PPM in surprise GT candidate shuffle
Marco Archer on Nomination Day
(CNS Election): Marco Archer, the current finance minister and one of the Progressives’ most popular candidates, will be running in George Town Central instead of PremierPremier of the Cayman Islands More Alden McLaughlinPremier of the Cayman Islands More, who was expected to be in a head-to-head fight with his former assistant, Kenneth Bryan. The party had been tight-lipped about where many of their candidates were running, and it was not until almost 2:30pm on Nomination Day that it emerged that Archer will be running in the centre of the capital and the party leader will be contesting Red Bay.
Admitting that strategy had played a key part in the Progressives’ plan in George Town, Archer described it as a “real chess match”, but he said that GTC was a good fit for him.
He said he was from George Town Central, grew up there and had strong ties to the community; he learned to swim in Hog Sty Bay and went to school in the area. He said he had great support there in 2013 and has many friends and church colleagues in the constituency.
Archer said he hoped to be returned to the LA and would be honoured to serve the people in GTC. “I am the George Town Central person, so it was a natural choice for me,” he added.
If the PPM secured the government, he hopes to return to his job as minister of finance, he said.
Meanwhile, Kenneth Bryan told CNS that it was the issues that were important, not who he faced in the campaign.
Bryan, who has been on the campaign trail for almost a year, said the PPM government was not connecting with the people and it was time for change. He said he believed they had been carried along and were taking credit for the economic advances that were not necessarily of their making. He also criticised government for the recent swathe of legislation it brought to the LA and the enormous problems they had faced trying to steer some ill-thought out laws at the eleventh hour, which he said had demonstrated their incompetence.
Category: Candidates, Political parties
Kenneth I guess that up until the time they fired you they were competent. After all you were part of the group. However as soon as you were fired you realized they were incompetent. Yeah right. Personal grudge that’s what it is.
That Mr Bryan chose a seat with the intention of spoiling for a fight with Alden says a lot. Alden did well to turn the other cheek and outsmart him.
Except that Kenneth chose his constituency first, followed by Frank then Alden. So who was spoiling for a fight? Maybe the aggressor in this case realized he didn’t stand a chance and backed out. Strategy my back foot!!!
Don’t you have to live in the riding to qualify? If so how was this “strategic move” possible?
Why is every one blaming the PPM for being smart. This is a brilliant move. We had 4 years of no scandals no corruption and prudent financial management. Unemployment is down and the economy is booming.
I agree except the increase in unemployment is significantly short term low end positions and the prudent financial management is really sacrificing the employment opportunity of Caymanians for the benefit of work permit revenues. Less corruption granted but I can tell you this is the most depressing and disheartening time to be a qualified Caymanian looking for a decent job. Under the PPM the expatriates are the entitled….my confidence nor my bank account cannot afford a another PPM term.
5.25 What is a riding?
A vote for Marco is a Vote For Alden – memba mi tell u dat!
Well ‘Say no to Marco’ a vote for Alden is a vote for Marco also.And that’s a good thing.
O wow … I like Kenneth, but I think he is no match for Marco! If it was someone else … but Marco??? Ehhhh … the same dude that took us out of debt and know finances well? Not good for Kenneth :/
I think Alden pull a fast one on Kenneth, making a strategic move to place him one-on-one with Marco
Marco didnt pull us out of debt! We are still in serious debt! Even with a surplus, there is a bullet bond, and the pension liability that remains to the tune of hundreds of millions, dont believe the hype. All Marco did was comply with the FFR and any good “Chief Officer
” could have done that by simply following the instructions. Marco is a Minister who acts like an administrator and that is not good!
3.40pm I guess that is why we should pick Kenneth ; to pay off that bullet bond and make that pension liability disappear.That bullet bond is one of the main reasons for trying to build up the reserves. Remember that bullet bond was Mac’s baby.
Yeah Alden definitely didn’t want to go against Kenneth….as for Marco knowing finance..meh? Giving out record numbers of permits while qualified experienced Caymanians are un and under employed isn’t really a mensa move!
Idk … but I understand there must be some rivalry between Kurt and Denniston Tibbetts, and that’s why Alden swapped for Red Bay
No question about who will win in GTC #TeamArcher
One positive for Marco is that he has never been convicted for supplying drugs.
Is it a requirement to disclose criminal records? Funny that a guest worker would not be granted a work permit yet a local with a conviction can seek public office.
I don’t think candidates are required to disclose their criminal past but having a record certainly does seem to help. Drug pushers, wife beaters, problem gamblers, repeat drunk drivers all see themselves as suitable representatives of the population if this election is anything to go by. Thinking about it, they may have a point.
How does it help 2.19? And please be serious when you answer.
Why did Alden, the chicken, cross the road? It’s pretty simple to figure this one out folks…
Strategy! !!!!
Let’s be real, Marco would make a far superior premier.
As it relates to ministerial performance, I’d say he excelled the greatest.
Awesome comment as long as it progressives amen
How can people say Alden is afraid? Kenneth knew that’s he only district he could run in and have an off chance of getting in because he’s been running around giving people in that district freebies for the last year prepping for the election…which he failed so miserably at last election. PPM just squished his dreams.
I don’t care for Alden but this move was rather strategic (on his part) to ensure Kenny loses out again.
I would have thought that freebies at election time were the stuff of legend. If there is proof that this occurs, perhaps this instance should be the test case and put this behind us once and for all.
Perhaps simply put… Prove it!
Marco! Why oh why didn’t you run in GTW, GTS or GTE?! Slim pickings for those areas.
Keep it progressive n that’s a given
Marco has proven his worth, he should be voted back in to continue the good job he is doing. Kenny is a young upcoming future leader, shame they are head to head. My vote would go to Archer here, but I wish young Kenneth all the best in the future, his time will come.
Yes Marco well said a game of chess is what you sum up our people’s lives and country. You really show your true colors my man.
Top melodrama there.
Sorry Alden, no use coming to Red Bay.
I can’t vote for you or Mcfield, so Mr Tibbets you have my vote.
You really are a donkey if u wotin’ for Denniston!
Dat not no Kurt you talkin bout now.
Sorry for Marco, can’t believe he made Alden made him do this?? I understand their strategy use the strongest in their weakest area. This area would have been political suricide for Alden, but I would rather have Alden lost than Marco
But Alden is for himself; therefore, he would not take the chance of losing….he knew exactly what he was doing.
I am sure most people with two cents to rub will agree Marco has done more in his short time than Alden has in his.
Marco will have to work really hard to beat Kenneth in that specified area. This is what one man one vote has done…it is not good for us.
Switch up proves Alden is a real coward and has to use others to fight his little battles wow alden real stand up guy hiding in Red Bay from your opponent. Mannn your something else boy
Class act by Alden. Wants to keep personal issues out of the limelight and focus on continuing to help Cayman progress.
Marco is the most qualified candidate, Kenneth’s money backers will have to inject a lot more money.
Simply put, Kenneth Bryan is a fool. Shun him!
You could have added a few more to that list dear, because he is not alone.
Weh you run fah? You should have stand up lol, boy, looks like man catch him fraid
Old Alden will try any trick to stay in power.
Yes he is full of tricks and something else too….
He is the most destructive politician for Caymanians and their heritage. He is good for the foreigners and rich. His main legislative agenda items for next 4 years is to legalise gay marriages and bring in more foreigners and give them PR.
He either doesn’t care about the quality of life of Caymanians or he is not very intelligent…his liberal managerial work permit policy pretty well secures those jobs for expatriates until they can apply (and will likely receive) PR. With a contracting financial service industry that means those jobs will never be available to Caymanians.
Well said 10:12pm; this is the horrible truth no-one wants to acknowledge. This man is dangerous…..