Tibbetts retires from politics while Eden sticks with it
Kurt Tibbetts in the LA
(CNS Elections): Speculation over the future of two of the Legislative Assembly’s veteran MLAs was settled last night when Kurt Tibbetts confirmed his retirement from politics after 25 years in office, while Anthony Eden revealed he was going to seek another term and would be running for re-election in Savannah as an independent. The premierPremier of the Cayman Islands More paid a heartfelt tribute to Tibbetts and used his final moments in this legislative term, as he moved the adjournment motion, to talk about his friend and mentor rather than himself, setting a tone for the other MLAs in their addresses.
Alden McLaughlinPremier of the Cayman Islands More gave an emotional farewell to his longtime political ally and the massive contribution he said Tibbetts had made to local politics. He said that his political mentor had never sought power for power’s sake and had been in politics to do what he felt he could to help, as he had been a champion of the people he served in George Town.
Describing him as a “big, big man”, not just in stature but with a big heart, McLaughlin said the former leader of the party and leader of government business had been on the top of the political mountain as well as at the bottom of its valleys of despair. He said his departure from the Cabinet room would leave a void and his sage advice and guidance would be missed.
Recalling being on Tibbetts’ committee when he was elected in 1992, McLaughlin said he had been promoted as the voice of reason and had remained so throughout his career.
As other MLAs paid tribute, Opposition Leader McKeeva Bush spoke of his enduring friendship with his political opponent outside of the parliament and wished him well.
Bush said some people thought he should retire too but he was not going to yet. He also took the opportunity to criticise former governor Duncan Taylor and UK officials for his arrest in 2012 over the credit card scandal and his subsequent trial. He said the arrest was “vindictive and malicious” but the people of West Bay loved him enough to believe in his honesty.
Bush is the only candidate so far to declare he is running in his home district of West Bay West, but speculation is mounting that a long-time vocal opponent of Bush who also lives in the district will be taking him on and declaring his intentions on Wednesday.
Category: Candidates
Old politicians never die. They just end their careers in disgrace.
Eden is not looking for glory. He is looking f forit money.
He can’t let 12k aonth go, on top of his 12k pension.
People need to understand he makes in a month the voters barely make in a year.
The fact that Anthony Eden will almost certainly be re-elected is a terrible indictment of this country.
All of those who continue to openly subvert and campaign against our civil and human rights and legal ECHR obligations (that we must not only currently recognize, but vigorously protect), should be disqualified from candidacy in the public service at all levels. The CIG doesn’t need any more help in creating new lawsuits and expensive settlements, thank you very much. The only traditional legacy I can see here, is the one of ignorance, followed by a successful lawsuit, and a payout of OUR money, not THEIRS.
The grand Mufti is out and so will his turtle stew Gang too hopefully.
Eden is off to a late start but he may yet sneak in and take it from behind. Things could get messy.
Where’s the lol button?
Old dinosaurs don’t die they crawl out from under their rock and run for Savannah
Poor old Mr Eden, looking for one last shot at glory and listening to these old time Cayman women with their Old Testaments and Pilgrim Holiness hair buns and long sleeved long dresses begging him to run to save them from the attack of the gays from “furrin”. The difference between him and the far, far intellectually smarter Kurt, who knows it’s time to leave the battlefield, could not be more clear.
Congratulations Minister Tibbetts. However, where is Austin Harris’s picture? Has he retired too?
Read Eden speech on LGBTQ
Hello Mr. Eden. I bumped into you at Kirk’s Supermarket last year. I am so happy that you have decided to run again.
Finally, a Caymanian that will stand up for Caymanians.
As we all know, a treacherous and traitorous 5th column has infiltrated these fair islands, but you know as well as I that the silent majority will speak when the time is right.
May God continue to bless you, Sir.
Oh yes, you need Mr Eden to save you from the massed army of gay people waiting to invade Cayman along with their army of perverts who want to sleep with animals. Dear Lord Jesus, save us from Eden and these medieval throwbacks.
So one dinosaur finally accepts extinction, but another somehow thinks that a time machine to the 21st century exists. GMHAS.
We Savannah people are pleased that Mr. Eden is still in the running. Way to go Tony, hip, hip, hooray!!
We!!!speak for yourself
McKeeva brought business to Cayman, Including Health City and the Kimpton. We need more of that to happen again.
West Bayers please help Mr. Bush retire early and not vote for him/his team on May 24, 2017……
Mr Eden, give it up…your sell by date is passed, well passed. Mac, give it up, you are no longer believed…what you claimed as a victory was a foul moral defeat and anyone who believe otherwise is smoking too much weed.
Yes Mr. Eden don’t go back on your TV interview where you plainly said you had decided not to run again. What changed your mind? Pension not enough to upkeep your life style. Still need pension and salary. Or is it because you don’t want to see another woman in the LA. Give the younger generation a chance. You need to follow KT.
As my grandmother used to say only a fool or a dead person don’t change their minds. Iglad he is still running. This is what happens in a democracy- would you prefer a dictatorship.?
What is Eden’s slogan? “Bringing us in to the 20th Century”?
Blaze the fiyah mek we bunn dem.
I believe it was the 17th Century….witch hunts and all
Tony E 4 PREMIER!!
Surely dem Savannah people must be tired of Anthony by now?
I don’t believe Mr. Eden would be seeking another term unless his Savannah people had not urged him to. I heard he is called by some of his colleagues the “Chaplain of the LA” and if for no other reason, he is surely needed for that role!
Mr Eden, the time to leave is now. Before the decision is not yours. Thanks for all your contributions but the time is now. Please do not get lured in by Mac. You cannot find a thick enough flak jacket to protect your back.
Well done Kurt. On your terms. Thanks for all you did and for showing others how representation should be done. For country.
Nice that he’s voluntarily stepping down, time to audit Planning Dept.
And PWD!
Perhaps Paul Rivers is that candidate !
I sure hope so.
Hell would freeze over twice before I voted for McKeeva again.
I voted for him from the time I was 18 years old and my head is well covered in grey hairs now, so that’s been quite a long time that he got my family’s support.
Mac and Eugene are absolutely turning West Bay into a Welfare District. Every day you see drunkards, coke heads, knocked up baby mamas and people looking for a hand out on every street corner that you go. They get their monthly rent paid, medical, groceries from Fosters every week and they won’t strike a lick in terms of work – for an honest days pay.
For West Bay:
Vote Paul Rivers if he declares, Cathy-Ann Wilks, Mervin Smith and Tara Rivers.
Do NOT vote Tara again. She was such a disaster, a waste of time.
Bush and Whogene needs to go. A complete waste of the country’s money.
That last paragraph makes me a bit happier. West Bayers, do what is right and eject Bush from the legislature.
We have no chance of getting rid of him if he runs unchallenged .
Woah man!!! I had no idea!!!! Thanks!!!