Premier holds Unity team together to 1st anniversary
Speaker McKeeva Bush (left) and Premier Alden McLaughlin
(CNS): Premier Alden McLaughlin offered his thanks to the members of the Government of National Unity Thursday as he marked the coalition’s first birthday. Following the horsetrading after the 2017 indecisive election result, many people predicted the early demise of this particular administration given the historical animosity between McLaughlin and his former arch political rival, McKeeva Bush. But the glue in the PPM-CDP-IND coalition has stuck for 12 months and it seems that, with perhaps the exception of one reluctant member of the government benches, the team may hold for the full term.
“I want to thank my ministers and councillors for all their hard work, cooperation and unity and I thank the Cayman Islands people for your support and confidence over this past year,” McLaughlin posted on his Facebook page Thursday, as he also singled out Bush for a special thank-you. “I wish to thank the Speaker of the House, Hon. McKeeva Bush, for working with me to form the Unity Government and for his hard work over the past year.”
Extending his appreciation to the wider members of the Progressives Party for their continued support, he said, “I will continue to work tirelessly for the best interests of my people and this country. God bless the Cayman Islands.”
The continued and apparent harmony on the government benches has certainly been fuelled by the need for unity in the face of ongoing challenges to Cayman’s financial services sector from a number of external sources. But while the government may be far less fractured than pundits may have predicted following the closed-door political wrangling over the week following the May election, the public appears less appreciative of the administration.
In a CNS very unscientific survey that will be running for a few more weeks, the near 400 participants are far less impressed by the government than the premier.
Take the CNS survey on the performance of all MLAs here
And see the results so far here
Category: Politics
I’ve never understood those beaver tail caps that gentleman on the left is wearing….
Unity team if it is so much unity how there are so much mix-up in so much government entities for example Immigration, Port Authority, NRA and DEH. I am a regular customer for years who visits the landfill daily to dispose my garbage and i have too drive on the landfill road and the road is in a terrible condition with alot of pot holes and is very muddy and mucky when it is rainy. It is a a crying shame and disgrace government after government and the problem still remain. And the unity government are now trying to defend the cayman islands financial sector from the UK so where is the money for all of these years and a place as important as the landfill do not have a decent road for our people to drive their vehicles on we will soon hear government will be asking for millions of dollars for the landfill again the UK needs to step in right away and stop this madness what is going on in the cayman islands.
Unity team i wish they will go and sit down. They are the crucifiction for the poorer class indigeous caymanians. Four years of them there will not a poorer class there eill be a dead class. They need too go and try make fool of the UK they will not last a minute dog will eat their supper for them.
Unity HQ – LMAO!!
Alden: So Mac you think they bought it?
Big Mac: Who cares we got wha we needed to stay on top and now you knows exactly wha I goes thru and how it feels to be disliked and the hateridge I goes thru!
Alden: I can’t believe we got away with this unity thing for a year. I owe you everything and even though I said all those things about you for years and sued you. I know we are the same type of man as me and understand how to survive in this game.
Big Mac: Alden I always knew you was full of shit and just jealous of me. You think cos you creams your hair and got a lil education you’z better than me! But now you need ol Big Mac so let’s talk about that new car I needs as Speakah!
Alden: Whatever you need buddy. A new car, security detail, fancy trips, a suite to stay in. I’ll even include a government credit card. I’ll make it happen and make sure the DG don’t give you any crap or need receipts from the casinos.
Big Mac: Sus crise DG he better remember how he got that job and it wasn’t cos he bright. He and he mama always taught they was better than people in WB especially ol McKeewa Bush. This new gowenah gone finally do what we shouldah done and clip his wings. He got dut on his hands too just all of us.
Joey: Alden we need to talk
Tara: Hi Al could you spare an hour we need to converse on a few matters that require your immediate attention.
Alden: Ah I’m kind of busy right now talking to the leader of the Unity government. What’s so urgent?
Joey: Did my daddy call you?
Alden: No I don’t see any calls from Lenny. Why?
Joey: Did KT call you or speak to you?
Alden: Briefly he spoke to Mac for a few hours tho.
Joey: So what did KT tell you about me?
Big Mac: Sus crise well he told me you’z an uneducated fop that wants to be party leadah! I told him we’d take Tony back before we let a donkey like you destroy our plans. You too selfish and only looks out for your friends drinking cocktails at Ritz with doak and them other fake Caymanians. Oh knows this It don’t matter how often you travels to Jamaica or speak to Butch. CHEC don’t trust you so stop trying to under cut me in this deal. And you can tell Mose I said so too!
Joey: I gonna call my daddy this is BS! (Storms off mumped up)
Alden: Mac was that really necessary? He’s not smart like the rest of his family. Take it easy on him. KT ran him as a favor to his father please.
Big Mac: Well none of em supported me including his pa so I not going let those pharaohs from Jamaica or anywhere come here and turn this place into a new Jamaica I can do that myself! We don’t need him to deal with Dart I got that under control.
Alden: Well let me go try and figure out what Tara wants after I spend an hour trying to figure out what she trying to say.
Big Mac: boy she talks plenty and talks to hear the sound of her own voice. I guess she wants to be the next leadah too?
Alden: They all think they can replace us. I’m an old soldier in this game and have heard many a sweet song but our arrangement will hold strong as long as we have KT’s blessings.
Mac you think i’ll still get my knighthood?
Big Mac: Boy tryso hush and go get me tea!
CNS note for lawyers: The above conversation, like all of @ Unity HQ’s comments, is satire.
ROFLOL I love the satire in these posts but there’s a whole lot of truth in the reports from unity hq. It captures the characters perfectly.
Anonymous 10:54 pm , the comment sounds very much like what they spend all of the time on in the LA .
That photo of them two should be blown up and framed and put at the door of LA building , and the government Administration building for display . Who would’ve thought this could have been possible before last election. Something is really fishy here that can’t be true .
Weren’t these same two Bobo the Clowns just suing each other last year? SMH, Politricks at its best.
The Enemy of my Enemy is my friend
The Enemy of my Enemy is my friend.
If ever two individuals should be prosecuted and convicted for entering into a ‘marriage of convenience’ it is these two.
For the support of him and his 2 stooges, Mc gets a salary of $175K a year (plus I’m pretty sure he is drawing his pension and that’s another $100K a year plus), a full-time vehicle and driver (probably $60K per year but with overtime $75K), first class travel to anything he can come up with to say he’s going to, and the most important vote in Caucus even though he never goes (everything has to be cleared with him I expect) ALL SO THAT Alden can parade as Premier after he continued running his party into the ground and could only capture 7 seats under the PPM.
And all the while they going around acting like they are so ‘in love’. B___s___, they taking Cayman for their Rundown and laughing their a____s off.
I am always perplexed by nonsense statements such as marriage of convenience. By its nature every political coalition is an inconvenient marriage because it takes more work and compromise to hold together. And for the sake of political stability it’s a good thing the Unity Government is staying together.
Equally important is that after the election political leaders have an obligation to not only form a government but to form the government most capable of staying together. Again this seems to be what has happened. Perhaps a marriage of Practicality and Competence rather than Convenience.
How soon we forget the horror most of us felt when we thought Mac was joining the current Opposition to form Government. And how relieved we were when, as Premier Mclaughlin told the press, that grouping would not last and would end in a train wreck. It did not even last the night.
I believe most Caymanians and residents are happy that this coalition was formed and is working together. It allows continuity, and has been stable. The country continues to move forward calmly despite our challenges.
So thank you Premier and Speaker and thank you Unity Government. Continue your hard work – and as Premier noted- God Bless Cayman.
Two Cents – you have it exactly right, I could not agree more.
Yes I think you are spot on.
It would be far better for them to squabble like cats in heat, keep the country teetering on the brink of a coup, get nothing accomplished legislatively because there is a minority Government and just generally have us on the edge of our seat waiting for the next calamity.
That would have been better for our collective sanity, great for investors and a wonderful image to portray to the world.
God forbid we mature, compromise and work collaboratively towards some shared vision.
Btw last time I checked one was ultra right wing and the other communist so it’s really a shock how they could end up working together and agreeing on policies.
Must be a huge disappointment to their followers.
Announced 01/06/2018 at 12:32 pm .
I know you are wrong and biased minded in your comment , I for one do not hate anyone, but when you’re wrong I’m going to give it you , what you deserve , and I think that I am speaking for many more who uses the CNS forum .. Your problen is that you can’t see the truth when it’s in front of you .
This Unity team is the most fake joining together of fake people who all have a fake agenda claiming fake results while wearing fake smiles. NEVER in my 50 years of life would I ever have imagined Alden and McKeeva PRETEND to be bosom buddies. Like I said FAKE and yet many will be surprised when at the end of their four years they will have accomplished NOTHING positive for our three Islands.
Just like Dick Dasterdly & Mutley, you figure out who is who.
Dastardly.
I am not for the party system and I think despite what others may think this is probably the best thing to happen to politics in Cayman for a long time..As a Caymanian with no political ties seeing these people come together to work as a team despite their differences is what many of us have long wanted.
I am even more pleased to see a good opposition as well. Having the ability to be opposition but knowing when to pull together for the benefit of the country has raised my respect for Ezzard Miller and his group. It shows maturity.
I just hope that it can remain this way throughout this term and we can continue to move the country forward, united and without contention.
The image of unity is a mirage temporary until MacAlden can secure better deals. It is best described as a Fata Morgana
Me and you and you and me
No matter how they tossed the dice
It had to be
The only one for me is you
And you for me
So happy together
So happy together
How is the weather?
So happy together
We’re happy together
So happy together
We’re happy together
So happy together
So happy together…..
3:34pm , I agree with you , but the possibility of these politicians staying in unity is about almost impossible to happen . We can be optimistic .
….and enter the “Crabs in a bucket” otherwise known as Caymanians…
…and you the bucket.
Does anyone really believe that 365 people had an opinion on WhoGene? I don’t think that many people even know that he exists.
The man has a date with destiny. If you sell your soul for power, money and position, full payment is required. Very sad that some people think that they will live forever.
Everyone should live according to truth. The truth is that death comes to us all.
Perhaps some idiots will disagree. Good luck with that. Maybe science will save you?
God has us all figured out. We think we are so smart with our silly “points of view”, then we die and get translated in to the presence of the Giver of Life and our silly opinions mean jack.
By the way, God is not religious, He does not go to church and He does not require your money, so that excuse is gone.
He is simply fair. Live your lives for the day you will face Him. Teach your children the truth. That is all.
I find it amazing how people like you seem to know exactly what will happen after death. Wherever you got your brainwashing from (I’m guessing the Bible) is also stating a ‘silly point of view’ of what happens after death.
Sit back and get fatter whilst the civil service falls to pieces, crime spirals out of control and Dart slowly acquires everything. Well done boys
The state the civil service is shocking. I did not believe the grape vine allegations of endemic corruption until I saw the barrage of cases for stealing, drugs, etc. Is the Cabinet sleeping while all of this is going on under their very noses?
2:04. I would have thought you would be in support of the civil service for finally having a zero tolerance on corruption.
But when civil servants are convicted for stealing groceries for their families you have to wonder how long the meager pay and cost cutting can last.
Watch Bernie bring down the government.
None of the big players like Cabinet members, MLA’s, persons at the senior levels of civil service, those on the appointed boards are being investigated and charged for corruption as public officers. They pick administrative staff to charge when that is low hanging fruit. When will standards in public life be implemented and why has this government failed to do so to date?
2:04. You answered your own question. If the civil service leaders were sleeping there would be no arrests. Come on you better wake up!!
Mr. Dart for Premier!
Meanwhile WBNW has no representation because the person who ran and won in that constituency is the Speaker!
How would you know if you don’t live here? We are quite happy with our representation and proud that our representative hold the high post of Speaker.
High post of Speaker, oh my god you are such small people. McKeeva is a fat fish in a small pond, he has no more power than a parish commissioner or town hall clerk.
High office is held by people who qualify by intelligence and years of domestic and international political experience. This clown and the rest of his double dipping buddies couldn’t run a church yard sale, let alone a country.
High post my ass, just a little man voted into a position of local influence by a few hundred delusional fools.
Most of us get more likes on Facebook than he got electoral votes.?
11.18am. Can you share with readers where you got your idea of the post of high office. Maybe you are wishing that there were intellectual and experience requirements? I have the same wish for posters on this site. If you don’t believe that the post of Speaker ranks as a ‘high’ office, consult the Order of Precedence. Stick with what you know or learn a few fact from the ‘small people.’
CNS Im sorry but that poll appears to have been manipulated, honestly now, what has Austin done besides be Aldens sidekick?
Answer: Assault his partner. That seems to get high reviews in politics.
Really? Is that what Mr Harris has done during this term? How juvenile.
He’s very lucky. Harris should never been eligible to run and a conviction should have been recorded. Plenty woman beaters have sat in LA that have not been convicted
I would rather be ‘juvenile’ than an abuser any day. Men (and women) have gotten off for abuse far too often in the Cayman’s Islands. This is why many victims do not report the abuse. I am ashamed of the Cayman Islands justice system which allows a man to use the excuse that he was drunk and his memory impaired enabling him to beat an assault charge. I am also ashamed of our political system which allows an abusive man to not only place his name on a ballot but also win and be sworn in as a member of the legislative assembly. NOW THAT IS JUVENILE.
These are two of the most heroic and great statesmen that Cayman has ever had. Bless you both Mr. Premier and Mr. Speaker! 4 more years please
You need to see a shrink and understand crack is illegal in Cayman. Just say no to drugs.
You need to stop running down our duly elected leaders who are doing a great job for us here in Cayman. Construction industry is booming!
Yes it is, but that’s because of expat businesses, expat experience, expat labour and expat money financing and purchasing the finished constructions. Yea, they doing a great job skimming off the top of other people’s hard work.
But that’s the Cayman way.
Mental slavery is alive and thriving e.g. PD
These great leaders are good Christian men who have turned the other cheek and forgiven past problems for the betterment of our wonderful country. I believe in them. Bless all the Unity team and stay strong.
Someone disconnect Macs internet access please
“These are two of the most heroic and great statesmen….” This ridiculous post was written by a paid troll or by the “statesmen” themselves. Heroic? Great? But I suppose it’s o.k. to lie. It’s called freedom of speech.
Stop running us patriots down and acknowledge the great achievements Honorable Premier and the rest of the Unity have done so far. The construction industry is booming, building material sales are way up, every one is getting a big chunk of the pie. Suspend the constitution and make the Unity team our government for 4 more years.
What is the average Caymanian getting ?
So true and I back you 100%
Unity team for ever!
Maybe we are led by people too numb to Google the compliance gift the UK handed us.
Embedded in §51.7 of UK Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018, is the definition of “beneficial ownership”, which is equated to a PSC register “in accordance with the provisions in Part 21A of the Companies Act 2006″…we could therefore substitute our current UBO register for a PSC register which excludes “certain material from the information available to the public” and remain legitimately in compliance…see 790A (e) below:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/46/part/21A
This Part is arranged as follows—
(a) the remaining provisions of this Chapter identify the companies to which this Part applies and explain some key terms, including what it means to have “significant control” over a company,
(b) Chapter 2 imposes duties on companies to gather information, and on others to supply information, to enable companies to keep the register required by Chapter 3,
(c) Chapter 3 requires companies to keep a register, referred to as a register of people with significant control over the company, and to make the register available to the public,
(d) Chapter 4 gives private companies the option of using an alternative method of record-keeping, and
(e) Chapter 5 makes provision for excluding certain material from the information available to the public.
Who is advising our government on this serious topic? Have they actually read and sought opinions on the limited chapters and verses that apply to our situation?!?
Fail !
For once, I actually agree with you!
This government, like those before it, have done ZERO to counter global myths and perceptions about what is, and isn’t, permissible in the Cayman Islands. Have a look at this bogus article from last year by Transparency International which happily conflated CIMA’s (admittedly very lax) SIBL oversight with the international hedge funds industry and the conduits for theft and corruption. Their conclusion was that we need a public beneficial ownership registry, which they successfully sold to the EU Parliament, and that was sold on to the UK…and here we are. Maybe we just needed amended SIBL rules…
https://www.transparency.org/news/feature/who_doesnt_know_the_cayman_islands_is_a_great_place_to_hide_money_the_cayma
You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours – anything to stay in power.
PPM Party , changed to the Unity Team and celebrate the 1st year . But having one is a threat , but having two of them are bigger threats.
Make no mistake Big Mac is the leader of that circus. Alden owes him everything that’s why he has to kiss his a$$ in order to keep the title of Premier. They are two sides of the same coin both are desperate for power no matter the costs. SMH
I hope no one is seriously suggesting that this ‘survey” even begins to reflect mainstream opinion in Cayman. You just have to look at the comments on just about any article on CNS to realise that those who principally use this forum for expression are serial haters. They hate everything and everyone. Look at the survey results. They seem to hate the opposition even more than they do the government.
i wash your back so you don’t stab mine…get in bed with your own kind.
“same dog puppy” best describes that dynamic duo Alden and McKeeva
11.08am No wonder Government medical bills are so high, all our civil servants and politicians are constantly in hospital having the deep wounds on their backs dressed,
Unified in the demise of Cayman
pretty easy when you sit on your hands and do nothing for a year…….
‘Cept cosy up to Dart