals are possible, the direction of government would remain very unclear.
So, despite wining just three seats, Bush’s CDP could end up being the deal makers in the aftermath of this very uncertain result, though it is unlikely that in any deal Bush could become premier again.
The only thing clear Thursday morning was that while Cayman enjoyed its first ever equitable democratic vote, the resulting government will not really be decided by the people but in secret deals and horsetrading over the coming days — as it was in the old days.
The overall turnout was one of Cayman’s lowest for several elections, though it differed widely among the constituencies. Some races were also very close. Two PPM incumbents lost by very small margins: Wayne Panton was unseated by Suckoo in the only battle between incumbents, losing by just 15 votes, and Kenneth Bryan took George Town Central with a margin of 35 votes over the PPM’s Marco Archer.
The Progressives took two unexpected seats in George Town from CDP candidates who had been tipped to win. David Wight won in George Town West just ahead of the CDP’s Jonathan Piercy by a mere 16 votes, while Barbara Connolly, understood to have been a reluctant candidate for the PPM when she started on the campaign trail, took George Town South relatively comfortably, even though Mike Adam of the CDP was expected to win easily.
Nationally, the Progressives secured the largest percentage of the vote and the CDP also garnered a significant percentage of the countrywide ballot, which was not reflected in the final three seats that Bush secured for his team in West Bay. But in the ‘first past the post’ system, the national percentage or the margin of loss is irrelevant, as each individual race is fought on the ground. Given the divisions in Cayman that have emerged over the last few years, the result is a reflection of that national divide in some areas, which is unlikely to be patched up anytime soon.
Speaking to CNS Elections in the wake of his very narrow win in Newlands, a tearful Alva Suckoo said the priority would be to reunite the country after the election battle, as he described his own fight as a hard win. “The first thing we have to do is bring the people of this country back together… There has been a lot of division and we need to focus on that,” he added.
Meanwhile, another ‘scalp taker’, Kenneth Bryan, said the people had voted for change when they returned him to the Legislative Assembly.
“They wanted change and they came out in numbers and they voted… but there is a long road ahead and a lot of work to be done. I want to make sure we can do it together,” Bryan said following his George Town Central victory Wednesday night.
The country may have voted for change but how that change will take shape is a major question. There are only five new faces elected to the parliament, two of them with the Progressives, and all of them are unlikely to have much of a part in shaping the next government, which will be a deal controlled by the elders of the House.
But as Bryan who said he was “willing to work with anybody to get to the solutions” noted, “No one person can solve this problem.”
Category: 2017 General Elections, Elections, Politics
8:22 we agree. Marco should F&@#k off with them and come to Red Bay and run as an Independent next time. Yes. We have your back. It is because of you why so many PPM were returned. Respect goes to you and Kurt. The rest are traitors and they set you up because you were too popular in their party and they were afraid that you would become Premier. Marco, is not everybody in your party that smiled with you liked you. They were very fearful of you. Central was not ideal for you. That should have been given to Lucille or Alden and you come to Red Bay. Be strong, what is done is done and we hope that Kenneth will do well. But we waiting on you for the next 4 years to declare as an Independent member.
Why bother with horse trading? EUGENE for Premier. The least controversial and conversational. Each of his ministers can simply write down what he should say.
Each minister will need a 1 by 1 inch post-it.
where is the lol button?
The reason Wayne and Marco were not reelected is because they were brave enough to tell people that instead of looking for handouts by the Government, they should practice some financial responsibility in their own household.
No wonder expats come here and run circles around Caymanians – how can we be taken seriously when voting in those who have never been successful in their own professional careers, yet we allow them to run our country.
Tell me why on earth should I continue to work hard to pay my bills for my family? Too many people who are leaching off the Government are the ones who are driving way nicer cars than I am.
Or maybe because they are both too arrogant and not for the people! They look down on everyone. Happy for Alva Suckoo!
Oh shit! Now we have no idea who is not going to be looking after us! Still, at least someone is going to get richer. Just not the people. Long live the Lodge!
For sure after all this horse trading we are going to end up with some horses in the LA. They will be replacing the cow itch with hay and Mac will be as happy as a sandboy as he will be able to bet on his horses without leaving the building.
I was castigated when I said On my FB page that even if we hate OMOV the best bet is to form parties because if we vote for individuals who are not aligned or whose vision is the same or simply who want power, it will be hard to form a Government. For one they all want to be premier. So there comes the first fight. They all want ministerial posts. Fight number 2. They each want their vision to be the one and on and on. A party is made up of a group of people who share and agree beforehand on their core principles. Who when elected can begin to work from day one because they would have had a single manifesto to work with. Once this independent govt is formed they now have to figure out how to create a single agreed mandate. Rather late! They go in knowing who has what posts so no arguments there.
All these new people have to learn the ropes. So I strongly suggest they work with some of the old leaders who can teach them the structure and protocol of parliament etc. They need to be sure our new premier has experience or ability to speak with world leaders and represent us overseas. Who can read, hear and understand finance, economics, human rights, education and all subjects regardless of their portfolio. So election is not just about winning a seat but being able to represent ALL people – our country on the whole.
For us to now have a good government and for them to earn our trust some have to give up something for the good of the country. Let’s see how much they love Cayman. Let’s see who will make the ultimate sacrifice. That person would be my hero!
About the Party …
I was saying this from long time. I don’t understand how folks can vote in someone who wants to be a Lone Ranger in power! ?
If you love your country and want to get things done, you will think of UNITY! Either you will join a party or form your own. You respect the voter as well … because you are transparent with them. You make them know who is going to be who!
Considering the dismal plight of Cayman Brac, with shuttered up businesses and a ghost town economy in spite of his promises and position in Government as Deputy Premiere, if economic savvy is a requisite for being Premiere, that leaves Moses out of the picture. The only economy that has thrived with him as MLA for the Brac is his own personal economy. The Brac is hurting but Moses in his ivory tower high up on the Bluff is doing just fine.
You that expect government to create jobs and line your pockets are so misguided. Your point-of-view makes me sick. You castigate Moses, who has done so much for the Sister Islands. He is still probably the most accessible working MLA in the whole of the Cayman Islands.
I don’t think he needs the job, and he sure doesn’t need the money. I don’t know it, but I strongly suppose that he stays in the job for the benefit of the islands.
The Brac went through a building boom that was mostly spurred by a boom in the U.S. and elsewhere. Less people are investing in homes on the Brac and LC than in the past. What do you expect your MLAs to do? Make backroom deals that benefit your particular business? Use their influence illegally in the good-ol’-boy crony network? You’re in the wrong district for that.
‘Ivory tower’, my ass. I live in a house on elevation also. Probably the same amount of bedrooms. Unlike Mr. Moses, I don’t answer all my phone calls, and you can’t just walk into my office to gain an audience. I wouldn’t want his job for anything.
Well Mr Beaudemont Bumbaclat, you would be right. He does not need the money, but he keeps on running.
You really need to look around Brac before you start talking s—. Shuttered what? People who have been dead donkey years. What you expect Moses to do? Rebuild an empty house? In case you haven’t noticed, we are finally getting piped water, expanded air services, airport, sports tourism, adventure tourism and there is more down the pipeline.
What I do not understand is that out of the former PPM government the 2 party members Archer & Panton that actually worked and made things better were both defeated in this election.
What message does that send to MLAs be like Capt Eugene and be elected for life?
There is a flaw to democracy in that people’s voting patterns are not always rational.
People are more stupid than we think they are.
That falls squarely on the shoulders of the coward Alden
Rational?! Many people want a government that can also RELATE with them! You can be rational and well educated, and know how to balance books … but are you in touch with people’s experiences??? ?
Ahh, I see. So that’s why drug dealers and wife beaters get elected – because their constituents can relate to them.
I feel so sure of my country’s future now that we have a bunch of people with Criminal history elected.
Sorry to say so Cayman but I predict this is going to result in UK intervention. And quite possible takeover. Ahh, greed.
If we have CDP and the Jamaican-Caymanian Independents from BT, forget UK, they would be willing to put us under Jamaica by going independent. Sad days for the other nationalities here who refused to see this plan
Then Mac can buy himself a jet as befits the president of Dartistan.
aaah no…..and no…..nothing drastic has happened why UK would step in. This just takes a little while to sort out but will be sorted soon enough.
The thing is here people….
You wanted independents and now you get your wish. Let’s see how independents rule will work. One of two things going to happen. It will work and we’ll start down that road to getting rid of parties or it won’t and parties will be back in style come 4 years time…
If i wanted independents I would not have made the comment. Handouts put the unqualified independents in, plain and simple. Cayman is unfortunately owned as always by the individual with the most money to buy it. On the bright side, thank goodness that was someone other than mac for a change.
@7:15 –
The thing is you need to understand about Electoral districts is that they ensure the MINORITY in a Democracy is heard. The MAJORITY can always drown out the voices of the MINORITY .no joke ?
Imagine we have an all island-wide slate of candidates for people to vote from ( like you suggest), and the MAJORITY vote for candidates ONLY from the West Bay and George Town districts! And ignore the outer districts like Cayman Brac and Little Cayman ? … That would mean you will have a Democracy where the MOB RULES. Every 4 years the MOB will keep putting back in the same folk from West Bay or George Town!
You see why having Constituencies or Electoral districts are so important.
Arden being premier of the Cayman Islands would be a bigger laughing stalk than President Trump, I think Tara would be the best educated choice out of the independents that is more level headed and has a little experience in politics.
No matter how much people try to belittle my president Trump the fact is he is a self made billionaire and genius enough to have beaten the entire US and Workd establishments! What have you done?
Cayman is in this situation because of the way the people of these Islands have been Voting over the Past 8 Years, always wanting change even when these Islands don’t need one. For instance The Progressives, I personal didn’t see any reason to change them, and I have been trying to find out where did they go wrong? I personally would have return them back to power because I only see them doing things in the best interest of the people of Cayman.
Now the Islands are better than they were four years ago, when these Islands was ran bad with corruption looming over our heads and miss management of the people’s money. And then came along a good Government that put the Good Ship Cayman on a good path, now the people of Cayman don’t want them back because they are a Party and now want Independents. Let me not be rude and put it this way, and ask why change a Government that is working for the people? This is only country I know of that rather have Independents running their country than a party. Most country in the World that practice Democracy have at least three Parties, and one always Rule, sometimes with Coalition which parties don’t like doing, because they would have to join another party to form a Government. Notice I didn’t say Independents, (reason) is because Independents don’t know how to form a Government, parties know how to form a Government (why) because they are more organize and can start running a country from the very first day without political horse-trading.The people need to stop pushing for Independents running these Islands, because a serious scenario will arise, and these Islands would be at a stand still for four years with confusion, People of Cayman don’t deserve that, choose a party that meets your ideology and Ideas. We have two Parties at the moment, PPM and CDP, maybe another one in the near future, the party system is going nowhere, it is here to stay, parties are mention in the Constitution, not independents, because parties are apart of Democracy. Not every party manage countries good, but there is always one that does, and Cayman is bless to have choices. All the voting for the Independents this year has done is having the 19 elected is trying to form a Government today some how, remember what I said, parties are organize and can form a Government from the very first day and get the country running in no time, hopefully this is a learning curve not to vote away from a party, but to vote for a party.
Live Free….
I am pro PPM also over CDP but leaning slightly also to Independents….
PPM issues were the little guy. Did not do much to help lower cost of living. Did not fully address unemployment. They were also PRO business instead of PRO Caymanian and I think we both know that is a highwire act unlike any other…..
So the people spoke…..now let’s grab some popcorn…pray a lot if you are so inclined and with heart in hand hope for the best.
PPM reduced duty on diesel fuel. My electricity bill in the last few years was averaging about 60% of what it was in the years before. They also reduced some duty rates from 22% to 20% .Their main issue is that they did not work hard enough to reduce Caymanian unemployment. As for being pro business, they helped reduce Government fees for small business. They did pander somewhat to the biggest investor but not as much as the UDP would have done and I think they gained the confidence of the prominent local business families which were previously UDP. Unpalatable to mot of the electorate I suppose but I think best would be PPM trying to form coalition with their partner, Tara Rivers, and inviting Anthony Eden, Alva Suckoo, Dwayne Seymour and possibly Chris Saunders into a coalition with them. Dwayne get Osbourne’s portfolio, Chris maybe Wayne’s and Anthony get Julie’s job as Speaker and Roy be promoted to Marco’s job.
It would be a wonderful thing, if we all could look at this whole scenario from a different perspective. This could be the perfect oppertunity for the elected officials to set a new standard in our house of assembly. By setting aside all personal agendas, aspirations,greed and struggles for power, to work together as representatives of the people and for the people who elected them as guardians of this country and it’s way of life. In truth that could only be classified as wishful thinking. Because everyone of those that we have elected in all honesty do not have the better interest of this country and it’s citizens at heart, no matter what they campaigned on or what each of their manifestos were about. It all comes down to what each and every one of them can get out of being an MLA.
Let me tell you how this is going to play out…
PPM, Tara & CDP will form a government of 11, Moses as Premier and Mac as Speaker.
Done deal.
P.S. I’ll take that anyway of the week over Arden as Premier.
I wonder if we will see any of these elected persons come back to their districts over the next 3 and half years.
As for the horse trading it should be very interesting to see what these guys come up with, please whatever happens make any of these guys Alden, lizard and McLean premier or deputy.
As for Alden, boy didn’t he screw his fellow member, which is very said but karmas a bit.. Ch, lost their money man as well (Panton), Marco run in your district of Red Bay next time as an independent, we got your back.
Honestly greed killed them. They tried to get Lucille in so they could get 1 more PPM figuring she could beat out Austin and Marco could take Kennie…
They should have ran Alden in Prospect against Austin and I feel Alden would have beat him solid. Marco in Red Bay vs Denniston and he would have won solid and let Lucille challenge Kenneth. .What fight could Kenneth wage against her….She was not part of last PPM government and she relates to the people he relates to also.
And in the end you could risk Lucille but not Marco….So….in trying to secure 1 seat they lost two right there….Greediness choke puppy….
Alden should resign as leader of PPM in favor of Moses who is much better liked. Moses could put together a team including Tara, John John in Sports and Community Give Away and Saunders in Finance.
I kind of like the idea actually. I do believe Alden’s calculation error with Marco should cost him leadership. It would be the responsible thing to do.
It would be a n irresponsible thing indeed in consideration of whoever would be replacing him.
Next time island wide candidates. Stop the pathetic district system.
A votet in West bay should be able to vote for a candidate of east end.
In that way we get rid of fundamentalist christian fanatics like eden and oppertunitists like harris.
Time to grow up cayman…..
Stupid Stupid West Bayers….you voted Tara in again and an Independent and again she hasn’t shown up at the LA……history repeats itself….you never never learn. You had a chance to start fresth and yet you put the same people back who has done nothing for your country!!!
Everybody is glass half empty ! I like to be glass half full , sure we can complain that hundreds of people voted for convicted woman beater Austin harris or we could look at it that was hundreds of people who didn’t vote for serial liar Mathew Leslie . see ? Half full . You voted out the most competent man amongst you ? Half empty ! Rehabilitated drug dealer gets job …half full .
You omitted the ? after ‘Rehabilitated
I do not know the origin of the moronic idea, but the glass is never half-full or half-empty; it is always 100% full: half liquid (preferably with some rum in it) and half air.
THE VOTERS ARE WATCHING
The Independents are pressured to hold their ground and not compromise to the party- system. Because if they do, the same voters who put them in, will ensure they don’t get back in again in 2021
The country has sent a clear message: IT WANTS ANOTHER GOVERNMENT OTHER THAN PPM and CDP! ☺
Oh yeah, cos it didn’t work for Tara and Roy did it. The one that didn’t get re-elected was Winston and that’s because he didn’t run!
MCKEEVA LAST YEAR
Hearing the idea that Mckeeva Bush should become Speaker of the House, which afterwards rescind. And the 2 CDP members, joining the Independents to form the new government. They would have 11 members.
That’s fine as long as the Speaker of the House does not get a government credit card.
Incredible system where 9 of the elected candidates succeeded with less than 50% of the vote. Form the government with the 10 others who did make this milestone, including Mr. Kirkconnell and Mr. WM Bush as they both had over 70% of the votes in their districts.
Very sad we have lost Marco. But, like the Phoenix, he will rise again out of the ashes.
The good thing is that Marco can now be the Financial Secretary. One who will actually do the job, make decisions, and still play a substantial role in the country’s fiscal policy and finances. Mr. Jefferson has been bench warming his chair for far too long just like Capt. Eugene. The only difference is Eugene helps people and has a good heart. Jefferson is gets others to do his dirty work and hides like he don’t know. I VOTE MARCO FOR FINANCIAL SECRETARY. Goodbye to Jefferson, he’ll be fine now to publically smooch with his side piece…..
Even sadder is who we got in his place.
A sad loss for Cayman . He may rise again, but he’ll never again trust his fate to PPM.
Well, there’s one consolation – while the various factions are fighting amongst themselves over the next four years nothing much else is going to get done and based on the current state of affairs that might be a good thing.
Just what we did not need. A government with no plan and little, if any, direction. What we will very likely get though, is government social gifts for the “needy” and lots of “deals”. Just remember “needy”, once you pick all the fruit from the tree there is none left to eat and maybe the tree will not bear again. THEN WHAT? Who do you blame then?
Take a job you can do and work hard, improve your skills and move up to the next (better) job. That is much better than accepting and relying on gifts. Be self reliant and not MLA reliant. One day the gifts will come to an end.
A government of 19th century attitudes is better than one with a 15th century one.
And in which of those centuries do you place two notable members (no names for obvious reasons) of the newly-formed ‘Independant’ party?
If the people who invest these trillions here could see the pathetic bozos and dinosaurs we elect, they would run. But all they see is the Union Jack and the words British crown colony. And that’s what the Ezzardians and Ardenians would just love to throw away.
British Territory bud, we would like to progress onward and away from the colonial mentality thanks
Think you forgot CDP and the so-called Independents, the accents should give you a clue they want to be another nationality
Willing to trade my horse for Speaker. Reply if interested. Serious inquiries only.
?
If only horses were allowed to run in elections. Could have led to a much more positive outcome.
And we voted Tara in again, wishy washy, she will stay independent until the ship starts sinking……
Tara is PPM, wake-up.
Al you should be ashamed of yourself. Due to your character assassination and thirst for power Cayman no longer has a highly qualified patriotic individual representing the country”s interests on the world stage.
Hahahahaah
Welcome to the OMOV system! we are as divided as ever! For all of those who voted because they wanted “change” or voted for “who they like / what they can do for them” you got it, now the whole country has to suffer the consequences and live with it.
What a mess. this is exactly what both the PPM and the CDP were warning people about all along. Now there is little way to get a government that is fit to move ahead and who knows who the next Premier would be! And to have unseated two of the smartest practitioners this country has seen in decades – Wayne and Marco – I hope that people are finally happy while the whole country sits breathless and waits for the all the haggling and deal making to be over.
Parties are teams that are prepared to govern. This is truly a disgraceful mess and voters have been sold down the river with the ideas of the virtues of the independents
PPM introduced OMOV even though it FAILED at the referendum. They could have delayed implementation or proposed a reduction in the number of constituencies. We only have PPM to blame for the OMOV system. They brought into law. No one forced them to do that.
the OPOV system is not to blame. It is people voting without using their heads. People were misled by the independents who told them porky pies. The OPOV referendum did have a majority of the voters vote yes – it was only deemed not to count because people couldn’t get off their butts to go and vote. if all of these people were so strongly against it, they should have voted in 2012.
Honestly it only failed because that xxxxx put the bar so high. Majority of those voted voted for it.
OMG!!! I just can’t!!
It hasn’t even been 24 yet and you’re commenting negatively on how the new government will function, or fail to function I should say. To say that your comment is premature is an understatement. The bargaining hasn’t even begun yet.
well, you are right about one thing – the election was over 24 hours ago. But that is the problem that has been identified – 24 hours later and there is still no glimpse of a government and who is going to run the country. we should be moving on by now. can you imagine the conversations and deal-making that is going on right now? this is hardly transparent governing, but how else can it be solved in a situation like this?
Marco was the best candidate that PPM had. And he let Aldin set him up sending him to the slaughter. Why didn’t Marco refuse to run in central? Why didn’t Aldin sacrifice Lucille Seymour instead? Now Marco you know what Kenneth Bryan felt when your leader threw him under the bus my friend.
He didn’t want Marco I his government, probably threatened that we the people with Marco are Premier!
The smart move in retrospect is Alden in Propect, Marco in Red Bay and Lucille in central. It puts Kenneth in an awkward position to wage a fight against Mrs Lucille who is fresh now. She would be a sacrifice. I was Alden I say “lets see what you got Mrs Lucille”
Lucille wanted to run as an Independent but God only knows why she ended up back with PPM. Maybe she thought her chances with them were better?
I just can’t!!!
The democratic process has spoken. No matter what you think of Marco and Panton and no matter how smart they are, the people didn’t want them – end of story. Personally I think character, personality and willingness to work for what the people want is who to vote for, book smart and street smart are not the same thing.
That’s why book smart people are for the LA and street smart people for the streets. Big difference between a community worker and a politician.
Marco was the only candidate running that spoke to the lack of parental support and it’s direct influence on the failures we see today amongst our young people. Instead of making excuses he simply told the truth. It’s a hard pill to swallow. Especially for GTC.
I hope that people remember one thing only. Like America got trump GTC got Kenneth.
The country however, lost Marco. He actually did his job for the last 4 years. That’s the truth that only a fool can deny.
Sad state of affairs
Hmmmm personality to run a Country!! WOW!
Yes, the democratic process worked but keep in mind that the demographics of the various constituencies are very different so to say the people in GTC or WBW represent the views of everyone on the island is misguided. The election results would probably have been very different if we had island wide voting.
Or the handouts got the best of them.
Please do not put my credit card in the hands of the UDP. We voted them out do not bring them back in.
300million for a port which we will never get the money back from make bush credit card scandal look like nothing. PPM will spend as they have spent before with nothing to show. Independent candidates must stand strong. Party politics has ruined our country.
Idiot inform yourself. PPM had no intention of spending 300m. They have been trying to get the cruise lines to pay for it.
The 300m was the cost of MacKeeva’s port with the Chinese.
The results appear to be a tragedy for Cayman. Competent and experienced politicians like Panton and Archer (Caribbeans Finance Minister of the Year) have been ousted, and instead we get people like Anthony Eden and Suckoo voted in. God help us all. The people’s votes seem to suggest that the most important issue threatening Cayman is the prospect of two gay people living together, and the real issues such as the port, the dump, immigration, the massive burden of unpaid pension and healthcare promises are ignored. When it all goes to hell, Cayman, you only have yourself to blame for focusing on things that really don’t matter and ignoring the things that really do.
Prediction – extra taxes are coming in one form or another to pay for all those government employee benefits.
Exactly; sad times. PPM lost their best 2!
That is a sad fact for Cayman!
Nothing sad … only lessons to learn. NEXT TIME DO MORE IN PUTTING THE PEOPLE FIRST ????
Do worry about the finances and the financial industry the important thing is that Alva and Anthony will deal with those damm gays!
Nothing but hate towards another human being and more so your own Cayman people. Yet I bet you wanted change for the betterment of ALL Caymanians. So very very sad.
The people of this country has now placed our future in the hands of nothing but power hungry Men. As a young Caymanian I am extremely worried. The ego’s of the so called “Independents” are appalling. I asked this question to every Representative do you have every citizen of these Islands at heart ? The attitude towards the LGBT community from the elected representatives indicates differently. I mention specifically that community because they are indeed a part of this country however WE now have 2 of the most hateful representive for the next 4 years. Sorry Cayman our citizens will suffer immense hate and prejudice under this regime. Thanks A Lot….. Came home to vote for caring and equal representation with hopes of being accepted by my Country. All the best.
Education don’t mean a thing if you show you are someone who is not IN TOUCH with the people!
NO MATTER IF YOU BALANCE BOOKS! WHAT ABOUT EVERYDAY FOLK, BALANCING THEIR BOOKS AND SHOWING THEM ATTENTION
CNS: Unison, can you please stop putting half your comments in caps. Thanks.
CNS, can you please stop posting Unisons tripe? Thanks.
As long as Mac or Alden not included in the horse trading then all is well.
Thanks be to the Great Architect of the Universe for a peaceful election process., and thanks to all of the people of the Cayman Islands for their maturity in ensuring that it was a peaceful one. Let us all resolve and work together to ensure this will always be maintained and that we will NEVER resort to violence as tends to occur elsewhere..
Secondly congratulations to all who ran and those who rightfully exercised their Democratic right to choose their peers to govern them. Of deep concern is that we still have a fair percentage of persons who do not accept the fact that their vote can truly make a difference. To those who were unsuccessful in their bid hats off to you, you ran a good race and those who voted for you are sad but glad that you came forward to better their lives.
To those who will eventually form the Government, those who will be in opposition and Government back bench, am sure I speak for many when I say you were elected to carry this country forward and not backward, you have been elected in the hope that there will be equality, that there will be job opportunities that there will be a good standard of services available to all, that our standard of education will rise and make us competitive both at home and abroad and most importantly that we have quality health care for all and finally that we may all enjoy a relatively crime free environment within our communities, a sense of loyalty and pride amongst us and a higher standard of living. Finally as it has been mooted throughout the campaign we pray that that our leaders through their actions will engender a positive process of caring and sharing throughout the land.
Those are some of the issues some simple some not, they along with our border control and other important matters need visionaries, hard working and unified representatives to make them a reality. We must also not forget that there is much varied and bright talent amongst within these Islands and in particular within the group of those who tried and lost in this election. It is important that time be taken to ensure inclusiveness to use their skill sets , individually and collectively to further the cause of our Homeland Cayman.
I pray that our leaders will be brave enough, honest enough and caring enough to take and make the decisions that are needed in a decisive manner with careful analysis and keep the people you are going to represent informed as much as possible As some of the newly elected members have said there must be a united front to solve the problems on hand and all hands on deck are needed..
Ladies and Gentlemen of the 2017-2021 Cayman Islands Legislature our present and our future is fully in your hands its on you.
Peace be unto you all.
John Henry
“Great Architect of the Universe”
John, are you talking about Lew Siffa?
Mac,Eugene, and Bernie should go with the independents to form the government *Shrugs*
??
I think that Mr. McLaughlin can forget about getting Mr. Bush on his side to form a Government . I think that Mr Bush would rather form a Government with the Independent group , and have the PPM party as the opposition team . Or not have him Alden around .
I can assure you that alden feels the same about bushes
The independents don’t want the Big Mac!!!! Do yoy really think that Big Mac would “work” with the Independents without ensuring that he’ll be the Premier?
The best option is for PPM to get Tara Rivers, Chris Saunders and either Austin Harris or Dwayne Seymour on board. This is the best option we have of forming a government for the people. Marco and Wayne will stay have a say in some way with the Government, whoever they will be. Everyone NEEDS them both as they were both the best ministers ever this country will ever have.
people have spoken…we have new trump’s in the house?
Sure better than PPM! Go Alva Suckoo!